Broken Bad Boy

PERCIE

"So, dear, your dad is a policeman?" Grandpa started. As if he didn't know already.

The baked salmon was delicious, and it looked like Hailey was enjoying the dinner as well.

"Leave the girl to enjoy her meal," Grandma said. "How's the salmon, dear?"

"It's really good, Grandma. Thanks for inviting me over." Hailey smiled at her. "And yes, my dad is a cop. That's how he met Percie." "I've been telling Percie to bring you over, but you know my boy."

Hailey's gaze met mine. "I understand. I'm not really good at meeting people. Percie is the first guy to invite me to meet his family." "Aren't you lucky, son?"

I ignored Grandpa's remark. Instead, I shoved a slice of asparagus in my mouth. The proud smile on Grandma spread across her face.

"He never brought any girls home, Hailey. I thought my grandson had the plan to join a convent of St. Celibacy."

Hailey laughed and shut when she realized her laugh was a little louder. "Really?"

"Don't believe it, Lee. He's just messing with you?"

"Am I now? Since you were fifteen years old, you never had a serious girlfriend. I mean, I knew you've been fooling around, but I never met any girlfriends of yours. So as your parents and Emma dear." "Whatever floats your boat, Grandpa."

"I'm just you're happy, son. Thank you for making my grandson come around again, Hailey. Did he stop punching walls?" Grandpa said with a nod.

"I'm glad I could help."

"Oh, god." I put my cutlery down. "If you think you can embarrass me in front of Hailey, don't even try. She knows me well."

"Well, that's good to know because I'd been telling you for months to see a shrink, but since you mentioned opening up to Hailey. That's good news."

Suddenly, I recalled what happened earlier. My heart sunk. When I glanced at Hailey, she gave me a smile of reassurance.

"Actually, I'm still planning on seeing one." As much as it was hard to admit, I had to tell them the truth. They deserved it. They had been my backbone since my family disowned me.

"Is everything okay?"

I told myself I wasn't going to tell anyone. "I'm not doing very well. I've accepted the fact that Emma is not gonna come back. But when we passed by that intersection, I had a flashback. Maybe I have PTSD."

"Don't diagnose yourself, Percie. But since you suggested seeing a doctor, I'd be glad to help."

I glanced at Hailey again. She mouthed, "I'm proud of you."

After our dinner, I took Hailey to my favorite spot of the house. I intended to leave this side during our tour. The huge closed veranda. I slid the floor-to-ceiling window. The gash of cold wind entered. I took a flannel blanket draped on the sofa and wrapped it over her shoulder.

Hailey hadn't said a word other than holding the blanket, but she kept staring at the vast view of the golf course towards the ocean. That was what made this space very special.

I wasn't a romantic type until I met Hailey. And this place was a perfect romantic set up.

I wrapped my arms around her from behind. "What's wrong?"

She leaned her head against my chest. "What's wrong is, this is so perfect." She sighed in contentment.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Yeah. Because I might don't wanna go back to our apartment. No wonder you left this part on our tour earlier. This is so unreal, Percie."

"Can you keep a secret?" I asked her incredulously.

She turned around to face me. "What is it?"

"I kinda went down to the cellar and took one bottle of wine." I grinned sheepishly.

Her eyes grew big, mouth hanging open. "You didn't do that."

I pointed at the bottle on the coffee table.

"Oh, my god. We're gonna sleep in the car tonight." She tried harder to contain her laugh. Her face went crimson. "You're a very very naughty boy." We were about to enjoy the wine I took from Grandma's collection when I heard footsteps.

"Dear, you don't mind if I borrow Percie for a few minutes?" I knew exactly what she wanted to talk about.

"Of course." Hailey smiled.

"You can call our staff if you need anything, dear. Or just tell Percie whatever you want."

"I have everything I need. Thanks, Grandma."

"I'll be right back." I kissed Hailey on her forehead. "Stay right here."

Grandma took me to the library. I swallowed down the guilt and nervousness as I scanned around their hardbound books.

"What were you thinking?" It was Grandpa. I didn't notice him when I came inside. I guessed I wasn't paying attention.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about." I knitted my brows, just to convince them I didn't have any ideas why they were upset.

"Don't bullshit me, Percie."

"I swear, Grandpa. I didn't know what you're talking about. Can you be a little more specific? I've done something I'm not proud of for the past few weeks. That's quite a long list." "Do you think it's funny?" He was really upset.

"Just answer your grandpa, Percie."

I stared at Grandma and blinked. I opened my mouth and closed it back when I found it hard to find the right words.

Grandpa shook his head in disappointment.

"I know, I'm nothing but a pain in your ass and your disappointment. I'm sorry."

"Why did you go to see your parents?"

I found an empty seat. I sat down across Grandma.

Grandpa was on the desk, crossing his arms over his chest. I felt terrible and ungrateful. Just the sadness in those eyes, I couldn't repay, and I didn't know what to do to make amends for them.

"I wanna make things right. I wanna move on. When you gave me that apartment, and I met Hailey, my perspective had changed. I wanted to change my life. Both of you and Hailey gave me reasons. She makes me happy. For the first time in months, I learned how to smile again. She knows what happened to Emma and me, and Mom and Dad, yet she never judged me. In order to move on with my life, I wanted to talk to them, but instead, Mom still hasn't changed." "What were you expecting? That she would just welcome you back and forget what she thought you did? That woman is vile."

"When I thought her words wouldn't affect me, I was wrong. She's still my mother, after all. I still see the anger, the disgust in her eyes. How did you know?"

"Your father called me," Grandpa replied.

I looked down. "I'm sorry, Grandpa, Grandma."

"If that's your reason, I'm not angry at you."

"That's it, I swear. I didn't go there to provoke them. I just want to make things right. But I guess they don't need it anymore."

"I'm sorry, son. Maybe they need more time."

I smiled sadly. "Hailey said the same thing."

"She's a wonderful girl. And I see the love when she looks at you." Grandma gripped my shoulder.

"I hope you're right, Grandma." I looked at her, squeezing her hand on my shoulder.

"I've never been wrong." She pulled me into a hug, tucking her chin on top of my head. "I'm happy for you, Percie."

"It means a lot that you like her."

"She's a keeper. Don't ever break her heart."

"Not planning to." I suddenly remembered something. "Grands, did you know Emma had a boyfriend?"

"I wasn't aware Emma was dating someone," Grandpa said.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"So did I, not until I found out two weeks ago."

"How?"

"I opened her stuff, Grandma. I found a letter for me and some pictures of her and the guy. I actually knew him before I found out about their relationship. That guy is an asshole. He hates my guts." "Language."

"Sorry. Then I finally found out the reasons why he despised me."

"Who's he?"

"Remy Larkin."

"The Larkin, Larkin?"

"You know his father?"

"Of course. In fact, we have played golf together."

"But he's an asshole."

"I bet he is. I think I just know Remy. Poor boy."