Lexi redirected me from where everyone else was eating and pointed me towards an empty classroom. I found my mom and dad with food for me. Brook joined us before anything could be said.
“You need to hurry up and eat if we’re going to get out of here in time for your flight,” Lexi said, and then left us alone.
Mom stepped over to Brook and took her into her arms. Brook finally broke down and cried. I looked at Dad, and he pointed at the sub sandwich. He was right. I was starving and had to keep my head in the game. It was probably better that Mom handled Brook until I could get through filming for the day. Brook and Mom left us alone.
“How’s it going?” I asked.
“Not great.”
That was probably the understatement of the year. Then I had a thought.
“Where were you? I would have thought that you and Ian would have been together,” I said, confused.
“Christmas shopping.”
I could see why Dad decided to go alone. When guys shop, we know exactly what we’re getting and don’t want others to distract us. That was why it’s always been almost unbearable to shop with women who seem to want to go into every store and randomly try on stuff. It totally messed with the ‘I’ve got a plan and need to stick to it’ philosophy that Dawson men followed.
“Did you get everything?” I asked.
“Yep,” Dad said with a grin.
“Anything I need to know?” I asked.
“They love each other. Ava is hurt right now, but I expect they’ll work it out. Ian was just a dumbass,” Dad said.
“Do you think it was the first time?”
Dad looked thoughtful for a moment. Then shook his head ‘no.’
“I’m considering asking Brook to come with me on my press tour to get her away from all this for a while. What are your thoughts?” I asked.
“Probably a good idea. It will give Ava and Ian time to figure this out. Brook will also get a chance to absorb what happened.”
Unfortunately, I knew exactly what he meant. That reminded me of my parents and what they’d gone through.
“How is Mom taking it?” I asked.
“It’s brought up some painful memories,” Dad admitted.
I was quiet for a moment.
“How are you doing?” I asked.
I think I surprised him. He looked up, and I saw a haunted expression flash through his eyes. Ian’s infidelity had hit just a little too close to home. It reminded him that he’d had Phil because he’d made a similar mistake. I’ll admit, it had taken me a while to separate Phil from the betrayal my dad had committed. It wasn’t Phil’s fault he was created out of infidelity.
“I just hope that you and Greg never have to go through something like that. Believe me, it’s not worth the moment of pleasure, and it always seems to bite you in the ass.”
“Have you ever …” I started and left the question unfinished.
Dad looked me square in the eyes.
“No. What happened was a drunken indiscretion. I’m not trying to lessen my part in the matter by saying I was drunk,” he clarified. “Think about your relationship with Brook. I know that you’ve probably had numerous opportunities to stray. I would place a large wager that you never have.
“And to answer your question … it was just the one time,” Dad said to make it clear.
“Why would you think I’d be tempted?”
“I may be your dad, but I’m not blind. You might be shocked to find out I know a lot more than you think about what you and Greg get up to.”
I squinted at him.
“So, it’s true? You and Mom spy on us?” I accused.
“Just like you spy on Coby and the rest.”
It just reminded me that the Dawson clan elders had no problem watching over the younger generation. I knew that Greg and I would do the same with our little ones.
“You were never tempted?” I asked.
“Of course I was. That’s the thing, though. Even if I am tempted, all I have to do is think of your mom. I admit, there’s stuff about her that drives me to distraction, but the bottom line is I love her. You’ll learn that when you find the one who you want to spend the rest of your life with, it’s different. Yes, there may be better-looking women or ones you’re attracted to. It’s just that a more mature love seems to make all that go away.”
I’d started to understand that with Brook. I suspected she wasn’t as into our relationship as I was. Some of it was her insecurity. Another part was she’d not had the same life experiences I’d had. Brook hadn’t had someone like Tami in her life to rip her heart out multiple times. She’d also not the kind of relationships I’d had. It wasn’t an issue with me that her feelings for me weren’t as deep as my feelings for her. Not every relationship was equal. When she achieved more life experience, she would come to realize some of the things I already had. Loving someone like I did Brook made me a better person.
Lexi stuck her head in the door.
“You’re needed on set.”
I nodded, and she left us alone.
“Let your mom and me worry about Ian and Ava. I’ll make sure that Brook has a ticket for tonight,” Dad assured me.
This was one more reminder of how lucky I was to have them as my parents. I wrapped my arms around my dad and hugged him. As I held him tight, I whispered into his ear.
