For The Win (Gamer Girls, #6) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,84

more and more feminine as time goes on. Bill, your daughter is beautiful. She's amazing. She's brilliant."

"And you're dating her?" he guessed.

"I'm trying really hard," Braden admitted. "It was touch and go for a bit there, but sounds like I'm in."

Bill chuckled, sounding almost relieved. "And you're big enough to beat the shit out of anyone who tries to pick on her for this. I figure that's a good thing, and you seem like a pretty good boy."

"I'm trying," Braden assured him. "But Rhaven can hold her own. The thing is, Bill, she loves you. Nothing matters more to her than your opinion, and it sounds like she doesn't know if you still feel the same."

"Can I talk to, uh, her?" Bill asked.

Braden lifted his eyes to see Rhaven hugging herself. He had a funny feeling that if he asked, she'd say no because it was just easier to push things away. She'd tried to do it to him; she'd done it when talking about coming out to her family. He also wasn't going to give her the chance. So, pulling the phone away from his ear, Braden found the button for the speaker, and set it on the table between them.

"You're on speaker, Bill," he said. "She's sitting right here."

"Rhaven?" her dad asked, his voice cracking with emotion. "Hey, kiddo, I've been so worried about you."

"I'm fine," she mumbled.

"Well, I've been practicing," he said. "I think I screw up about half the time, but I like your new name. Rhaven fits you. If I say he or Ethan, I'm sorry, ok? I'm trying real hard, and it's not very easy. I can't imagine what you've been going through, but I'm not something to worry about, ok? You are my child. Son, daughter, doesn't make any difference to me. I don't love you because I needed another Tyler around. I love you because you're perfect however you are, and it's not for me to judge what makes you happy, ok?"

"You're not embarrassed?" she asked, leaning just a bit closer.

"No," Bill promised. "And Tyler's not either. I mean, he already punched Kevin in the face because he said you couldn't be a girl. And if he didn't, I would've. Eth - " He groaned. "See? It's hard. Rhaven! I'm gonna get it, kid. Promise. And I'm sorry it happened like this. I have been trying to tell you that it's ok. Whatever it is, and whatever had been bothering you sure doesn't bother me. I love you no matter what."

"Is that what you meant by still?" she asked, letting her arms relax.

"Yeah," he breathed. "I was so worried. I got told your picture was in the paper looking like a woman, and I came home. You were at work, but Tyler showed up not long after. We were just about to go to the GasNGo when you walked in, and then you locked yourself in your room? I was terrified that you'd try to hurt yourself. That's all, Rhaven. I don't care about any of this other bullshit. I mean, um..."

"I know what you mean," she promised.

"And I like your boyfriend," he said. "That's why we wanted him to come to dinner. We want you to feel like you don't have to hide. Tyler and I have talked about this a lot, but all the stuff he read online said to let you pick your time. We tried, kiddo. Swear we did, but I was worried about you. I kept thinking that so many LGBTQ kids hurt themselves - "

"Suicide," she corrected. "It's ok to say it, Dad. And Kate wouldn't let me. That's how I got the car, and the plane, and the room. I called Kate. She and Adam made it happen, and they made sure I couldn't be alone. She actually just told me that."

"I think I like her too," Bill said.

A tiny little smile flickered across Rhaven's face, but it was gone much too quickly. "Dad? How bad are things at home?"

Bill sighed, the sound an answer before he said anything. "Well, it's not good. The GasNGo did an interview with the paper saying they fired you. And we had some people come to the house to let us know they'd pray for you. One of them said they could get you help, but I told them that my kid didn't need help. I told them she's fine just like she is, and if they got a problem with that, they can get the fuck off my