Detroit. •b.t.• (Completed)

22

Bryson

"What do you like about my daughter?"

I thought about it for a moment.

"I love her smile, man. She can change my whole mood just by smiling at me, I swear. I like her ambition and how seriously she takes her art. She knows what she wants out of life and strives for success. I like how she isn't afraid to speak her mind, but does it so politely that you wouldn't even think of it as an insult-"

I stopped talking and laughed.

"-I love how humble she is and how she doesn't let the money get to her head. Sage'll be the first one to sign up for community service and she'll work long and hard until it physically hurts and still not complain because it benefits others. I love how she sees something in me that even I don't see and she makes me want to be a better person. She didn't give up on me even when I kept brushing her off and I'll be forever grateful for her"

"What about sexually?"

"To be honest with you, I've never even thought of us being like that. I don't even look at her body because I feel as if it's disrespectful. She means way more to me than any of that. I want her heart and soul, not her body"

"You love my daughter?"

I cleared my throat. "Yes, sir. I know it's early and I'm young and all of that, but-"

"You're okay in my book, Bryson. Don't let me down"

He patted my shoulder and I let out a sigh of relief.

There was a knock on his door.

"Come in" He called.

Sage walked in with a cheery smile on her face.

"Hi, daddy. Hi, Bryson. Bailey made salads for you guys"

"Did Bailey make them willingly, or did you instruct him to because you want us to eat healthy?"

"Your metabolism isn't what it used to be" She giggled.

I didn't realize that she was talking about his weight because she had said it so sweetly.

"That's how you speak to your own father, Sage. I'm hurt"

She continued to laugh.

"That's why you don't have a middle name"

Her laughing seized. "Leaving the space for middle initials on scantrons blank makes me feel empty inside" She stuck out her tongue. "I have to go now"

She had barely acknowledged me and now she was leaving.

I craved her attention.

"Leaving so soon? Would it have anything to do with the paint in your hair?"

"You should have seen Danny. He's a mess"

"Spare me the heart attack"

"I'll see you later. Love you. Bye Bryson"

We both watched her close the door behind herself.

"Well?" Charles asked.

"Huh?"

"You're not gonna make sure that she got to the car safe? You have a lot to learn, young man"

"My bad" I quickly left to catch up with Sage.

"Hey!"

She turned around and smiled at me.

"What's wrong?" She stopped.

"Nothing. Just walking you to the car. That's okay, yeah?"

"Yes. Thank you"

We approached the elevator and I pressed the button.

It was already on our floor.

I let her step into the elevator first and she pressed the button to the ground floor.

I watched her as we sat in comfortable silence.

"What's up with you?" I asked, noticing that something was on her mind.

She sighed before pressing another button on the elevator panel, making the whole thing stop.

The lights shut out, but an emergency light cut on.

"Boo, what's-"

"Bryson, I'm in love with you, and I can't wait any longer to tell you that"

Her face went red, as she had thought that she was embarrassing herself.

"I guess that I have something to tell you too"

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