Page 67 of Hometown Heart

Chapter eighteen

Jack

Cody hunched over his homework at one of the corner tables in Tidal Grounds, tongue sticking out in concentration as he wrestled with fractions. His hockey stick leaned against the wall nearby—never more than arm's reach away these days, like an extension of himself.

"Stuck?" I asked, sliding into the seat across from him.

"No," he muttered automatically, then sighed. "Maybe. Why does everything have to have a common denominator? That's so boring. It's like making all players use the same hockey stick."

I smiled despite myself. "Not quite the same thing, bud."

Silas appeared beside our table, balancing a plate of fresh scones and a steaming mug that he placed in front of Cody without being asked. Hot chocolate with three hockey stick marshmallows—one for each goal he'd scored in yesterday's practice.

"Brain fuel. Fractions are serious business."

"Thanks!" Cody grabbed a marshmallow off the top and shoved it whole into his mouth, leaving a smear of sugar across his upper lip.

I caught Silas's gaze, and something warm passed between us. It had been like this for the past few weeks as winter melted into spring. It was a quiet understanding that we were gradually evolving into something real and important.

Cody's phone vibrated against the table.

The screen lit up, displaying a name I hadn't expected to see: EDWARD.mMy spine stiffened, muscles locking into place while all the oxygen seemed to vanish from the room.

Cody stared at the phone, his pencil frozen mid-problem. I couldn't read the expression. Was it surprise? Hope?

"It's Papa," he whispered.

I wanted to reach out and silence the phone and make the moment vanish. Anything to preserve the peace we'd built in Whistleport, away from the complications of New York and the shadow of my failed marriage. Still,I couldn't do that to Cody.

"You should answer it."

"Hi, Papa." A pause. "I'm at Tidal Grounds. With Dad and Silas." Another pause. "Yeah, he's right here."

Cody extended the phone toward me, his eyes wide and expectant. I couldn't take it. Not here and not now, with Silas watching.

"Tell him I'll call him back."

Silas moved closer, brushing his fingers against mine under the table. "You don't have to do this alone," he whispered in my ear.

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Edward's presence even through the phone. Cody continued to hold the phone out toward me. "Papa wants to talk to you, He says it's important."

Silas squeezed my hand once more, then withdrew, moving back behind the counter. Giving me space. I forced myself to breathe.

What could possibly be so important that Edward would call now, after months of such minimal contact?

"Dad?" Cody's voice pulled me back. "Are you okay?"

No, I wasn't okay. But I couldn't tell him that. I reached for the phone, feeling like I was extending my hand toward a live wire.

Holding my son's phone was like gripping a grenade with the pin already pulled. Edward's voice crackled through the speaker, too casual and familiar.

"Jack? Can you hear me? The connection's awful."

"I hear you," I answered, rising from the table and motioning to Cody that I'd be back. "What's going on?" I stepped toward the back of Tidal Grounds, finding an empty corner near the storage room.

"I'm coming to Whistleport." Edward made the announcement with no warning. "This weekend. My sister moved to Boston, like I mentioned to Cody, and I thought it was time I saw this place he's been raving about."

My throat constricted. "You're what? When did you decide this?"

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