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Nathan’s voice booms out. “Oh, no fucking way. No fucking way!” He laughs. “Fuck, I’m dead.”
I smile to myself.
Mason’s voice follows. “I’ll revive you, hold on!”
They must be playing some sort of video game.
I didn’t appreciate this enough when they were younger, listening to them play and laugh. Hell, I wasn’t there for most of it. I’ve missed out on a lot.
That requires an apology in and of itself.
Nate groans. “Game over, man, dammit.”
I’ll take that as my cue and open the door, heading through the front hall and into Seth’s living room.
The couch is facing away from me, all the boysenchanted by the big screen television. Nate right in between Mason and Seth.
I breathe deep. It’s now or never. “Having fun?”
Seth and Mason both turn, greeting me with tentative smiles.
Nate, on the other hand, sits up straighter, his back to me.
Seth nods at me. “Hey, Edwin.”
“Hey.”
Nate looks at both his friends. “What the hell is he doing here?” His voice is an ushered breath, but the silence is so oppressive we could even hear a pin dropping.
Seth chews on his lower lip, looking at Mason for some backup, and he doesn’t let him down.
“Uh… We invited him, man.”
Seth looks at me and back at my son. “You two should talk.”
Nate keels over into his lap, rubbing his face. “What the fuck. How much did he pay you?”
“I didn’t pay them, son.”
“Don’tcall me son.”
Seth and Mason exchange a look. “You wouldn’t have seen him if we didn’t set up something like this, Nate.”
“Yeah, that’s the point. I don’t want to see him.”
Nate hasn’t even looked at me once.
“He’s your dad.” Seth’s voice strains.
“Doesn’t fucking matter. Not everybody likes their dad.”
A few years ago, a barb like that would have meant nothing. I’ve grown softer, though. And it stings.
“I’m right here, Nate.”
My son’s gaze flies to mine, blondstrands of hair hanging in his face. “Yeah. That’s the point. I want you to hear how much I–”
Seth jumps up from the couch. “Can I get you something to drink?” He comes toward me. “Sparkling water? Coffee?”
