Aiden Harper

You can run, but you can't hide

Eden

I had put off my dad long enough, knowing I couldn't avoid his phone calls forever. It's so weird to call him Dad, but it felt so correct at the same time. Besides speaking to Oliver, I discussed this situation with Casper. He gave me perspective about it.

It's okay to refer to Raymond as Dad. There's no time frame for calling someone Dad or Mom. It depends on the person's comfort level and when they're ready.

We also discussed my relationship with Aiden. Again, Casper reassured me there's no time frame when someone falls in love. People assume you must wait months to decide when you will fall in love. But every person is different.

I thought I loved Wayne, but I realized I didn't. He was a way to escape my family and their scrutiny. Plus, I fell into a comfortable routine and was willing to overlook things about Wayne. With Aiden, it wasn't like that. Aiden cared about me and didn't care what others thought. How can you not love someone like Aiden?

After avoiding my dad's phone and video calls for over a week, I finally sucked it up and video-called him while Aiden was with me. I needed the support to face my dad when he saw my face. Even though the black eyes were fading, I still had them.

The phone rang until the video connected. My dad stared at me with furrowed brows. "Eden, why does it look like a truck hit you?"

"Well, uh, because a truck didn't hit me. A fist did." I winced at the last part.

"What? Did you say a fist hit you?"

I nodded slowly while biting my lower lip.

My dad rubbed his mouth before dropping his hand and pushing his tongue against his lips. "Who hit you, baby girl?"

I swallowed hard, trying to gather my thoughts. "Uh, my ex-boyfriend."

My dad looked at me and pressed his lips into a thin line. "I want to know what that sonofabitch did to you, Eden."

"I don't want to anger you."

"Eden, you would never anger me. I want to know what he did to you."

"Wayne suckered, punched me before he hit me again and kicked me twice. The doctors said he broke my nose, broke four ribs, and gave me a concussion."

My dad's lips narrowed even more. "I'll kill him."

"Aiden beat you to it, well, almost. The police have Wayne in custody."

"Eden, I want you to listen very carefully to me. I'm coming to Michigan and taking care of this piece of shit after I talk to West. No one, and I mean no one, will lay their hands on you again. Understand?"

"Yeah."

My dad rubbed his face before running his hand through his hair in frustration, dropping his head, and cursing under his breath.

"I'm sorry." I brushed the tears away from my cheeks, careful of my nose.

My dad's head snapped up. "Why are you sorry, baby girl?"

"I didn't want to disappoint you."

"Eden, you could never disappoint me. You're amazing in every sense. From the short time I've spoken to you, I'm in awe of you."

"What?" I knitted my brows.

My dad nodded. "You exceeded my expectations in every way. You're kind, smart, funny, strong, and beautiful. I hate that I didn't get a chance to be there from the start. I would have loved to see you take your first steps or say your word. I would have read bedtime stories and taken you to the fields to work beside me. I would have taught you how to drive by using my truck. I would hurt a boy if he made you cry. I never got a choice. But I can be there for you now."