“In the past,” I remind him. “Leave it there.”
He nods, hopefully understanding what I’m saying. I need it to stay there underneath all the dirt and hidden from the light of day.
“I used to watch you with your family when I was young,” I admit to him, and I can’t stop the sad smile on my face. “I looked at your three girls and knew they were the luckiest little shits in the world. You doted on them, and Suzy doted on all four of you. I’d watch for hours from the tree that straddled the properties, trying to imagine what it would be like to be in a family like that.”
“Shit,” he mumbles, shaking his head. “I should’ve done more for you and your brothers.”
“Buried,” I remind him with a cold stare. “I just want you to know that although I thought you were a total asshole, I respected you for the way you treated your family.”
“And while I thought you were an asshole up until a few days ago, I have to say I appreciate and respect the way you protected my daughter,” he tells me. “I see the way she leans on you for support and safety, something I used to do for her. But there comes a time in every father’s life when we have to let our kids go, at least a little bit. It’s my time to step back and let her live her life, allowing her to fall in love and support her through whatever that man or life in general throws at her.”
“Okay.”
“But make no mistake, you hurt my kid or fuck up, I will be the first one in your face about whatever the hell you did.”
“Fair enough.”
“I hope you can forgive me for the past and know that I support your relationship with my girl.”
“Again, no need to forgive. I’ve moved on.”
“No, son. There is a need to apologize and ask for forgiveness. As a man and the head of my family, I’m never too proud to realize when I’ve done wrong and do everything in my power to be a better person. I was wrong about you. I always wanted my daughters to be with men who would see the specialness in them that I do, and I believe you see that in Rosie.”
“I do.”
“And I know you’re cut from the same cloth as me and will willingly put yourself in harm’s way to keep her safe.”
“Always.”
He leans forward again. The years of having three daughters growing up and causing chaos are written all over his face in the deep lines and smattering of gray on top of his head and in his beard. “You have my blessing. All I ask is that you treat her well, protect her the best you can, and love her as deeply as she’ll love you.”
“You have my promise, sir.”
“Joe,” he corrects.
“You have my promise, Joe.”
“I know you don’t have much family and no parents, but I will be here just as much for you as I am for anyone else in my family. You’re no longer alone. You have a house filled with people out there.” He ticks his chin toward the doors behind me. “And every single one of them will have your back anytime you need them.”
My nose itches, and I’m doing my best not to let my eyes start leaking at his kind words. I’ve never had anyone at my back. Not my father. Not my brothers. No one. It’s always been me against the world. I pull in a deep breath, letting the weight of his words sink in, and they’re heavy, too.
“Thank you.”
“But make no mistake, you fuck up, and they’ll have Rosie’s back.”
“Wouldn’t expect anything less.” I smile, pushing away whatever jumble of feelings has started to seep in from our conversation. “I know I could be relocated too.”
He chuckles. “Our relocation program is reserved for very special assholes. You’d have to fuck up on an epic scale to get the same treatment.”
“Duly noted,” I tell him, understanding what he’s saying without him actually having to spell it out.
He stands, and so do I, ready to get back to my girl and the house full of people and food. He extends a hand to me as soon as he walks around the table that had separated us. “You’re not alone anymore, kid. Remember that. At times, it may be difficult to fully grasp what that means, but one phone call and you’ll have a small army of people at your back, Dylan.”
I slide my palm into his, liking this man I’ve spent my entire life hating. “Thank you, Joe. I hope I’m worthy.”
“Just keep my girl happy and safe,” he says before releasing his grip on my hand. “Now, let’s get out there before my wife or mother chews my ass out for taking too much of your time. Women are amazing creatures, but their capacity to get pissed about the dumbest shit is extremely high, and it only gets worse with age.”
“Rosie’s pretty calm.”
“For now…” He slaps me on the back, guiding me toward the door, and when he opens it, Rosie’s on the other side along with her mother, arms crossed and waiting.
“Hey, wildcat,” I say, soaking her in along with her mother. She definitely gets her beauty from her and her kindness.
I always thought of her mother as a saint for putting up with her father’s shit, but now I understand it. Rosie is exactly like her mother and willing to put up with mine.
“You two done?” Suzy asks, staring at her husband like she fully expected one of us to come out of the room bloodied.
“Sugar,” he whispers, stalking over to her and sliding an arm around her waist. “You miss me?”
Suzy leans into him, something I’d often seen her do as a kid when they were in the yard. “I was worried.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ve mellowed with age.”
“Thank God,” she whispers, peering up at him in relief.
“You good?” Rosie asks me as I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into me.
“Couldn’t be better.”
She studies my face and must see something she likes and believes. “Good. Now, let’s go. Everyone’s waiting.”
I place my fingers under her chin, forcing her to keep her eyes on me as I lean in and give her a soft and short kiss. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“For what?” she asks, her blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight streaming through the foyer windows.
“For all of this and for being with me. For making me feel welcome and worthy. For giving me time with your family and not making me feel like an outsider.”
“We’ll see if you still feel that way after a little more time with my aunt Fran,” she says, giggling.
“As long as Bear doesn’t kick my ass, Fran can touch me all she wants, wildcat.”
Rosie raises an eyebrow. “Be careful what you wish for, buddy.”
“I love you, Rosie,” I say softly so only she can hear. Words I’ve never spoken to another human in my entire life. Not my father and not even my brothers because we never said mushy shit around our house. No one in my entire life has made me feel welcome or even worth a damn, but Rosie Gallo does it.
I don’t care that we’ve only spent a few days with each other. None of that matters. She makes me feel like I’m worthy of happiness, and saying those three words to her gives me more joy than anything I’ve ever said to anyone before.
“I love you too,” she says easily and without hesitating before planting her lips on mine.