Page 75 of Pinch

“What’s on your mind, Gav?” He takes a sip of black coffee.

I’m having the same, but with cream. “It’s this girl I know, Haddy Bradford. She’s actually one of my roommates. I really like her a lot, but I kind-of blew it.”

Dad’s brow lowers, and he takes another sip of coffee. “How’d you manage that?”

“Remember how I was dating that girl Karen in college?” He nods. “Haddy was her roommate, and she got this wrong idea about me back then.”

He’s watching me intently, and I shift in my seat, embarrassed to say the next part.

“I found out Karen was cheating on me, and I kind of lost it.” The back of my neck grows hot, and I reach up to rub it. “I slept with some sorority girls, but it was before we’d officially told people we were broken up. Karen twisted it around and said that was why it ended, and Haddy believed her.”

Dad exhales a lowhmm, leaning back in his chair and pressing his lips together. “She believed her friend over you.”

“She didn’t really know me. She’s really,reallysmart, so she studied a lot, worked in the science lab.” I look at the paper cup in my hand, remembering how excited she got telling me about her work. “I was so busy with hockey, I just put my head down and powered through it.”

“And now you want something different?” Dad’s eyebrow arches, and I nod, glancing up at him.

“I don’t know how to change her mind. Ididsleep with those girls, but I never cheated on Karen. I never would have.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” Dad reaches out, giving my shoulder a squeeze, then he shakes his head with a chuckle. “It’s pretty crazy how much you’re like me… without even knowing it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ahh…” He exhales heavily. “Before you were born… before I even knew your moms, I proposed to this girl, Stacy. We were going to be married, and one day, I got home early to surprise her with flowers and all the things…”

He looks down, and I sit straighter, my eyes widening. “No.”

His lips tighten, and he nods. “Yep. I walked in on her with some other guy.”

“Dang.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry.”

“Then I went on my own rampage. I was determined to do everything differently, and I tell ya, I got into a lot of trouble. I almost lost your mom Elaine over it.”

“You were acting that way with Elaine?”

“No, nothing like that.” He holds up his hands. “It was more like, my past came home to roost, and she was rightfully upset about how I’d acted. She left me over it.”

“But…” I point in the direction of the house and back to him. “You were able to fix it. How?”

“I wallowed in guilt for a little while. I beat myself up for being an idiot.” He looks me straight in the face. “Then I got off my ass and went and got her. I showed her how much I loved her. I showed her the man I really was, that I’d never let her down again. Anything she needed, any time, I was there for her.”

My jaw tightens, and I look at my hands, thinking about what he’s saying. “You were there for her.”

He gives me a nudge. “You’ve got an advantage I didn’t have. You live in the same house.”

Nodding, my mind is miles away, on the coast in south Alabama.

My chest aches, and I know what I have to do. “Would you apologize to the moms for me? I’ve got to go.”

A smile splits his cheeks, and he pats me on the back. “Sure thing. Good luck, son. I believe in you.”

It’safter dinner when I pull into Newhope, and Cooters & Shooters is all lit up and full of people. I’ve never been here, but Mav has talked about it so much, I feel like I know the place.

The ride share driver helps me with my luggage, and I give him an extra tip before walking to the door. The “closed” sign is out, but they’re all inside playing music and laughing.

It looks like the entire Bradford clan is here, and my eyes go to her at once. She’s standing beside a man about my size who must be her father. She has his eyes, even though her hair is darker. His arm is around her back, and she leans her head on his shoulder.

My chest twists, and a smile curls my lips. She’s so relaxed and happy here. I can tell this is her safe place, her home, and I want to be a part of it.