Protecting the Boundary (LA Wolves #8)

Chapter 42

FORTY-TWO

My dad has met every boyfriend I’ve ever had, but I’ve never been more nervous than I am right now. I already have a good idea of how my dad feels about Romel, given what I’ve told him and his caution about our relationship. But this will be his first time meeting Romel and Kaylee.

These two have become my whole world, but I’ll always care about what my dad thinks. He’s been my best friend my whole life. I’m on pins and needles hoping that tonight goes well and the three most important people in my life all like each other.

We pull up to the house, and I wipe my palms on my jeans to try to ease the clammy feeling. Romel covers my hand with one of his, and when I face him, he’s smiling at me.

“It’s going to be fine. Parents love me, and if your dad likes football, I’m a shoo-in.”

I nibble my lip, having my doubts. I glance back at Kaylee in her car seat. “Would you like a boyfriend of Kay’s just because he was a football player?”

His smile drops and his eyes turn stormy. “Kay’s never dating. ”

Laughter bubbles out of me. That’s just what I needed him to say to ease some of my nerves. “So now you understand where my dad is coming from.”

His gaze moves from me to the front porch of my dad’s house that we can see through the car window.

“Dang,” he mutters, his brown gaze coming back to me. “Now I’m the one who’s nervous.”

I turn my hand over so I can clasp his and give it a squeeze. “At least we’ll be nervous together.”

We get out of the car, help Kay out of her car seat, and then walk down the cement walkway to my dad’s front porch.

“So, this is where you grew up?” Romel asks.

“Yep. My parents bought this house when my mom was pregnant with me and then my dad said he couldn’t stomach moving.”

Romel nods his head in understanding. Of course he gets it better than any other guy I’ve dated. That level of understanding could work in his favor, or it could be the reason my dad doesn’t bother giving him a chance. Those knots in my stomach tighten.

I pull my house key out of my purse and then open the door. “Dad? We’re here,” I shout and hear some pots clattering in the kitchen.

“In here,” he hollers back.

I close the door behind Kay and Romel and then take a deep breath before walking into the kitchen with them following me. My dad looks up from the stove where he’s stirring his homemade spaghetti sauce. I walk over and place a kiss on his cheek.

“Smells great, Dad.”

He looks down at Kaylee, who’s now hiding behind Romel’s legs, and smiles at her. “I heard someone likes spaghetti, so I thought I’d make my famous sauce.”

Kaylee gives him a small smile, but still stays glued to her dad’s leg. She’ll warm up soon enough. My dad’s always been disarming with anyone he meets.

“Dad, this is Romel Watson and his daughter, Kaylee.”

My dad holds his hand out to Kaylee first, that smile still on his face, and she takes it. “Nice to meet you, Kaylee. You can call me Mr. Rob.”

“Hi, Mr. Rob,” she says in her soft voice.

Then he faces Romel, and even though he still has a smile on his face, it’s certainly a lot stiffer than the one he gave Kaylee. He holds his hand out and Romel takes it. “Nice to meet you, sir,” Romel says.

“Mr. Watson,” my dad says formally.

“You can call me Romel.”

He nods, but doesn’t say anything else. Those knots in my stomach turn into nausea as my fears start to come to life before my eyes.

“Do you need any help getting things ready?” I ask my dad, my voice a little higher pitched than normal.

“You can help set the table,” he says, going back to stirring the sauce.

“Have a seat at the table,” I murmur to Romel, but he places his hand on my stomach, stopping me from passing him.

“I’ll help if you’ll show me where things are.”

Is this man for real?

“Okay,” I say, giving him a soft smile and then showing him where the plates are while I grab silverware and glasses. I glance at my dad, who’s still stirring the sauce but watching my interaction with Romel closely. He looks away when he realizes he’s been caught.

Dinner is relatively successful. My dad is polite to Romel and friendly with Kaylee. I’m finally feeling relaxed when my dad turns to Romel.

“You like cars?”

Romel sets down his glass of water. “I’ll admit I don’t know much about them.”

Dad pushes his chair back. “Well, come on out to the garage and I’ll give you a mini lesson. I’ve been restoring a classic.”

Romel doesn’t even glance my way before he nods and pushes his chair back.

“Uh—” I start, but Romel bends down and drops a kiss to my cheek.

“I’ll be fine,” he whispers. Then to my dad, he says, “Lead the way.”

Dad shoots me a look that fills my stomach with dread before the two most important men in my life exit the kitchen and head to the garage.