Page 89 of Meet Dare

“And you’re a wanderer because …”

I scratch my beard. “I was born this way.”

“You’re not a fucking pop song. Talk to me.”

“I’m getting bored of this conversation.”

“Welcome to the club. I was bored of this years ago and yet here we are.” He opens his arms and gestures to the room around him.

I don’t want to tell him, but he’s backed me into a corner. Rowan’s a laid back guy but when he focuses on an issue? He treats it like it’s a football. And if there’s one true thing about the former NFL quarterback, it’s that he doesn’t let go of the ball unless he’s forced to.

“Are you certain you want to know this?”

He sits up and squeezes my shoulder. “I’m certain.”

Crap. I guess it’s time to come clean.

“I left because I was a burden to Mom and Dad. And once I was gone, I couldn’t find my way back again.”

He rears back. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

I shake my head.

He springs to his feet and paces the living area as he runs his hand through his hair. “Why would you think you were a burden?”

“Because Iwasa burden.”

“You’re going to have to explain this to me in short sentences with small words because I’m confused.”

I down the rest of my beer as I try to figure out how to begin. As if there’s an easy way to begin.

“Everything was about you when we were growing up.”

He freezes. “What do you mean?”

I don’t want to explain, but I’m in this now.

“You were this athletic prodigy. You trained with coaches all over the state. And you went to football camps all over the country. Me? I was the nerdy kid who was good in math.”

“You were more than a nerdy kid.”

“I wasn’t and I’ve come to accept it.”

He growls. “Which is why we’re discussing this more than a decade after we graduated from high school.”

I raise my hands. “This is why I don’t want to talk about it. Whatever I say will offend you.”

“I’m not offended,” he’s quick to say. “But you need to explain more. How does my being an athletic prodigy lead to you being a wanderer who’s scared to step foot in Winter Falls?”

“I’m not scared to step foot in Winter Falls.”

“Answer the question.”

I blow out a breath and stare at the floor as I say the words I promised myself I’d never say to Rowan, “Mom and Dad didn’t want me around, so I left.”

“Now, you’re making shit up. Mom and Dad love you.”

Love and wanting someone around are two different things.

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