I just knew it would.
“Honey?” He tilted his head at me. “What’s going on?”
I had to be brave. I had to tell the truth. Even with the potential damage, I had to.
I wet my lips. “I guess I wanted to talk to you about Jaxen.”
“Oh?” So much pride on his face, a strong smile. Broad smile. It brightened his whole expression, his eyes warm. “He’s great, isn’t he?” he stated turning. Flicking open the blinds, I was well aware of who he could see in the front yard.
I saw him too, Jax revving up the lawnmower and using it. He’d pulled Dad’s out right from the garage, the one usually only our gardening staff used.
Just as half naked, Jaxen mowed away, glistening in the warm heat outside. He rubbed his brow, and catching Dad’s eye, he lifted a hand.
Dad returned, another smile on his lips. “Can you believe he volunteered to do that? And right after breakfast. A breakfast he made.” Dad chuckled. “I told him we had people to do that, but he insisted.”
He did?
I watched him, Jax’s head going down as he continued to push the mower. His biceps shifted, his broad shoulders and abs working over every bump and rocky surface in the yard.
Dad flicked the blinds, and he gratefully cut me off from the sight of my stepbrother.
My stepbrother I slept with. I dragged my eyes up. “Dad—”
“He called me that too,” he said, staring at the blinds though they were closed. He rubbed his mouth. “I just… I never thought he would. At least, not so soon. Not again.”
Not again…
Dad’s lashes flickered in my direction, emotion in his eyes I’d definitely heard in his voice. Use of the title had made him emotional, a word I used for him every day.
A word I took for granted.
As far as I knew, Jaxen had no father. He had two mothers, his mom remarrying. I didn’t know his moms, but I was sure he felt complete fulfillment in his life. But still, the chance to reconnect with your father…
Perhaps, he did just hate me. Perhaps, he really did want to know Rick, his dad.
I came out of my stupor when my adoptive father held my hand, squeezing. He would technically always be that. He’d been around for me, but we’d never have what he and Jax had. Jaxen was his, completely.
Dad smiled. “I’m so happy for you and your mom. That you were open to this, welcoming him.” Dad passed a look over to the closed blinds. “He’s had it rough and… I know he’s suffered. He had to because I wasn’t there.”
But why wasn’t he? It didn’t make sense. Rick Fairchild just wasn’t the type to not be there.
I knew because he was for me.
“He didn’t even keep my last name after the divorce,” he said, making my chest squeeze. “I guess I don’t blame him. I wasn’t there.”
Something had to have been really bad, something maybe my mom knew about but not me during that time period in question. It hadn’t been my business. I had always been the kid, the child, and it wasn’t my place. I’d just selfishly taken Rick for my own.
“You’re happy he’s here?” I asked, knowing the answer. I shook my head. “I mean, of course you are. It’s… it’s so good.”
“It is.” He held my shoulders. “And I appreciate you so much. For being there. Driving him tomorrow to school.” He chuckled. “I guess you’ll really get to know each other soon. Makes me so happy.”
It truly did, didn’t it?
“Anyway, what did you want to talk to me about?” He leaned in. “Again, honey. If it’s women’s worries—”
“It’s nothing.” I laughed, forcing myself to smile through my emotion. I had to, physically unable to break this man’s heart. I shook my head. “I just wanted to say I’m looking forward to getting to know him.”
He squeezed my arm, the grin overtaking his entire face. It was in that moment I knew something deeply. I literally could do nothing about this situation, my stepbrother being here. I couldn’t hurt this man.