Holly sighs heavily and rubs her forehead. “Liam, do you not remember what I told you when I met with your dad?”
I huff. I haven’t forgotten that my dad is looking to make things up to me, but I’m hard pressed to believe he’s here to wrap me in his arms after I almost killed his golden child. “I do,” I grumble and glance at my dad whose brown eyes appear to be pleading with me.
“Then that’s why I think you should do this. I won’t be far. Just give him a moment.” She bends down and places a long kiss on my forehead. “I love you.”
“And I love you more.”
Holly gives my dad a gentle squeeze of the shoulder on the way out.
“How did you know I was here?”
“Your brother called me.”
“Of course, he did. Went crying to you as usual. So, are you here to lecture me?”
“No, no. But you did do quite the number on him,” he says dryly.
“He had it coming,” I mumble.
“I suppose he did.” He cracks a smile. “It’s why I’m here. He told me what happened. What your brother did is inexcusable.” My father drifts further into the room and props himself on the edge of the bed.
“He actually told you what he did? When it came to Holly and Matty?”
“Yes. I couldn’t believe my ears. I’m glad he’s starting to see his mistakes now. I think Maria will keep him in check.”
“Whatever,” I huff and turn to stare at the clock hanging on the wall, just as the minute hand covers over the six.
“I’m proud of you though son.” My dad claps my leg and I spin my head back to him so fast it cracks.
“Wait. What?”
“You didn’t think I was going to come in here and say that did you?” He chuckles.
“Not at all.”
“Those are words I should’ve said to you sooner. But I’m saying them now knowing they're important. Seeing you as a father, despite everything you’ve been through in your past, and now with your brother, most would have folded and ran, but you didn’t. And that’s what makes me proud of you, son. I failed you when I needed to be there for you. I should’ve tried harder, trusted you more with your life and with the business, and told you how well you were doing. Instead, I kept looking over your shoulder and that was because I wasn’t trusting you even after you proved time and time again you were clean. For that, I am deeply sorry, son. I should have given you the credit when it was due when you got sober.”
I nod. “Well, thanks.” Surprisingly, it is good to hear.
“I only wish I didn’t keep failing you afterwards; maybe things would have been different.” He frowns. “I now failed Landon, too. I didn’t see his drinking problem and the rabbit hole he was going down.”
“I didn’t know either, and I should’ve seen it,” I mumble. He’s my twin and if anyone could spot a problem it should’ve been me. Maybe he wouldn’t have ever said anything to me and Holly if he wasn’t drinking. Guess we’ll never know.
“It didn’t help he was three-thousand miles away either. But he’s not your worry right now. He has Maria and though me and your mom should’ve been there for you, we will be there for him.”
I nod.
“Hey, you finally did what you wanted to do, though.”
“What?” I ask confused.
“Prove to me that you can be a better father than me by being there for your son, no matter what.” He smiles, though there’s a hint of pain shining behind his eyes. “You’re a damn good father, Liam. A damn good CEO and tech wiz, but most of all a good dad. I didn’t teach you that one. Now you just need to marry the girl.
“For fuck’s sake Dad. You sound like Mom.”
He laughs. “She’s starting to rub off on me.” He pats my leg. “I hope you'll give your old man another chance.”
“I think the outlook seems pretty good.” I laugh, knowing I sound like a magic eight ball.
“That’s more than I could hope for.” He rises from the bed and that’s when I take a good look at the aging man in front of me. He’s totally gray now, considering the last time I really looked at him he still had color left. He's collected a few more wrinkles around his face, and his eyes look so tired. It's like I’m noticing my dad for the first time and he looks worn. Perhaps the worry for his kids has withered him down.
“By the way, I don’t blame you for the accident,” I mumble.
“What?”
“I know you think that, Dad. Holly told me you told her I was angry at you for that night. I wasn’t mad at you. I was mad I couldn’t walk, and I was just in fucking pain.” A lot of fucking pain.
Fuck this is Holly’s doing. I would have never confessed this before even on my dying bed because I was mad at him for so many other things in my life, but now talking to him and seeing him in a different light, it’s like I have to let go.
“But you were still mad at me.”
I shrug. “You didn’t make things easy over the years, but you weren’t all that bad of a dad growing up.” As a kid, I used to admire him and wanted to be like him, but that shifted when I got into my teens.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me, Liam.”
“Knock, knock,” Holly calls into the room as she slowly opens the door. “Is this a good time for me to come back?”
“Come in,”
