Joe's POV

I was out with Shawnie's dad, he has some errands to run and I like to say I tagged along, but I was really here because Shawnie doesn't like for him to go anywhere without security. He also met with some woman at a restaurant. I guess a new friend. We were driving back from home. He was talking about the woman he was with then he started asking me questions.

"I think she's nice but she was too busy eying you." Her dad glanced over at me.

I laugh, but I don't take my eyes off of the road. "Me? Nah, she wasn't looking at me. She might've seen someone else but she wasn't looking my way." I say

"You can try to be as humble as you want but I didn't stand a chance."

We both laugh.

"So what's been going on since I last saw you?" He asks

"Nothing much. Just taking it day by day." I answer. "That's all I can do."

"Shawnie told me you left for a while."

"Yeah, I just needed some time to myself. Had some things to take care of at home." I say

"I'm happy you're back."

"Me too." I stop at a red light.

"You seem loyal. Would you say that's true?" He asks and I'm a little confused at his question. Where the hell did that come from?

I look over at him. "Of course. I'm very loyal to your daughter, and to your family." I answer his question as best as I can. It's the truth, I am loyal to them.

"That's good to hear..." he says, and then he pauses for a few seconds before he speaks again. "I went to visit Chris the other day."

I don't say anything, I just nod my head. I think he's looking for me to say something, but I know when I should speak so I'm just gonna wait and see where he is going with this.

"He seems to think you two are in some secret relationship."

"I don't know why he thinks that." I see the light turn green and I drive off. Shawnie and I didn't have a conversation about how to have this with her dad, so I really don't know how to go about this without releasing too much information. I do know that I'm always gonna be as honest with her dad as I can. That's probably the reason why he likes me so much because if I feel like its need to know information for him, I'm gonna tell him regardless of what his daughter thinks.

"Are you guys trying to make something of this, or what's the deal with that?" He asks

"We're trying to see what works for us, but we're not in a relationship or anything."

"Sure seems like it. She hot tails it to Vegas, stays longer than planned, now it seems like you guys are inseparable."

"That's how it looks, yes." I say. "....She's going to kill me for saying this but I don't want to lie to you. You know, I'm always gonna tell you the truth, regardless of what she thinks. When she came to Vegas, we made an agreement that we would try this out without the official title. We care about each other but neither of us want to be in a relationship."

"Okay. How is that going?" He asks

"It's going." I smile.

"So what's the deal with OBJ and Jalen Hurts? I think it was a basketball player in the mix too."

"Well, as of yesterday, nothing." I say. "I told her that I cared about her but I wanted her to get some dating experience. She just got divorced and right before that relationship she was engaged..."

"Yeah, she doesn't do too well being single." he says

"She came to me saying she wanted to be exclusive but if she wants to be with me, I want her to be sure. That's why I wanted her to date but she isn't feeling it." I say

"That's a very mature way of thinking about it. Most people would be selfish and not want the other person to date anyone else."

"Well, like I said, I care about her and I want her to be sure about her decision. I care about how she feels and I care about her well-being. She could get hurt or my actions could potentially hurt her and I just want to make sure this is the right decision."

"Do you love my daughter, because she loves you. I can tell. I know you've noticed it...how she looks at you."

"Yes, I have. We haven't said that to each other. Like I said, I care about her a lot—."

He cuts me off, "But do you love her?"

"I can't answer that."

"Why not? You know if you love someone."

"I believe that to be true, but... I can't just say it. You know you sound a lot like my mom. My mom loves her and she wants us to get married and have grandkids for her but it's not that simple. In this case, I care for her, I care for her a lot, it's just a lot that goes into being in a relationship with someone and you know that. I have things I need to sort out with myself. I can't just jump into this

"Do you have kids?" He asks

"No."

"Do you have a girlfriend or a wife no one knows about?"

I laugh, "No."

"Then it's not that hard. If you don't want to go there then just say it. Don't pull her along if you're not going to do anything with her."

