Sway (Landry Family #1)(97)
Tears hit me hard and fast, and I can’t get a napkin fast enough. Hux watches the wetness slip down my face and his little eyes grow wide.
“I mean, if you want it to just be me and you, that’s okay. We don’t really need anyone else. But . . .”
“You like him?”
His smile breaks across his face, his eyes sparkling. “I do. He likes you, I can tell. And I think he likes me too.”
“I think he does too.” I pat my eyes, my heart filling in my chest.
When you know, you know.
“You want to go home today?” I ask.
He nods and grabs his Arrows cap off the back of the chair.
“Well, I guess I should go cast my vote today,” I laugh, picking up my purse.
We exchange a look and then stand and head to the cash register.
Barrett
THE FARM IS NOISY IN the way it only is when my brothers are home. Ford got in late last night but was still asleep earlier when Lincoln, Graham, and I left for the press conference.
There are bags and newspapers and empty water bottles everywhere. It's like the old days before we all grew up and went our separate ways. I usually love this feeling of having everyone I love in one place, except, this time, someone is missing.
Lincoln is in the living room watching the latest sports stories. Graham is up in my office getting an update on the polls today and the reaction from my speech.
I look at the stairs as Ford comes down. He's wearing a pair of grey sweats and no shirt. The fucker looks like Rambo with his chiseled abs and tanned skin.
"Hey," I say, pulling him into a one-armed hug.
He runs his hand across his buzz-cut. "There you are. Fucker didn't even wake me up this morning. I travel the world to show my support and you leave me in bed.”
"I figured a few hours of rest wouldn’t hurt you.”
He walks past me to the coffee pot. "Graham and Lincoln filled me in, both about the press conference and your new girl. But between the two of us, you better watch leaving Lincoln alone with her!" He says that loud enough for Lincoln to hear, and Lincoln responds to him by flying the bird over his shoulder.
Ford pours us both a cup of coffee and drinks his black. I pour some creamer in mine and relax against the cabinet. "Have you heard from her?" he asks.
"No,” I say, filling with dread. “I’ve been calling and texting her. It’s ringing through now, which is a plus, but she’s not answering.”
"She’ll come around,” he grins.
I shrug and take another drink. "It's nice having you here."
"I'm up for discharge in a couple of months," he says over the brim of his mug. "I'm thinking about taking it."
"Are you really?"
He nods. "I am. I always thought I'd stay in until I retired, but I miss home. I miss having a normal life."
"You and I both."
He nods knowingly.
"Yeah, well, I probably just fucked up everything. I guess I should really start defining a new normal.”
I feel the stress I'd managed to avoid for a while return. I stretch my neck, willing the kinks to go away.
“Have you heard from Dad?” Ford asks.
“He showed up with Linc. I haven’t seen him since I got here though. Fuck knows what he’s going to say.”
"Look, Barrett, I know how Dad can be. But if whatever you said today is what you believe, then by God say it. I've seen people in places you can't imagine that never get the opportunity to speak their minds or stand for anything. You can."
"I know," I sigh. "And you're right. Politically and career-wise, I've done what I think is best. I just hope it doesn't cause a rift in our family."
"It won't." He slaps me on the back. "And now's the time you're gonna find out."
"What do you mean?"
"Dad's here." He walks away from me and into the foyer. I hear him greet our father. After a few minutes, Lincoln joins them and their laughter floats into the kitchen where I'm still standing. Finally, they all make their way to me. My father stops in the doorway, his face now somber.
"Barrett? Can I speak to you a minute alone?"
I shove off the cabinet and follow him through the foyer and out the front door. My father doesn't say anything as we walk, just surveys the grounds like we're taking a Sunday stroll. The nonchalance finally gets to me.
"Dad?"
He stops in his tracks and looks at me.
I sigh, looking at the ground. I shove my hands in my pockets and feel my shoulders fall.
"Barrett, son, I'm sorry I failed you."
"What?" My head whips to him. He's watching me, lines creasing his face.
"I never realized you didn't want to do this, not the way I pushed you to do it. I trusted Nolan and the team because they'd been with us forever.” His eyes blur with unshed tears. “I left you to the wolves, son. I should've been more involved and helped you navigate this. This is my fault."
"Dad, no. It's not."
"It is. I won't lie—I was mad as hell at first. Then your mother sat me down, and we had a long talk and . . .” He shakes his head, his eyes sorrowful. "And I take full responsibility for this. You are my son and you're the best son a man could want."