Page 133 of Hard to Score

That’s how it’s been with my father and me.

I try to forgive, the sentiment gets stuck for a while until I realize that he’s reaching out time and again and so then, I try again.

I think of the man who spun our lives into chaos. The one who lied about the reason and then blamed it on someone else, and I wonder how I can look at him and still love him. I wonder how I can be in the same room when so many were hurt by his actions.

But then I realize time is precious.

I know that when he goes, it would be me who suffers with the guilt of not saying more, of not loving more . . . and so I’m glad we’ve worked on it. There are days the resentment burns bright. Days when I watch Maggs still struggle with her sobriety and I see the fallout . . . but then there are days when I get a text after an away game telling me I did a great job, or when I can look in the stands and see him there and know he’s there only for me.

And I know he’s trying just as hard as I am.

Then there are days like today when I blow out a deep breath, knock, and hope the man who answers the door will be just as willing to forgive.

Kenyon and I have a stronger bond now that I’ve confessed the truth, but I still feel pain. The more time I’ve spent with him of late, the more I’ve resented all the years spending time with him that were taken from me. And now, I need to ask this man to look beyond what he shouldn’t be asked to look beyond. A betrayal that my father has not yet broached or healed with him.

When the door swings open and Kenyon Kincade stands before me, my pulse begins to race.

“Drew? What a surprise. Come in, come in,” he says and steps back from his front door.

“I won’t stay long.”

“Stay as long as you like.” He goes through the niceties of offering me a drink and making small talk before we take a seat. “So, what can I do for you, son?”

“I know there’s history here and I don’t want you to think in any way, shape, or form that I’m ignoring it with the question I came to ask you.”

“History is called history for a reason. It’s something we live, we learn from, and then we move on from. Besides, the history you’re referring to had absolutely nothing to do with you.”

“I know.” I swallow nervously. “But I also know that Brexton loves her family dearly and I’m slowly working on repairing mine.”

“And?” he prompts and then takes a sip of his beer.

“And I love her. Everything about her. Even the things she dislikes about herself—I love.” I run my sweaty palms down the thighs of my jeans. “And I want to ask you for her hand.”

“Is that right?” he asks, eyebrows raised.

“Yes. And I can’t ask that question without telling you there might be times when we have to be together with my family—like say, a wedding.” I chuckle nervously. “But they’ve said they’ll take a step back to not make you uncomfortable. They said that they know she’s it for me and so whatever you want—”

“Drew.” He smiles. “Son. You love her, right?”

“I think I always have.”

“Then the rest will sort itself out.”

“Does that mean . . .”

“I’ve never seen her happier. You helped make her that way. I give you my blessing.”

EPILOGUE 2

BREXTON

“CAN WE SPEND EVERY SUMMER here?” I ask with a laugh as the cool breeze coming off the lake has my hair tickling my cheek. While Lake George is laid out before us in all its splendor, the dock beneath us is still slightly warm from the sun beating down on it all day, but the sky has darkened.

It’s been a year since we were here last. A year full of ups and downs and absolute utter perfection. I’m here right now with the one I want to be with.

The man who puts up with my bad days just as positively as he puts up with my good days. The one who loves madly and sports my initials on his helmet despite his teammates calling him a sap. Fitting and funny but awesome nonetheless. The lover who is the other half of my broken whole. Where he zigs, I zag.

“Every summer? You’re not going to hear me argue about that request,” Drew says as he shifts and pulls me back into him so my back is against his chest. His legs shadow mine and his arms wrap around me. “In fact, I already looked into reserving dates for next summer.”