I sigh, "I want you to know that your daughter is well taken care of in every way that she can be."

"All that tells me is you're fucking her, which is another red flag." He says.

"......I didn't mean it like that." I say, disappointed in my wording. This isn't going well and I hate it. Damnit, she's going to be upset with me.

"So what's the problem?" He asks. "It seems like you're doing everything you should but you don't want to be official? Is she not good enough?"

I take a moment to gather my thoughts, realizing the importance of being transparent and honest with her father.

"Mr. Roberts, it's not about her not being good enough. She's more than enough, and in my opinion she deserves the world. The problem lies within me, and my own reservations. I care deeply for your daughter, and I want to ensure that I can give her the love and commitment she deserves. It's not a matter of her not being enough; it's about me wanting to be absolutely sure before we take that step."

I look over at him as he listens attentively.

"I've seen how previous relationships and her past has hurt her, and I don't want to add to that pain. We've agreed to take things slow, to let our connection grow organically, and it is. I'm trying to be selfless in this regard, even if it seems unconventional. It's not about me being unsure of my feelings for her; it's about ensuring that she has the opportunity to explore and be sure of her own."

A moment of silence passes through the car before he speaks again, his tone softer.

"I appreciate your honesty, and your concern for my daughter's well-being. I can see that you truly care for her, I don't doubt that at all. I'm her father and I'm getting older, I only want to make sure she is in the best hands. I feel at ease when she's in your care. I'm not going to be here forever. I want her to overcome those obstacles and fully live her life."

"I understand that and believe me, I'm there with you and I'm not going anywhere." I say

"Just remember, sometimes love requires taking risks. It's not always easy, but the rewards can be immeasurable. Just saying..." he smiles.

I nod, acknowledging his words, and offer a genuine smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Roberts. I will continue to be there for her, to support her, and to learn and grow together. Whether it leads us to a more official title or not, I want nothing but the best for her. And I'm willing to navigate this journey with her, wherever it may lead."

He looks at me with acceptance, and I feel a sense of relief knowing that he sees the sincerity in my intentions. Our conversation has opened a door for further understanding and trust between us, strengthening the bond that exists not just between his daughter and me, but between him and I as well.

"Your daughter is great. I have gotten to know her more than I've probably gotten to know any other woman in my life. I think she's a good person. I think she has a great heart. She's just misunderstood and I understand that and I understand her.... Sir, it's just a relationship part of it all. I have some issues that I've been working on and it's an adjustment for me. She knows that and she's working with me. What we're doing right now seems to work and I don't want to ruin any of that by moving too fast."

"Too fast on your behalf or hers?" He said

"Too fast on my behalf. Let me put your mind at ease, I know where this is going, I know where this could go, and I'm okay with that. I know what I feel for her and I know it's real. It's weird that everything has come to this, but we're literally just taking us at a slow pace."

"For your sake."

"Yes."

"Alright, so you have commitment issues. That's a red flag too." He says and I'm a little surprised at the comment.

"And that's why we're taking it slow. She's actually helping me a lot and I want you to know that I would never do anything remotely close to hurting her. I know she's been through a lot and I'm just trying to help her through it. I know you see a change in her."

"And that's why she clings to you and of course, if she's okay with all of this and I am. I like you and from the moment I met you I knew you were a good person. I know you're genuine and honest, and that is all I can ask for. She can tell you I didn't like Chris in the beginning. You know I can't stand her ex-husband but Chris and I have come a long way. He promised me that he would take care of my daughter as well, and you know he kind of failed at that, but he's redeemed himself over time and I have a really good relationship with him. So if anything were to happen between you and my daughter, you need to know that. That's where Drake fucked up he thought that Chris will be completely out of the picture, but how can that happen when they have a kid together."

"Yeah, I know. I know all about that situation and believe me, I've been here through a lot of shit, and I've gotten her out of a lot of shit, and I had to put him down a couple of times because he is just..."

