Fighting Feelings

22

Caleb POV

"They're really keeping you in this place for another week?" I ask dumbfounded.

My pops had been in this place for more than three months now and yes even though his scars were healing, I'm sure they could still heal if he was at home with us.

"I'd rather stay here for a decade than go to your Aunt Doreen's," he groaned and I chuckled.

"Aunt Doreen's been really good to us pops, you should really think about reconciling," I tell him and it was true. Aunt Doreen had been amazing through everything.

"Listen I will always thank her for taking you in after my supposed friend kicked you out but there has been bad blood between us for a long time.... it isn't something you can just change over night," he explains and so I nod in understanding.

Even though, my Pops had never gone into depth about this 'bad blood' between the two, I assumed my Aunt was mad at my father for moving on so fast with other women after my mother passed. That was one thing I never understood about him but a discussion about that was the last thing he needed.

"Don't worry, I have it under control... some mechanics store downtown are getting back to me today, if I get the job, I can ask for an early payment," I explain and he smiles.

"I'm proud of you son, you really turned things round for yourself," he says patting my back whilst my brothers sat back playing games on their phone.

"Do they ever stop playing that thing?" My Pops asks confused as their eyes were glued to the phone screen.

"Only when Nads walks in the room," I chuckle as I start thinking about my girlfriend. It felt weird referring to her as that.

"Speaking of Nadia.... you really hit the jackpot there, and if her father gives you anymore grief just come straight to me," It was weird that my father and her father weren't friends anymore but I guess that's what happens when you don't come to visit you're best friend in hospital.

"She is special so I do want her fathers blessing," I reply sincerely. I knew that Mr Johansen was a big part of Nadia's life so I had to make sure I played my cards right.

"You don't need his blessing, he comes across as such a family and head strong man but he struggles, you just don't see it," My Pops explains to me and makes me wonder what my Pops had seen Mr Johansen do that made him view him like that.

"Pops what are you not telling me?"
I ask confused by his little riddle.

"A lot but it doesn't matter...."

"Pops listen Nadia is in danger, someone is after her family, if you know something... tell me," I ask getting frustrated if my Dad knew something about the situation and something were to happen to Nadia I would never forgive him.

"Listen I didn't want to tell you this...." he starts and I had this feeling in my soul that what he was about to say was going to ruin everything.

"Pops what is it?" I ask agitated.

"I was.... I was part of the herd once," I took a step backwards shaking my head at this.

"But I got out, I wasn't that talented in what they wanted so I was allowed to pay them off and then I got away, I met your Mom and everything picked itself up from there," I took a huge gulp.

What the hell was he saying? Had everything I knew about my father been a lie?

"That's where I met Nadia's Dad, he too was part of the herd or should I say still part of the herd. Anthony he wasn't like me... he was good at his job and when he wanted to leave the herd like you it wasn't as easy for him, so he stayed got a part time job at the firm with me but at night he was working for them.."