Page 118 of Feels Like Home

I messed up and need to own up toit.

The grandgesture.

She’s worthit.

And I know exactly what to do to prove that I’m allin.

I just hope I’m not toolate.

34

Andy

Iremember pretty clearlyafter Grady got in trouble for beating up Dawson who was getting a little too aggressive with Bri. It felt like the world stopped for a few minutes and nothing seemed right. And he isn’t even my kid. Though now, after getting to know Bri, I’m pretty damn grateful to Grady for doing what he did. But, what I remember most is that Barrett said to me then that it was one of the worst phone calls they ever imagined getting. That their son had been brought in to the police station. Because he’d been in afight.

Even though Aidan isn’t in jail, thank goodness, considering he’s just fourteen, a call letting me know my son was in a fight and is currently sitting in the principal’s office is not fun,either.

I walk up to the office, and the secretary simply points to the principal’s office. The door is partially closed, and I can see Aidan sitting in a chair, his head leaned back against the wall behind him. The secretary gives me a sympathetic smile, and I nod once before trudging toward thedoor.

This is not at all how I expected today to go. I planned on begging Christine for forgiveness, hoping that she’d understand my temporary bout with insanity, accept my apology, and after at least twenty-four hours of make-up sex, we’d all live happily everafter.

Instead…

I knock twice, even though the door’s slightlyopen.

“Come in,” Principal Moore states gruffly. “Hey there, Mr. Simpson. Thanks for comingin.”

I nod my head again and swallow. I wasn’t a bad kid growing up, but I did find myself in the principal’s office a few times, and even though I’m not the one in trouble now, it still makes my body break out into a sweat. I swallow hard, glancing over at Aidan, who rather than looking scared like I admittedly am, looks furious. His beat-up gaze focused on the person sitting across the room. He has dried blood by his nose and what looks like a pretty good shiner developing on his lefteye.

The other boy, who I’m assuming is the one responsible for the way Aidan looks, is holding an ice pack to his cheek but also looks just as roughed up as Aidan. His expression is one of fear, though. His, what I assume are his father and mother, are already sitting next tohim.

I clear my throat and take a seat next to Aidan, resting my elbows on my knees while I glance over at Aidan before focusing my attention back on theprincipal.

“What’s going on, Mr.Moore?”

I realize I can call him Patrick, considering we’re both adults, but like I said, being in the principal’s office makes me nervous andtwitchy.

“It seems we have two boys who aren’t ready to fessup.”

“Care to explain what happened?” I raise my eyebrows at Aidan then look over at the boy and his parents, trying to gauge their mood, however they’re not giving too many cluesaway.

“We’re waiting on one more person to arrive, but let’s go ahead and get started, shall we?” I wonder who else could be coming, but he continues before I can voice my question. “Boys, let me tell your parents what happened, what we heard from the other students. No interruptions, okay? I want to hear a response from both of you, but not until I’ve finished and it’s yourturn.”

“Yes, Mr. Moore.” Their response is instant and at the same time, reminding me of the no-nonsense leadership of Mr.Moore.

“Good. Andy, Ben, Amanda. Obviously, your boys were in a bit of a fight today.” Amanda looks ready to start sticking up for her boy, but Mr. Moore raises a hand, and she relaxes back into her seat. “Let me finish, please. Neither of your boys have been in here for fighting until now. Before any of you start pointing fingers or blaming anyone, you need to know, it’s not as if either of them are in the habit of throwing a punch for noreason.”

Before he can continue, there’s a subtle knock on the door, and the secretary pops her headin.

“Mr. Moore. Christine Jameson ishere.”

“Send herin.”

I scrunch my eyebrows and look at Aidan, who doesn’t look me in the eye. When the door opens all the way, I can’t help but swing my eyes to meet hers. I suck in a breath when our eyes meet, not having been this close to her in what feels like centuries. She quickly shifts her attention to Aidan, her eyes softening. Mr. Moore pulls another chair around, placing it on the other side ofAidan.

She breezes past me, the scent of coffee and something sweet wafting overme.

Before I can stop myself, I inhale deeply, hating that I’ve missed her scent almost as much as I’ve missed her. And I have. So much more than I expectedto.

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