Page 81 of Ruining Him

“I know,” I admit. “She’s told me a lot, but I know there are still things she’s holding back.”

He nods in understanding. “You love her.”

I mull the words over in my mind.

Love?

Do I love her?

“I have no idea,” I say with a chuckle. “I just know I want to keep her around.”

“Well then, I’m happy for you.”

I murmur a thank you and go to stand, only for him to say, “Stay another minute, would you?”

I shift in my seat, waiting to hear what he has to say.

“What she said back there…” he begins, and I inwardly groan. This is the part where he starts berating me and remind me of where my future is head?—

“She was right.”

Wait, what?

Did I hear that right? Did he really just admit to Lana being right?

“I know I’ve been a lot harder on you than I am Gracie, and I know I’ve pushed you, a lot, to meet some pretty high expectations, but it’s only been because I want so badly to see you succeed. But your… friend made me realize that maybe I haven’t gone about things the right way, and that maybe you’ll work things out on your own, without me constantly looking over your shoulder. In the last couple of years, our relationship has stopped being about family and started being about business, much like it did between my father and me. I hated it, and Lana’s words made me realize I’ve been doing the exact same thing to you as he did to me. I want to get to know you as my son, Cole. Rather than the man who will one day inherit my empire.”

I’m… speechless.

Seriously, fucking speechless.

Never, in my entire life, did I imagine having this conversation with my father. I knew he and my grandfather had a rocky relationship, I just never knew the reason why.

“And what exactly does that look like?” I ask, since I have no idea what a normal relationship between us would look like.

“Well, I guess it starts with having you and Lana here for Thanksgiving without talking about the company, school, or your grades, and we build up to the bigger stuff over time.”

I nod slowly, still in disbelief that this went the way it did. I honestly expected him to ream me out for my choice of company and kick us both out of the house. But not only did he not do that, he admitted to Lana speaking the truth and wants her to stay.

“So… we’re good?” I ask, standing from the chair. I need to go upstairs and check on Lana for myself.

“We’re good, and tell Lana I’m sorry, would you?”

“Yeah, I will,” I murmur before leaving the room and heading upstairs, expecting to find my mom and sister in my room with Lana. Only, when I open the door, I find Lana alone, sitting on the bed with her head in her hands.

“Hey,” I whisper and close the door behind me.

She glances up at me, her eyes searching mine, and I smile, wanting to ease whatever she’s feeling right now. I know it was hard for her to come here with me, and I don’t even think she realizes how much of a nervous wreck she was on the drive here.

“You okay?” I ask as I approach her. I stand in front of her and run my hand through her hair, detangling the strands with my fingers.

She hums. “Are you?”

“I am. My dad apologized for how he was. We talked, and I think we’re gonna be okay.”

“That’s good,” she whispers. “And arewegonna be okay?” The vulnerability swimming in her eyes threatens to bring me to my knees.

Goddamn this girl and everything she does to me.