Page 59 of Working Out West

“It has been hard to have you away. We miss you.”

“As I do you and Mama.”

“In spite of you keeping this from us, in a way, I understand your reasoning. I only wanted to make it clear what I said the other day. You have our love, no matter who you love. We will always be here for you.”

My heart clenched.

“Thank you, Papa. I love you both also and always.”

He grunted and slapped me on the shoulder. “I am also proud of you, what you have built here for yourself. You have done well, Adrik.”

“I am happy.”

He scoffed. “I have seen a small glimpse of your happiness where your West is concerned. But before that, nothing. Do not let work run your life. You run it and make sure you grab that happiness you have found to keep it.”

“If he will have me.”

“He would be foolish not to have my son.”

“Only a father would say that.”

“A father who is always right.”

I chuckled.

“If you wish, I could have a talk to this West and see where he stands for you.”

Christ no. “I appreciate the thought, but that will never happen.” Thinking of West had me wanting to leave, to see him, hold him.

“Your mother and I would like to meet him before we go back.”

“He is healing.”

“In a week then.”

“I will see how he is then.”

He paused for a moment. “Your mother will take care with him when we do meet him.”

“I know.”

“I will also… behave.”

I snorted. “We will see when it happens.”

He gave me another slap to the shoulder. “Go. I can see you want to get back to him. See your mother on the way out, though.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “I will. Lock up when you leave.”

“Of course. Talk soon.”

Nodding, I picked up my glass and made my way inside, eager to leave. Yet, I was going with a new lightness inside me. I had not realized I needed that conversation, but I appreciated my parents more than I ever had.

Using the code Lucas had given me, I unlocked the door to the house and stepped through with my bag. It was quiet since it was only Lucas and West here. The others were obviously still at the compound.

“Are you going to let me through?” Dimitri asked.

“You do know I do not need you here.”

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