Alas, it wasn’t.
He had a job to get back to.
I had atonements to make. I had to find a way to move forward. I had to figure out how to be a better man. “Yeah, okay.” I pressed a kiss to his lips. I wanted to tell him how much I loved him, but the words wouldn’t come. For fear of rejection or something else, I had no idea. I just couldn’t find a way to expression my true feelings.
Who knows? Maybe once I’m back in Vancouver, I’ll forget about him.
I wouldn’t, of course. I might believe myself unworthy—but I would never forget him. “Let’s go.”
“Yes, let’s.” He pressed a kiss to my lips. “We need to head south…and figure out what we’re going to say.”
“Yeah. That.”
And so we did.
CHAPTER 10
Marco
Amazingly,we were able to keep sight of each other until he peeled off the highway at the Grandview Highway exit that would take him to 12thAvenue…and then home.
Instead of going to my townhouse near UBC, I headed straight for Dad’s condo. I had a fob to his parking garage and, like always, his second spot was empty. He’d talked about buying Troy a car, but my friend wanted none of that. He’d only just gotten his license, and he insisted public transit in Vancouver was a perfectly acceptable way to travel. In truth, I think driving in the city terrified him.
I couldn’t say I blamed him. I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the elevator. I loved Yaletown with its vibrant shops, décor, restaurants, and the view my father had from his condo.
Soon, I knocked on his door.
Hearing nothing, I used my key to get in.
Although I’d thought to go back north after Christmas to get some final readings, I’d decided I had enough data. I’d pulled thesensors from the lake and closed up the fishing cabin as if no one would be there until spring.
Mr. Parsons had indicated he might go ice fishing this winter. According to my readings, he’d need a solid couple of weeks of consistent subzero temperatures before the ice would be safe to spend time on. And, of course, he needed to take a companion with him. Friend? Girlfriend? Someone to keep an eye on him and who could help if he slipped through the ice. Or on the ice.Admit it—you care more than you should.
Well, I did. Because as horrible as Parsons was with the environment, I hoped he’d reconcile with his only son before too much time elapsed.
I wheeled my suitcase to the cupboard with the stacked washer and dryer. I managed to shove all my clothes into the washing machine. As soon as that load was in the dryer, I planned to wash the sheets. I’d have to find a way to return them to Mr. Parsons, even though he didn’t really need them back. He could totally buy another set. Still—this would provide me with a window of time with him where I could try to figure out if he’d forgiven his son. Or had merely further alienated Kellen.
I certainly hoped for the former, and not the latter.
As I organized my suitcase to head back to my townhouse later tonight, voices from the main room reached me.
“I’m telling you—he’s going to be here. Just because we haven’t heard from him for more than a week—” Troy.
Shit. I yanked my phone out of my back pocket. To find it dead. I hustled into the main room where Troy and my dad stood at the kitchen island, pulling groceries out of cloth bags, and putting them where they belonged.
“Jesus, Marco.” My dad pressed a hand to his chest. “Give a guy some warning.”
I grinned. “And miss all the fun? Can’t you hear the washing machine?” I’d left the closet door open. I’d parked in the visitorparking with the borrowed truck, so he obviously didn’t register I might be here.
Troy cocked his head. “Yeah, okay. Fair enough. I was…focused.”
I moved to pull him into a hug. “A guy loves to hear he’s been missed—even if he’s sorry to have been the cause of the distress.”
My dad waved me off as he pulled me into a bear hug. “We’ll always miss you. We’ll always worry about you. We’re also well-aware you’re an adult.”
I grinned as I pulled back. “Well okay, then.” I held my phone up. “I need to charge it. I’d planned to do that in the truck, but then…” I trailed off.
Troy cocked his head the other way. “Who is she?”
