Page 106 of Rebellious

The door opens and my father barges in, looking around the living room.

“Oh thank God,” Theo says, heading to the front door. “I’m so glad you’re here to relieve me. An hour with these demons and they’re trying to convince me to snort hard candy and play Madden.”

Theo scrunches his face. “Kids are heathens.”

Like usual, Dad ignores him, finding my gaze. “You okay?”

I nod and my father visibly relaxes, clapping Theo on the shoulder. “Thanks for calling me.”

Theo looks back at me and tips his chin. “We agreed you couldn’t teach the grandkids to drive or pussy them up with those stupid hug things you like to give.”

My father’s eyes widen in horror. “What? What grandkids?”

Grown-ass men don’t sleep alone

Bennett

Iwave off my father’s concern as the door closes behind Theo and Fenn. “He’s joking,” I tell him. “No grandkids are on the horizon.”

At least for several more years.

My father nods, but it seems forced. “Oh good.”

I chuckle. “I swear, Dad. No kids.”

“I’m uh…” Drew interrupts, walking backwards down the hall. “I’m gonna give you two some time to chat.”

And disappear just in case Dad wants to lay into him about something.

“I’ll stop in before I leave,” Dad calls, just as Drew clicks the door shut.

Inhaling, I wait for my father to turn, leveling me with a look. “You want to tell me about what happened today?”

The word no is on the tip of my tongue, but I hold back. All this started by me not talking to my father—feeling like I had to protect him. Even if Theo says nothing will destroy his friendship with my dad, it doesn’t mean my father won’t self-sabotage if things go wrong.

“Bennett,” he puts his hand on my shoulder. “Have a seat.”

I gaze out at the sofa like it’s my end. This conversation could go horribly wrong and ruin so many things for our family. “I’d rather stand, sir,” I answer carefully.

My father’s dark brows arch. “You must have thought I asked you a question.”

I groan and lumber over to the couch and plop down, my elbows on my knees. This is not how I wanted this to go.

“Now, shall we try again?” My father sits next to me. “What happened today, Bennett?”

I could admit saying goodbye to Aspen put me in a shitty mood, but my father already knows that. What he doesn’t know is why Theo called him here. “Uncle Theo exaggerated,” I say with a sigh.

“He does that.” My father’s voice is amused but still very much guarded. “But generally, he doesn’t text to tell me I had better get my ass up here and talk to my son.”

“How do you know it wasn’t Drew in need of a chat?”

He doesn’t smile. “Bennett. I won’t ask you again.”

My father doesn’t repeat himself. Not that I know what happens after the last straw breaks. I’ve never been fool enough to try my father’s patience. Burying my face in my hands, I sigh. “I love Aspen.”

The words simply spill out. It wasn’t as hard to admit to my father as I thought.

My father chuckles. “I see.”

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