Page 123 of Spotlight
“It seemed like the only way I was going to see you,” I say as we pull back.
He looks me over like he hasn’t seen me in a long time, which to be honest is accurate. “You want a beer?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I can’t stay long.”
He grabs a bucket and flips it over for me and we take a seat across from each other.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asks.
“I hadn’t heard from you or seen you. I wanted to see how you were.”
“Good.” He bobs his head up and down. “I saw the highlights from your game in Vegas. Another win. You’re having a hell of a season.”
I wish I could feel the pride in his voice, but I’m too stuck in my head. Is he really that proud if he can’t even make it to a game?
“What’s new with you?” I ask.
“Not much. Getting ready to head out on the road again next week, so I’m getting the truck fixed up.”
“Where are you headed?”
“A friend is building a house about an hour north of here and needs some guys for the job. He has a camper I can hook up to the truck, so I won’t have to drive back and forth.”
An uneasy sensation builds in my gut. “How long will you be gone?”
“A month, maybe two. Depends on how fast things go.”
I nod and then something hits me. “You’re going to miss your birthday party.”
He gives me an apologetic smile. “I don’t care about my birthday, and I doubt anyone will miss me.”
“I will.”
He smiles softly, but I can’t mimic the expression. I’m pissed. This is such bullshit and so typical that I can’t believe I didn’t see it coming.
“I don’t get you.” My voice comes out louder than intended. “I thought you wanted to repair things with us.”
“I do. You and I are good.”
“Are we? I haven’t seen you in months, you don’t call or text, you haven’t come to any of my games this season.”
He looks like he has a retort ready, but I don’t give him time to speak.
“And what about Archer? Things were finally getting better between you two. Have you reached out at all?”
I know the answer by the guilty look on his face.
“I can’t keep making excuses for you. I keep saying you’ve changed, but you haven’t. Not really. You’re the same selfish guy that comes and goes as he wants without thinking about anyone else.” God. I feel so stupid.
“It’s just a party.”
“No, it isn’t. It’s another time that you’ve dipped out on us. How many more chances do you think you’ll get with Knox and Hendrick?”
“None, I expect. They wrote me off a long time ago,” Dad says as if that’s all the rationale he needs for not going.
“Which is exactly why you should come. They’re giving you an opening, and you’re shitting all over it. Nothing is going to change unless you make the first move. Maybe that isn’t fair, but that’s parenting. You walked out on us, and now you have a chance to fix it.”
“If I’m such a disappointment, then why are you here? Sounds like you’re better off without me too.” His jaw flexes in a way that reminds me of Knox. And then the memory comes into full view. It isn’t Dad working in the garage listening to music, it’s Knox. Dad wasn’t around because he was never around. But my brothers were. They raised me. I am who I am because of them. I owe them everything. Maybe that isn’t how I want the story to go, but it is. How it happens from here on out is on him.
