Part 63 (1/2)
”Well, then.”
”Yeah,” I say, letting out a breath. ”Sudden, I know. But it was just right.”
”All right, wow. I'm surprised by all of this.” He pauses and I hear him shuffling papers. ”Not to sound like a d.i.c.k, but you're sure it's yours?”
”Yeah, I know it is.”
”Being who you are, Jace, I wouldn't put it past anyone to try to-”
”Dad, it's mine. She wouldn't do that anyway. She isn't that kind of person,” I say, shutting that down.
”I didn't mean to offend you.”
”Then don't ever say that again, okay?”
”Okay,” he says simply. ”I guess congratulations are in order?”
”Thanks.”
”You should let me take you out, celebrate.”
”Um, yeah, sure,” I say, but I have no intention of going. I just don't want to p.i.s.s him off before I ask for what I called for. ”Listen, the reason I was calling was to tell you. And also to ask if there is any way you can change my trust fund from me getting it when I turn twenty-one to me getting it now.”
I wait for him to say something, but all I hear is papers moving. As seconds pa.s.s, I start to panic. This was my only plan, the only idea I had that was going to make everything easier on us. ”Um, the reason is the family dorms on campus are full, and I can't use my scholars.h.i.+p money on an off-campus apartment. Plus, it costs so much more. I could get more hours at the coffee shop, but I'm already so tired and s.h.i.+t. I really need the money, Dad, so if you could change it, that would be great.”
Sucking in a deep breath, he lets it out as I wait. G.o.d, this is demoralizing. ”Listen, son, let's talk about it over dinner, okay?”
”What?” I ask, my heart jumping into my throat. ”Can't you just say yes and do it?”
He laughs. ”Yeah, but I want to talk this through. Make sure you are making the right choice.”
”I am-”
”I'm gonna have Francesca text you where dinner will be. Six okay?”
”Um...” G.o.d, I don't want to go. ”Yeah, that's fine. Avery gets off at five thirty, so that works great.”
”Wonderful, I can hug my new daughter-in-law,” he says with a cheerful laugh, and it just doesn't feel right. Something is off. f.u.c.k. ”So I'll see you soon, then.”
”Okay.”
When the line goes dead, I'm pretty sure I just agreed to meet with the devil.
When Avery comes out of the building, I smile and wave as she rushes to the car. Getting in, she slams the door shut before leaning over to kiss me. ”I wrote the most gorgeous song for our baby.”
”Really?” I ask, kissing her again.
”Yes, it's called 'Heartbeat.'”
”You'll have to play it for me.”
”Duh. Done.” She giggles as she leans into me. ”It's gonna be the first song I sing at the showcase, I think.”
”Still only want to be a songwriter? Don't want to try for a record deal?”
She nods. ”Nope, I love songwriting. I feel good about it.”
”Awesome.” I kiss her again because I can't help myself.
When she backs away, she eyes me. ”You okay?”
I shrug. ”Yeah, tired,” I lie, but it isn't really a lie. I am dead tired, but I don't want to worry her with s.h.i.+t about my dad. ”Listen, my dad wants to go to dinner to celebrate.”
”You told him?”
”Stu did,” I say with a smile as I pull out. ”My dad called, and I confirmed.” I shade the truth a bit.
”That jerk,” she laughs and I shrug.
”No biggie. So if you don't want to go, I'll take you home. If you do, then it's about ten minutes from here.”
She watches me for a second. ”I want to go if you want me to, but you seem a little distant. Are you sure you're okay?”
I flash her a winning grin. ”Yeah, for sure, and I want you to go.”
”Okay.”
Sending her one more smile, I make the turn for dinner, but I still feel her looking at me. She's been doing that a lot lately. Probably because I'm trying to handle everything and make sure she doesn't have to worry at all. I just don't want her to stress. She has to grow our baby and she has enough s.h.i.+t to deal with. School, interns.h.i.+p, and her family. When they completely cut her off, she was devastated. Who wouldn't be? But as her husband, I have to hold her up, and I'm going to do just that.
She won't feel alone on my watch.
Or stressed.
No, f.u.c.king way.
Swallowing hard, I pull on to Broadway and then down into the Gulch to Kayne Prime, one of the best steakhouses in town. Pulling up to the valet, I get out and hand the keys to the guy as Avery waits for me at the bottom of the stairs. She's smiling, her face bright, but all I can see is the little pooch her belly is forming. It's usually so flat since she's a little person, but today, she looks pregnant. And while it scares the s.h.i.+t out of me, it only fuels me to do better by her.
Smiling back, I take her hand in mine, kissing the back of her hand as we head up the stairs to the front of the restaurant. I don't see my dad when we walk in, but the hostess is ready to seat us. He got a table in the back, like he always does. My dad likes his privacy, and for as long as I can remember, we always ate in the back of restaurants. Weird, I know.
Pulling a chair out for Avery, I sit down beside her so I can see when he comes. I reach for the water the waiter just poured, downing it, and Avery's gaze widens. ”Jace?”
”Thirsty,” I rea.s.sure her with a grin, but she doesn't believe me.
Squeezing my hand, she shakes her head. ”No, what's going on?”
”Nothing, it's fine-”
”There is my son and beautiful daughter-in-law!” My dad's booming voice fills the room, and I look up to see him entering. With Ellen behind him.
f.u.c.k me.