I press my lips together and try to figure out if I heard him right. “Aren’t you?”
“No. I’m not.”
“How comes? You forget I’m the self-righteous prick who took advantage of your daughter?”
“No, you aren’t that.” He releases a sharp breath. “Dante I won’t lie to you. It’s going to take me a long time to wrap my head around it. She’s a grown woman to you, but she’ll always be my little girl. I always remember giving her to you to hold when she was just a day old. That’s what I remember. So it’s hard for me. I guess that’s my bad though because I keep forgetting she’s not that anymore, and realistically, you’re just a guy who fell for her.”
It looks like he’s changed his tune. “I am.”
“You said you love her. In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never said that about anybody. Not even Marie. So I believe you and I’m sorry I was… I’m just sorry. I didn’t mean to be a prick. I shouldn’t have told you to stay away from her. I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t listen to me.”
“Well… I just wanted you to know I’m serious about her. I am. I do love her.”
He nods. “Then that’s all I can ask for, for my daughter. This t
hough… Dante you don’t have to go. I won’t allow us to throw away years of friendship over this.”
I offer him a polite smile. “I’m glad to hear that. I wouldn’t want us to stop being friends either. That’s the last thing I intended. Leaving is still something I have to do though.”
“Why Dante?”
“Because I keep turning away big opportunities. I need to branch out. I have a new job that’s starting in a month. I figure I’d take some time off and get my head around stuff.”
“Oh… I see. Well that’s great. I’m happy for you. I can’t lie or pretend I won’t miss you though. I will.”
“I’ll miss you too.”
He looks back at me and the silence that’s entered the space between us is awkward. I would have at least been here for another month if this shit hadn’t happened.
It happened though and I’m glad it’s over. I don’t want our friendship to end but I don’t really think it will be like it was before either. Things are different now.
I can however, make a start by trying to get rid of the awkwardness.
“It’s been great working with you Peter, but I have to go. Maybe it will be good for both of us.”
“Maybe. I guess it will push me to pay attention.” He puts out his hand to shake mine and I take it. “I’m sorry again Dante, good luck with your job. I hope you’ll tell me about it. You should go see Rachel. There’s a lot you need to talk about.”
There’s a look in his eyes that catches my attention. “Thank you. I’ll take care of her Peter.”
He nods. “I know.”
He leaves me and I finish up packing and load up my car. It was a struggle of shit to get to this point but I’m glad I got here. Now for the next step.
Whatever it is, I have her and I’m never letting her go. I have a few plans up my sleeve for us.
For our future. I think it’s time we make our fantasies and dreams a reality.
Chapter Twenty-One
Rachel
I’m feeling a little stronger today.
It feels like the medication is starting to work.
I slept for most of the morning too so maybe that helped. I guess my all-nighters with Dante at the Dark Odyssey over the last three weeks didn’t exactly help.
I’ve been awake now for about twenty minutes. It’s the first time I’ve had to myself, the first break where I’ve been awake and no one is here. It’s actually nice. Although I wish Dante was here.