Tonya sets Layla back down and grabs her hand. “Let’s do this Bean.”
Shaking my head, I follow behind them. Her nickname for her daughter is just as ridiculous asMelly. Today I’m going to enjoy myself as much as I can. Randall and I can talk later today, or even tomorrow. There’s no need worrying about something I can’t fix.
Sixteen
Randall
“So,”Jake elbows me. “What are you going to do about your old man?”
They figured out the cause of my bad mood as soon as I got here. There’s only one person who can fill me with that much rage. Derrick, Travis, and Reaf were the only ones that didn’t know what was happening. Jake filled them in while I was watching Amelia.
I feel bad for ditching her the minute we got here. But I don’t want her seeing me this frustrated. She’s pulling her shirt and shorts off, revealing the small bikini underneath. It leaves all her curves on full display. Maybe I should go over and talk to her.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do about him,” I shrug. “There isn’t much to do. He can’t take care of himself, and I can’t just leave him to suffer. Mom leaving all those years ago really fucked him up.”
“He isn’t your responsibility, Randall.” This time Marshall joins the conversation. “He’s a grown man and needs to learn how to take care of himself.”
“That’s shocking coming from you,” I snort. “You’re always so hell bent on keeping the peace.”
“Eh, your dad’s an asshole.” He points toward Jake. “Both of your parents should form a club exclusively for asshole parents.”
Jake laughs. “You honestly think that would go over well. Hell, my mom’s trying to buy clothes for a granddaughter she’s never even met.”
Everyone else’s parents are normal compared to ours. Most want what’s best for their kids, and want them to be happy. Mine and Jake’s parents seem to have a competition on who can destroy their kids’ lives the fastest. Jake walked away from his family and never looked back. I’m struggling to make the same choice.
“Well, as awesome as it is to talk about the shitty people that raised us,” I point toward the girls getting in the water. “I’m going to see my girl for a bit.”
The words my dad yelled keep replaying in my head. Ican’tbelieve that he’s right. That she’ll just leave me without a moment’s notice. Pushing those thoughts away, I wade into the water until I’m right behind her.
“Hey.” I wrap my hands around her waist. The subtle flinch shoots a pang straight to my heart. “Need some help.”
She’s trying to get on a float, but the waves coming from the jet skis further out are making it almost impossible. “Sure,” she nods. “Can you hold this stupid thing still?”
“No problem.” I grab the float and try to keep it as motionless as possible with the waves coming in. “Are you having fun?” The need to make some sort of conversation is overwhelming. We’ve never been stagnant around each other. Not even when we were just “friends.”
Amelia gets on the float with no issue since I’m holding it in place for her. Once she’s situated, she shade’s her eyes from the sun. “Oh, so you’re talking to me now?”
“I never wasn’t talking to you,” I argue. “I just needed to cool off for a bit.”
“You know we’re going to have to talk about what happened earlier, right?” She sighs, “That was pretty huge, and you shutting me out isn’t the best thing in the world.”
“I’m sorry,” I run my hand through my hair. “Can we talk about it later? I’d rather not have an audience.”
“Okay,” she relents. “Don’t think I’m going to forget about it though.”
Honestly, I’m surprised she’s not pressing me to talk about it now. She isn’t one to let things go for long. When we first started talking, maybe. But now… She’s like a dog with a bone. Not giving up until she gets what she wants.
“Have you ever been fishing?” Yes, I’m changing the subject, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I am.
“Yep,” she smiles. “I used to go with my dad all the time. He doesn’t understand why I like selling cute things you can’t find in chain stores, so we bond by going fishing.”
“You might be the only girl I know that actually likes fishing.” How has this never come up in conversation before? It’s one of my favorite hobbies, especially when I’m trying to get over whatever bullshit my dad has spouted off.
“Well, I’m also a little competitive about it.” She’s laughing. “My dad always tries to catch more than I do, but it rarely happens. Winner always gets to choose dinner.”
Her close relationship with her parents makes me long for it. It will never happen, though a guy can wish. “I’ll have to take you to my fishing spot one day. We’ll see who catches the most.”
“You’re on,” she swats me in the shoulder, almost falling off the float she’s lying on. “Oh, are you coming to the Fourth of July party my aunt and uncle are having next weekend?”