“That’s great, Remington. Glad to hear it.”
“It’s all thanks to you.’
“Me? Why?”
“Your little pep talk is what made me believe I might actually be able to do this. That I might actually be what the kid needs.” He shrugs, averting his gaze before meeting mine again. “Had it not been for you, I probably would’ve told him no.”
Something akin to pride radiates through my chest. Thinking back to the day we ran into each other at the diner, Remington was a mess. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so unsure of himself. If there’s one thing Remington’s never struggled with,at least outwardly, it’s confidence. Both in himself and the choices he makes in life.
“I don’t know if that’s true,” I murmur. “Sure, I may have given you the push you needed, but deep down, I think you were always gonna let him in. You’re a good man, with a big heart, and whether you saw it or not at first, he’s probably got more in common with you than not.”
A splash of pink spreads across his cheeks as he chews on the inside of his bottom lip. “Well, thanks for believing in me.”
“If ya really wanna thank me, get off my porch and let me enjoy the rest of my evening in peace.” I snort as Remington chuckles and rolls his eyes.
“Touché, old man. But for real, why didn’t you come back to the second class?”
He doesn’t give up.
“Why do you care so much?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “I’m just curious. It was cool seein’ you there. I’ve never shared that part of my life with anybody, so seein’ a familiar face with possibly the same interest as me was…unexpected. And fun. Guess I was bummed when I didn’t see you the following week.”
Heaving a sigh, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I was embarrassed,” I admit. “Okay?”
His brows pinch. “Embarrassed? About what?”
“Maybe because I didn’t know what the hell I was doin’, and I guarantee, everyone else in the class had at least a baseline knowledge of what to do. There’s no point in goin’. It was a waste of time.”
“Okaaay,” Remington says slowly. “That takes me back to my other question. Why’d you decide to sign up in the first place?”
For a long moment, I consider shutting the door in his face. Locking up and pretending this little conversation never happened. I meant it when I said this isn’t any of his business.Remington has no right digging into it like he is. But I know that wouldn’t be the end of it. He’s clearly got it in his head that he needs to know, and I don’t see him stopping just because I turn him away tonight.
For whatever reason, I decide to humor him. If only to get him off my property.
“My doctor suggested it,” I explain. “For a while now, I’ve been experiencing some stiffness or soreness in my hands and wrists. Doc says it’s from all my years on the ranch. Apparently, pottery can really help with fine motor skills and mobility issues.”
Remington nods. “Yeah, I’ve heard that before. Even seen how true it can be.”
I huff. “Well, there’s gotta be another way to find some relief because I’m not goin’ back to that class. I’ll only make a fool of myself.”
“Yeah, but it could help,” he says. “It could be really good for you, Gentry.”
Gentry.
It’s not lost on me that Remingtonnevercalls me by my name. It’s either Daddy Moore or Mr. Moore. I don’t know why him simply using my first name feels so weird. It makes my mouth dry and my heart race, and to be honest, I don’t really know what to do with that.
“I guess we’ll never know because I’m not goin’ back. I’m no good at it, and like hell if I’m gonna embarrass myself on a maybe solution.”
Remington chuckles, but not in a way that’s directedatme. “It was your first time tryin’ it,” he murmurs. “Of course you weren’t any good. It takes time and practice. Everybody sucks at things the first few times. That’s normal. You can’t give up just because you weren’t perfect at somethin’ right off the bat.”
“Actually, I can,” I point out stubbornly. “That’s exactly what I’m doin’.”
Shaking his head, Remington breathes out an exasperated laugh. “Look, if embarrassment at your lack of knowledge is all that’s stoppin’ you, there’s an easy solution for that.”
I already know I’m not going to like whatever he’s about to suggest. And yet, I find myself going along with it anyway. “There is?”
“Hell yeah, old man. I got you,” he says. “I can give you a private lesson or two.”
