Page 77 of RomeAntically Challenged
“Michelle knew?” Emmitt staggered back a few steps. “How long has this been a thing?”
“Since sixth grade when I had to do a family crest.”
“That was four years ago.” Anger didn’t even come close to what he was feeling when he turned to the Bobbsey Twins. “You two have been lying to me for four years? Jesus, you had Paisley lying to me.”
“Michelle thought it would be better if this was about Les and Paisley, not you and your dad’s relationship,” Gray said.
“Les doesn’t have relationships, Gray. He has burdens. And one mistake and it’s game over.”
“He’s changed,” Paisley said, her eyes a little too shiny for his liking. Then again, he was close to tears himself.
“He hasn’t, sweetie,” Emmitt said, his voice raw. “And I’m trying hard to understand why you didn’t come to me when you started having questions about your family roots.”
“Try harder, Dad,” she said, throwing his words back at him. “And you know why I didn’t come to you? You were gone, in South Africa, and the project was due in two weeks. I called, but you were somewhere without reception, so I went to Mom and she helped me find the pictures I needed, and I’m glad because I love Grandpa, and I love having him at family dinners.”
Emmitt wanted to ask if she loved havinghimat family dinners but was afraid of the answer. Jesus, his kid had needed him and he hadn’t answered her call. What kind of dad did that make him?
“I wish I’d been there, and I want you know that I’ll always be here for you, but sometimes when I’m away—” He stopped dead in his tracks because he sounded just like his dad. Even worse, Paisley was calling him on it.
“I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t want you to freak out. You’re not around much, so it didn’t seem like a big deal for Grandpa to come over,” she said. “And in case you go away between now and the dance, you should know that there is no sleepover. At least not at your house. My friends’ parents won’t let them sleep over at a house if they don’t know the chaperone. So it’s either no sleepover or I have it here with Daddy.” She looked around the room at all three men. “Bet you wish you’d never offered. I know I do.”
She didn’t wait for a response, which cut deep because he didn’t know how to respond. And she knew it. Here he’d come in thinking he had this whole dad thing figured out, that he was doing what needed to be done, and he’d missed every mark.
The screen door slammed, rocking on its hinges.
Emmitt ran a hand down his face, trying to collect himself enough so that he didn’t embarrass himself in front of everyone.
“We never meant for you to find out this way,” Levi said, and Emmitt lost it.
“When did you mean for me to find out? Graduation? Her wedding? And what does that even mean? Since when is it your choice when I find out thatmykid is spending time with someone I’ve worked hard to keep her from? And in case you didn’t hear me, she is my kid.” He looked at Gray. “She might call you Daddy, but I’m her dad. Check the birth certificate.” Then it was Levi’s turn. “And you’re her uncle. The only two people who had the right to make decisions about Paisley were me and Michelle. When she passed, her legal rights didn’t transfer to either of you.”
“Take it down a notch,” Levi said, putting his hand against Gray’s chest as if holding him back.
“Ah, I get it now. You’re too busy watching his back to even notice the knife in mine,” Emmitt scoffed. “And what the hell are you wearing?”
Emmitt knew he was coming off like an asshole, but it was better than breaking down in front of the two biggest traitors in bro-code history. Never in his life had he felt so left out, so insignificant and alone. And with the childhood he’d had, that was saying a lot.
Levi looked at Emmitt as if he were the crazy one. “We play softball on Fridays.”
“Since when?”
Levi and Gray looked at each other, sharing some secret glances Emmitt wasn’t included in. Par for the course.
“Since four years ago,” Levi said. “Michelle signed us up. She signed you up too, but when you didn’t show up at the first few practices, they filled your spot.”
“I swear to God, if you say with my dad, I will lose my shit.” He didn’t let them answer. “You both have my number—you could have texted or called or e-mailed. If you needed me, you knew how to get hold of me.”
“That’s just it, man,” Gray said. “We’re not your keeper. I work hard to make sure you’re looped in as much as I can, but at some point you have to take the initiative.”
“Here’s the thing,Gray.You seem to think you’re my daughter’s keeper.”
“E,” Levi said cautiously. “It’s a stupid weeknight league. It’s not a big deal.”
“It’s a huge deal, because I’m trying to be a part of this family.” He punched his chest with his fist, but it just felt empty. “And you both know that. I’m doing my best from five thousand freaking miles away. I thought you had my back.”
“When was the last time you had ours?” Gray asked, and that’s when Emmitt saw it.
The one thing that highlighted just what a joke of a dad he was. Sitting on the table next to Gray was the hit that brought him to his knees.
