Page 7 of Crossroads of Love

“What?” I asked dumbly.

How did he know that?

“You heard me. Answer the damn question.”

“I’m not just dating her, Dad. She’s my girlfriend. I…I bought a ring. I’m going to meet with her dad tomorrow before I go back home.”

“You’re kidding me,” he hissed. “You know that your brother is and will always be in love with that girl. I always knew you were selfish, but this…this is beyond what I ever thought you were capable of.”

“Dad, he’s got a new girlfriend already. He and Lena are just friends.”

“You cannot date your brother’s high school sweetheart. I forbid it.”

“I’m a grown man.” I chuckled. “You’re not going to tell me…”

Dad took a step forward, getting up in my face. I’d never seen him so angry before. But it wasn’t even anger in his eyes then; it was fear. He was terrified of something.

Why was he scared?

“End things with her before this goes too far, Gavin. She’s the only thing keeping that boy alive.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There’s a lot you don’t know, but you need to stay away from her. If you love your brother at all, you’ll steer clear of her.”

“Dad.”

“End things with her, or you’ll never be welcomed here, and…I’ll disown you.”

“I’ll do you one better, Pops. I’ll end things with her, and I’ll stay away. Clearly, Aaron’s happiness is more important than mine.”

I pushed off the counter and grabbed my things out of my bedroom while my father droned on about how dramatic and selfish I was. I left that day and never went back.

I didn’t even come back for my little brother’s funeral, and my dad never let that go. If I wasn’t his last living child, I wouldn’t even be here now.

I know damn well that I didn’t come home to say goodbye to my father, or be the dutiful son to tie up loose ends. No, I came home because the two men who stood between me and the woman of my dreams are both gone.

I can finally tell Lena that I love her and always have. She can hear the truth now.

My jaw clenches as the town unfolds in front of me. The old diner where I had my first job, the post office with its peeling paint, and the row of mom-and-pop stores that still hang on despite the slow suffocation of time. They’re exactly as I remembered them, except smaller.

I turn off the radio as I hit a stoplight, the only one in Hicks Creek, and glance around. The streets are quiet, too damn quiet. It’s almost like the place is holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Get in. Do my duty. Get the hell out of Dodge as quickly as possible.

Stay as far away from Lena as possible.

My stomach twists, but I shake it off. I don’t owe these people anything. I’ve built my life far away from here and carved out a place where I don’t have to answer to anyone. I’m tempted toturn around and drive back to my world, a world where I’m in control. But I can’t.

My phone rings, and I look down to see my cousin, Alicia, is calling.

“Hey, cuz,” I say into the phone.

“Is the prodigal son on his way home or did you lose your balls and turn the plane around?” she teases.

“Ouch.” I chuckle. “I just pulled into town.”

“Damn, I lost some money on this one.”

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