“Thanks,” I manage. “I’ll do better to come out and visit. But you know, you’re always welcome at my place.”
“Uh, what the hell, Hutch? What’s with all this sappy shit out of nowhere?” Bryson says, and I can tell I’ve ruffled his feathers.
“Bryson!” Mom scolds.
I hold up my hand. “He has every right to be pissed, Mom. I’ve been thinking you all didn’t want me around, so I’ve stayed away,” I attempt to explain.
“Stayed away? Bro, you up and deserted us.” He pauses as if searching for words. “I don’t mean the money. I mean…you.” His words cut me. He and I have had some fights over how to pay for things since my football career ended. I never thought about him wanting me around, not just for the money.
I run a hand through my hair. “I thought…that’s what you wanted,” I admit. “I thought having me around was too…painful.”
Ally frowns. “Painful?”
“’Cause of everything,” I say as I tap my hip.
She rolls her eyes. “Men really are stupid fucks,” she mutters.
“Alicia!” Mom says, which only prompts another eye roll from my sister.
“Well, we’re just glad you’re here,” Mom says.
Bryson takes a bite of his lunch and angrily chews it in silence. Fuck. I have some serious talking to do to him, but not here, not now.
We eat in silence, everyone seemingly taking in the conversation in their own ways. Dad finishes first and looks at me.
“Might as well help while you’re here. I can use a hand mending the fence down by the back pasture,” he says as he stands and takes his plate to the sink, rinsing it and sticking it in the dishwasher.
“Sounds good,” I agree as I follow his lead. “Thanks, Mom,” I add.
She smiles and nods. It’s awkward, which I expected, but maybe if I can try harder, we can get past this. But the longer I’m here, the more confused I get. Is everything different than I remember? Do I have all of this wrong? Have I missed out on my family for almost a decade because I’m a stubborn asshole? By the end of the afternoon, I leave with more questions than answers.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Jocelyn
I spent the last two nights at home. I had classes late and didn’t want to take the bus. Hutch offered to come get me, but I haven’t seen Val much and wanted to hang out with her after I got home.
Tonight, I’ll stay with him. I’ve missed cuddling up to my Viking. I lean back on the bus seat, watching the world go by as I think about what we can make for dinner. I’m working the afternoon shift at the bookstore, and I’ll get off at six. Roxy’s closing tonight. I offered to stay, but she pointed out that it’s the middle of the week and things are slow. I don’t know how she does it. I’m just happy she does because I love my job. I know I have to get a normal nine-to-five job soon. I hope I can find something as fun as the bookstore.
I glance out the window when we pull up to a light, and I do a double take. I’m holding my phone, and I scramble to take a photo of a man walking down the sidewalk. It’s the closest I’ve seen him. It must be my dad. I snap a few shots before the bus pulls away. Is he here in my neighborhood? That absolutely was him. Or at least I think it is. Shit. It’s been such a long time.
The fact that Mom talked to him gives me hope that this man is actually him. I wish he’d just give her his number. Mom said he called from a hotel and wasn’t sure where he’d be staying or for how long. He said it depended on his getting a job.
The bus pulls up a few minutes later, and I hop off, practically running to the bookstore.
I fling open the door and find Clare and Roxy standing over a box of books.
“I swear I just saw my dad,” I say as I pant and hold up my phone. After Puerto Rico, I’ve filled them both in on things, including what my mom said. I haven’t told Hutch yet because I want to make sure. I know he’d force Kasen to double his search efforts, and I don’t want to be that annoying friend.
“You think that’s him?” Roxy asks as she leans in to view the photo.
I nod. “It has to be. I know it’s been a long time, but look…” I pause and scroll on my phone until I find a photo I took from an album my sister has. I turn my phone, and they both stare at it.
“Well, if it’s not him, then he has a doppelgänger,” Roxy says.
“Right. It has to be him,” I say again as I frown.
“What?” Clare asks.
