Chapter 26 #2
His frown shows complete disapproval. I want to laugh at the mental image of Dad talking to Wolf in his stilts. But my hands are also trembling, whether from nerves or anger or some combination of the emotions building up inside me, looking for release.
Dad drove my car down, which seems on the surface like a nice gesture. But it feels invasive—more like he’s checking in or spying on me. I’d put money on the fact that he probably assumed he could convince me to drive back to Kansas with him.
“You wouldn’t have needed to use my phone’s last location to find me if you hadn’t cut off my phone service.”
I manage to speak the words evenly, without any shred of the anger stemming from his actions. Speaking it aloud, stating this true thing actually helps me release a lot of the pent-up emotion I’ve been carrying. Not all. But some.
The room goes quiet, and I’m aware everyone else is listening to this exchange unabashedly. Knowing this adds strength to my spine. Because I know any one of them, even Kalli and Deacon, whom I know the least, would jump in to defend me if I needed them.
“You cut off Molly’s phone service?” Chase frowns at Dad.
“She wanted to be independent,” Dad says. “I was simply being supportive of that goal.”
Collin makes a quiet noise beside me—somewhere between a growl and a snort. His big hand curls around mine and squeezes.
Dad does not miss the movement and glances between us. “So, this is who you’re spending time with?”
There is so much derision and judgment in his tone that it’s hard to even formulate a response.
Does Dad not remember him? It would be pretty funny if not, considering the start of how I came to be standing here, holding Collin’s hand.
Or does Dad have some kind of problem with Collin or the Grahams?
I can sense Chase bristling beside me. Because Collin is his family now too.
Collin squeezes my hand again, a reminder that he’s there. Or maybe a reminder that I don’t need to let my dad’s words impact me.
“I’m sure you remember Collin Graham? You met him at Chase’s wedding. To Collin’s sister,” I say pointedly. Just in case Dad needs the reminder.
Collin immediately extends a hand. My dad shakes it but looks wary.
“It’s good to see you again, sir,” Collin says, the picture of politeness, despite the cool reception.
I lean into Collin, when what I really want to do is kiss the heck out of him. “Collin is my boyfriend. He’s a good man. They’re a good family.” Dad says nothing in response, so I change the subject. “Did you say you drove my car down?”
I know he said it, but I’d like to know why he drove my car to Texas. Why he’s here now.
Since Dad cut my phone off, I didn’t give him or Mom my new number. I did add them into my phone because I’m an optimist. And though I don’t expect some kind of wild change of heart from either of them, I don’t plan to just cut them out of my life forever.
But I also didn’t expect him to do something nice for me. At least, not without some kind of strings attached.
“I do have your car,” Dad says. “I hoped we could drive back home together”—I’m already shaking my head at this—“but if not, you’re welcome to send monthly payments.”
Ah. There it is. The car, given as a graduation gift and purchased from the dealership Dad owns, is only a gift if I go home.
But taking over the payments is not the problem he thinks it is. It’s rude and manipulative, but fine.
After the wedding, Collin told me about his dad’s plans to sell the Austin house and move here. Which means we both need new places to live—not together this time.
So, earlier this week, I downloaded a free budgeting spreadsheet I found on Pinterest and filled it out.
I just got my payments from the various social media platforms, which helps give me a buffer.
I have a steady paycheck from the coffee shop, and Thayden helped tweak the Brightmark contract to be more in my favor.
It’s a limited, one-year term with more money per acting job, and there is a limit of how many and what kind of movies I take part in—preventing any kind of Sharknado situation.
With rent and a car payment, things will be tight but manageable. Collin, of course, offered to help with anything and everything, but it’s important to me that I make it work on my own. At least, for now.
In the future … well, let’s just say I hope we’re sharing expenses, a home, and a last name.
“I can take over the payments,” I tell my dad, not missing his look of surprise.
I bite back a comment about gifts not really being gifts when they have requirements or stipulations attached.
I just don’t see the point. “And I appreciate you bringing it down. How are you getting back to the airport?”
I resist the urge to offer him a ride, knowing that a few months ago, I would have done it without question.
“I think the best option is for you to come home,” Dad says, voice as firm as it is disillusioned.
Chase is glancing between us, eyes narrowed, like he’s just now picking up on the bad vibes that have multiplied since he left Kansas. I should have talked to him about it before now. But I guess this is basically one way of letting him know.
Chase’s eyes narrow further. “She just told you she isn’t going back,” he says. “What about that didn’t make sense? Why are you trying to involve yourself in her decisions?”
Collin steps forward and opens his mouth, but I press a hand to his chest. I appreciate the men in my life standing up for me.
But I can stand up for myself.
“Dad, I’m not going back to Kansas. I am living here now, and I’m dating Collin. I’m happy. And for the first time, I feel free to make the choices I want to make.”
Dad’s expression doesn’t change, but I swear, I can feel the rage bubbling up inside of him.
“And you’re using your freedom of choice to work in a coffee shop?
” Dad glances around the space before zeroing in on the apron I’m still wearing.
Although there is now a broken light thanks to Wolf, there is absolutely nothing to find fault with here.
