Page 117 of Coach Me
Will shakes his head and pulls my shoulder. “Come on, let’s go find…him and a quiet place to catch our breath.”
I nod, letting Will drape his arm over my shoulder as we walk. We don’t make it far before Callie comes up to my other side with a hug. “Thank goodness. I really wanted tolet you guys have your sibling moment, but damn it, I want to hug you.”
I chuckle softly, returning her embrace. It only lasts a second before I feel Will stiffen beside me. Looking over, I see our dad watching us from the side. Slipping out of Callie’s hold, I nudge her to Will. If the people I love need me to be strong today, then that’s what I’ll be.
Walking up to our dad, I can see the deep breath he exhales. “I heard you found your kid.”
My heart aches in my chest. “Yeah, he’s with his parents, he’s good now.”
He glances from me to Will. “I can go now?—”
I hold my arm out for a second, then pull it back. “Actually, do you have a minute?”
He nods, and when I look back at Will, he gives me a nod as well. I guess I’ll be doing the initiating.
“Okay, let’s go down to the family waiting room?” I lead our dad while Callie drags Will behind us.
On the way, I shoot Dex a text telling him to take his time and where I’ll be. I don’t want him to think I’ve abandoned him, but I respect that Miles needs his parents more.
As we walk into the room, I hold the door open for everyone. Will holds on to Callie like she’s grounding him. She gives him a soft smile. “What is it with playing the Crimsons?”
Will manages a straggled laugh and mumbles, “They’re fucking cursed.”
When the door clicks behind me, I think over my words. I don’t want to push anyone too far. I get why Will is struggling, and maybe I should be struggling more. I guess it’s because I’m the youngest sibling—the person who had the least trauma with it, maybe.
I open my mouth to start with something simple—like, ya know, “So you said you were sober now.” But surprisingly, he speaks first.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for any of you to know I check up on you guys. I have no right to anything you do, I know that. I’m so proud of the people you’ve become. With Reagan’s floral shop…Will, your pitching career…and, Lucie, you may look like your mother, but it seems you got her incredible heart, too. I don’t expect forgiveness—especially from you, Will. I want you to know I’ve been sober for five years. I will continue to be sober. I swear. I regret all of the moments I missed, but I know I’m not entitled to any new ones. I’m sorry for everything.”
Will’s sigh behind me sounds heavy. I wait to see if he wants to say anything, but he doesn’t.
It might be gullible for us to completely believe him, but I like the idea that he means what he says. Doesn’t mean I have to hold all my weight on it either.
“I’m glad you're sober. I can’t speak for Will or Reagan, but I can speak for myself. I’m not against forming a relationship with you—taking it slow—but know that while you are my ‘dad,’ I don’t need you to be. Will’s my dad. He took care of me when you left—he took care of everyone. Reagan—in her own way—took on some of that role too. So…if you want to talk sometimes, that’s great. You can earn my respect along the way. If you don’t, that’s on you. I’ll be just fine with or without you.”
“I believe that. Thank you.” Our dad rocks on his feet and looks at Will. “Thank you for being the man I couldn’t be.”
Will whispers a string of curses. “I’m not quite where Lucie is yet, but…maybe one day.”
I give Will a soft smile as Callie kisses his hand. Will looks at me and mouths a “thank you.”
I didn’t need him to say it. I halfway don’t even feel like I deserve it, but Will deserves closure on this. When he’s ready, that is, and it’s nice I actually get to be there for him for a change.
I get his number, then slide my phone back in my pocket.
He doesn’t push any further; he simply nods to Will and Callie, then offers me a slanted smile. “I’ll find my way back.”
“Okay, I’ll reach out…soon.”
“And I’ll answer, no matter what.” Our dad looks one last time at Will, but no words come from either of them. Callie folds her lips together, and I know words are on the tip of her tongue, but she leans her head on Will’s arm as our dad walks out.
We all wait for the click of the door as he walks out. No one moves for another good five seconds after either, but then the door swings open and Dex steps in with Miles in his arms.
“Lucie!” Miles wiggles out of Dex’s hold to run to me. “I didn’t want you to leave again.”
Oh, my heart. I scoop him up and he fiddles with my hair while he hugs me.
Will finally lets go of Callie and comes around behind me to talk to Miles. “That was my fault, Miles. I wasn’t strong enough to do something on my own, and I needed Lucie’s help. She’s all yours now, though.”
