Page 26 of Always My Comfort
“Your brothers came back. Don’t you think it’s your turn, honey? I want to have all my kids in one town again.” And this was the very reason why I hadn’t come home sooner.
I wasn’t ready to give up my life just yet.
“Ma, can we not do this?” I ran a hand through my short hair.
“Come on, he just got here. No need to scare him away.” Archer put an arm around my shoulder, ending the dreaded conversation.
We went inside and caught up over lunch. Dad wasn’t home, and his absence at the table was a heavy weight that settled on my chest.
I had to get past his reaction, whatever it may be. I just wanted him to be proud of me.
“So, baseball, huh?” Archer asked, his attention on Doug who is in a highchair. My oldest brother still found it a little hard to believe I left football.
I glanced at the women, who were too invested in their own conversation about the upcoming wedding to listen to us.
“It makes sense, man. Being up there in the middle of the field, on the mound. It sets my soul at ease.” He nodded thoughtfully, slipping a mouthful of food into his son’s mouth while he was distracted with a toy.
“That’s how I feel in the shop. Putting a wrench on something just makes everything quiet in my head. Dad understood when I explained. So, he’ll understand you deciding to leave football for good. He’s not so set in his ways anymore. The kids have softened him.”
I sure as hell hoped that was the case, otherwise I would be getting back in my truck and never coming back.
“Dove, I think he’s ready for his nap. We ought to be gettin’ home,” Arch addressed Kenna with her old nickname, the one he came up with for her when we were kids. Those two have always been the perfect little lovebirds, just like real-life turtle doves. The kind that mated for life.
Watching them reminded me of Logan. The ease I had felt having her in my apartment the other night. There was something about her that drew me in.
After cleaning up the dishes, I sat with my momma, catching up on the last few months. She told me about the boys and how she was proud of them for coming home to start families. She hinted at me settling down and asked if there was someone special in my life. Once again, I was reminded of Logan.
What would she think of this place? Would she like my family? Would they like her? Was she worth taking a chance on?
Dad trudged through the front door as the sun started to set, weary from a long day, but his face lit up when he saw me. I stood to greet him, extending my hand to shake, but he bypassed it and pulled me in for a hug.
“Congratulations, my boy!” The strong arms I remembered as a boy were weaker, the skin weathered and wrinkled, but he held me tightly, pouring all his love and approval into me.
That night, I slept in my childhood bed, my feet hang off the edge, and if I turned suddenly, I risked ending up on the floor. But I stared at the walls, the posters of football legends, the trophies on my desk, and wondered what eighteen-year-old me would say if he could see me now.
If things would have happened differently if I knew how my dad was going to react.
When I closed my eyes, Logan infiltrated my thoughts. I could see the curve of her pink lips when she smiled at me, the twinkle in her green eyes. I wanted to get inside of her mind. I wanted to know what diminished her sparkle so I could protect her from it. I needed to know why I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Pulling out my phone, I searched for her name in my contacts. She’d shared her number with me a few days ago, but I’d been scared to text her, to be the first one to contact her.
Jax
Hey, sweetheart.
Instantly, there was a read receipt, and then three dots appeared. I checked the time and cringed at how late it was.
Logan
Jaxon?
Jax
How many guys call you sweetheart?
Logan
Didn’t think you’d ever text me… it’s been three days.