“My dad.” My laugh was cold and Kate lifted her hand from my thigh. Emotions I hadn’t allowed out of a mental box for years piled up behind my sternum. I saw him every day, but I’d given up on talking to him years ago. “Dad kept our routine up, kept us moving forward, but he checked out mentally. It wasn’t like I could go sleep around like he did when I wasn’t even in high school yet. By the time I reached the age where I could, I had responsibilities. Obligations. It was all I could do to justify sports. And the way Dad acted was…” My breath gusted out. I hadn’t told anyone how I’d felt about those years. I’d checked out too, just like he had.

I sagged toward Kate and rested my forehead on her shoulder. I needed the contact. And it was easier to get the words out without her gaze on me. “I did talk to Dad once, you know. Made some comment about how he’d acted.” The day in his office before my wedding haunted me. I’d finally called him on his behavior and he’d listened, only I’d done it so he’d lay off me about Kate. A brash emotional outburst that hadn’t cost me, but had hurt him.

Her arm draped around my back and I was in the familiar comfort of her hyacinth scent. “What happened?”

“He changed. Instantly. And it almost prevented the relationship with Kendall that gave me my dad back.”

“That was his decision, not yours,” she said quietly. “And maybe that pause you gave him made him see what he could have with Kendall. He might’ve missed some meaningful, healthy relationships because he refused to commit and risk his heart again. But you gave him the time to think.” Her chin brushed the top of my head.

I hadn’t thought about it like that. All I knew was that I’d finally said something and it had bitten me in the ass. “I’ve never told you about Grandpa DB.”

“None of you talk about him.”

“He was like Grams on steroids. Old-fashioned. Hardheaded. Ruthless. Dad’s parents left King’s Creek and never looked back. They became birthday-card grandparents.”

Kate’s head tilted before she nodded. “Right. You only hear from them when you get birthday cards. Kind of like my dad.”

“With Dad tied up with the company, Grams did what she could. She softened a little for Dawson. I guess she couldn’t tell him to man up like Grandpa told me.”

“He said that to you? After your mom had just died?”