I rest my head on the back of the chair as I turn to look at him. “Do you look back on your life and regret anything?”
He heaves a sigh as he gazes at the night sky. Clouds shift over the moon, cloaking us in darkness until they pass. “I regret not enjoying the moments as they happen, always looking to the next thing and planning ahead.”
I stay quiet as he thinks.
“I regret the things I didn’t do.” He laughs to himself, like he’s remembering something. “Maybell wanted a porch swing. I told her we had rocking chairs and didn’t need a swing. She never pushed for it, but I should’ve given it to her. No reason not to. If she wanted it, why not?”
“Happy wife, happy life,” I say.
He smirks. “That Fletcher boy has been coming around a lot.”
“He has.”
“I like him.”
I laugh. “Why’s that?”
“He doesn’t come and go in the night like a creep. He helps you. And his mother’s a doll.”
“She is.” I bite my bottom lip to keep from smiling. “Is that why you sit out here in the middle of the night, to spy on me?”
“Someone’s gotta look out for you.” He scoffs. “Now that you’re with Landon, I can finally get some rest.”
I tilt my head back as I laugh. “You’re right. Your shit sleep is all my fault.”
Bernard leans forward and braces his hands on his knees as he moves to stand. “Stop running from everything. Go back in that house and go back to sleep. Let yourself settle for once.”
I press a kiss to the top of Buddy’s head before I head down the porch steps. “You’re a lot smarter than you look, old man.”
He chuckles his raspy laugh. “So are you. Now start acting like it.”
Chapter 38
Landon
“Why don’tyou have a seat, Landon?”
I blow out a stream of air through my lips. “Sorry, Mrs. Lepski. I’m too anxious to sit.”
I won’t be able to relax until Ainsley steps out of that office and tells me she got her job back. Principal Harrison called her this weekend and told her to come in for a meeting at the end of the school day on Monday. I’m really hoping he has good news for her.
Mrs. Lepski gives me a knowing smile. “I remember when you were just a boy. I can’t believe how grown you are now. It makes me feel so old.”
“Ah, you don’t look a day over thirty.”
Mrs. Lepski was probably in her thirties when I was a student here at Breakwater. She was the nicest secretary we had, and helped us sneak out of the building for lunch as long as we were back on time for the next class.
She touches her hands to her cheeks. “Stop it, you’re making me blush.”
Principal Harrison’s door swings open, and my stomach free falls to the tile floor.
Ainsley emerges first, wearing a wide smile. “I’m back, baby!”
Relief floods my senses as I rush toward her and lift her into my arms, spinning her around the room. “I’m so thrilled to hear that.”
Principal Harrison grins as he steps out of his office. “You two are doing such a good job with those girls, it would be a disservice to not have you coaching them.”
I stick out my hand and clasp his for a shake. “Thank you, sir. Ainsley is an incredible asset to this school.”
