He chuckles. “I was actually heading home to watch it myself, but had to drop in for a pick-me-up. This place has the best Peppermint Mochas in the state of Ohio.”
I have a million questions swirling around in my head—ones that I never thought I’d have the opportunity to ask since he left without a word. We moved shortly after, never returning to the neighborhood again. I was just a kid, but the whole thing really jaded me, making a lasting impact on the woman I am today. The same woman who’s currently running from a man who wants to give her the world because she’s terrified of losing him.
It’s now or never, Finley. This is your chance to find out what happened, so you can finally heal.
“Can I ask you a question?” I say quietly, my voice shaking as nerves wash over me.
“Of course,” he replies, his brows drawing together with concern. “May I sit?”
I nod, chewing the inside of my cheek nervously as he takes the seat across from me. My foot taps against the tile, my mouth going dry becausewhat do I even say?It’s been over fifteen years since I’ve seen him, and I certainly don’t want to unload all my childhood trauma, when he was only there for a small part of it.
“Finley,” he says, his expression softening. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know. You just have to ask.”
I press my lips together, taking a deep, soothing breath. Even if he confirms every one of my adolescent fears, maybe it’ll bring me some kind of closure. I just want to move forward, and I can’t do that when I’m still hanging onto the past.
“Why did you leave?” I blurt, unable to hold the words in any longer. As soon as they’re out, I look down, bracing for impact as I ready myself to relive the heartbreak all over again. My heart beats like a drum, throat closing with every second of silence that passes by, until finally, he speaks.
“I didn’t want to.”
I whip my head up, my confused stare begging for more as his posture turns inward. He looks sad and defeated, nothing like a man who’s happy with the decision he made.
“I don’t want you to think ill of your mother,” hecontinues, “but she didn’t give me a choice. I did everything I could to provide for the two of you, but when I was laid off from my job at the warehouse, I couldn’t afford to pay the bills anymore. I was out there every day putting in applications and going on interviews, but I wasn’t able to find a new position fast enough. So, when she broke up with me and told me to pack my things, my hands were tied. The apartment was in her name.”
His tear-filled gaze softens, and he exhales a mournful sigh. “I wanted to say goodbye. To tell you I loved you and apologize for letting you down, but she forced me out before you got home from school. Hell, I even met with a lawyer after I got a new job, hoping that I could at least get visitation. But since you weren’t biologically mine, they said there was nothing I could do.” He shakes his head slowly. “I’m so sorry, Finley. I wanted to be your dad more than anything in the world.”
I cover my face with both hands, tears flowing down my cheeks as I sob silently. I’m overwhelmed with emotion, the weight of every lie I ever told myself falling away as I finally release them after all these years.
He wanted me. He loved me. I was enough.
He rounds the table, crouching down beside me and laying a comforting hand on my shoulder, his whispered words of affirmation healing the little girl inside me one by one. He consoles me as I break down, only returning to his seat when he’s absolutely positive that I’m okay.
“Wow,” I say on a breathy laugh, dabbing at my wet cheeks with a napkin. “I definitely wasn’t expecting this when I left the house today, but I really needed it. Thank you, Vince.”
He reaches across the table, patting my arm softly. “No.Thank youfor hearing me out. I was never able to have children of my own, but those months with you were a gift I haven’t forgotten.”
My heart swells, a hand lifting to my stomach when Norah pushes against it from the inside. His eyes fall to the motion, brightening as a giant grin splits his face. “So, you’re going to be a mom, huh?”
“Yeah,” I reply, my expression matching his as I look down. “A little girl. Any day now.” I can’t believe my due date is right around the corner, and I’ll be holding her in my arms soon. I can’t wait to see what she looks like and kiss her adorable little face until she’s sick of me.
“And the dad?” he asks, catching me off guard. “Is he taking good care of you?”
Theo’s face flickers in my mind, bringing with it an ache that’s almost unbearable as realization slams into me. He loved and supported me unconditionally, and I fucked it all up over a bunch of bullshit fears—ones that never would’ve existed had I known the truth about my past. He deserved better, and I hate myself for not believing that our love could be enough.
“I hurt him,” I choke out, desperation gripping at my throat. “I have to fix it.”
I shoot out of my seat, adrenaline pumping through my veins. My rational brain knows that he’s not even inOhio right now, but I don’t care. I need to get home and wait for him so I can apologize as soon as possible. I won’t go a minute longer than I have to without telling him how sorry I am for doubting us.
“Let me get your number, so we can meet up again,” I rush out, reaching for my phone. Suddenly, a sharp pain rips across my belly, causing me to double over. I brace against the table with one shaky hand and hold my stomach with the other, trying to catch my breath as my vision blurs from the pain. These aredefinitely notthe Braxton Hicks contractions I’ve grown accustomed to.
“I need to go to the hospital.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
THEO
“Blue, eighteen! Blue, eighteen! Hut! Hut!”
The ball is snapped, and the Cyclones’ receivers shoot off the line. We’re in cover two zone defense, which means it’s my job to not only cover my zone, but also to help push the receivers toward the middle of the field so the safeties can defend the pass more effectively. So far, it isn’t going well.
