“I am, but I’m worried that you’re not.” He squeezed the hat in between both fists. “Just thought it was about time I cleared something up.”
Leo didn’t like the sound of his father’s voice just then. He knew that sound. It meant this talk wasn’t going to be an easy one.
“Landon mentioned you’ve been revisiting your past with Isabella.”
Leo’s throat went dry. “What about it?”
“Boy, anyone ever tell you that you ask too many questions? I can’t get a word in edgewise.” Dad shook his head. “And you wonder why I’m so quiet. You say enough for the two of us.”
Leo’s chest expanded and he sat up straighter. “Well if I didn’t, we’d never have a full conversation.”
“C’mon, don’t go getting on the defensive. I came here to say something.”
“Then say it already.”
“I’m trying,” Dad blurted and stood abruptly. He paced in front of the sofa before heading toward the windows and stopped. “Isabella is telling you the truth. She did come back here. Right after you two graduated college.”
Leo’s breath caught. He shook his head mindlessly. He wanted to drill his father with questions, but he folded his lips in between his teeth instead and waited eagerly.
“She was excited. Didn’t even go see her family first. Mom said she looked really pretty. But you know she always looked pretty. Hell, your mom and I both knew we were in trouble the day the Whitley’s moved in next door.” He chuckled to himself, turning away from the window with brown glossy eyes that matched Leo’s.
Leo bounced his knee and furrowed his brows, his mind spinning.
“Your mom told me all about the conversation the two of them had that day. She felt horrible meddling the way she did. You gotta realize, son, she meant well. You were her child. She needed you to follow your own dreams, not some girl’s. She wanted you to have a future you chose.”
“But she wasn’t just some girl,” Leo spat, unable to bite his tongue any longer. He stood jerkily. “It was Izzy.”
Dad dropped his chin and gave a half nod, switching the hat back and forth between his hands. “I know that. Your mom knew that too.”
“That wasn’t her decision to make. That was my life. My future. My choice.”
Dad raised his head, eyes meeting Leo’s. “Your life isn’t over. Leo, you’re still young. You still got your whole life ahead of you.”
Leo threw his hand in the air. “But it’s too late now, don’t you get that?”
“Nothing’s too late, son. Nothing’s set in stone.”
“She made her decision. To leave. To not come back. And I moved on, too.”
“Oh, you mean Talia? She left you. She ain’t coming back.”
“I know that. You think I want her back? I think I’m smarter than that, Dad.”
“Well, if you’re so smart, then tell Isabella how you feel.”
“What?” Leo swiped his beer from the coffee table. “I don’t feel anything for her anymore.”
“Fine. Keep lying to yourself.” Dad yanked the hat over his head, covering his ears. “I came, I said what I needed to. I’ll let myself out.”
Leo groaned. “Dad.”
His father swiveled to face him, his hand on the doorknob.
“I have a business here,” Leo said. “I have you and Landon. I have responsibilities.”
“Yeah? Sound like excuses to me.”
“Well, they’re the same damn excuses Mom used to send Izzy away in the first place.”
