Page 80 of Icebreaker
“Aw, thank you. I’m going to miss you too, but we still have one day before I move out, and then you’ll have the place to yourself all summer. Gonna go wild?”
“It’s like you’ve never even met me.”
“A little wild never hurt anyone, right?”
“Okay, I’ll work on staying up late, and uhh… I don’t even know what else.” Matty laughed a bit too hard at Benji going off track. It seemed Matty had inherited all the wildness, but he liked to drag Benji along with him. Rafe pushed his way past Daddy B to join the hugfest.
Since Rafe and Matty had moved in next door, the four of us had become close friends. Though Matty had been busy with his job as a social worker over the past year, so we’d seen him a lot less than we had Rafe. Benji, Rafe, and I had become almost inseparable. They were the ones who’d reminded me that Daddy B loved me whenever I’d had doubts over the past year.
After spending last summer together, I returned to school while Daddy B went to the police academy. During the five months he was there, we hardly spoke at all. He was dedicated to studying, and I was knee-deep in reference materials for my senior cornerstone project. Some days, we were limited to one-word texts, but the boys reminded me it was all temporary.
“Ellie, I hope you’re not upset, but I did a thing.” Daddy B sounded incredibly nervous. He waved over a photographer who was standing back from the group. “I knew you’d say no if I told you, so I didn’t, and I didn’t tell them,” he said with a jerk of his shoulder toward the guys, “because they’d all snitch on me.”
“Told me what?” I ignored the guys’ protests that they were capable of keeping a secret from me. He was absolutely right. They were mostly terrible at it.
“I thought it would be fun if there was a photographer here. So I got the candid shots of you graduating, but she’s going to take other ones with you before we go to the restaurant.”
“Oh my gosh, I don’t even know what to say.” He called my response right, but it was hard to say no when it was already done. “Thank you…”
“Hi all, I’m Nicole. Congratulations on graduating,” the photographer said as she stepped forward to shake my hand. “Since we’re on campus, I’d love to get some shots on the far side of the quad by the tree line. With the harbor in the distance and the tree line right there, it makes for a great backdrop.”
“Oh, yeah, sure.”
“And that way, we can get a range of shots for the different groups.”
“Groups?”
“Yeah, like you two. The friend group. And”—Nicole glanced at her notes—“your dad?”
And that was it. I hadn’t cried all day, but I was done. I had almost no pictures of my dad and me because he was always so busy working. The faucet was turned on and I hoped she was good at editing.
“Are you sad?” Daddy B whispered close so no one would hear. “Did I fuck it up?”
“Nope, you did it perfectly. I love you so much, Daddy B.”
“I love you too, kiddo.”
Late Summer
“Mel, I’m headed out.” My summer volunteer gig had evolved into a full-fledged job this year. I was stoked about my spot behind the reference desk—it was my pride and joy. It wasn’t just about helping people find books. It was about using technology and community connections to help them find all sorts of library resources.
“All right, see you tomorrow. Big plans for your afternoon off?” she asked.
Today’s caftan was inspired by Morocco, and she’d woven gold thread into her dark hair. Every day was a new look, and I admired her commitment to it. I was entirely too lazy for that level of effort.
“B is waiting for me outside, and he’s off too. I think we’re going to wander down to the farmers’ market at the city park,” I answered.
“Oh fun. If you’re lucky, the guy with the mini cheesecakes will be there.”
“Fingers crossed. If he’s there, do you want me to pick up some for you?”
“Yes! Surprise me with the flavors.” I waved off her attempt to pay for the treats and grabbed my messenger bag.
As promised, Daddy B was waiting for me outside the library. He wore a T-shirt, a pair of jeans, and flip-flops. His aviator glasses reflected the light back at me, bouncing it off them. Even though he wasn’t playing hockey anymore, he still worked out a couple of times a week and was as fit as ever. I mean, come on, my man was hot.
“You done, baby boy?” He pushed himself off the railing and met me about halfway up the sidewalk. I stood on my tiptoes and reached up to kiss him firmly on the mouth and answered, “I am. You ready to go to the farmers’ market?”
“Lead the way, kiddo.” I love that Daddy B never minded taking my hand or showing me affection in public. The little town we lived in was known for being welcoming to everyone, so when Daddy B clasped my hand in his, no one batted an eye as we walked down the sidewalk. It just didn’t seem to be a big deal here, which was pretty awesome. I was a little worried about the sheriff’s office, but Daddy B said there were a couple ofother officers on duty who were either gay or bi, so his having a boyfriend wasn’t even something to gossip about.
