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“Beer?” Mason adds.
“I’m fine, Seth, thank you. If you wouldn’t mind just leaving the two of us alone for just a few minutes?”
Nate jumps up, turning to face me. “This is bullshit! You guys are supposed to be my friends, and you fucking trapped me into–”
“Nate, come on, man, you know it was only a matter of time before–”
“Before what? Before Ihaveto talk to him? Before Ihaveto start doing what he says?” Our eyes meet. “No fucking chance.”
“Don’t blame them, Nate. I asked them to do this.”
He gives me a hollow smile. “Of course, you did. Because you can get everyone to bend to your wishes with a couple threats and–”
“I didn’tthreatenthem, I asked them to help me. Because I love you. And you’re my son.”
“When has that ever mattered before,Dad?”
Silence falls over the room.
Mason jerks his thumb into the hall. “I think we’re gonna give you those few minutes now.”
Seth and Mason skitter out before Nate can hurl another angry rant in their direction. As it should be. They don’t deserve them.
I’m the one at fault here, the one who has worked to corner my son so I can have him right where I want him. In the same fucking room as me.
Nate puts his hands on his hips. “This is getting ridiculous. Verging on stalker behavior.”
“Oh, relax, I’m your dad, not a fucking criminal.”
“That’s what you say.”
“Look, I came here with good intentions. The least you can do is hear me out.”
Nate grips his hair and groans. “You don’t get it, do you?! You’re the one who disowned me for not doing what you wanted. Now you realize that was a little harsh and you think you can justfixthings but still trying to force me to do things your way?!”
“Why did you come back to New York, Nate? The real reason.”
His eyes flick to the side. “I told you already.”
“No, I want the truth.”
“I said, I told you.”
“You told me before you left New York that you would never be back. Ever. And now, here you are, three years later. I can’t help but wonder if it might have something to do with me.”
My son laughs. “You wish.”
I slide my hands into my pockets. “I was wrong to give you an ultimatum like I did.”
Nate purses his lips.
“I…I never had a choice when it came to the club. You know this. I just got lucky that it was something I wanted to do. But…” A tremor creeps into my throat. “You’re way more important to me than the club, Nate.”
He has no idea what I’ve gone through since he left. What I’ve realized. And this shows on his face. His blatant disdain does not simply melt away. It hardens. “I don’t believe you.”
I cross the room to get closer to my son. “Nate, I’msorry.” So fucking sorry. “I am sorry I wasn’t a good father. I’m sorry I wasn’t around. I’m sorry I put expectations on you that didn’t align with the person you were because I… Because I didn’t take the time to know you.”
For each step I take to get to him, he takes one to distance himself.
