Page 68 of Unwritten Rules (The Sunburnt Hearts #1)
Dad rolls his lips, my words melting over him like an ice cream in the summer. The silence in the room is deafening, extenuating the erratic rhythm of my heart and the blood rushing through my veins.
Knowing Mum didn’t get the chance to live out her dreams because she put my dad first, and then me when I came along, is heartbreaking.
She was far too young when she left with the rest of her life still in front of her.
I knew she held regrets about not pursuing her dreams, but at the end of the day, being a mother was her greatest achievement, and if that’s what made her truly happy in the end, then she lived her life without regret.
“Listen, I know you don’t want to see me fail or put a man first, but my relationship with Sinnett isn’t a reflection of yours with Mum.
” I roll my lips together, searching for the right words.
“I have every intention of continuing to further my career and achieve every dream I have ever wanted, but I can do that with a man by my side, using all the support I can get.”
Dad exhales a sharp breath, running a hand over his gelled back hair.
“I hear you, Tate. I do. But as your father, I can’t help but worry.
You’ve never given me a reason to not trust you or think that you don’t need me, but ever since your mother passed…
” He clears his throat and shifts on the chair.
“I don’t want to let her down. You’re all I have left and I don’t want to see you get hurt. ”
A tear slides down my cheek as my hands fist over my thighs. Moisture blurs my vision, creating an outline of Dad as we hold each other’s gaze. He isn’t the type of man to get emotional or put his heart on his sleeve, so hearing him say he doesn’t want to let Mum down… It’s hard.
“I’m okay, I promise,” I squeeze out, teary-eyed. “When I’m with Sinnett… God, it’s as if the clouds on a rainy day open up and the sun shines through, sizzling my skin, making me feel alive. We just click, you know?”
“You sound happy.” It’s not a question but an observation.
“I am happy,” I answer, a smile slipping onto my face. “Sinnett makes me happy, Dad. Like really happy. And… I like him. A lot.”
He raises a brow at me. “You do?”
Just the thought Sinnett has my heart racing with excitement and the need to be with him. Being with him is like breathing air—natural and necessary. Without him, I feel hollow, like he’s taken a piece of himself with him and only returns it when we’re together again.
“I do,” I respond with a nod, smile growing wider. “If there is anyone you can trust me with, it’s him. He has my best interest at heart and wants to see me succeed as much as you do.”
Dad exhales a long drawn-out breath and nods.
“I want you to be happy, Tate. I always have. And if being with Sin is what you need… I won’t stand in your way.
” Noticing the joy splitting across my face, he points a finger at me, a serious expression melting into his weathered features.
“But make no mistake, if he hurts you in anyway, I will kill him. Well, not really, but you know what I mean. I will have no regrets handing his ass to him.”
With my heart in my throat and my hands clasped together in front of my chest, I widen my eyes. “So that means you’re okay with this? With us?”
“Well, not entirely, but this is what you want, so I’m going to be supportive.” His lifts his shoulders in a shrug. “I don’t agree with how he used to spend his time, but if you’re adamant that he’s not the man the rumours make him out to be, then I’m willing to trust you on that.”
That’s all I needed to hear.
Jumping up from the chair, I race around the desk and throw my arms around his neck, hugging him close.
His Lynx body wash coats my senses, a familiar scent that reminds me of when he would flip me upside down when I was six years old and walk me across the ceiling to my bedroom every night before bed.
It was our night time ritual. If he was home, we would do it.
I hated when he was in Sydney and I couldn’t do it, Mum not being strong enough to carry me, but when Dad did come home, we’d fall into our habits like no time had passed.
“You won’t regret this,” I tell him, squeezing tighter. “I promise.”
“I hope not,” he huffs out gruffly, likely from me restricting his airway. “I’ll be having a stern talking to Sinnett at training tomorrow about treating my little girl right. And if he doesn’t, I’ll kick his ass.”
Releasing my hold on him, I step back, staring at him with a deadpan expression. “Dad, you shouldn’t threaten to hurt one of your players.”
“I wouldn’t actually hurt him…”
Liar .
I roll my eyes. “Just trust me, okay? I’ve got this.”
“I know,” he murmurs, eyes searching my face. “Your Mum raised you to know what you want, so I have no doubt you know what you’re doing. I might not agree with it one hundred percent, but I’m willing to try and understand, if that’s what you want.”
“It is,” I say, smiling from ear to ear. “Thank you.”
Dad stands from the chair and busies himself with shuffling the papers in front of the keyboard. “And for the love of God, can you come back to the club? The guys are falling apart without you.”
I snort a laugh. “Now that I believe.”
Dad laughs along with me, straightening his spine. “They’ll be happy to have you back.”
The overwhelming urge to cry has a lump forming in my throat. This conversation has been a rollercoaster ride, and now that I’m off, my emotions are creeping up on me.
I manage a smile. “I can’t wait.”
“And your mum would be proud of you.”
Tears brim in the corner of my eyes. “I hope so.”