If she’d spent so much time feeling like he didn’t even see her, then this, right here?Thiswas the opposite ofthat. She wasn’t sure she’d ever felt so exposed by another person.
Wowsa. Way to put her right on the spot, huh?
“I get it.” She nodded. “I’m sorry, I—”
“I’ll screw up again.” Gavin nodded along with his thought. “That much is given. But I’m going to do my best that it doesn’t affect my kids.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I know you love them. I know you love Rachel. So I get why you’d hate me.”
She didn’t…
That wasn’t how she felt…
“I don’t hate you.” She hadn’t cared for him much, but hate was a very strong word. “I think I didn’t understand you, Gavin.”
Because she, herself, had screwed up a lot in her life. Lucky for her, no one had been sitting to the side with a scorecard.
While she mentally tossed out her tally sheet, and questioned every choice she’d ever made, the movie started. A whole spiel about turning off cell phones and, “shhh, don’t talk,” came right on time. Because what was she supposed to say?
Hey, I’ve also screwed up tons in my life!
The lights dimmed and Gavin re-situated himself with more distance from her.
She did the same.
And though there was less than a foot between their arms, it felt like miles. Lonely miles of space.
She held her box of candy to him.
“Want some?” she whispered.
He lifted his eyebrows and held out his hand. She poured some of her bounty there—not so much that it would make him think he was totally forgiven, but enough so he’d understand she was on her way in that direction.
“Thank you,” he said, tossing one into his mouth and not even choking a little.
“You’re welcome,” she said, like the forgiving adult she nearly was.
He situated the popcorn between them. “Help yourself.”
“Thank you.” Molly stretched out in her chair and moved her attention to the movie—a superhero flick that promised lots of action sequences. Even if no one else in the greater Denver area was interested in seeing it, she could relax and enjoy the story.
And she only peeked at Gavin a few times as it started to roll.
Chapter Ten
“I was told I’d be less exhausted when the kids started sleeping through the night. Nine years later, I’ve determined that’s a lie. #momlife”—Jennifer Bonds
Gavin
Being a good guy sucked sometimes. Like when Gavin had to acknowledge his past mistakes and the fact that he was probably going to screw up a whole lot in the future. But here he was, genuinely trying.
What did he get for that?
Raisinets from Molly.
He’d take it, since it was a whole lot better than nothing.
“Dad?” Kellan whispered, bent over as he made his way down the empty row of the movie theater to Gavin.
“What’s up?” Gavin whispered back.
