Page 9 of Becoming Us
My eyebrows shot up. “You’ll what now?”
“If you’re going to keep doing this modeling thing, I’m not letting it fuck with your head. Eat, hijo. You’re still growing.” Hewas already digging through the fridge, jars knocking together as he searched.
I hopped onto the counter, smiling to myself. I’d maybe seen him cook once. It hadn’t ended well. “Maybe cold is best.”
“Safer,” he agreed with a chuckle.
I sat there quietly, watching him piece it all together. He wasn’t a man of many words, but lately, he’d been trying.
It started small, asking what I was listening to when I had my headphones on. Then he’d stop by my room to ask about my day. Now, we’d apparently graduated to sandwich-making and kitchen small talk.
It was…nice. I wasn’t used to him being around.
“I might head out tonight. That okay?”
“Where to?”
“Dana Jiménez’s.”
His eyebrows made a valiant effort to touch his hairline. “Those Jiménezes?”
I bit down a smile. “Yup.”
He slathered mustard on the bread and nodded. “Is it a party?”
“Nah, Dad. She’s my girlfriend. I’m just going to hang out.”
“Girlfriend?”
I laughed. “Yeah, it’s new.”
“Well, hijo.” He capped the mustard, wiping his hands on a towel before glancing back at me. “That’s a good choice.”
He slid the plate my way, and my chest filled with something unexpected. Something that felt a little like pride.
“Thanks,” I said, softer this time.
It looked big. Maybe too big. Mom was supposed to be on that shoot this weekend too. The photographer was some old friend of hers and I had to wear a swimsuit.
“And, Noh,” he added.
I met his gaze. We shared that. Even if most of me looked like her, our eyes were the same.
“Don’t let this bullshit get to your head.” His brows pulled together in earnest. “If you want out, I can get you out.”
I considered that, trying to imagine how that conversation would go. I’d never hear the end of it.
Picking up the sandwich, I took a big bite and hopped down. “It’s fine, Dad,” I said around a mouthful.
“Manners.” He gave me a half-smile, shaking his head.
I swallowed. “Thanks. For the food and the getaway vehicle. I’ll keep it in mind.”
The smile stayed fixed on his face. It was tight, like most of his were. Lately, I’d seen some that reached his eyes. This wasn’t one of them.
I turned and headed to my room, trying to shake the weight in my chest.
Closing the door behind me, I set the plate on my desk, left the sandwich untouched, and made my way to the shower.
