Chapter 20 #2
“Fine.” I tore the paper open, and underneath was clearly a white jewelry box.
What the hell? A bracelet maybe, like I’d given him that time in high school?
“Jewelry, I like that.” When I opened the box, two silver rings shone at me, one smaller than the other.
My heart bloomed with emotion, and I held my fingers to my mouth. “P-promise rings?” My eyes stung.
“Yes.” He pulled the smaller one out. “Wren, I want you to come with me to whatever city I end up in with my NFL contract. I’m not leaving you behind.
This is my promise, and if you’ll have me, I’ll promise to propose properly when the time comes.
” As his gaze found mine, his eyes glittered in the afternoon sunshine.
“Hell yes, Eli. I’ve been so consumed with my father’s bullshit, we haven’t had time to discuss what comes next.
” As I showed him my finger, he slipped the ring on it.
“I can find work wherever you go. As long as I’m with you, I’ll be happy.
” I threw my arms around his neck and gave him a fierce kiss. “I love you, babe. So much.”
“I love you. This makes me so happy.” He hugged me tightly, sniffling again.
As he freed me, I said, “Can I give you my gift now? It’s only fair.” Fluttering my lashes, I gave him my most charming smile.
“Sure, why not.” He beamed at me.
I twisted into the back seat and pulled my envelope for him from the bag and then held it out to him. “Here. It’s for both of us too, but in a different way.”
“Okay.” He turned the envelope in his hands.
“Open it.” I pushed on his forearm. I was dying with anticipation.
He tore the envelope open and slipped a piece of paper out.
As he read it, a broad smile swept his lips.
“A spa day for two with massages? I can’t wait for this.
” His gaze found mine. “After we play in the Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve, let’s do this.
My aching body thanks you in advance.” He leaned in, pressing his forehead against mine.
“You’re very welcome. I figured you could use a bit of pampering before you head to the combine.” I planted a deep kiss on his mouth.
Rapping filled the car. “Hey, are you coming in or what?” Harper stood outside the truck on Eli’s side, her arms crossed over her chest.
“Yeah, we’re coming.” Huffing a sharp laugh, Eli climbed out, and I followed him.
“Well? What were you doing in there?” Her gaze caught mine as I rounded the front of the truck. I held up my hand with the ring and wiggled my fingers. Might as well show it off.
Covering her mouth with her hands, she said, “He didn’t. I wanted to see it when he gave you the ring.”
“It was private.” Eli opened the cab’s back door and pulled out our bag of presents.
Slapping him on the ass, she said, “But I was there when you bought them.”
“It does not diminish the fact that it was a private moment.” Eli shut the door of the truck and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Come on, I’m looking forward to Mom’s turkey.”
As I fell in line with Eli and his sister, I gazed at the sun hanging low in the sky. This was the best Christmas ever, and no matter what happened with my father next year, I’d have Eli beside me, and he was all that mattered.
A few days after Christmas, we flew home to prepare for the bowl game in Texas. We’d spent more time with our families and Ethan, and I’d put the trust out of my mind. Having returned, the damn thing weighed heavily on me. Mom was pressuring me to talk to Aunt Nadine and to decide on a response.
I’d let Eli make me his special spaghetti dinner at my place, while Grace was out with friends. After we’d eaten, we settled in for a movie under blankets. The weather had turned pleasantly cold.
As I sat beside Eli on the couch, I opened the Netflix app on the television. “What do you want to watch? And pick a comedy.” I needed something to take my mind off my big decision.
Rapping threaded through the apartment.
“Are you expecting a package?” Eli twisted on the couch, glancing toward the door.
“No.” Fuck, could it be another FedEx guy or someone trying to serve me court papers for the trust? I leapt off the sofa and jogged to the door.
The rapping sounded again. “Wren? Open up. It’s Dad.”
“What?” My heart beat in a wild rhythm. Holy fuck, how did he know where I lived? Oh. He’d sent me the FedEx package, so obviously he knew my address.
Eli stood and tugged his team hoodie over his joggers. “Let him in. I’ll play moderator tonight.”
I had Eli with me, thank God. I flung the door open and stared at my father.
Dad stood in the entry, his short hair disheveled and dark bags under his puffy eyes. “We need to talk.” He strode into the room as if he owned the place, perusing it. “Where’s the trust paperwork I sent you?”
“Uh…” I glanced at my backpack, resting on the dinette. I’d hidden it in there for now. Was he here to make me sign it? “Dad, I-I—”
“You haven’t signed it yet, have you?” His gaze snapped to mine, and he grabbed my arm, stomping close to me and fisting his free hand. “Have you?”
