Page 66 of The Maverick's Homecoming

“I don’t know what else to say to say to you.” Finn Sr. glanced down at the expensive watch on his tanned wrist and added tightly, “I have a long drive and a plane to catch.”

“Of course, you do. I’ll walk you to the door.”

* * *

Once the old man was gone, Finn fixed himself some breakfast. A little while later, he put the kittens in their carrier and took them to Kenzie’s house.

That afternoon at practice, he felt kind of low. He kept remembering the crap his dad had laid on him, kept resurrecting childhood memories. As a kid, he’d tried so hard to please the unpleasable Finn Sr. Rarely had he made the grade.

He knew he shouldn’t let his father get to him. But right now, Finn Sr. was definitely taking up space in his head.

At practice Barrett asked him if something was wrong. Finn played it off as exhaustion, said he’d been working long hours and felt kind of tired.

Later, in the parking lot, he found Kenzie waiting beside his truck, leaning back against it, her arms folded over her ever-expanding baby bump. “Okay,” she said at the sight of him. “You need to follow me to my house. We’ll talk about whatever went down with your dad.”

He didn’t want to talk about it. He just wanted to move on. “Aw, Kenz. I’m kind of beat.”

“Oh, I bet you are. That man is a menace. Just being in the room with him for a minute woremeout. You need to follow me home.” She gave him that look, the one that said there would be hell to pay if he didn’t.

He gave in. Because he couldn’t refuse her anything.

At her place, she poured him a stiff whiskey and soda. They sat in her living room by the fire, the cats cuddled on the sofa between them, and he gave her the play-by-play of his dad’s visit.

Once he’d finished telling all, she said, “I honestly have no idea how your mother puts up with him.”

“Was that a question?” he asked in a teasing voice.

“It was mostly hypothetical, but if you actually have an answer, please share.”

He scratched Ed behind his little ear and chuckled when the kitten rolled to his back and wrapped all four paws around Finn’s hand. As for Tom, he got up, yawned and jumped down from the sofa.

Finn tried to explain. “My mom’s true-hearted. She sticks by her commitments through thick and thin. And it helps that my dad’s always working. She really doesn’t have to deal with him all that much. She’s free to pursue good works and she does.”

Kenzie made a thoughtful sound. “I remember she was always active in the community. She used to organize clothing and food drives.”

“She still does. She’s active in her church, too. Plus, she helps out at Covenant House and the Salvation Army. She’s on the board of more than one charitable foundation and she donates a sizable chunk of the money my father makes to a long list of good causes.”

“Wow. Your mom is a powerhouse.”

“Oh, yes, she is.”

“And she was always kind and sweet toward me.” A soft smile curved Kenzie’s beautiful mouth. “Even there at the end, when everything went so wrong that summer after high school.”

“Yeah. She’s the real deal. And I honestly think she loves my dad. He loves her right back. Don’t ask me to explain it. I’m their son and I don’t get it.”

“They’re just such a weird match,” Kenzie said. “It’s like if Glinda, the good witch, went and fell for Darth Vader.” Finn’s loud bark of laughter at that remark caused Ed to let go of his hand, leap up and dart off toward the kitchen. Then Kenzie added, “I’m glad you had your mom when you were growing up.”

“Yeah, well. My brothers and I are in total agreement with you about that—and the truth is, Dad did put in time with us, my brothers and me. For me, he spared no expense when he saw I had what it took to make a go of it playing football. He sent me to clinics, made sure I had the best gear, showed up for every game. Yeah, it was a lot about him and how my success made him look good. And yet, he did pay attention. He gave me the support I needed to follow that dream.”

“Too bad he’s such a jerk.”

“It is too bad. It really is.”

Kenzie scooted closer, filling the space where the kittens had been. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

Finn curled an arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “I really am okay, you know.”

She tipped back her head just enough to meet his eyes. “I’m glad.” She raised those slim arms and wrapped them around his neck. He claimed another kiss. For an achingly sweet chain of minutes, they held each other close.