Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
ISLA
I’ve been around Cash countless times, and yet, right now, I don’t even want to walk from behind the stage and face him because I’m scared that he suddenly thinks he has feelings for me. I mean, why else would he bid thousands of dollars for a date with me when we have family dinners anyway?
Dragging my feet, I walk out into the crowd to find my dad, Tripp, Cade, Cash, and a few others standing around.
Once my dad sees me, he smiles, jerking his chin toward Cash. “This guy asked nicely if I’d sit this one out. I hope you don’t mind.”
My eyes float from my dad to Cash, and I shrug. “Um … no. It’s all good.”
“So, what are you kids going to do for your date?” Tripp says. “Put on your goalie gear and shoot pucks at each other?”
Cash chuckles. “Hey, that actually doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” Swallowing, he suddenly grows nervous. “Nah, actually … I did that for a friend. He’s the one who really wanted the date with you.”
“What?” I whisper. “What do you mean?”
The corners of Cash’s lips turn up, and he tilts his chin behind me. Nervously, I follow his gaze, looking over my shoulder to find Hendrix, talking to Margo.
“What the fuck are you talking about, Cash?” My dad tries to keep his growl to a minimum, but it doesn’t work. “What did you do?”
Cash glances at my dad. “Mr. Hardy, I know he’s rough around the edges, and I know that he’s got a bit of a past. But he’s a good guy. And most of all, he’s crazy about Isla.”
My dad’s body tenses, and his jaw tightens. “I don’t care. She’s my daughter. I can’t just let her go off with some guy who could hurt her.”
“Hardy, I love you, man.” Cade steps closer to him.
“You’re the best guy and father that I know.
But I promise, whatever you think you know about Hendrix, it’s not the full picture.
Has he done some things? Yes. Were they all his fault?
No.” Cade reaches up, pushing his hand onto my dad’s shoulder.
“He’s a good kid, Cam. I know he is. He was just handed some really shitty cards in life, but he’s doing his best to turn it around.
” Cade looks at me, giving me a tiny smile. “We’ll give you two a minute to talk.”
As everyone else steps away, I look up at my dad. The greatest man I know. I don’t know what I expect him to say, but part of me knows him enough to know that it’ll all be okay.
My dad’s expression softens, though the concern is still written all over his face.
Slowly, his gaze drops to mine, and his eyes grow sad.
“I just worry about you, Isla. I know I’m over the top.
I know that I keep you too close.” His eyes gloss over.
“You’re my whole world. You’ve been my whole world since the first time I met you.
And I guess … I guess I sometimes just don’t know how to let go. Afraid I may lose you.”
Reaching for his hand, I squeeze it. “I know, Dad.” I sniffle. “I swear, you’ll never lose me though.” Throwing my arms around him, I hug him tightly. “Thank you. Thank you for choosing me, even when you didn’t have to. I love you so much.”
Squeezing me back, he kisses the top of my head. “I’d choose you one million times over, I.” He gives me one last squeeze. “I’m so proud of the woman you have become.”
I may not have his eyes, his crooked grin, or his blood pumping through my veins, but it doesn’t matter. Because he’s more of a dad than anyone I know. He’s my dad, and I’d choose him over the asshole who fathered me any day.
When I finally release him, stepping back, his eyes are still glossy, and I’m a mess, but suddenly, I frown.
“Wait, if Cash bid on me to help Hendrix out … who bid on Hendrix?”
He frowns. “That’s a good question,” he utters, looking around.
Suddenly, his eyes land on someone, and I turn to see my mom standing with a group of other women, chatting with them.
As if my mom feels his gaze, her eyes cut to his, and within seconds, she’s walking our way.
“I take it you saw the bank transaction?” she mutters, almost cringing before she kisses his cheek. “It’s a good cause, babe.”
“You sneaky little thing you,” my dad murmurs, shaking his head lightly at my mom.
My mom looks at me, and she pulls me in for a hug. “What can I say? I had a thing for a guy once who my daddy told me to stay away from. And yet my mom was always his biggest fan.”
“Thank you, Mom.” I squeeze her tightly. “This means … so much.”
When she releases me, she brushes a curl off my cheek. “Go on, sweetie. I think someone is waiting for you.”
“Not sure he’s worth ten grand, but you know … I’m coming around to the idea all the time,” my dad mumbles, half joking. “All right, kid. Go on now. I’ve gotta remind your mom what happens to bad girls who go behind their husband’s back and spend ten grand.”
“Dad, ew,” I say, scrunching my nose up. “That’s disgusting.”
“Sorry.” He shrugs before he jerks his chin up and looks behind me.
I turn to find Hendrix. But he’s not standing with Margo anymore. Now, he’s all by himself. His eyes move to my dad’s, and I turn to watch his reaction. My dad gives him a polite nod, and when I whirl around again, Hendrix does the same.
“I love you. I love you. I love you!” I practically squeal, giving my dad a kiss on the cheek and my mom one last hug before rushing toward Hendrix without thinking twice.
I don’t care about the things he said or the problems he has.
What I’ve been feeling for him is too big not to take another chance on him. He deserves that.
I deserve that …
HENDRIX
Cam Hardy just actually gave me a slight nod, which has to mean one thing …
He’s not going to murder me for hijacking the bidding so that I ended up with his daughter. Though I am still curious who the hell bid on me. I’m certainly not worth ten fucking grand.
Whether or not Cam accepts me leaves my mind when the gorgeous sunshine girl in the yellow dress rushes to me, and I start walking to meet her halfway.
Right in the center of the dance floor.
When we reach each other, she’s suddenly bashful, wringing her hands together.
“Hi,” I say, grinning down at her with my hands in my pockets.
“Hi,” she whispers.
“Surprise, you’re stuck with me as your date.” I shift around on my feet, nervous too.
Suddenly, it doesn’t just feel like two people dancing around their feelings. This finally seems like we may actually get our shot—if she’s ready for it.
“Why?” she squeaks. “After what you said … why do you want to take me on a date?”
I look down at her, my eyes narrowing in thought.
“Because even though you’re too good for me, I want you anyway. I’m being selfish—I know I am. But I can’t let you go. I just can’t fucking do it.”
“Why did you push me away then?”
“Because a part of me is stuck in the past, living in a house where there are drugs coming in and out. Stealing food from the convenience store just to make sure my sister eats.” I cringe.
“I almost killed a man when I was sixteen because he was trying to rape my sister. The state came and took her in, and that’s why I went to juvie.
” I look at Isla, never feeling this bare before.
“I’ll tell you whatever you need to know.
I don’t want any secrets when it comes to us.
” Inside, I feel pain because I know that I need to tell her the truth—that I already knew about her biological dad. “Can we go somewhere? To talk?”
She looks around before finally nodding. “Yeah. I would like that.”
And without thinking, I slide my hand into hers. Her fingers lace against mine, and we walk out of the event center—together and not having to hide a damn thing.
I just hope that after I tell her everything, she’ll still be willing to stay.