Seth paused, watching his son execute a perfect dive. “We’ll have to tackle the bigger stuff soon—driving, dating, going out with friends. But it’s only been a week.”
“Early days,” Liam agreed, then took a swig of his beer. “Speaking of early days...better luck with the conception thing next month.”
Seth nearly choked on his drink. “Jesus. Do you have to know everything?”
“I don’t try to know. It just... happens.” Liam shrugged apologetically. “For what it’s worth, I imagine you’re both disappointed and relieved.”
Seth couldn’t deny that. When Heavenly announced this morning that she’d gotten her period, he’d felt that conflicted mix of emotions. “We’ll have more opportunities.”
“You will. Hopefully you, Beck, and Heavenly will see some pink or blue booties in your future. But since nothing concrete has happened yet, I can’t see that far ahead.”
“Right.” Seth rubbed the back of his neck. “Actually, while we’re on the subject of your... gifts, why didn’t you give me a heads-up about Hudson? A little warning would’ve been nice.”
Liam winced. “Sorry about that, mate. My abilities aren’t always clear. I knew something significant was coming your way, but I didn’t know what or when.”
“Fair enough.” Seth took another drink, then felt Liam’s penetrating stare. “What?”
“Does being a father again make the idea of having another baby easier?”
The question squeezed Seth’s heart. He sought out Hudson again, stare solemn. “I’m still trying to figure that out. On one hand, Hudson’s made it to sixteen and nothing horrible has befallen him. That’s…encouraging.”
“But?”
“I still worry. Look what happened to Tristan.” Seth’s voice dropped. “That was my fault. What if I somehow put Hudson in danger, too? I’d never forgive myself.”
“First, Hudson isn’t Tristan,” Liam reminded. “And he’s not a replacement or a second chance to get it right.”
“I know that?—”
“Do you? Because I’ve been watching you with him all evening, and you’re not the same man who lost Tristan. That Seth was reckless, obsessed, tunnel-visioned. This Seth?” He gestured Seth’s way. “More balanced. You’re not chasing ghosts to salvage a dead man’s reputation anymore.”
Seth felt his chest begin to loosen. “I’m trying to be better, do the right thing.”
“Just remember, Hudson isn’t your chance to fail again. Maybe he’s proof that your luck has changed.”
“Or maybe that’s the universe telling me to wait on having a baby with Heavenly and Beck,” Seth mused. “Part of me wants to hold off a few months—after Hudson’s more settled, after Mom’s wedding…” He trailed off, then shook his head. “But then what? Beck’s birthday is in November. He’ll be thirty-seven, and he keeps reminding me that he’s not getting any younger.”
Liam scoffed. “Isn’t it interesting how Hudson showed up right when you committed to starting a family? Maybe the universe isn’t dictating your timeline. Maybe it’s testing your resolve.”
“How do you mean?”
“Oftentimes we get exactly what we need in order to face what we’re avoiding. Like Hudson showing up out of the blue.”
Seth snorted. “More like fate kicking me in the ass.”
“Living in the past robs you of enjoying the future,” Liam continued. “You can’t stand still, Seth. There are too many people—Beck, Heavenly, Hudson—who rely on you to stay present. And think about the future.”
Seth pondered that for a long moment, watching Hudson attempt to teach Casen some complicated pool maneuver. Then he found himself confessing something he hadn’t planned to share.
“When I was in New York last week, I went back to the old house I shared with Autumn and Tristan.” Seth shrugged. “I figured it was time to truly put the past behind me and finally put the place on the market. But standing in the foyer…the past nearly knocked me out, like you said it would.” He met Liam’s eyes. “Was the house what you were warning me about?”
Liam paused, looking uncertain. “I don’t rightly know. Could be.”
“But?”
His Irish friend shrugged. “Keep your head on a swivel, mate. Eyes wide open.”
A chill ran down Seth’s spine. “What the hell does that mean?”
