My father doesn’t say a word, but his grim expression is telling. He has to know he’s been caught.
“Sir.” Crew nods toward him, showing respect, though he probably doesn’t deserve it. “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.”
Oh, he’s being way too polite.
“You didn’t buy that piece for me,” I throw at my father, unable to contain myself. “I know you didn’t.”
His expression turns indignant. “Are you calling me a liar?”
I can’t believe he’s still sticking to his story, especially in front of Crew.
“Harvey, please. Give it up. You’ve been caught.” Her tone is weary. She looks tired, and it makes me realize she’s been putting up with him for a long time.
And she might be finally over it.
Crew turns to me, his expression earnest. “I’m the one who bought it for you, Wren. I figured it would all come together, with me sending you the Chanel lipsticks all week? Since that’s what the artist used in the piece.”
“I should’ve known.” I am in complete disbelief that he did this for me. All for me. Yet it also makes complete sense. The lipsticks. The camera. How he let me kiss him and cover his skin with my lip prints, never complaining. Deep down, I always sensed he liked it.
He would do anything for me.
Everything.
“Who the hell do you think you are, buying my daughter such an expensive piece of artwork? She doesn’t even know you, and here you come along, always sending her things. Showing off and trying to buy her with extravagant gifts. It’s pathetic.” My father’s face is beet red. I think this is the maddest I’ve ever seen him.
“I’m pathetic? At least I’m not some dried up old man trying to hold onto his daughter by lying to her when controlling her no longer works,” Crew retorts.
I touch Crew’s arm, hating how cruel he sounded just now, but I guess he’s only speaking the truth.
And sometimes, the truth hurts.
“You’re really going to fall for this boy, Pumpkin? You know what the Lancasters are like. Heartless. Cruel. He will toss you aside when he grows tired of you, just watch,” Daddy says, his gaze pleading. His words are like a punch to the stomach, as if I’m not worthy to keep Crew’s attention. That my father thinks so little of me. And Crew. “I only want the best for you, Wren. I’m trying to protect you from him.”
My heart sinks, the tears leaking from the corners of my eyes. That he would say such awful things about Crew when he doesn’t even know him, just…
Hurts.
“Listen to me, Wren. You are the most important thing in my world. I would never purposely try to upset you. You know this.” Daddy takes a step forward, his gaze landing on where Crew’s hand rests on my hip when he pulls me into him, his touch possessive. A claiming, like it always is.
It has more meaning now, though. He’s sending an unspoken message to my father. I don’t belong to him anymore.
“You lied,” I tell my father. “You claimed a gift that you never actually gave me. You tried to take credit for something you had nothing to do with.”
“I was losing you!” The words explode from my father’s lips, shocking me. “You were slipping right out of my fingers and there was nothing I could do about it. I don’t want to lose you to—him.”
“You lied. To. Me.” I shake my head once when he takes a step toward me and he goes still. If he touches me, I don’t know what I might do. Scream? Push him away? Kick him in the shins? “After all this time, you were supposedly worrying about me. Tracking me. Spying on me via my phone. Telling me what I can and cannot do. Claiming you can’t trust me over something I did almost six years ago, when all along, I’m the one who shouldn’t trust you!”
My breaths are coming fast and I’m dizzy, the anger consuming me so strongly I can barely think straight. I know we’re most likely making a scene out in front of our apartment building, but I don’t care. The truth needs to be told.
My father needs to know how I really feel.
“You’re right.”
I gape at him, shocked he would admit his fault so quickly.
“It was wrong, and I’m sorry,” he continues, and at least he’s owning up to his lie.
But it’s a little too late.
I don’t have the strength to tell him that though. I’m too overcome with emotion. Crew holds me close, making me feel safe. He doesn’t cling too tightly, ever. He gives me the freedom I need, and he respects my decisions. My thoughts. My body. All of me.
Every single bit.
“You’re breaking my heart,” my father croaks, tears shining in his eyes. Any other day, seeing him like this would destroy me. But not today. “I’ve always been your hero, Pumpkin. The one you come to when you need help. Don’t ever forget that.”
“You don’t have to be her hero anymore,” Crew says, tugging me even closer to him. “That’s my job now.”
The pain on my father’s face is unmistakable. He actually flinches, his gaze narrowing into slits as he studies us.
“You’ve destroyed my family,” he accuses Crew.
“No, Harvey.” My mother steps forward, her eyes blazing with anger. “You did that all on your own.”
His shoulders sag and he hangs his head.
Just before he turns around and leaves.
The moment the three of us enter the apartment, Mom marches over to the discarded box where we left it, digging through the mess until she’s clutching a tiny white envelope between her fingers, no doubt with a card waiting inside. “For you,” she says, bringing it to me.
I take the envelope from her and glance over at Crew, who’s watching me carefully.
“Open it,” he urges.
With trembling fingers, I tear into the envelope and pull out the card.
An early birthday present for my Birdy. A million kisses in your lifetime, from me to you.
Love,
Crew
I clutch the card to my chest, completely overwhelmed with emotion. The tears flow freely, streaming down my cheeks and I blink hard to clear my blurry vision as I stare at Crew.
“I love it,” I whisper. “Thank you.”
He touches my cheek, his fingers drifting down to trace along my jaw. “You’re welcome.”
Emotion swirls between us, seeming to fill the entire room as we continue staring at each other.
My mother clears her throat, drawing our attention. “Wren. Why don’t you take Crew to your room and show the piece to him.”
I turn to look at her. “That’s okay with you?”
Her smile is small. “Of course. I trust you, darling.”
I go to her, wrapping my arms around her and squeezing tight. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Go,” she whispers, gently pushing me from her arms. “Show him.”
She knows how much this means to me. This moment. This piece.
And Crew.
“I love you,” I whisper to her before I go to Crew and take his hand, leading him down the hall and to my room. He follows me without a word, but the moment I pull him inside and shut the door, he’s on me, pressing my body against the wall, his arms wrapped tight around my waist.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, raining kisses all over my face. “That I had to show up and confront your father like that, but I couldn’t let him take credit for my gift for you.”
“It’s okay.” I revel in the softness of his lips, the sincerity in his voice, and the careful way he’s holding me. “I’m glad you came. I’m just sorry I didn’t figure it all out sooner. My mom had to tell me.”
“Don’t apologize. I get it. Really, Birdy. You wanted to believe he would do that for you.” He leans back, studying my face. “Are you all right?”
“It hurts, how little respect my father has for me,” I whisper, my throat raw, my eyes burning.
“I wish I could take away your pain,” he says, and I can’t help it.
I stare at him in disbelief, wondering where the cruel, brooding Crew went. He’s been replaced with this sweet, sexy, thoughtful man who only wants to take care of me, and…
I love it.
I love him.
I do. I’m in love with him.
“I’m just glad you’re here.” I glance over at the piece leaning against my wall, and he does the same. “I love it so much.”
I love him so much, but how do I tell him that?