“It’s not that far.”
“I guess the house is just quiet. Your mother never seems to be home. She’s always doing wine tastings or going to a charity event. Book club. The movies. I never see her for dinner either now that you’re not there to keep her occupied.”
He’s lonely.
“I’m sure you have a lot to keep you busy.”
“No. It’s funny. I told myself that when you left home that your mother and I would travel and do things as a couple. All the things we didn’t do because when I married her, we jumped straight into family life. Not that I didn’t love getting to help guide you into adulthood. Being your father was a gift. I don’t know if your mother ever told you, but I could never have kids of my own. It wasn’t in the cards I suppose; you were my shot at fatherhood. I wish I wasn’t so busy making a living that I was missing out on all the little things. Sure, I have money. More than I could ever know what to do with but when I look back, I missed out on a lot with you and her. She resents that. Says I didn’t want to be home with the two of you, but I worked like I did to give you the advantages and opportunities you deserve, and I want you to know that I want happiness for you. I don’t know this Killian, but life is short. Don’t just make a life, Liri. Live it. Make all the little moments count.”
I can’t stop the tears. What he said right now hits me right in the feels. Though I think he needed to get these things off his chest more than I needed to hear them. There’s a sadness in my stepfather I have never recognized in him until now.
“Your mother loves you. She only wants different for you. Doesn’t want you repeating her mistakes but you’re a smart girl. You’ll make good choices and if you stumble, you’ll learn from it.”
“I hope so.”
The car stops and I look out the window. “What are we doing here?”
“You know the place? My driver said they had the best wings. You know your mother gets after me about eating bad.”
“Your secret is safe with me. Where is she anyway?”
“Having a spa day to destress.”
Of course she is, but I keep my smart comment to myself.
We exit the car once the driver has opened our doors. I really don’t want to dine here, but I didn’t want to make a big deal about it and have to explain to my stepfather how Killian’s father owns the place and that he’s a cheating scumbag.
I don’t see Mr. Hendrix when we go in, but Killian’s older brother Dillan is here. I don’t think he knows I’m dating his younger brother. I don’t see Susie either. Maybe they took the day off. I don’t want to have to tell Susie that I haven’t broached t
he subject of Conrad’s birthday party with her stepson.
My stepfather orders his wings, and I get a grilled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries on the side.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“What was Hunter and his parents doing at the same restaurant as us? That was no coincidence.”
“Your mother may have been trying to play matchmaker.”
“Did she tell Hunter to date me?”
“Liri, I don’t like talking about your mother like this with you.”
“Don’t defend her or try to cover for her. Hunter told me that he interned for Uncle Cooper last summer. And he keeps showing up everywhere I go like he’s following me. It’s creepy.”
“Your mother just wanted you to align yourself with someone with a future.”
“Are you saying Killian has no future? I don’t need a man to support me, and I don’t mean that because you set up a trust for me. You could take it away, and I would have to get a job or do whatever, but she has no right. She gave me this bullshit talk about relationships, but all she was really doing was meddling in my love life.”
I shove my plate away.
“Liri, try to see things from her perspective. You saw your father is that the future you want? I did my homework on this kid. He’s reckless.”
“I thought you were on my side but you’re not. You only brought me here to talk me over to her side, didn’t you?”
“It’s not like that.”