Page 39 of Moonshot

I look up to see her coffee has spilled onto the table from where her hand has come down on it. “Michael York. You mean to tell me, a girl you thought you were in love with… a girl who you said could bethe one,did something you didn’t understand, but instead of confronting her about it, you block her number without letting her explain?”

“Yes, ma’am. She did text once. She sent me some phony-assed text about missing me. That’s why I blocked her number. Why confront her? I did that with Paula and a hell of a lot of good that did me. Just made me feel like more of a chump.” I take a long drink of water and quickly realize this conversation hasn’t helped like I’d hoped it would. I reach down to hand Bruno another chip and realize he’s left me too.

“Oh well, I have to go. I want to get in a good workout before I meet with the boys tonight. At least they’re always there for me.”

“Mick, you mark my words. You need to hear her out. Sure, she may be just like Paula. But what are the odds? And if she’s as special as you thought she was, think how bad she’s hurting right now, wondering why you left without saying goodbye. You aren’t a kid anymore, Son. If nothing else, maybe she could shed a light on why it wouldn’t have worked out between the two of you. It could help you grow.”

“I don’t need to grow, Mom. I didn’t do anything wrong. My mistake was trusting another woman.” I snap in a much sterner voice than I’m used to speaking to her. “I should’ve known I didn’t stand a chance with someone like Ava. She’s surrounded by successful surgeons who all make a ton of money. What could she want with me?”

“Mick. When your dad left us, I could’ve taken the same stance. I could’ve shut the world out and decided no man was ever worth trying again. If I’d done as you’re suggesting, I wouldn’t have found Rob, and we wouldn’t have Emmaleigh. All I’m saying is life’s too short not to take a chance. Sure, things don’t always work out the way you want. But sometimes, they do. How will you ever know if you don’t try?”

“I know you’re right. I just need more time. I think the thing with Paula did such a number on me, I wasn’t ready to handle being rejected again. Especially not by someone I let myself imagine forever with. I know good and well I’ll never find another woman as close to perfect as Ava again.”

“Well, I know it’s tough when you look like that.” My mother waves her hands from my feet to my head, smirking at me. “But some poor girl will take a chance on you.” She comes in for a hug, making me smile a little. My biggest cheerleader.

“Thanks. I’ll talk to you later.” I head for the door and out to my car. As I approach my SUV, I notice Emmaleigh’s car parked on the street.That’s odd. When did she get home?

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Mick

“Hey, where are you? There’s not going to be any sunlight left by the time you get here. We’re waiting.”

“Cool your jets, man. The game ran late. Sorry I’m keeping you and Otis.”

“What on earth could have run late with your team? Did somebody wet their pants, and they had to delay the game?”

“Shut up. You know good and well that’s not what happened.”

“You’re right. They’d just pull out their junk and pee on the grass.”He’s not wrong.

“No, believe it or not, they were tied up until the very end. Still lost, but a huge improvement.”

“Well, hot damn. Get your ass here, and we can celebrate. Better yet, stop on the way and get us some cold beer so we can celebrate your loose cannons losing at the last second.”

“Already did, smart ass. See you in ten.”

For fuck’s sake.Hanging up the call with my wisecracking best friend, I turn into the main entrance of the park. We’d been coming to Yorktown State Park for years to fish. There was something about the familiarity of it. Zach had another fishing spot he liked when it was just him and Otis. Somewhere he could sit for hours and go undisturbed. That’s how he liked it. Although, he’d complained about noticing increased traffic there recently. He said, “My little slice of heaven is being invaded by a bunch of hippies.” Apparently, one of the local community colleges had been offering an art class that focused on landscapes and the like, and word had gotten out about what a pretty spot he’d been enjoying all of these years.

He never seemed to catch much from that location. But honestly, I’m not sure that’s his goal. He enjoys outdoor activities if a few of the guys are together, but when he’s alone, I think he just sticks his pole in the ground and reads or reflects on the past.

As I come around the familiar curve lined with trees and a small area for campers to set up for the night, I spot Zach’s old beat-up Ford pickup truck. Putting my car in park, I head to the back to grab my gear before setting out to look for him.

Making my way to our usual spot at the end of an old neglected pier, I spot Zach and Otis in the distance but am surprised to see another person with them. When he said, “We’re waiting.” I assumed he meant him and the mutt.

“It’s about fucking time. We’ve been parched. Hand me a cold one, will ya?”

“Will it get me off your shit list if I say yes?” Looking to Zach’s right, I take in a dark-haired male about my age sitting in a lawn chair about to cast his reel. He appears to be in similar shape to Zach, and I immediately deduce this must be one of his firehouse brothers.

“Hey, man. I’m Mick,” I introduce, extending my arm. “Nice to meet ya.”

“Likewise. I’m Trevor.” As we shake, I receive confirmation regarding his occupation as a St. Florian cross firefighter emblem tattooed on his forearm comes into view.

“Take it you work with grandpa, here.”

“He’s not too bad. For an old guy.”

“You plan on walking home?” Zach spits. “Where’s that beer?”

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