I study him for a moment, trying to gauge the truth of his words, but he looks sincere.
“My mother told me my father ran out when he found out she was pregnant.” I look down at my hands. It was something my mother threw in my face over the years. That he’d left because of me.
“I see Porsha hasn’t changed much if she’s feeding you that lie, but lying is what she’s best at.”
I look up at Ben. The anger is clear in his face. I merely shrug. She’s a good liar, but she’s also good at laying down a guilt trip, too.
The silence grows for a minute. I study his face and I can see why I don’t look like my mother or anyone on her side of the family. Well, at least from the pictures I’ve seen of them. I can already tell by looking at this man that I come from his side of the family. From our eyes to our hair color, and even our lips. They are all the same.
“I want you in my life,” he says, breaking the silence that was lingering between us. He cocks his head to the side like he’s the one studying me now. “I know you have time off from school right now.”
“How—”
“I told you. When I found out about you I wanted to know everything. I’ve been waiting days for you to leave that house so I could finally approach you. Your mother’s been stonewalling me these past few weeks.”
“Wait, she knows you’re looking for me?”
He nods and reaches out, taking my hands in his.
“Autumn, I want to get to know you. I’ve missed so much already. I’ll take any time you give me.” He gives my hands a squeeze. “I have a home in Aspen I’d love for you to come to. It’s beautiful there right now. Christmas there is perfect.” I see a hopeful glint in his eyes.
“I can’t just leave with you. I don’t even know you. Plus, I promised Neil I’d be here for Christmas.”
“Your stepfather?” he asks, but I feel like he already knows the answer to that if he knows my school schedule. I nod. “I notice you didn't mention your mother.”
I let out a humorless laugh. I watch more pain flash in his eyes.
“I wish I knew about you from the beginning. I know how she can be. It’s why I left her, but I guess she got in the final blow. I know now that she kept you from me to hurt me.”
“I’m not saying no because I won’t go to Aspen or that I don’t want to get to know you. Maybe when you get back?” I offer. I want to get to know him and I believe what he is saying. It sounds like something my mother would do.
“I’ll stay here then. I have a home here, too.”
“You’re going to stay here because I am? Cancel your trip?” This makes me melt a little. My mother would never do anything like that for me. It makes me mad that my mother kept my father from me. He clearly would have wanted to be in my life.
“My wife and I will do whatever you like. We just want some of your time and to get to know you.”
“You’re married?” That makes me uneasy. What if she’s like my mother.
“Yes, and she’s dying to meet you. I think she’s made you your own room in every house we have.” He chuckles at that. “She and I want you to feel welcome so you’ll want to spend time with us. Maybe get to know your little brother and sister.”
“I have siblings?” I almost shout. I scoot farther off my seat and more toward Ben, desperate to know about them.
“One brother and one sister. Twins, actually.” He smiles while he talks about them and I can’t help but smile, too.
“How old?”
“Four, but they have a birthday coming up right before Christmas. We’d love for you to come to their party.”
“Yes, of course,” I say instantly. How is this possible? It’s all so crazy.
“You can bring anyone you like with you. If you have someone special, that is.”
My face warms and I know he’s asking if I have a boyfriend. I don’t know how to answer him. I’m not sure what Hunter and I are or if what my mother said this morning is true about him. I just can’t believe it.
“Maybe I will.” I bite my lip and he gives me a knowing smile. “You know my mother isn't going to like this,” I tell him. She’s probably going to throw a fit.
“You’re eighteen, Autumn. You can do as you wish, and if it’s financial things she is holding over you such as school and a place to live, you don’t have to worry about that. I would never let you go without. In fact, I have years of spoiling you to make up for.”