Page 94 of Tormented Kings
I say goodbye to my father, and my mom walks me to the door. “Declan, we want you to know that even though we’re not the best parents, we do love you.” She smiles, placing her hand on my arm.
My heart warms, the back of my eyes stinging a bit. I needed to hear that. “I love you too.”
I say my goodbyes and get into my car. One family down, another to go. Something tells me this next conversion isn’t going to go over as well.
I was right. I’m sitting in Mia’s living room while her mother cries, and her father paces the room with an angry scowl on his face. I feel so uncomfortable, and I really want to leave. But any time I try to get up, her father starts yelling at me.
“Why?” Mia’s mom asks. “Why isn’t she good enough for you?”
My eyes widen, and I jump to my feet. “It’s not that, not at all. Mia is an amazing girl. She’s kind, funny, smart. She’s one of the most loyal friends I’ve ever met. I like Mia, a lot, just not in the way I would if I wanted to marry and start a life with her.”
“Why not?” her father growls, getting in my face.
“Because I’m in love with someone else. And Mia doesn’t only deserve someone who can take care of her—not that she needs it; she’s a very capable woman all on her own—but she also deserves someone who can love her and make her their whole world.”
“Children. That's what you both are. You don’t know what’s best for you. Love isn’t going to give you the right opportunities in life.”
“Money and power isn’t everything, you know? And it’s very possible to be successful in life while doing it with someone who loves and supports you by your side.” I frown.
“This is ridiculous. You need to listen–” he starts, but I cut him off.
“No,youneed to listen. You need to stop fooling yourself. You should take the time to see how amazing your daughter truly is—tounderstandwho she is. Your daughter deserves to be happy too, so open your eyes and understand it was never going to happen with me. She never would have loved me.”
“She could have!”
“No.” I shake my head with a sad laugh. “And you and I both know why.”
His eyes flash. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I sigh heavily. “It’s not the end of the world to like the same gender, you know. There‘s nothing wrong with it. And it’s time you see that. Before you end up losing the one thing you love most in this world.”
He might be a hard ass, but I know he loves his daughter. Mia has said as much. This may not be easy for him, but he needs to get on board before Mia comes to resent him.
“Again, I’m sorry to break this news to you. But this is my choice. This is all me, be mad at me if you want. Even if Mia wanted me, unfortunately, I don’t feel the same.”
With that, I leave them to come to terms with the news and head for the front door.
“Declan,” Mia’s voice has me pausing. I look over my shoulder to see her sitting on the stairs.
“Hey.” I smile softly.
She gets up and walks over to me, wiping at her eyes. “Thanks.” She lets out a sad laugh.
“For what?” I laugh. “For ending our engagement?”
“Yeah, pretty much,” she sighs. “You're doing something I’ve been too afraid to do. I love my dad. But he can be a bit of a hard-ass, as you can see. He’s not the easiest person to talk to. But you’re right. I do deserve to be happy and in love. So thank you for ending things and giving me the push I needed.”
“You’re not alone.” I pull her in for a hug. “Me, the guys, your friends. You're not all by yourself. We’re here for you.”
“I know.” She pulls back. “I’m lucky to have you all. You’re perfect for her, you know.”
“Sadie?”
“Who else?” she teases. “You’re exactly what she needs. I know she has the other guys, but she needs you just as much as she needs them. Remember that. I know what you four have going on isn’t going to be easy. A lot of people are going to call you crazy; they will for sure judge you. But just remember, as long as you’re happy, fuck everyone else.”
“Yeah.” I laugh, grinning. “Fuck everyone else.”
Chapter 21