Page 107 of Truck Up
“All of it, I guess.” This time, the sadness in his eyes is different. It’s not born out of disappointment, but something else. Maybe acceptance? I can’t quite tell.
Regardless of how he feels, he’ll never be able to change who the father of my baby is.
“Dad, I’m having a baby with Christian Mutter. I’m living with him. I need you to accept that. Is that something you think you can do?”
He stares at me for several seconds without answering me. I can’t tell from the look on his face how he feels about that. His expression is blank, almost lifeless.
“Dad.” I reach out and rest my hand on his forearm. “Did you hear me?”
He snaps out of it and shakes his head.
“Um, yeah. I hear you.” He clears his throat. Not because it’s bothering him, but to buy himself a few more seconds to answer me. “I’m trying. I really am. But that man, Lia. He’s … he’s done bad things. The rumors.”
“Are just rumors. You need to stop listening to them.” I don’t even bother hiding my irritation from him. “You need to let that go.”
“But he keeps going on all those secret missions for that club. Everybody says they deal in drugs. And now this mess with Hannah and Charlie.”
“You have got to stop listening to rumors. Christian is a good man. He’s doing good things.”
I turn around to head back around the counter. I can’t listen to my dad talk badly about Christian. I will never deny that Christian has made more than his fair share of mistakes in his life, but that doesn’t make him a bad person.
“All I have are rumors,” Dad says. “Everything is so secretive with that club. What else am I supposed to think?”
“Maybe have a civil conversation with Christian.” I suggest. He recoils as if I suggested the worst thing imaginable. “I understand where your concerns come from, I really do, but you need to put aside your prejudices and really see the man he is today. If you want me and this baby in your life, then Christian will also be in your life. It’s all or nothing.”
“Lia.” Tears well up in his eyes, and for a second, I feel terrible for what I just said. I’ve always taken on the role of caring for my parents, and this does not fulfill that role.
“Dad.” I reach out and squeeze his hand. “Do you love me?”
He nods.
“Then do it for me.”
He takes a deep breath and glances around the shop like he’s looking for someone or something to give him the answers he needs. All he finds are the same customers Mom continues to help.
“I’ll try,” he finally says. “I really will. But it’s not going to be easy.”
“I know it’s not. But ignoring me and sending my brothers out to follow me won’t help either.”
“I’m sorry for that.” This time when he looks at me, I see the full force of his remorse. We still have a long way to go, but he means that apology with all his heart.
I rush back around the counter and jump into this embrace. “Thanks for that, Dad. It means a lot to me to hear you say that.”
“I love you, princess.” He squeezes me tighter.
While his apology doesn’t fix everything, it’s a step in the right direction. If he gets on board with my relationship, then so will Mom. With them on my side, they’ll help get Linden and Tanner on board too.
I still have a long road ahead of me, but for the first time in weeks, I feel hopeful.
I just might get my family back after all.
Chapter 22
The edge of losing it all.
Christian
Poker night is always a busy night at Posey’s Lounge, but tonight there seems to be more people than normal. There isn’t an open seat in the game room. The main room and bar area look to be equally as crowded.