Gypsy - Book 3 of The Academy Kids Series

Mchottie Barbeque

Amanda

The next morning dawned bright and sunny, matching the hope unfurling inside. I stayed in my room the day before, telling Chase what happened. Of course, he insisted on coming. I wanted today to go well, wanted dad and Johnny to let me have this chance.

Chase barreled through the door around noon and I couldn't help the laugh. He'd obviously taken time with his appearance.

"You dressed up for me?" I batted my eyelashes at him. He shoved me, rolling his eyes.

"You know darn well why I dressed up." He flopped onto the couch with me while we waited for dad and Johnny. I did know why and it was kind of cute. "Think this is gonna help?"

"I hope so." I fiddled with my hair. "They just want to keep me from being hurt."

"Think it would help if we tell them that's bound to happen as long as you date?"

I snorted. "Doubtful."

Dad and Johnny strode in, neither saying a word. Johnny pointed at Chase, then the door and they both walked out. Looked like dad wanted to talk. Tension hung heavy as I stood.

"There's a lot of things I need to say to you." He ran a hand over his head. "Most importantly, I'm sorry. I said things no one, especially no parent, should ever say."

I wanted to fling myself into his arms, hug him tight and reassure him, but it seemed like he wanted to say more, so I didn't.

"This barbecue today, I'm going to try to keep an open mind, but I have a lot of concerns." He closed the distance between us, rested his hands on my shoulders. "You are my only baby girl and you are growing up far too quickly. I wish your mother was still here. She probably would have handled all this much better."

His eyes glazed, taking on a distant look. I leaned into him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I love you dad."

He squeezed me. "Come on. Let's go see these boys of yours and their unconventional families."

It didn't take long to arrive at the guys' house, which meant I didn't have time to worry about how things would go. The sheer amount of noise coming from the backyard as we approached the house near deafened us. I knew both families were present but the shock when I saw exactly how many people that meant made me go utterly still.

"Hey, you okay?" Chase asked, hand gripping my arm and pulling me into him.

"Yeah." I nodded, eyes roaming the organized chaos around us. "Just more people than I expected." My eyes caught on a banner strung up over the porch. I elbowed Chase. "Look."

His eyes followed the finger I pointed right to the sign saying "Happy Birthday, Galen!" He practically vibrated as he scanned the yard, face lighting up when he found his quarry. He winked at me and took off. After watching for a moment, I realized Dad remained silent next to me.

"Dad?"He stood frozen, eyes wide, taking in everything. Dad was never still. It worried me some but it really was a lot to take in. A hand pressed against my back, drawing my attention. I glanced back to find the boys.

"Mr. Cross." Isaiah stepped around me, extending his hand to dad. "We haven't formally met. I'm Isaiah, and these are my brothers Micah and Wesley."

Dad's eyes drifted to Isaiah's hand and it seemed to shake him from his stupor. He shook all the boys hands, still quiet. The boys seemed unnerved by dad's stillness.

"Sir," Micah got his attention, "we understand you have concerns, and we hope that today may help calm them. We care about Amanda, enough to let go if you insist."