Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
F inn spotted the pile of unopened mail on his kitchen table when he entered his apartment. Kendra, his neighbor, must have used her key to bring it all in.
He left the door open to air out the place, then tossed his keys and wallet into a basket in the middle of the kitchen table. He set his cell phone on top of its charger on the kitchen counter.
Within minutes, a boy appeared in his doorway. An almost nine-year-old with dark hair trimmed close to his head. The boy was skinny except for a small tummy around his middle. Clad in dinosaur pajamas, he stepped in.
Behind him, a very pregnant Kendra stood.
“You’re back,” she said. “I thought I heard the squeak of your door. Landon has been checking the window every five minutes since he saw your last text.”
“Mom.” The word carried a pleading tone with it. “He’s teaching me soccer. I’m going to the World Cup.”
She rested her hand on her belly and threw her son the look. “The man just got home. He drove a long way. Leave him be.”
Finn couldn’t ignore the plea on the boy’s face, but he knew Kendra. She was trying to teach Landon patience. He needed to support her efforts.
“Tell you what, little man. If it’s okay with your mom, I can take you to the park after school on Wednesday to practice.”
Kendra looked back at him. “He can go if he gets his homework done when he gets home.”
Landon pumped both his fists in the air. “Yes.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I can change my mind if you don’t quiet down. Your baby sisters are sleeping.”
The kid said, “Sorry, Mom, I’m excited. I can’t wait to tell Dad.”
“Go brush your teeth, then you can call him from the kitchen table.” She emphasized the last. These apartments didn’t have the greatest insulation. Sound carried.
Landon gave another silent double fist pump as he walked back into their apartment.
Kendra brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Appreciate that. That one keeps me on my toes.”
“He’s a great kid.”
A worn smile brushed her lips. “He is. He does so much to help me with the girls.”
Finn asked, “When’s Dare getting home?” Kendra’s husband transported cars throughout the country. He was often gone for days at a time.
She said, “Thursday. Hopefully, before dinner. Otherwise, I’ll never get that one to bed on time.”
“Like Landon said, he’s going to play in the World Cup.”
Within days of Finn moving into his apartment, Landon asked him if he knew how to play soccer.
When Finn said yes, he’d asked for help with his corner kicks.
Knowing Landon had twin sisters and another sibling on the way, Finn agreed.
Scrambling for attention with two toddlers in a place was difficult.
He tried to make time for Landon when he could.
Concern rimmed Kendra’s brown eyes. She put a hand on Finn’s arm. “You okay?” She knew he’d gone to a funeral.
“Yeah. More tired than anything.”
Kendra looked at him as if she doubted his words. He needed to say more.
“The funeral was a nice tribute.”
Broome had spoken for the family. Not a surprise. As had Brigette Conroy, one of the town’s elders. Locals filled the big house after the graveside service, many reciting stories about Ms. Magnolia.
“And your pa?” Kendra had never met him, but knew Finn visited him once a week.
“Wore him out, but otherwise he’s fine.”
Her expression relaxed. “Okay then. You should come to dinner when Dare gets back. Text me with potential dates. We’ve also got Landon’s birthday coming up. He’ll want you there if it works with your schedule.”
“Sounds great.”
A few nights later, he walked down the hill to the local sports bar.
He’d told Decker, a fellow resident, he’d be there.
Every TV broadcasted football. There was no such thing as a bad seat, but it was crowded enough to make it hard to find his friends.
He made his way through a group of Carolina fans, then spotted Decker and Walt in a back corner.
Decker wore his Panthers jersey and had a blonde on his lap that he recognized from the lab at the hospital.
Her name escaped him, but she, too, wore the Panthers’ colors.
Walt wore Kansas City red and kept one arm around his girlfriend, Avery, dressed in Miami’s colors.
A pint of Guinness in hand, he sat down on a stool with the lot of them, nodded to Decker and Walt, exchanged handshakes with Avery and the blonde. It was too loud for conversation.
He spotted the curvy redhead he’d been interested in right after he’d moved to Asheville. She was leaning over the bar, trying to get the bartender’s attention.
He’d asked her to coffee. She’d been lukewarm on the invitation but seemed interested by the end. He’d hoped to see her again. She’d said maybe when he asked, but they hadn’t set a date.
Now he knew he wouldn’t.
Rose wasn’t married.
No matter what Broome said, Finn had been the one to make the promise to Ms. Magnolia. It would be difficult for him to keep his word. He didn’t live in Evers Hollow. His rotation schedule was tight. He hadn’t been able to get back up there since the funeral.
Later in the week, he’d have three days off. He planned to spend the time at the old house. Pa’s birthday was this coming Sunday.
There were things he needed to say to Rose. He owed her a better explanation, and an apology. Another sip, larger than the last. He’d never felt connected to anyone like he had with her. That hadn’t changed with distance or time.
He should have found the courage to do it years ago. Been honest with himself, and with her. Their friendship was important, more important than any other he’d had. Fear that she didn’t feel the same way kept him quiet. The last thing he wanted was to lose her as a friend.
They’d gone six years without speaking.
He should have told her he wanted more. Asked her out. What would she say if he asked her now?