Page 123 of Fly Boy
“I know our relationship may be unconventional, especially considering who I am.” I lift my hand and place it on my chest before pointing to him. “And who you are, there will be scrutiny over it from newspapers and magazines digging into the fact Wyatt used to work for you and that he’s older, but…”
Dad looks at Wyatt. “And are you prepared for that? Gossip rags and spiteful journalists can be ruthless in what they write.”
“I am,” he says, taking free my hand in his and setting it on the table for my parents to see. “I’m in love with your daughter, sir. I’d walk across fire for her.”
Nancy squeaks, covering her mouth. “Sorry. Carry on.”
“I don’t doubt that,” Dad says, steepling his fingers like he’s in a meeting as he regards Wyatt. “What I do worry about is how all of this will affect her. Career-wise. Pippa has worked hard to get where she is, and I know the negative things said about her online—aboutmypotential influence to get her to where she is—has been an issue for her.”
“I understand that,” Wyatt starts to say, but I leap instantly to his defense.
“Dad, Wyatt was actually the one who made me realize that their words are just…” Looking at my man, I say the rest to him. “They’re just that. Words. I am a damn good skater, and I deserve to be where I am.”
He brings my hand to his lips, brushing a gentle kiss to the back of it.
“Sir, any negative shit they want to say about me, about Pippa”—he pauses, resting his arm on the back of my chair, his fingers landing on my neck, gently squeezing—“we’ll deal with it together.”
“Oh my god,” Nancy coos, dabbing under her eyes. “Remember when you used to be that sweet, Charlie?”
“Used to be?” my dad splutters, but I don’t hear what else he says. My cheeks ache as I try to curb the massive smile that wants to take over my face as I stare at Wyatt. I want to kiss him, tell him I love him over and over, but I’m still not sure about my dad’s stance.
“And that right there is how I knew something was going on between you two.” Dad points between me and Wyatt, making me blush. Taking a deep breath, he waves his hand dismissively through the air. “But negative press aside, it’s your concentration and devotion to your sport that I worry about. Pippa, you’re young. You’re going places.” I open my mouth, but he barrels on, cutting me off. “And before you say anything, the differences in your age is not an issue for me. As you so astutely pointed out days ago, I’d be a hypocrite to use that against you. But it’s not a secret that infatuation can distract the mind.”
“And I agree, sir,” Wyatt states, and my head whips in his direction. “But one of the things that I fell in love with first is your daughter's dedication to skating. Not just professionally, but with those little girls in Lake Placid, too. I would never standin Pippa’s way to achieve her goals. I want to be by her side the whole time, through everything—the good—celebrating her successes. And the bad—picking her up when she needs it. I want them all.”
“And what about that little blip on day one of the competition?” Dad asks.
“Honey,” Nancy chastises, pursing her lips.
“It’s true,” he laments. “Even Pippa can admit she was distracted during the short program.”
“I was,” I admit, ducking my head for a beat before adding. “But that was because of you.”
“Me?”
“You had just fired my boyfriend and were unwilling to hire him back. Of course, I was distracted. I felt so guilty and worried that Wyatt would resent me, that it was all I could think about,” I tell him, his eyes widening with each word.
He itches his chin, his bottom lip sticking out as he hums in thought. “Well, shit. I didn’t think about that.”
Wyatt chuckles and ghosts his thumb over the back of my hand. “To be fair, if you didn’t think you needed to defend my honor, you’d have known I was going to be fine.”
“You’ve got another job?” Dad asks, his eyebrows flying up his forehead. “Already?”
Wyatt shifts uncomfortably in his chair. “Well, sir, I was actually going to give you my resignation next week.”
Dad looks surprised. “You were?”
He nods. “My brother’s partner has decided to take me on as a part-time contractor as well as putting me in touch with an up-and-coming rock star.” He pointedly turns to me. “So I’m fine.”
“A rock star? How exciting,” Nancy gushes.
“Well, that’s great then,” Dad says, signaling the waiter and ordering a bottle of champagne. “Surely that will keep you busy, will it not? What, with tours and such? What kind of plane doeshe own?” he asks, leaning forward to monopolize my boyfriend’s time, while I sit back, warmth radiating through my bones as I watch them.
The rest of breakfast passes in a blur, and I feel like an interloper, observing four people converse on the outside. Nancy asks about my plans for my downtime now that the final competition of the season is done while Dad and Wyatt discuss all things aviation with the same enthusiasm as they did that day when he announced he was in the market for an upgrade.
It’s surreal. Watching my family and my boyfriend—a boyfriend I thought would never be more than a secret—together. And while he might not have explicitly said it, the smiles Dad gives Wyatt, the pats on the back, and the jokes they make, I know he accepts my choice.
This right here is my future. And being with Wyatt is like winning gold.