"A bitch." He finishes my sentence.

"Yeah."

We both laugh.

"I protect her. I do everything I can for her as I said I'd try to be everything to her because I feel that's what she needs and she's been doing well mentally."

"Yeah, I have noticed she hasn't had any attacks or any breakdowns in a long time." He says

"That's because she wasn't really dealing with things. She would continue to live with it. I know she's been in therapy, but it seems like when we talk about things they process differently for her. She doesn't talk much about her therapist, but I do know she's having a couple sessions a week, and since she switched therapists, I can say she is doing well overall. And I think it's more of her remembering to use the tools that she learns."

"You seem to be good at managing her."

"I wouldn't say manage, but yeah." I say

"You're different and I appreciate that. Like you said, you know what you want and you're confident about that. I like that. I wish I was put together as you were at that age." He says and I laugh. "I don't know what your reasoning is behind all of this, but having this conversation with you makes me see your point of view on things and I get it." He says. "You know, I can see that you genuinely care for her, and that matters a great deal to me. I trust that you will continue to look out for her. I don't know if you're looking for it or what, but if you guys were to go that route, you would definitely have my approval... you have my approval."

I appreciate his kind words, knowing that his approval and understanding mean a lot to both his daughter and me.

"Thank you, Mr. Roberts. Your trust and support mean a lot to me. I will do everything in my power to be there for your daughter, to love and protect her, and to always respect the connection we share."

He laughs. "Ahh! I got you there! You said love."

I laugh. "You know what I mean."

"I sure do. I know you love her, you just need to come to grips with it on your own. You need to accept it." He says

He extends his hand, and I meet it with a firm handshake.

"Take care of her, son. And remember, love is a journey. It may not always be smooth sailing, but with the right person by your side, it can be a beautiful adventure." He says

"...so what about Chris? He told you he doesn't like me, huh?" I say, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, he said you're pretty cool and that he does like you. But, you know he's still in love with my daughter, right?"

"I know he is and that's what makes it hard because I like him too but I need him to step aside and let me do this over here." I say

"He is very hard headed when it comes to my daughter."

"Yup." I agree with him. "It's not an easy situation for anyone involved."

Steve sighs, "I'll have a conversation with him. Sometimes it takes a little push from someone outside the situation to make things clear. He needs to understand that his love for her shouldn't come at the expense of her happiness and growth. She deserves a chance to find her own path, even if it means moving away from what's familiar."

"I'm glad you see it that way, Steve. It's not about replacing or erasing Chris from her life; it's about creating space for her to breathe, to discover herself outside the shadow of their complicated history."

"I agree." He says. "Things are going to work out."

**************

TWO WEEKS LATER

I woke up nestled against Joe's chest, with his arms wrapped around me as they always are. I planted a few kisses on his chest, attempting to rouse him from sleep. After a few moments, he stirred, briefly acknowledging my presence, before opening his eyes and stretching his body awake.

"Good morning." He says then kisses my forehead.

"Good morning. We need to get up. We have a flight in a few hours." I said, as I climbed out of bed. However, Joe remained lying there.

We had an eventful night. A few drinks, I got high as hell and we had disgusting sex. I was sore and my legs felt heavy. But it's what I asked for, so I'll deal with it.

"Alright. You go first." he replied, seemingly reluctant to get out of bed himself.

I chuckled, saying, "I'll give you ten minutes, Birthday boy."

He smiled in response, acknowledging, "It is my birthday, huh." Then he playfully suggested, "Birthday sex?"

I chuckled and replied, "Later. Right now we need to get ready to go. Maybe on the plane."

I went into the bathroom, washed my face and brushed my teeth. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I noticed Joe walking in. He headed towards the shower and turned it on.

"Decided to get up?" I asked, slightly surprised.

"Yeah, shower with me." he suggested.

"That's going to delay things." I responded, aware of his intentions.