My heart raced into my throat. “N-no, I haven’t. I had a lawyer review it.”
“Darren, he needed some time to decide how to handle this, and he didn’t want it marring his Christmas holiday. You need to give him more time.” Swelling his chest, Eli towered over Dad.
Dad’s hard stare flicked between me and Eli. “So, you didn’t sign it, right?” His gaze softened. “You didn’t?” His shoulders drooped as he rubbed his forehead.
“No, I…” What the hell? “Why?” I peered at him. He looked distraught, not angry.
“Thank God.” Expelling a quick breath, he fell onto the end of my couch. “Sit down. I need to talk to you.”
Eli grabbed two chairs from the dinette and set them down across from him. “Talk to us, Darren.” He dropped into one chair while I took the other.
With his gaze darting across the coffee table between us, he said, “I found, uh, some text messages on Karen’s phone from the contractor we used to fix up the house in California. Turns out they were having an affair.” As his gaze rose to mine, his eyes grew glossy.
My mouth dropped. Oh my God, I knew where this was going. “Dad, how did you—”
“It doesn’t matter how I found out. But I did, and I ordered a paternity test for the baby and…” He scoffed and, in a sneer, he said, “Stuart is not my son. He’s not your brother.”
“Karen allowed you to do a paternity test on him?” I couldn’t believe this. Dad hadn’t trusted her all along? I glanced at Eli, staring at Dad.
Even Eli was too stunned to speak.
“She didn’t. You can order them online, and I did the test while she was out shopping.” Hanging his head, he said, “The baby doesn’t look like me at all, and I’ve had a nagging feeling about her and our contractor.”
“S-so, you were checking her phone?” Eli lifted his brows.
“Yes, I was checking her phone. I watched her enter her password, and that’s all I needed.” He scrubbed his face. “I’m divorcing her.” His gaze locked on mine. “Do not sign that paperwork. It’ll only lead to more legal hassles for me.”
“Did she admit it after you showed her the results?” I didn’t know how the hell to feel.
All this time, I’d built walls around my heart for my father, same as I’d done with Eli.
But now? Fuck, I was supposed to learn forgiveness.
What mattered was my reaction to those around me.
He was my father, and he was in obvious pain.
“She did. She’s still insisting on a court-ordered test, but it’ll show the same thing.” He frowned. “I started to love that boy.” With a sniffle, he swiped at his eyes. “So much that I was willing to do whatever she asked.”
“She made you change the trust so she would have control of it after you and Nadine pass on.” Eli furrowed his brows. “How did you gain your sister’s approval?”
He focused on Eli. “I begged her. I told her with Stuart in our lives, it made sense. It took a lot of cajoling, but she gave in.” He freed a ragged breath, propping his elbows on his thighs and wringing his hands. “I’ve been a fool, and I am so, so sorry, Wren.”
“Dad…” I stood and fell in beside him. He was hurting and had finally seen the light. Could it help us reconnect? “Is this why you’ve been distant?”
His gaze crept to mine. “I-I suppose I could blame it on her and make her a scapegoat, but no. Much of it was on me, too. I didn’t know…
” Peeking at Eli, he said, “I was not well for a long time and I drank a lot. I was…depressed. I figured it was best if I backed off and let your mother raise you.”
“But you’re healthier now.” Eli’s attention homed in on Dad. “What if you had a second chance? What if you could rectify your past mistakes and have a proper relationship with your son, who’s sitting right next to you?”
My eyes pricked, and I swallowed a lump forming in my throat. Eli was spot on, as usual, getting right to the point.
Dad twisted toward me, his brows wrinkling and tears brimming in his eyes. “Wren, how can I repair our relationship?” He shook his head. “I’ve been a terrible father for so long. I don’t expect you to suddenly let me back into your life.”
“Wren has a therapist. Are you open to joining their therapy sessions to work through it?” Eli worried his lower lip. “Darren, if you want, we can support you. It sounds like you don’t have anyone to turn to, and this is a heartbreaking situation.”
He wiped his eyes again. “You’re right. I have no one. Karen alienated me from my friends and family, one by one.” His throat bobbed with a hard swallow. “She kept pestering me to drink, knowing full well I was in recovery. I finally gave in. I’m not as bad, but still.”
“It seems there’s a lot to unpack. If you want, I’m confident I can locate a good therapist for you as well, through the student center I volunteer with.” Eli rose and sat on the armrest of the couch next to Dad, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We can help you, Darren. You don’t have to be alone.”