Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
He stood and walked his mug into the kitchen as I followed. “It’s gonna be okay. I just need more time.”
“Will we ever have the same friendship again?”
“I don’t know if it will be exactly the same. That just comes with the territory. But you haven’t lost me as a friend. And you never will.”
I nodded. “Well, if I haven’t lost you as a friend, Tate shouldn’t lose you as a son. He’s no more guilty than I am.”
Taylor exhaled. “I get that on a logical level. Just…be patient with me. I’m trying. Even if I haven’t been doing the work in front of you, I’m trying.”
“That’s fair.” I smiled sadly.
He popped back in to say goodbye to Nicholas and then headed for the door.
“Can I tell Tate you stopped by?”
Taylor opened the door and stood in the doorway. “Yeah. You can.”
“Anything else you want me to relay to him?”
Taylor shook his head. “No.”
“Okay,” I sighed.
He took a few steps down the sidewalk, then stopped. After a moment, Taylor turned around. “Actually… Tell him he’s gonna be a grandfather.”
Chapter 38
* * *
TATE
“Good job, kiddo!”
Nicholas had just thrown a football toward me with pretty impressive force and direction.
“Try to hold it like this, okay?” I demonstrated how to properly position the ball in my hand.
As we continued to practice tossing it back and forth, I heard a voice behind me.
“Is there room for one more?”
I turned to find Taylor standing there and froze. It had been two whole months since Blair had told me he’d come to visit her. I hadn’t been sure when I’d see him again.
I got a little choked up and hadn’t found my words yet when Nicholas ran to him.
“Uncle Taylor!”
Taylor knelt. “Hey, buddy.” He ruffled his hair.
Nicholas looked up at him. “You wanna play with us?”
Taylor stood. “Sure, yeah.”
I managed a slight smile and threw the ball to Taylor. He then threw it to Nicholas, who attempted to throw it to me. The cycle repeated for nearly half an hour as we quietly played and a gentle breeze blew around the yard. I didn’t dare say a word so as not to break the moment. I just wanted it to last.
When I looked over at the window, Blair was watching us. She flashed a smile, and I assumed she’d chosen not to come outside for the same reason I hadn’t said anything. Neither of us wanted to disturb the peace.
When Nicholas grew tired of the game, I finally turned to Taylor and said, “Can you stay for a bit?”
He slipped his hands into his pockets and nodded.
“Did you bring me a present, Uncle Taylor?” Nicholas piped up.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“He’s not spoiled at all,” I teased.
Taylor reached into his jacket and took out a little red car.
“Yay!” Nicholas said, running off with it.
“I recognize that car,” I said.
Taylor nodded. “You gave me that one.”
“Those were your favorite things when you were younger. I struggled with a way to relate to you back then, and those were the only things I knew for sure that you liked. That’s why I sent so damn many of them.”
“I’ve decided to pass them on to Nicholas,” he said. “I don’t need them anymore. And he loves them. Just trying to space them out, not give them to him all at once.”
Nicholas took the car inside to show his mother, leaving us alone.
“How have you been?” I asked Taylor.
“Better lately, actually.”
Hope sparked to life inside me. “Really?”
“Yeah.” He nodded.
“I left you a couple of messages when Blair told me about Juliana’s pregnancy. Not sure if you got them. I hope you know how happy I am for you.”
“I know. I got both messages. And the gift card.” He smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I want to do more but—”
“It’s okay.”
“Was the pregnancy planned?” I asked.
“Definitely not.”
“Been there…” I chuckled.
“I guess that’s one thing we have in common now.” He grinned.
My heart leaped again. “What brought you by today?”
“Oh, you know…just in the area,” he teased.
I arched a brow. “That’s it, huh?”
“No.” He kicked some dirt. “I realized that if I’m gonna be the kind of father I want to be, I need to work on my own issues.”
“Boy, can I relate to that feeling…”
“I’ve started seeing a therapist.”
I nodded. “You’re a better man than I am. I keep saying I’m going to go, but I never do. I’m proud of you for that.”
“Good. I’m sending you the bills.”
“I’d let you. I’m not even kidding.”
“Well, I’m kidding.”
He began to pace around the yard, and I followed alongside him.
“I’ve been working on letting go of what I can’t change,” he explained. “There is no other choice.” Taylor looked over at me. “I was blindsided. And I’ve spent enough time being butthurt about the fact that I was the last to know about you and Blair.” He exhaled. “The situation is what it is. It’s never gonna change. I can either lament it for the rest of my life or try to let it go. Holding on to the resentment will suck too much energy out of me. I need that energy more than ever now.” He paused. “And ultimately, I owe it to Nicholas to be strong about this.”