“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, it was rough at the time.” He sank down on the porch swing, crossing his foot over his knee. “Then my mom remarried and my step-dad and I didn’t really see eye-to-eye. He wanted to retire and move away. My mom tried to convince him to stay ’til I finished high school, but he was determined to move out to the middle of nowhere and homeschool me.” He scowled, looking at ground. “Can you imagine being homeschooled in high school? That would seriously suck.”
Gunnar tried to keep a straight face. His friends were the only thing that got him through high school, so he could understand why Nick wouldn’t want to lose that connection. “I guess it would. So, how’d you end up here in Vista Falls with your birth parents?”
“I’d already started talking to them,” Nick explained. “Coming out to see them on weekends and during vacations, so when my parents decided they were moving, my mom talked to Sage and Wes and worked it out so I could stay with them ’til I left for college.”
“I’m sure they’re happy to have this time with you.” Gunnar knew he would be in their position.
“Yeah, I think it’s been good for all of us.”
Nick was mature beyond his years and Gunnar knew that could only come from one thing: life experience. He’d lived more and experienced more loss than a lot of people twice his age. “So, you ever see your adoptive mother and step-dad?”
“Yeah, I spend a couple of weeks with them every summer. We talk on the phone and email too.” He shrugged. “She’s cool, but I don’t think I’ll ever get along with him. He just doesn’t like kids, I guess.”
Sounded a lot like the foster parents Gunnar had growing up. They just didn’t like kids. They liked the money the government gave them every month though. That’s the only reason they let him stick around.
Nick looked up, giving Gunnar a half-smile. “I’m not even gonna lie. Sittin’ here talking to you like this, it’s surreal, man.”
“Oh yeah?” Gunnar cocked an eyebrow, thinking how much this kid reminded him of himself at seventeen.
“I mean, your music is cool and all, but when Keegan told me who her dad was, I never thought…” He shook his head. “I didn’t even think I’d get to meet you, let alone talk to you like this.”
Keegan must have given Nick the impression her father wasn’t a big part of her life, which hurt, because up to that point, it had been true. “Well, I for one am glad we got to talk like this.” He gestured back and forth between them. “Gave us a chance to work some things out, don’t you think? Come to an understanding.”
“Uh, sure?”
Gunnar chuckled. “So, let’s recap, maybe set some ground rules if you’re going to keep seeing my daughter.” He’d already accepted the fact there was nothing he could do to keep them apart, so he hoped they’d be respectful if he tried to be reasonable about their relationship.
“Okay.”
“From now on, you’re not welcome here unless Gianna or myself are home, got it?” Since this wasn’t technically his home yet, he didn’t expect to be spending a lot of time there in the immediate future, but Nick didn’t need to know that.
“Got it.”
“Look, Nick, I didn’t want to like you. But I think I do.”
He grinned. “Really?” He whipped his phone out. “You like me enough for a selfie?”
“Let’s not get carried away,” Gunnar said, laughing. “Maybe someday, when I learn to like you a little more.”
Nick laughed, shoving his phone back in his pocket. “Fair enough.”
“I’m okay with you and Keegan going out to movies and stuff, maybe grabbing a burger from time to time, but I don’t want her getting serious with anyone. I meant it when I said I think she’s too young to get serious with anyone.”
He nodded. “Doesn’t mean I can help how I feel about her though.”
Gunnar appreciated his honesty… and suspected he’d be getting that damn selfie real soon. “Fine, but just keep things in perspective, okay? Remember that you’re older and more experienced than she is. She’s never been in love before.” As far as he knew. “And if she develops feelings for you and you go away to college, well, that’s gonna break her heart, and I don’t want to see that happen. I don’t think you do either, right?”
“It’ll suck,” Nick said, cracking his knuckles. “I know we’ve only known each other a couple of months, but already it’s tough for me to imagine not seeing her every day.”
“And that never gets easier, trust me.” The months he had to spend away from Gianna and the girls while he was touring always felt like years.
“Keegan said you and her mom, were, uh, separated. But you’re… back?”
“Yeah, I’m back.” He smiled. “Hopefully for good this time.”
