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She pivots back toyou and Merry Christmas ”

He nods at her with a smile and heads over to the couch to sit down I walk Sutton to the door and when I open it, I lean in to murmur, “I’m sorry He literally showed up like a minute before you did I have no clue why he’s here He should be in rehab ”

She gives irl and she knows just from what little I told her about my dad that he most likely doesn’t know about our relationship Given what she knows about how he’s deterredany type of relationship, she’s playing it close to the vest and not giving us away

“No worries Call me later when you can ”

I nod at her and then watch her walk down the stairs I don’t close the door until she’s out of sight, but then I do with a sigh and turn to face my father

“Friend of yours?” enially

“Yeah,” I answer but don’t provide anything more

“Seems like more than just a friend ”

“You heard her…ere going over soether ”

“On Christmas Eve?”

Shrugging my shoulders, I say, “Sure, why not?”

“Why are you lying to me, boy?” my dad asks in censure

“Because if I don’t, you’ll irlfriend,” I say in exasperation

“Girlfriend?” He actually wrinkles his nose in distaste

“Yes! Girlfriend And it’s none of your business I’m an adult and allowed to date ”

My dad holds his hands up in surrender, but he’s not foolingnonchalance he says, “Your life, not mine Got any coffee for your old man?”

I lock eyes with hi it all the same Instead, I just nod and head intoa mental note to call Cameron later to let him know I’ve found our ard father

As I busyout the coffee and filters, I try to take stock of ot canceled Even though I had been having sohts earlier, there’s no doubt that my spirit was rejuvenated the s for my soul

I am, however, oddly relieved that e that he looks to be okay In fact, I can’t re healthier