“You left the opportunities I gave you for this?”
Collin tenses, and I can tell only my hand is holding him back, keeping his words locked up tight. He wants to fight for me but is letting me be the warrior in my own battle. A fact I greatly appreciate.
For the first time maybe in my life, I don’t feel cowed by my father. I feel strong and sure about my choices. And, okay, sure—it helps knowing everyone in this room has my back.
“While I appreciate the things you’ve done for me over the years as well as what I hope are good intentions, I need to live life on my own terms. I’m building a life here. I’m happy.”
And I’m not under your control, I don’t add. But I’m thinking it.
I feel the truth of it—I no longer need to say yes or feel bad about being honest. I’ve been trying to break free from my father, not just in terms of proximity but emotionally. And somewhere along the way, I did.
Seeing him here, hearing his loaded words—it does nothing to change the certainty I feel about my life. It only makes me more certain about my choices and my ability to make them on my own.
Which, ironically, gives me the freedom and ability to invite Dad into it. If I want to. And he can choose to say yes or no.
“We’re meeting right now about Collin’s business. Would you like to join us?” I ask, hoping Collin won’t mind. I’m also desperately hoping Dad says no.
It’s as gracious an offer as I can make.
Lucky for us all, Dad is appalled by the idea. “What? No. I’m just here to bring you home. I think if we could sit down and talk, you’ll reconsider some of your current choices and see that what’s best for you is back home with one of the many job opportunities I have set up for you.”
“This is my home now.” I’m proud of the firmness in my voice.
Dad’s eyes bounce between Chase and me, drift over to Collin, and narrow. Then he takes a tiny step back and says, “Could I talk to you outside, Molly? Alone?”
I can tell by the way Collin’s arm tightens around me that he doesn’t like this idea. Chase’s tight expression tells me he doesn’t exactly understand the dynamics here, but is starting to.
Can I talk to Dad alone without caving?
Yes, I decide. I can.
But I also don’t want to.
“I really need to get back to this—we all do. Maybe Chase could talk to you about getting you back to the airport? It’s only about twenty minutes from his and Harper’s house. You should really see what they’ve done with the place. The renovations are amazing.”
Chase gives me a tight smile, one that communicates gratefulness for my support but also that he doesn’t want Dad anywhere near his house. I’ll have to apologize to Harper later for offering them up as tribute.
“We were planning to head back to Austin in about an hour. But we can go now,” Chase says, glancing back at Harper, who nods and climbs out of the booth.
Dad looks stunned. Like it didn’t ever occur to him that things wouldn’t go the way he planned.
He’d better get used to it.
Although I don’t remember the last time I hugged Dad and don’t really feel like doing so now, I step forward and wrap my arms around him. It’s a quick embrace and a little awkward since he barely hugs me back, but I feel like I’ve more than done my part.
“I’ll text you and Mom soon with my new number,” I tell him. “But if you’re going to keep trying to pressure and control me, I will block you.”
“Molly—” he starts, but Chase interrupts.
“That goes for me too.” Harper stands beside my brother, lending her own quiet strength. “I’m happy to have you in my life—in our life—but not if you’re going to be judgmental or controlling of me or Molly.”
Dad shakes his head. “I’m not trying to do that,” he insists. “I only want what’s best for both of you.”
“Then stop acting like you have the monopoly on knowing what that is,” I say.
Though he looks like he wants to say more, Dad’s jaw tightens before he nods once. He sweeps his gaze over the other people in the room, then gives me one last unreadable look.
“Here are your keys,” he says. When I go to take them, he squeezes my hand. I’m surprised at the roughness of his voice. His gaze turns to Collin. “Take care of her.”
“I will, sir.”
And then he quietly exits the coffee shop.
Chase leans in for a hug. “I’m proud of you for standing up to him,” he says.
“I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you about how things have been,” I whisper. “Maybe we can catch up later?”
He releases me with a smile. “I’d like that.”
No sooner has the door closed behind them than the room is filled with applause. I turn, and everyone who was seated around the table is standing. Smiling. Clapping.
“For me?” I ask, feeling stupid.
Collin laughs and hugs me right off my feet, carrying me over to the table.
“That was brilliant, Molly-girl. I wanted to punch him in the face, which wouldn’t have been the brightest move considering he’s your dad, but you stood up for yourself.
Calmly but firmly. And then you even invited him to join us in the planning meeting. ”
“I hope that was okay,” I say.
“I mean, I’m glad he said no. But I think it was gracious and mature of you to offer.”
“An excellent example of dealing with unhealthy family things in a healthy way,” Winnie says as Collin puts me down next to the table.
I give a little bow. “Thank you. It was a long time coming, but I feel really good about it.”
“Good,” Collin says, sitting down with a sigh in front of his laptop. “Because we need to get back to all this business planning.”
“That makes it sound so boring,” Winnie says. “I know you don’t like this number-crunching part, so let’s call it something more fun. Like future planning.”
As I take a seat next to Collin and the discussion moves to budgets and projected income and overhead, my mind swirls around Winnie’s words: future planning.
Only I’m envisioning my future with the man whose hand I’m holding under the table.