Page 42 of Say It Again
“Welcome, Aaron.” She enthusiastically shook his hand. “You are hotter than a jalapeño’s armpit.”
“Thank you?”
“He’s here,” someone whisper-shouted, then shushed the crowd.
Melissa shot them an elated smile as she scurried to the door, perking her hair and breasts along the way.
“I’m nervous,” Daniel whispered. “Should we escape out the back door?”
Aaron squeezed his hand. Everyone was so kind; there was no way the evening wouldn’t be a thorough success. “I’m right here for you. Whatever you need.”
“Surprise!”
Daniel’s dad jumped as he stepped into the house. He was better-looking than Aaron would’ve expected for some reason, probably because Daniel described him as uninteresting, troll-like, and Satanesque. They did favor one another. It was in the eyes, maybe. Although where Daniel was petite, his dad was bulky like he lifted weight in excess.
At least he looked warm as he worked his way through the crowd, patting people on the back, shaking their hands, flashing a pair of matching dimples when he smiled. Then he laid eyes on them, and something shifted terribly.
“Oh no,” Daniel whispered as his dad rushed through his hellos on his way to get to them, his smile growing more contrived by the second. “We should leave.”
Shit, should they? Even though he didn’t believe it, he said, “Maybe he’s just surprised.”
“Okay.” Daniel gulped as his dad quickly approached. “Hey, Dad. Happy birthd—”
Robert hauled Daniel through the kitchen by his arm and outside to the patio.
Aaron stood frozen as Robert sealed the glass door shut and twisted around to start what seemed to be a staring contest between the two of them. If they were talking, they did it without moving their mouths much.
He shook out his limbs. Welp, he couldn’t very well prevent Daniel from exploding like an atomic weapon through a glass door. Here went nothing. Fortifying himself with a breath, he slowly slid the door open.
“Care to explain what’s going on?” Robert asked, his arms staked across his chest as he glared at Daniel. “Do you want something?”
“I don’t understand how to answer that.” Daniel squinted at him. “I don’t want anything. I’m here because it’s your birthday.”
“Dan. You haven’t—”
“It’s Daniel.”
“Fine, Daniel. You rarely answer my calls. You sure as hell don’t ever want to see me when I ask, and now you show up here unannounced? You expect me not to be a little startled by that?”
“Unannounced? Do I need to explain how a surprise party works? For it to work, it has to be a surprise, but you’re right. I’m not sure what I’m doing here either. Come on, Aaron.” Daniel charged for the door. “We’re leaving.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Aaron blocked him. “If you want to leave, we can leave, but let’s make sure you’re thinking clearly. Remember why you’re here. Remember what you said.”
Daniel scowled.
“You want to have a connection with him? You don’t want to storm off in a fit of rage? Those are your words.”
Slowly and reluctantly, Daniel softened his glower. He twisted back around and offered Robert a tepid smile. “You’re right. I could make a better effort at keeping in touch with you.”
There, that was good. Mature.
“But you make it really fucking challenging when all you do is—”
“Nope.” Aaron cleared his throat, nudging him. “Try again.”
“Okay.” Daniel unclenched his teeth. “Dad, I could make a greater effort to keep in touch with you. For that, I’m sorry.”
Robert studied Daniel for a moment as if trying to decide if he believed him. Then he tilted his chin at Aaron, and it felt like a Thanks. “Well, I guess. I guess, here we are. You boys want a drink?”