Page 137 of That Moment
“That’s not your call to make.” My voice cracks sharper than I meant, but I don’t back down. “You could’ve come to me.”
He nods once, patient in that infuriating, fatherly way. “You’re right. I could’ve.”
I blink, thrown off balance by the admission. “Then why didn’t you?”
He takes a slow drink, the ice clinking against the glass. “Because every time I ask about your life lately, you shut me down. Figured I’d go to the other source.”
I laugh, disbelieving. “By other source, you mean Axel?”
“We both know it isn’t hard to get him to talk.”
“Apparently?”
“Adrienne.” His tone softens just slightly. “I’m not angry. I’m… trying to understand. You’ve always had big dreams. LA, Boston, D.C.—hell, you could’ve taken any path. Now you’re talking about staying put, and I need to know if you’re doing it foryou, or because some guy finally told you what you wanted to hear.”
The words cut deep, sharp as glass. “Wow. You think I’d throw away my career over a man?”
“I think love makes people do stupid things,” he says simply. “I’ve seen it.”
My chest burns. “You don’t know him.”
He meets my eyes then, steady and unflinching. “I know his kind.”
The insult lands hard. “Hiskind? What the hell does that mean?”
He sighs, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Jesus, why are you always looking for a fight? I mean the kind of man who swings his dick all over town, Adrienne. For fuck’s sake, I’ve been that man.”
Before I can respond, headlights sweep across the porch. Tires crunch the gravel fast. I turn toward the driveway, heart sinking. “Oh no.”
Scotty’s truck skids to a stop, engine rumbling before he cuts it. He steps out, broad-shouldered.
My dad stiffens. “What’s he doing here?”
“I have no idea,” I whisper, but my pulse is already racing. “Please don’t?—”
Too late. My dad’s already on the porch steps when Scotty stops at the bottom.
“Mr. Slade,” Scotty starts, voice rough, steady. “I need to say something.”
Hudson folds his arms. “You can say it to meandmy daughter, since you showed up uninvited.”
I step between them. “Dad?—”
“No.” Scotty’s voice cuts through mine. “I deserve answers, and so do you.”
He looks at my dad, his voice steady. “You think I’m not good enough for her. You’re right, I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve been reckless with women, with myself. But I’ve also worked my ass off for everything I have. I built myself from the ground up. I’ve saved every dime, bought my land outright, and I’ve got no debts, not to any bank, and not to any man.”
My dad’s hard expression doesn’t change, but I see a flicker in his eyes.
Scotty presses on, his voice shaking slightly now. “I can take care of her if she ever needed it, but she doesn’t. She can take care of herself just fine. I’m not here because sheneedsme. I’m here because I chose her and she chose me. Every damn day, I’ll keep choosing her.”
My throat tightens, tears threatening. I didn't expect this.
“And if that’s not enough,” he adds quietly while glancing over at me, “then I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it will be.”
The silence after is heavy. I step forward, standing beside him. “And for the record, just to double down on what he said,” I say, my voice steady, “I can provide for myself just fine, with or without the Slade name.”
Dad’s gaze moves between us, and for the first time tonight, he doesn’t look angry. He taps his finger against his leg thoughtfully, then lets out a defeated sigh. “You both done?”
