“Yes, but this is a common area.”
“You know one of the guys has fucked his girlfriend here. I’m just saying.”
“Maybe. But you and I will not be fucking on this couch.”
“Okay. I guess I’ll just have to carry you into the bedroom and fuck you there.”
I grinned. “If that’s how you’re going to seduce me...”
He met my gaze, his expression turning solemn. “I’ll always want you. I can promise you that. Sometimes, I can barely think with how much I want you. I didn’t expect you, Natalie.”
My heart shuddered, and I swallowed hard. “I didn’t expect you, either.”
He opened his mouth to say something, and my heart leaped into my throat. And then the doorbell rang.
I wanted to scream.
“I’ll get it.”
“It’s my house.”
“But I’m going to get the door. Your feet are up.”
“Weren’t we just going to do something where my feet weren’t going to be up?”
“Your feet were about to be over my shoulders. So, yes, they would be up.”
“Tanner,” I whispered, my cheeks heating.
“Just pause on that thought,” he whispered. Then he kissed me again before heading to the door. I straightened my clothes, hoping I didn’t look too mussed. It was hard to stay clothed when Tanner was around. I could say one thing—we were good at that part of our relationship. Maybe nothing else, but that part we could do.
He opened the door, and I froze, seeing who stood on the other side and feeling as if I might be hallucinating.
“Ah. Tanner is it?” my father said, clearing his throat. I stood, hauling myself from the couch as my father held out his hand.
Shock slid over me, and I blinked.
My dad cleared his throat. “I’d like to start over with meeting you.”
If my father had shown up in a clown costume doing a little dance for the baby, I would’ve been less surprised.
“Dad?” I asked as I moved to Tanner’s side. I touched his elbow, and Tanner shook himself out of whatever daze he was in before he took my dad’s hand, giving it a shake. “Tanner Hagen. I’m only shaking your hand because you’re trying. But after what you did last time we saw you? You’re making it a little difficult for me to want to not slam this door in your face.”
I looked up at him then and gave him a slight shake of the head. Tanner wanted to protect me, and I was grateful for that, but this was a moment where I needed to stand up for myself.
“What are you doing here, Dad? It’s been weeks, and you haven’t contacted me. You haven’t texted to see how I’m doing or to talk about the baby. The last time I saw you, you tried to hit me, and then you stood there while Mom said those horrible things.” My heart clutched. I looked around my father’s shoulder, but Mom wasn’t standing there. He had come alone.
Dad cleared his throat again. “Can I come in?”
I shook my head as Tanner took my hand. “I’m not ready for that.”
My dad gave me an approving look, then did the same for Tanner before nodding. “I understand. I do. I just came here to say I’m sorry. For my actions. For what I said. I was shocked, and I shouldn’t have been. You’re an adult, and you can make your own choices. You came to tell us something wonderful, and I reacted like a horrible fool. I need to work out some things, but I wanted to say I’m sorry.”
Tears pricked my eyes, and Tanner squeezed my hand.
“Thank you for saying that. I honestly didn’t think you’d react that way. Yes, I thought you’d be annoyed that I wasn’t following your path or your dreams, but I never thought you’d try to hit me.”
“I’ve never once hit someone in my life. And I can’t believe I almost did with you. I don’t know how to ask for your forgiveness, and I know you won’t forget it, but I am sorry. Congratulations on the baby. And I’m with you for every choice you make. I need to work on some things with myself, but I’m here. Anything you need. I’m here.”
I looked at him then. I was so confused. “Mom didn’t come?” I asked, my voice low and fearful.
My dad met my gaze and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Your mom and I are taking a break.”
I staggered back, and Tanner cursed under his breath. “Okay, you need to sit down.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you should sit down, Natalie,” my dad added and met Tanner’s gaze.
Great, now they were ganging up on me. However, my head swam, so I let them lead me to a chair to sit down. Dad closed the door behind him, and I figured that was fine.
“As I said, your mom and I are going to be taking a break. I moved into the summer house. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but that’s something your mom and I will figure out. Natalie, this has nothing to do with you.”
I snorted as Tanner just growled.
“I promise. This has been a long time coming. I haven’t been okay with some of the things she has been doing recently, and that’s not something you need to know more about unless you want to. And I know this is a lot right now. I love you, Natalie. You’re my only daughter. My child. I’ve always loved you. And I’m trying to respect your choices, but I think my burdens altered how I saw things. I’m sorry.”
“How is this happening?” I asked, my hands shaking.
“It’s not you, Natalie. Maybe the way we both reacted was the final straw, but I didn’t like who I was becoming. And that’s on me. Later, we can all talk. When I’m not throwing things at you. I can already tell it’s a lot. But I didn’t think a phone call or a letter would suffice for this.”
“You and Mom are getting a divorce?”
My dad nodded. “Likely. I don’t think taking a break is going to cut it. But that’s on us. I’ll always be your father.” He let out a shaky laugh. “And, apparently, a grandfather. I knew it could—and likely would—happen. It’s not like you’re fifteen anymore.”
“No, I’m not.”
“I’d still like to be able to come to your graduation. And hear what your plans are.” He looked around the house. “What about after this? I don’t want to presume that you two will be living together, but have you figured out where you’re going to go?”
I met Tanner’s gaze, and he gave me a shrug, telling me that it was up to me.
“I’m using one of my trust funds to buy a small house with Tanner.” I still couldn’t believe Tanner was okay with that, but we were doing it for the baby.
“That’s great. If that gets too difficult with legal things, let me know. I’ll help.”
“Dad,” I whispered.
“It’s my first grandbaby. I didn’t expect this, and had my head up my ass. But I’m here now. Anyway, I’ll leave you two be. We’ll talk soon.”
“I don’t know what to say, Dad.”
“You don’t have to say anything yet. Just know I’m here if you need me. Always. Oh, did you get the inspection?”
“It’s on the list. We’re just at the beginning stages. They accepted the offer.”