“Stop. Don’t think the worst. I haven’t told them because it’s your story to tell. Your privacy is important to me. Today is a prime reason why I keep my shit to myself. I’m not ashamed, if that’s what you’re thinking. If anything, I admire your dad for the depth of his love and protection of you. The way I figure it, we’ll tell my parents when you feel comfortable. No one’s going to pass judgment, Ember.”
“I love my dad fiercely, Robbie, and he’s getting out soon. I’ve talked him into coming to Nashville, so he’s going to be a big part of my life.”
“Then I suspect he’ll be a big part of mine, too.”
His words fill me with warmth. “Next time I go visit, would you like to go with me?”
“Absolutely.”
“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to still keep this between us until after the wedding.”
“That’s fine. I’m always going to look out for your well-being. We’ll talk to my parents after the shit dies down. But I want you to know, I told Finn. Not everything, just that your dad was in jail.”
“He’s your best friend.”
“Yes, but he’s also interested in my happiness. And you make me happy.”
“I feel the same.”
“You okay if I ask you another question?”
“Sure.”
“What happened to your parents’ marriage after he went to jail?”
“The details are fuzzy. My dad knew he was taking a deal, so he got busy. Mom and Natalie turned on him completel
y. He worked with his lawyer and filed divorce papers before he was sent away. He also took measures to take care of me monetarily. I told you he knew about my mom’s infidelity, so when my grandparents died and left him half of Clyde’s and a decent inheritance, he signed it all over to Chloe. My mom questioned him about any money, but he lied and said all he had was his portion of their home when it sold. So in the divorce, she got some of that money. He worked quickly and put Chloe as the executor of his will, in case something happened to him in prison. She promised to always take care of me.”
“Your dad’s smart.”
“Yes, he is. The money from the divorce was gone within a year, and Mom blamed me. I worked through high school just to have clothes. Thank God, Chloe taught me how to use a sewing machine.”
“Jesus Christ, Ember, why’d you stay?”
“You know why.”
“No, I know what Alex told me. I want to hear it from you.”
“I wanted them to like me, Robbie, but then one day, I realized it was useless to keep trying.” I look away and twist my hands. Admitting my reason for staying sounds pathetic.
“Come here.” He maneuvers me onto his lap, and I lay my head in the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent. “Your resilience is amazing.”
“I don’t quite see it that way.”
“You will. I’ll tell you every day until you believe it.”
“I’m not fishing for compliments.”
“I know.”
“I feel like I can tell you anything.”
“You can, always.”
He holds me against him for a few minutes, rubbing his knuckles lightly down my arm. We sit silently, soaking in the weight of the conversation.
“It’s been a really long day. Are you ready to go to bed?” he finally asks.