Are they really planning out my life for me as if I’m not even here? “Hello! I’m sitting right here. Freaking son of biscuit, doesn’t anyone want to know what I think? The person everyone is making plans about? You, Father, have been driving me nuts telling me that I’m a grown woman and it’s time to go out into the world!”
Shocked by my outburst, they just stare at me as if I’ve grown two heads so I continue. “Father, like you said, it’s time for me to go out into the world. It just so happens that the world I’ll be going into is William’s. It’s my decision and that’s the one I’ve made. As for you, William, I understand what you laid out for me last night about how you want this to be between us. I also understand that in doing things your way, it’s really you just doing what you think is best for me.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Haley…”
“Little one…”
They both start to speak.
Holding my finger up to stop both of them, I finish.
“I don’t want to go into all the details of that with my father sitting right here, but you both need to get that I’m going to be where I want to be. Father, you need to understand that William fills a part of me that I knew was missing. A part of me that I knew was different and craved a different life than most. You should be happy that I found someone who can give me what I need without taking advantage of me. I’m smart enough to know I’m naive about a lot of things, and I know William will guide me. Everyone knows William loves me, he has forever. Our love for each other has just changed. As for you, William, you’re lucky because it just so happens that this is where I want to be. So I don’t see much of a point for you two to talk out my future. That being said, I think I’ll take my now-cold breakfast and go eat it in the kitchen.”
CHAPTER 6 * DADDY *
I took a deep breath and allowed Haley to leave the room without incident. I needed to speak to Roger alone anyway. I just wasn’t excited about it.
“Rog—”
He holds up his hand and interrupts me. I know that this is an important moment in our friendship and I need to stand down.
“How long has this been going on?” he asks through gritted teeth.
“I never touched her until after her 18th birthday. Yesterday, to be exact.”
“But you wanted to touch her before then.”
It wasn’t a question. He was stating something we both knew, but he needed to hear me say it.
“Roger, I’ve loved Haley from the first moment I saw her as a baby. When Susan passed away I knew I would always be there for you both. You’re a brother to me. I would never take advantage of your trust, or take advantage of her. Come on, man, you know me better than that.”
“I thought I knew you. I walk into…into… I don’t know what the fuck this is! But I’m blindsided. Imagine being in my position. I love you like my own family, but that’s my daughter. She’s a child!”
I take another deep breath because I need him to accept this.
“I know this is all hard to take, but you know me. You know the life I live. I’m not some predator looking for a child bride. I love Haley. The feelings I’ve had for her have changed as we’ve both grown. You of all people should know I don’t take love lightly. I don’t do relationships. Think about it, when was the last time you saw me with a woman? When was the last time you even heard me talk about a woman? I’ve waited my whole life for her. Even if this is the end of our friendshipdpg I want you to know that it won’t be the end of Haley and me. I will always love and protect her. She will always be my priority. I want you in our lives, and I want us to be okay.”
He stared at me as if he were trying to make a decision.
“Roger, you want her to grow up and be an adult, but I know she’ll always be your daughter. She’s young, and she’s naive, but I would never take advantage of her. I want for her what you want for her. Only, I want to be the one she depends on for the rest of her life. I think we both know Haley well enough to know that she’s wanted this far longer than I have.”
He gives me another glare across the table.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he huffs.
“You know exactly what I mean. She’s made it perfectly clear to anyone who would listen how she felt about me. For years.”#p#分页标题#e#
“It was a joke.”
“Roger. Search your heart. You know her. You know me. This isn’t changing. I just want your blessing. I want to know that when she’s ready and I ask her to marry me that you won’t step in. I’m bound to her in my heart for the rest of my life, and I want you to be a part of our lives. “