Chapter 43

Meet My Dad

Ethan

"Dad?" I holler, keeping hold of Liv's hand as I walk through Dad's front door.

"Back here!"

I tug on Liv's hand to follow me. She's looking around the house I grew up in, taking it all in. It's obvious men lived here because, especially since Jessie passed, there are very few women's touches around.

"Hey," I say, voice gruff.

He turns from the stove and his eyes light up when they land on me, quickly darting to Liv and then down to where our hands are joined.

"Ethan." His voice is sad. Tired. Same as he looks.

"Dad, this is Liv. Liv, my dad, Paul."

Dad comes over to Liv, shakes her hand. "Hi Liv, it's nice to meet you. Wish it was under different circumstances, though."

"Same."

"I know you have lots of questions for me, and as much as I'd rather shoot the shit for a while, get to know your girl, here, I think we need to get settled in and get rid of the elephant in the room."