He gives me a long appraising look, inhaling and exhaling the smoke. I don’t let my eyes waver from his, trying to display my best self-confident posture. “Well…shit. How the hell am I supposed to give you the third degree when you come out with that?” he asks, shaking his head with a small smile. “So, let’s go about this a little differently. What has you so fucked up, Grant?”

“Believe me, sir, you don’t want to know,” I inform him.

“Okay…no more sir. It’s Calvin. No Mr. Harrison, just Calvin. If you’re going to be part of my daughter’s life and if what you’re saying is true, I deserve to know how you’ll make her leave you one day. You won’t understand unless you ever have a daughter, but I have to know what to say to her when she comes to me hurting someday, and I want to be able to explain to her that it wasn’t her fault.”

“I don’t know where to start,” I admit. “My mom died when I was fourteen…” I start to tell him my whole sordid past. He sits quietly, listening with no emotion or reaction.

Fifteen minutes go by and I’m done telling him about my mom dying, my dad leaving, and even Lizzy. I lean back and extinguish the cigar in the ashtray on the table. At this point, I don’t have to worry about impressing him. I’m sure he’s ready for me to get the hell out of his daughter’s life.

“See, what you didn’t know is I already knew she would be bringing you home someday.”

I scrunch my eyes, wondering what he’s talking about.

“After Christmas, I knew there was something between the two of you, but Jessa was dating that Rob guy. I saw the way you looked at her and it scared the crap out of me,” he says, leaning forward again and looking me in the eye. “When that asshole Jason did that to Jessa, she was lost. She went to a dark place, and her mom and I didn’t know if she’d ever come out of it. Staying in this town after what happened has been a struggle, but we’ve built our life here and we’re not going to run away because of some punk,” his voice escalates in volume.

“Anyway, she dealt with it by changing her appearance on the outside and I was fine with that. Of course, I wasn’t thrilled with the tattoos or piercings, but it seemed to make her feel whole again. When she wanted to transfer, I never argued, as much as I didn’t want her to leave. Whatever she felt she needed to do to heal, I was going to make happen. Now, she brings you home. Forgive her mom and me for judging you, but you must see why you scare us. We’ve just barely gotten the old Jessa back, and from the minute you guys got out of the van, we felt it...” His eyes are now studying the fire, and he looks as if he’s contemplating something in his head. The next thing he says blows my mind.

“So your mom died, your dad’s an ass, and you had a traumatic experience in high school. None of that has anything to do with who you are, Grant. I know it sucks, and that’s coming from a fellow fuck-up, but it’s your past, not your future. You know what I’ve witnessed in just the two times I’ve met you? A man determined to succeed and achieve greatness, despite what he’s been through,” he says and then presses on while I hang on his every word.

“You have to do two things, and I know it’s hard, but if you want to keep her, you don’t have a choice. Just love her and let her in. If Jessa knows anything, she knows how to love. But you have to let her love you, and in order for that to happen, you have to let her in. I like you, but I question if you’ll be able to do that. For your sake and hers, I hope I’m wrong, and that you won’t allow her to waste time on someone who won’t fight for her.” He stands up and walks over to me. “I don’t want to hear your promises or commitments. Your actions will speak for themselves. In the meantime, welcome to our family.” He shakes my hand and I rise to my feet. “Go ahead, she’s been peeking her head through those curtains for awhile now.” He nods his head toward the window and the curtains move quickly.

“Thank you…Calvin. I appreciate your advice,” I say simply. He’s right. My actions will speak for themselves.

Her dad goes through the door and I see Jessa kiss his cheek, whispering something in his ear. He laughs and hugs her before she walks out to me.

“Hey, not too bad, I hope?” she shyly questions.

“No, not bad. Come here,” I instruct and when she gets closer, I tug her to me. “I missed you,” I say, holding her tight.

“You smell like smoke,” she says, but still doesn’t move away.

“Sorry,” I apologize.

“Don’t be. Everyone’s playing cards downstairs. Did you want to play?” she asks.

“Sure, although I would rather be alone with you.” I kiss her forehead, and she tips her head up to look at me.

“I’m going to sneak into your room tonight,” she declares, raising her eyebrows.

“No, you’re not. We’re going to try to be respectful of your parents.”

“You’re going to go a week without touching these?” she asks, picking up my hands and placing them on her breasts. “Or me touching this?” She smirks and puts her hand on my cock. It hardens immediately.

“I didn’t say that, I just said we wouldn’t do it under your parents’ roof,” I say with a grin and she giggles.

“Well, then game on. Let’s see who can find the most hidden places,” she challenges.

“What does the winner get?” I ask.

“Hmm…how about the winner chooses the loser’s tattoo?” I cock my eyebrow. “My dad’s friend owns this great tattoo place.” She raises her eyebrows in question.

“Who’s the judge?” I ask skeptically.

“I think we can be honest with each other. Come on, Grant.” She seems entirely too eager for this bet, but the idea of fucking her all over Breckenridge thrills both me and my cock, so I accept.

“Sure, but baby, be prepared to have some bruises and scratches from the nooks and crannies I find,” I inform her.

“I look forward to it,” she coyly smiles at me.

I lead her into the house and we head downstairs. Her basement has a game room, complete with two poker tables, a bar along the wall, and a black leather sectional with a huge flat-panel TV hanging on the wall. I had no idea Jessa’s parents were so well off, and it adds another worry for me regarding the future. I pray all my hard work at school pays off, so I can give her a life like this.

Dex and Sam sit side by side with Brady and Sadie next to them. It leaves a spot for me and Jessa on the other side, finishing off the circle. Jessa’s mom is sitting on the couch watching television and her dad’s positioned at the dealer spot. He starts dealing the cards out when I look around, noticing someone’s missing.

“Hey, where’s Trey?” I ask.

“Guess?” Brady smirks.

“He works fast,” I remark, grinning.

“Let’s hope not too fast,” Calvin jokes, and the room fills with laughter. He really is a cool guy. I can see where Jessa gets her eccentric personality. I’d be lucky to become part of this family and have him as a father-in-law.

We start playing cards and after a while, Jessa’s mom says goodnight and heads upstairs. The competition picks up around the table and eventually, Brady and Dex start going head to head, while the rest of us sit back, observing the banter. Jessa starts rubbing my leg and I wonder if I’ll be able to hold off until tomorrow. Knowing her though, she might beat me to it. I’m going to have to win this competition or else figure out a way I can get out of the tattoo. Even though I’ve always briefly thought about getting one, the thought of something so permanent scares the shit out of me.

The game finally draws to an end and Dex wins. He jumps up and embraces Sam, and I notice Calvin raise an eyebrow his way. Jessa starts laughing and then yanks on my arm. “Good night, everyone. My boyfriend is going to walk me to my door,” she says, looking at her dad. “And then go to his room,” she finishes.

“Goodnight, Jessa…goodnight, Grant. I would hate to have to kick you out of my house,” he threatens, tilting his head and looking at me seriously.