Aidan stared out the plane’s window as it descended into LAX, the wheels rushing up to meet the tarmac. Next to him, Mikey squeezed the arm rests.

“I’ll never like this part.”

Aidan poked his arm. “Arriving is the best.”

“Not when you feel like your stomach is turning inside out.”

The plane and ground connected with a bump and Mikey yelped. “Are we still alive?”

“Still here.”

“Good.” Mikey sighed in relief. “Are you really going through with this?”

“Flying commercial?”

Mikey gave a humorless laugh. “You know what I mean. Selling the house.”

Aidan had his answer ready. “It’s right for me.”

“Okay. I believe that.”

Aidan studied Mikey’s profile. “Will you still be my friend when I don’t live in Malibu and take private jets everywhere?”

“Uhh…” Mikey scrunched up his face, pretending to think hard. “You know I’ve only ever liked you for your hot tub. Sorry, I thought that we had an understanding about that.”

Aidan chuckled as he pulled his phone from his pocket and turned airplane mode off. Right away, a text from his dad came in.

I’m meeting you at the airport.

He stared at the text, his gut churning. “Rick’s coming to pick me up.”

Mikey made a face of terror. “Did he say anything else?”

“No.”

The airplane taxied up to the gate and Mikey undid his seat belt. “What do you think he’s going to say?”

“I don’t know, but I’m ready for it.”

“Does he know about what you’re doing?”

“Nope.”

“Wow. This is going to be…cinematic.”

Aidan snorted. “You’re welcome to stay for the show.”

“I think I’d rather have you guys drop me off at my place. I can’t take flying and a rant from Rick in the same day. But call me later, right? Fill me in?”

“Sure.” Aidan looked out the window, his anxiety climbing. He knew what he had to say to his dad, but was he ready to say it?

“Hey.”

Aidan looked back at Mikey.

“You’re in charge of your own life,” Mikey said. “Don’t forget that.”

Aidan nodded. “Thanks.”

Rick was at baggage claim, already wearing a frown. Other than a quick hello, he was mum until they dropped Mikey off at his apartment.

“I’m taking you home and we can talk there,” he announced, pulling the car back into traffic.

“About home—”

Rick didn’t answer.

“I’m selling the house,” Aidan said. “I have a meeting with a realty agency tomorrow.”

His dad looked straight ahead, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel being the only sign that his hearing still worked.

“It doesn’t do it for me,” Aidan finished. He looked out the window. He knew L.A. like the back of his hand, but he was tired of it.

He wanted to make new memories somewhere else. With someone else.

“That house has space,” Rick said. “Extra rooms that the camera crew can stage in. It’s easy to film in. And it’s paid off. There’s no reason to sell it. Call the realtor back. Tell them you changed your mind.”

Aidan’s jaw dropped. “I didn’t change my mind. I’m moving, Dad. To Florida.”

Rick’s face was red. “I get it. You went to Florida, you hung out at the beach and at some coffee shop where no one knew who you were, and now you think that’s Heaven.”

“It’s not about Florida, or any other certain spot. It’s time for me to let go of my old life, Dad. My career is over.” Aidan’s throat went lumpy.

“It’s changing. You have this opportunity, Aidan, to spin what’s happened. If you play your cards right, you can come out even stronger. You can come out on top.”

“On top of what?”

Rick shot him a look like he was crazy.

“I’m tired of the game, Dad. Of always working to get ahead and prove myself, to make more money, to be…whatever. I don’t even know anymore. I don’t know what I’ve been working toward.”

“You don’t think you’re successful? Is that what you’re saying?” Rick’s voice rose higher with each question. “I’ve worked for decades to get you where you are, Aidan. Just like you have. And now you’re planning on throwing all of that away.”

“I’m not throwing it away,” Aidan said through gritted teeth. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I want to switch things up. Take a break.”

Rick’s heavy exhales filled the car. They turned onto Aidan’s street and the car slowed down as it passed by mansions with towering walls and video-monitored gates.

“So take a break,” Rick said. He pulled the car into the end of Aidan’s driveway, but instead of entering the code into the gate, turned in his seat to look at Aidan. “If you need some real time off, that’s understandable. You went through a lot. Take a month or two off, and then we can start over.”

Aidan’s face burned, but it was nothing compared to the aching in his heart. It didn’t seem to matter what way he presented things. His dad was set on believing whatever he wanted to. He couldn’t face the truth: Aidan was moving on with his life.

Rick entered the code into the pad and the gate opened. As the house came into view, Aidan became even more certain about what he was doing. He didn’t belong in L.A. anymore. He felt it in his bones. But how could he convince his dad of that? Or did he even need to?

Rick parked the car in the drive and climbed right out, phone already in his hand. “What’s the name of the realtor you talked to? I’ll let them know the sale is off.”

Aidan pulled his bags from the car. “It’s on.”

Rick frowned. “You’re going to give me a heart attack.”

Aidan opened his mouth to retaliate, but it was like lightning struck him. All of a sudden, he understood where he’d been going wrong. Every day, he was trying to fix his dad, trying to get him to see how wrong he was about things.

But, really, it wasn’t about his dad at all. Aidan needed to focus on himself. He needed to learn to forgive. It was what he’d told Nicole to do, but he should have been preaching to the mirror and not to her. He needed to let things be as they were and let go of his anger. And, maybe, once he did that, things would change. He wouldn’t know until he tried, though.

“I love you, Dad.”

Rick’s face softened and he put his phone back in his pocket. “I love you, too, son. What does that have to do—”

“I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” Aidan’s throat clogged with emotion. “You raising the three of us on your own. Waking up at five in the morning to take me to the court. Everything. I wouldn’t be who I am without you, Dad. Thank you.”

“I only wanted the best for you, son. You know that, right?”

Aidan nodded, unexpected tears filling his eyes. “I know, and I never really said thank you. Not in a real way.”

“You don’t have to. It’s my job.”

“Yeah, and you’ve been a good dad to me. A good manager.”

“I’m not planning on quitting. Ever. Not as your dad, and not as your manager.”

“But I only need you to be one of those things now.”

Rick’s brow lowered. “Why are you doing this to yourself?”

“Because I’m ready to find myself.” Aidan kept his voice even, reminding himself not to raise it. If he got angry as well, it would only make things worse. “I’m quitting the business. All of it. I’ll see my contract with Fresh Wear through, but after that, no more. I’m done, and I mean it.”

Aidan waited for the angry outburst, but instead his dad looked incredibly sad. Like someone had died.

“I’m not giving up on you,” Rick said. “We’re not done here.”

Aidan nodded. There was nothing to say. His dad saw things his own way. Now, Aidan’s only job was to accept that.

“We’ll talk tonight.” Rick didn’t look at him as he walked back to the driver’s side. “Get some rest.”

Aidan stayed where he was, watching his dad pull out of the driveway and disappear around the wall. Left alone, he closed his eyes and absorbed the sun on his face. The freshness of the moment.

He’d done it. He’d repeated his truth and he’d done his best to forgive his father for always trying to exert too much control over his life. It didn’t matter that Rick had reacted the same way he usually did. Already, Aidan’s heart felt lighter. He felt like he could do anything. With one action, the whole world had opened up.

That sensation of freedom…it was better than winning Wimbledon a hundred times over. And he wished Nicole were there to savor the moment with him.