"So what? It's my birthday. You're supposed to do what I want." he playfully insisted.

I couldn't help but smile at his mischievous request. Giving in to his playful charm, I joined him in the shower. Despite the slight delay in our plans, I couldn't think of a better way to start the day.

After we finished getting ready and dressed, we joined everyone on the tarmac. Mercedes and Trey, Dori and Jey, and Joe and I were all flying together to Vegas. As we stepped onto the plane, our friends were already waiting for us. I couldn't help but laugh.

"We would've been on time, but the birthday boy made us late." I playfully remarked.

"No worries," Joe's cousin responded. "I think it's really nice what you're doing for my cousin. He never had parties or anything for his birthday." Jey commented.

"It's not like I had a choice." Joe smiled at me. "Shawnie was pretty persistent about doing this. So why not? She knows I don't do stuff like this."

"But it's going to be very nice, and everyone's going to have fun. So thank you for letting me do it." I expressed my gratitude to Joe, while kissing him on the cheek.

Jey just smiled. "You two look good together. I'm happy for you guys."

"They're not together..."Mercedes chimed in with a smile. "Neither one of them says they want a relationship, but little do they know they're very much in a relationship... with each other."

Everyone laughed but Joe and I remained silent.

"I just don't think it's necessary to put a label on what we have. Joe knows his place, and so do I." I explained.

"And clearly his place is in your bed every night. You guys woke me up at 5 o'clock this morning... like, are you serious?" Mercedes teased.

I couldn't help but laugh along with her, enjoying the banter among friends.

"I'm sorry, Mercedes. I know I can be a little loud sometimes, but is it really that serious? Everyone here has sex..."

"Yes, we all do but we can be quiet." She says

"Well you aren't fucking a Joe...." He smiles and I slide my arms around his neck. "I can't help it."

He wraps his arms around waist. "Stop before I bend you over in front of everybody." He whispers in my ear.

"Okay, that's enough. Ugh!" She says

********

After arriving in Vegas, everyone checked into their respective rooms. Joe and I, of course, stayed together. As we prepared for the day of festivities I had planned, I wanted to give him his gifts in private. So, while we were getting ready, I took the opportunity to present them to him.

"Okay, so before you get measured for your suits, I wanted to give you your gifts. Yes, there are two," I said with a smile, picking up a sleek black bag and handing it to him.

Joe eagerly took the bag from my hands, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He opened it, revealing a stylish watch nestled within the velvet lining. His expression lit up with delight.

"Wow, Shawnie, this is incredible!" he exclaimed, admiring the timepiece.

"We both have a thing for watches, and after seeing your excitement when I gave you the other one, I couldn't resist starting a collection for you," I explained with a smile.

Joe continued to admire the watch in the box, a mixture of surprise and gratitude on his face. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

"You only opened one," I playfully pointed out, watching as Joe set the first gift down and reached for the second one. He pulled it out of the bag, revealing another exquisite timepiece.

"Another AP," he chuckled, shaking his head in amazement. "You've truly outdone yourself, Shawnie. This is too much, and it's expensive."

"Don't worry about the money," I assured him, gently placing a hand on his arm. "These gifts were chosen with love, and that's what matters most. Now, go pick your suits and get measured. When you're done, we'll go for a light lunch, and then your party starts at 7."

A smile spread across Joe's face as he walked over to me. He leaned in and planted a sweet kiss on my lips, expressing his gratitude without words. In that moment, I felt the depth of our connection.

"Go..." I shoo him away.

*********

That evening, we went to Joe's party. A warm gathering of his family and friends awaited us, and they were all incredibly friendly. As soon as we entered, we approached Joe's mom and engaged in a short conversation. She was so happy to see her little Joey. She was also happy to see me too. She guided me around, introducing me to every single family member in attendance. I was fine with it, considering Joe wasn't interested in doing so himself. It's not like he didn't want to. It's just that he didn't even want to be there.

What did you think about this chapter?