Page 13 of Finding Him

“Way isn’t a selfish dickhead,” I remind him.

“No, but he’s my age.”

“Sure, and maybe things won’t work out between us. But he’s also the most amazing boyfriend I’ve ever had. He’s thoughtful and kind, and protective. But he listens to what I want and what I need. He’s teaching me how to surf. He treats me like a grown-up even though I’m half his age. I mean, you pick really good friends, what can I say?”

“Don’t think that stroking my ego will get you out of this.”

“I don’t. I see that Mom called too. Multiple conversations will be had. But I do want you to answer one question for me before I answer any more of yours.”

Dad huffs out a sigh. “What?”

“Why have you been friends with Way for so long? Why are you reaching out to him across time and oceans?”

“He’s a good friend, but we’ve been friends since we were your age, and that was before you were born when we were your age.”

I hold back a snort. I know exactly how old Way is. “But you’ve let other friendships go over the years, why not this one?”

“Way’s been a good friend, until now.”

“You kept in touch because he’s a good guy. I knew it when I was a kid, and I know it now. I can trust him with my heart.”

“Your heart? Nita. Jesus Christ.”

I shrug even though he can’t see it. “Did I ever tell you I had a crush on him?”

Dad sighs. “Your mother said something about that. She’s never going to let me live it down now.”

“I had a bunch of childish romantic fantasies about Way when I was first figuring out boys. I knew those girlish fantasies would never come true. And now that I’m here and actually getting to know him as an adult, I realize that being with him is better than any of those silly fantasies I dreamed up.”

“That’ll work with your mom but not with me,” Dad says. “She’s the romantic.”

“Oh, it’ll work. I can tell it’s already working. Because you’re a smart man and soon, when the anger fades and you start to think about things, you’ll realize this is the best outcome for me.”

“How do you figure that?”

“I won’t be going to a lot of parties. I won’t be drinking underage, which means I won’t be drunk and vulnerable around a bunch of horny college guys. I won’t be in compromising positions, and I have someone looking out for me. Someone you trust. Someone whose friendship has stood the test of time.”

“You’re too fucking smart,” Dad grumbles.

“Please don’t be too hard on Way. He told me he shouldn’t touch me. I asked him to anyway.”

“I make no promises.”

“I love you, Dad.”

He groans, which is as good as him admitting defeat. “Love you too.”

“See you this weekend,” I sing-song as he hangs up. But as soon as the call is over, I slump back in my seat.

I don’t call my mom, Dad will translate most of the message. He’ll pretend he’s pissed while he does it, and she’ll be the one to get him to see that I’m right. Then she’ll call me with her own set of worries. That’s for future Nita to worry about.

Right now Nita needs to make it to Way’s house ASAP so that I can make sure Dad didn’t scare him off with his bluster. Sure Way knows how Dad is, but he’s a little touchy about our age difference, at least when it comes to what Dad thinks.

My worry is that things between them will go one of two ways, they’ll fight then make up. Or they’ll fight, Way will feel guilty and break up with me.

Chapter 9

Way