“I’ve got to get back to my run,” I said, standing abruptly. He had to quit saying things that made me forget to hate him. He was making it entirely too hard to stay mad at him and I was really good at it. I was the Be-Mad-At-Reid State Champion, seven years running.
I kissed my mom on the cheek and patted my dad on the back as I darted out the back door. I pushed myself harder on the second part of my run, needing to get as far away from that house—and him—as I could.
“Didn’t think we’d ever see you again,” Royce Bennett’s voice was as deep as the day is long and still sent a shiver down my spine. I’d pulled into Nora’s parents’ driveway with the hopes of telling them that I had every intention of winning their daughter back, but seeing her father step out from behind the car he was working on in the garage, I was having second thoughts. His tall, broad frame and gruff appearance had intimidated me as a kid and still did. Despite the fact that I was taller than him and a professional athlete, the fear of him kicking my ass was just as strong.
“How you doing, Royce?” I had asked, walking up to him and extending my hand.
“Depends,” he’d said. “What can I do you for, Reid?”
“Nora actually suggested that I stop by.”
“That so?” He pondered the words I’d just spoken. “I’m surprised she even gave you a second look.”
“Well, I’m very convincing when I want to be.” I had offered a smile, but it faded as soon as he failed to reciprocate. My effervescent charm was not working on Nora’s father. Not that I’d expected it to. Flashbacks of the first day Nora had introduced me to her father as her boyfriend replayed in my head. I’d known Royce Bennett my entire life and he’d always been nice to me, until the moment the words my and boyfriend came out of his little girl’s mouth. I was then faced with the challenge of proving my intentions were true and that I wasn’t just some pervy kid looking to score with his daughter. Took me almost a full year to convince him that I was to be trusted, and judging by the way he was staring me down I was back on page one with him. “Look,” I said, taking in a deep breath. “I’m back for the time being and I fully intend on earning Nora’s forgiveness for the way I left things between us.”
“I’d say that’s the least you could do.”
“It might not mean much, but I can promise you that I’m not going to hurt her,” I swore. I would have taken a blood oath if he’d suggested it. The wrench he was holding in his left hand said that it might be a real possibility that I’d be bleeding soon. I waited for him to either whack me over the head or tell me to leave.
“You know, I’ve learned a few things over the years... especially where my daughters are concerned.” A smile threatened his lips at the mention of Nora and her sister. “As much as I want to tell you to hit the road and never look in her direction again, I think it’s probably best that I sit this one out and let her come to her own decisions about you.”
“I appreciate it,” I replied, sounding more like a question than an answer. I was hoping that he’d say he knew I was the one for Nora and back me up, but I should have known this wasn’t going to be an easy feat. “I think.” Having him say he thought her giving me a second chance was a good idea might have helped, but I knew winning her back was something I had to do by myself. I was used to getting things done by myself on the track. I just needed to put the same effort into things with her.
“I mean, hell,” he chuckled, “I’ve been biting my tongue about her seeing the Gregurich boy for two years now, so maybe I don’t know what in the hell I’m doing.”
“Not a fan?” I pressed.