Page 231 of My Real Love Affair

I made my way through the familiar halls, past family photos that chronicled decades of Bancroft history. It was almost like a Bancroft museum. My dad’s side and Kathy’s side all blended together in one long hallway.

I paused to look at a photo from last Christmas. Everyone looked so happy. I wasn’t in the picture. I wasn’t in most of the pictures because I had chosen to distance myself.

I hoped that could change.

I knocked on the study door.

“Come in.” Dad sat behind his massive desk, reading glasses perched on his nose, looking over what appeared to be a contract. He glanced up when I entered, removed his glasses, and gestured to the chair across from him.

“Austin.”

“Dad.”

I sat down, and we looked at each other for what felt like twenty minutes when in reality it was maybe two seconds.

“I assume you’re here to tell me that you didn’t end things with your influencer after all,” he said.

“Her name is Melody. And since when have I ever done what I’m told?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. Almost a smile. “Fair point.”

“But I didn’t come here to argue about Melody,” I continued. “I came here to talk. And I need you to listen to the whole thing before you say anything.”

Dad leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. “I’m listening.”

I took a breath, organizing my thoughts. I had practiced this speech in my head a dozen times over the past few days, but now that I was here, the words felt heavier.

“I want to apologize,” I started. “For leaving the way I did all those years ago. For just taking off without really explaining why and trying to work things out first. I was impulsive, as always, and I hurt you and the family by just disappearing.”

His expression didn’t change, but I saw something flicker in his eyes.

“It never felt right being away,” I continued. “Even when I was traveling and having adventures while living the life I thought I wanted, it never felt quite right. There was always this sense that I was running from something instead of running toward something. So I numbed it out with the fast-paced lifestyle, the parties, the women, all of it. I kept moving so I wouldn’t have to feel how wrong it all was.”

“Austin—” Dad started, but I held up my hand.

“Please. Let me finish.”

He nodded, settling back.

“I know I didn’t do our last name any favors during those years. I know I embarrassed you, embarrassed the family. The scandals, the headlines. I own all of that. And I’m sorry for the position it put you in, put all of you in.” I paused, making sure he was really hearing me. “But I also need you to know that phase of my life is over. I’m not that person anymore. I’ve changed.”

Dad opened his mouth, but I wasn’t done yet.

“That said, I need to be clear about something else. I won’t ever change who I am at my core. I’m not going to magically become the kind of son who falls in line and takes orders without question. I don’t operate like Cash does, or like some of my other brothers. I’m never going to be the golden child who does everything exactly the way you want it done.”

I leaned forward, making sure he understood this part.

“I’m always going to push back when something doesn’t feel right. I’m always going to question authority, including yours. I’m always going to do things my own way, even if it makes you uncomfortable. That’s who I am, and I can’t apologize for it anymore.”

The study was silent. Dad’s face was unreadable. I wasn’t going to let it get to me. He could say a million things with that one expression.

“But here’s what I can tell you,” I said. “I’m happy. Really, genuinely happy for the first time in my life. And I’m in love with an incredible woman who makes me want to be better without asking me to be someone I’m not.”

I sat back, finished. “That’s what I came here to say.”

Dad was quiet for what felt like an eternity. I waited, my heart pounding, prepared for anger or disappointment or another lecture about responsibility and some dig at Melody and what she chose to do for a living.

Then, slowly, his expression softened.