Wanting Mr. Barkley (Book 2)

Chapter Eleven . . . Fatherly Advice

Chapter Eleven . . . Fatherly Advice

Derek's POV

"Derek, Dylan?" Garrett asked.

"Yeah bud?" I answered as we threw the ball back and fourth to each other.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asked as he stared at the little ball in his hands.

"Yeah, of course. What's up?" Dylan asked looking at me with a worried expression in his eyes.

"Did you . . . did you know my dad?"
Dylan and I looked at each other and froze.

For years we've always wondered who Garrett's real father was but Karen wouldn't budge in telling us. She always said that it wasn't any of our business and that Garrett didn't really need a father when he had her. So for Garrett, we've come up with the story that he died in war.

"Garrett, we've never met him. Your mom came to us after he . . . passed." Garrett nodded before throwing the ball to Dylan.

"He didn't pass." Garrett said surprising us all.

"What do you mean he didn't pass?" I asked.

"What did you hear?" Dylan shot right after me.

"Mr. Ramsey told me that I didn't have a dad."

"Why the fuck would he tell you that!" I yelled angrily.

How could you tell a ten-year old boy that his father never existed? Who would scar him that much?

"Derek, calm down." Dylan ordered, and I tried to obey my older brother but it wasn't working. He walked over to Garrett and knelt down eye-level to him.

"Garrett, why would he say something like that to you?"

I watched as Garrett looked up to me with worried eyes before looking at Dylan.

"He said in school that I never had a father, so he was going to be my new father now, and that I should treat him like one." He said and looked up at me. "Derek, I don't want him to be my dad. I want you to be my dad." He pushed Dylan aside and ran to me and wrapped himself around my body. I quickly grabbed ahold of him and squeezed him tight.

"Garrett, buddy, you have to calm down." I said, using my brother's words, when all I wanted to do is break down with him. I've known this kid since he was a baby, and I've never seen him so upset in his whole life. It was killing me inside to see him like this. I pushed him away slightly and made him look me in the eyes.

"Look at me, Garrett." His little red eyes looked up to me. "I know things are tough right now, but it's going to settle and everything is going to be okay, and I can promise you that Mr. Ramsey is never going to talk to you ever again."

"You promise?" He asked with a sniffle.

"I promise, but you have to promise me that no matter what the future holds, you have to be tough. Not just for yourself but for your mom. Can you promise me that, buddy?" I asked looking into his little tear filled eyes.

"I promise, for mom." He said and I patted him on the shoulder.

"That's my boy. Now how about we go and get some ice cream?" I offered and his eyes lit up.

"Yeah!" He said excitedly making me chuckle. At least I could get his mind off of it for now.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" I said.

"What about me?" Dylan asked as he put on a pouting face.

"No way, more ice cream for me!" Garrett cheered and went to make a run for it but Dylan was too fast.
He picked Garrett up and hung him upside down.