Page 124 of Fake It For Love (Faux Love)
“Yes, he’s out back. We were just getting ready to have some lemonade.”
We went out back, and after making the introductions, we all sat down at the table on the patio. “So, what’s this about an engagement?” Dad asked.
“Ryan and I went to school together,” I started. “We met at the reunion. Technically, before the reunion. We spent some time together and fell in love.”
“You’re Ryan Jones?” Dad repeated. “As in Chuck and Maggie Jones?”
“Those are my parents,” Ryan said.
Obviously, they knew who the Jones family was. I held up my hand and showed them the ring. Mom immediately started crying.
She reached for a napkin and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m so happy for you. I knew you would find a man that would treat you right.”
“Ryan treats me very well,” I said.
“What do you do?” Dad asked him.
“I’m a pilot,” Ryan answered. “I own an aviation business.”
“He flew us here in his plane,” I said.
I could see they were happy. We didn’t get along well, but I knew they loved me. They wanted happiness for me. Ryan and I took turns telling them about our trip to the Caribbean. My parents were hanging on his every word. I loved that they liked him. There wasn’t much not to like. My man was damn near perfect.
“I’ll get us some more lemonade,” Mom said.
“I’ll give you a hand,” Ryan said.
Mom’s face lit up. She winked at me before going back into the house. Ryan did that on purpose. He knew I wanted a chance to talk to my father. I looked at the man that had been my idol for the first eighteen years of my life. Things had been strained between us since graduation. I had to take responsibility for that.
“Dad, I’m sorry,” I said.
“For what?”
“I’ve been pretty rough on you these last fifteen years,” I said. “I’ve been so angry with you. I was convinced you ruined my life. I know you hated what happened. I know you carry that guilt with you. I had no right to make it worse for you. It was never my money. I had no right to be mad at you for losing it. I was immature and acted like a spoiled brat. You guys have always taken care of me. Even when things were falling apart at the seams, you protected me from it. I know you went through hell. I’m sorry I wasn’t more supportive. I’ve held a grudge all these years. It was wrong. I know it was wrong and I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize, Claire Bear.”
It was the term of endearment he had used for most of my life. “I do, Dad. You gave me everything I needed. You raised me right. I had a roof over my head, and most of all, I had your love and support. Back then, I thought my life was ruined because I didn’t have money. Money isn’t everything. It’s not important at all. Family is what’s important. Those values you were instilling in me over the years are what’s important. I get it now. I didn’t see it then and it took some serious self-reflection to realize the mistakes I’ve been making. Life is too precious to hold grudges over petty things. I should have been grateful you were alive and well.”
I thought I saw a tear in his eye. He cleared his throat. “That means a lot to me. I hated that I let you down. I hated disappointing you and your mother, but you most of all. You had always looked up to me and I wasn’t the man you thought I was. I know it’s going to sound crazy, but I don’t hate that we lost it all. I think it brought your mother and me closer together. It opened my eyes. I realized I was on the wrong path. Money can do that to a man. I was drifting away and leaving what mattered most—you and your mom. I know we aren’t rich, but we’re doing okay. We’ll throw you the wedding you want.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said. “I don’t care about any of that. I just want us to be a family again. I take full responsibility for the rift. I’m over it. I’m hoping you will forgive me for treating you so badly.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” he said. “I failed you. We pushed you to go to college, and when it was time, we couldn’t hold up our end of the bargain.”
“I went Dad. I’m doing what I love. That’s what matters.”
Mom and Ryan returned to the table with a fresh pitcher of lemonade. “Is everything okay?” Mom asked with concern.
I grinned and grabbed one of the muffins Ryan carried out. “Yep. I was just apologizing to Dad for being such a bitch these last fifteen years.”
“Claire!” Mom gasped.
“It’s true. I’ve grown up a lot these past couple of weeks. I realized that money doesn’t make a person happy. All those people I went to school with aren’t any different than I am. They’ve all got their problems. In fact, their problems might be a little bigger because of their money. I’m happy with who I am.”
“Because you’re amazing,” Ryan said and kissed my cheek.
My parents looked like they were going to float away on Cloud Nine. When I signed up with Faux’s, I never imagined I would be walking down the path that would lead me to the love of my life.
