Page 27 of Reckless Youth
I was always proud to say I was Lee Moriety’s daughter. He was a respected member of the community and his legacy wouldn’t die now that my oldest brother, Grady, had taken the helm as his right-hand man.
Daddy sat down on the bed, pushing the bag over to allow room for me, as he patted the plush pink bedspread with his rough hand.
Plopping down on the bed, I faced him with criss-crossed legs.
He cleared his throat nervously and I noticed his neck and face were red and blotchy. And it wasn’t from the heat of the sun or working outside day-after-day. It was something different.
“I know your momma already talked to you some time ago about…” he gave a long sigh, slapping his jean-clad thighs with his palms. Then he returned his gaze to me.
“Well, darlin, this is a bit more difficult for me than it was with your brothers, so give me some slack, here. I’m fixin’ to do my best not to make this too awkward. But I need to make sure my little girl is protected.”
Tilting my head up in alarm, I watched as he lifted his butt to the side and pulled something from his back pocket. My eyes bugged out with surprise when he opened his palm, producing three condom packets.
The giggle that escaped me couldn’t be helped and my hand flew to my mouth, covering my embarrassed laugh.
“Daddy…” I groaned with discomfort, covering my face with my hands. “Oh my God, this is so embarrassing.”
He gave a deep chuckle, indicating it was the same for him.
“Darlin, I know it is, but it has to be said. You know that I trust you…and for the most part, have faith in Cam and Sage to do the right thing. But ya see, darlin, I was once in their shoes around a pretty girl, too. Also known as your mother. And boys your age have all sorts of inappropriate thoughts in their heads about girls…
“And if Cam and Sage were any other boys, I’d have my shotgun aimed and ready. But I know Cam would never do anything to hurt you in that way. I’m also not dumb. I’ve seen how you look at him. So, if you and Cam decide to get serious, I want you to protect yourself. There’s too much riding on your future to get knocked up or worse.”
Underneath the impossibly humiliating topic of the sex talk with my dad, I found it odd that he pinned my interest only on Cam and not Sage. Did he not consider Sage as a potential love interest for me?
“Daddy, in case you were wondering, I’m still a virgin.”
His response was immediate, rubbing his temples in either agony or relief. “Thank God I’m not too late.”
We both laughed at his obvious relief.
“You’re not too late. And I appreciate the concern. But out of curiosity, why do you assume it’s me and Cam? What if I liked Sage in that way?”
Daddy’s lips tightened, his jaw clenching.
“Sage is bad news, darlin. If I had it my way, you’d stay far away from him and not let him drag you down. He doesn’t belong in your life.”
I was stunned at what I was hearing. Since when did my Dad think so unkindly toward Sage, who had never been anything but a wonderful friend to me? I was disgusted with my Dad’s low opinion of my best friend, who had overcome so much in his life and was desperate to get out from under his father’s thumb, doing everything he could to make sure that happened.
“Daddy, I can’t believe you think that about Sage. He’s my best friend and has the kindest heart. He’s always been here for me and would never do anything to hurt me.”
He patted my knee affectionately, with a sorrowful acknowledgment.
“London, you must realize that Sage’s life is incredibly different from yours. He’s not going to college. He doesn’t have the same opportunities that you have. And his father…”
I jumped from the bed, appalled by what my dad was implying.
“You’re judging him based on his father? On the way he was raised? That’s not Sage’s fault!”
My anger flooded my body, my hands tightening into fists and my stomach twisting into knots. I grabbed my bag from the floor and ran downstairs and outside to wait for Cam in the driveway.
My dad followed me out, continuing the conversation with a gentle hand on my shoulder. I kept my back to him, anger seething in the pit of my stomach.
“Baby, I know you only see what you want to about Sage. But there’s something dark there. It’s bound to shake loose someday, and maybe not intentionally, but he could hurt you. I only want you to be careful. Do you hear me?”
He tried to reach for my hand, but I flung it out of his reach, taking two large steps away from him before spinning to face him.
“Daddy, you don’t know him like I do. He’s the most loving, caring and sweetest boy I’ve ever met. He’d do anything for me or Cam. He might not be going to college but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have plans for his life. He’s such a talented musician and is going to be a huge star someday. I just know it.”
