Page 30 of Crossroads

“Kid. I’m an adult. I hide things from you all the time. It’s my prerogative. And I used to box, not professionally or anything. It was something to do to pass the time. The bag that I use is down at the fire station, considering we don’t have space for anything at the house, not with all the sports things that the three of you guys need,” he said dryly.

“Well, I want to learn.”

“Maybe when you’re older. First, though, you have to do your book report.”

Wesley let out an exaggerated groan. “Why? It’s not fair.”

“Homework isn’t fair. But it helps you learn how to understand things for when you’re older,” I said, and Thatcher gave me a look.

I didn’t tend to talk to his kids that often. We both knew why.

Henry would’ve been six years old, just a year younger than Wesley, and it made my throat go dry. Would he be this tall? Be this curious? Hate book reports this much? There were so many things that I did not know about who my son could’ve been, because a murderer had taken them from me.

The fire captain finally continued. “We were just out this way because I have to go pick up Lucas and Olivia from a friend’s house. Thought we’d stop by. See how you were doing.”

Thatcher and I had been tight once. Much like how Callum and Rune were thick as thieves, Thatcher and I had been close. Then the fire had happened, and everything had changed. I didn’t blame him, yet part of me did. For not being fast enough. Just like I hadn’t been.

Thatcher must have seen my thoughts on my face because he swallowed hard and gripped Wesley’s shoulder. “Anyway, Tess made a big batch of white chicken chili, far too much for anybody, but it was damn good. So I figured I’d drop off a batch for you and Kiera.”

“Can I meet Kiera? I love Wilder.” The kid practically bounced on his toes in excitement.

“She’s working on something in the cabin right now, buddy. But maybe next time you come up here? Or if she’s down there. She knows your nanny.”

“I love Tess,” he said with a dramatic sigh.

“As does Lucas,” Thatcher said dryly.

I held back a smile. A teenage boy with a hot nanny? That sounded about right on course. “I haven’t met Tess yet, so I can’t tell you a thing.”

“She’s a nice woman who is saving Kellan and me grief. Though I still am getting gray hairs.”

“Because you’re old, Dad,” Wesley said with a serious expression. I barked out a laugh.

“Shut it, you,” Thatcher said, an oddly familiar glint in his eyes. I needed to come down to the bar and grill more often. Needed to see Rune. Needed to see my friends. I had been trapped up here for so long, that it was as if I had frozen in time. A bug trapped in amber, forever lost. Yet still here.

Why the hell did I kiss Kiera? I let that stray thought pass and told myself to move on.

“Where’s the chili?” I asked.

“In the car. Wasn’t sure you’d want it.”

I was the town asshole for sure. “Anything I don’t have to cook, I’m happy with. Are you sure, though, that I can have some? I don’t want to take anything from some starving teenagers.”

“Don’t worry, the boys got enough chili to last a lifetime. And there’s only so many beans that I’m going to give them.” Thatcher raised a brow, and Wesley giggled.

“Make sure you tell Tess thanks for me.”

“Can do,” Thatcher said, surprise on his face.

How out of touch had I been that a small thank you or reaching out startled the man who I’d once called my best friend? I followed them to the truck, listening to Wesley go on and on about his different classes, sports, and Atlas.

This kid loved Atlas, and despite the fact that we were all Colorado Avalanche fans, he had to be a Portland Gliders fan. After all, it’s where one of our town heroes played. I looked down at my phone and cursed.

“What is it?” Wesley asked, leaning forward to look at my phone.

“Forgot that I told Atlas that I’d actually watch his game tonight.”

“That’s what we’re going to do as soon as we head back. We’re hoping for a shutout.”