“I heard you flew them in and out of there. Sounds like your team did well.”
I blinked and paused at his silence. “I’m sorry. What?”
Was he giving the team acompliment?
“I’m proud of you, hon. I admit, when you first went into the service, I thought it was because you were trying to prove something to your brothers. That you could keep up. Well, you didn’t make it to admiral, but you sure know how to fly.”
I closed my eyes and blinked away tears. I got a fucking compliment out of my dad. He was proud of me. Yet from one breath to the next, he ruined it. Yeah, I’d never make admiral because I quit the service. To him, walking away meant I gave up.
“At first, I thought you got yourself knocked up or something. Or maybe that your head was turned by a man, but I can see that a civilian job is where you need to be.”
“Knocked up?” I sputtered. “Jesus, Dad.”
“Well, it can be a career-ender. Look what happened to your mother–she could’ve been a brilliant scientist, but I got her pregnant on our first date.”
Um, gross. And, first date?
“After having Zach, she never went back, and three more kids ensured that.”
Oh. My. God.
“Sounds like you ruined her life, Dad. I hope you’ve made it up to her.”
“Well, she’s proud of her kids. I think that’s been enough.”
Long live the patriarchy.My father could really be an asshole. A misogynistic asshole. Who called to tell me he was proud of me for quitting because I’d never been cut out for the military like him and my older brothers.
“Good talking to you, Admiral.”
I hung up and took a second to unclench my jaw and fists. Then I went back inside, settled into the booth with my friends who were laughing about some weird order Holly took at the Feed ‘N Seed coffee shop this morning, then waved my hand for the waitress.
Erin. The woman the guy I was fucked up over had slept with.
She came by and smiled. It wasn’t her fault for handing Kennedy her panties. He was single. Free and clear. Hell, we should form a club. Kennedy’s Dick Fan Club.
“Another beer, please. Maybe a pitcher,” I told her.
“No problem. Where are the men tonight?” She glanced between us. The guys of Alpha Mountain were known in town and famous among the single ladies. And Erin knew one of themreallywell.
“Doing their own thing,” I replied.
“Too bad. I like the dark-haired one.”
I frowned, then looked to Indi, who was smiling. “You mean Taft?”
The redhead nodded. “The one more my age. He seemed really kind. Hot, too.” She smiled.
“I’m sure he’ll be interested to know you asked after him,” Indi said. “Erin, you probably know Megan and Holly. This is Quincy. She works with Taft.”
I opened my mouth like a fish, forgetting all about the call with my dad and focusing on the fact that Erin’s interest was in Taft.
Taft.
“Kennedy not do it for you?” I asked, hoping I didn’t sound too snarky. Moving from Kennedy to Taft was pretty bold.
Her smile slipped a little. “The flirt?”
Megan, Indi, and Holly laughed. “That’s definitely the one,” Megan said.