Page 38 of View With Your Heart

“I know who Jess is,” I state, both remembering him from when we were young and recently meeting him as his future wife is a regular at TeasMe!.

“You should come with me,” Gavin states, taking a sip of his beer. His eyes focus on me over the rim of his glass.

“To the wedding? I don’t know about that.” I swipe a section of hair over my ear and glance away from him.

“I know about that. You should attend with me. Consider it interest for ditching me this evening.”

“We’re having dinner right now,” I remind him, although I know it’s not the same thing as his important, more formal dinner closing out the film festival. “Besides, you can’t randomly take a date to a wedding.”

“I had a plus one included on my invite.” For some reason, I don’t like the idea that he could have brought someone else with him to the wedding. He could have brought another woman to Elk Lake City, taken her to the film festival dinner. He could be in this town right now with someone else, and I’d never have seen him. Or worse, I’d see him with someone else.

“You’d be a good buffer as I spend more time near my parents.”

“What’s wrong with your parents?”

He fiddles with the coaster under his beer. “Besides the fact Mum has breast cancer, and I think she’s sick right now, or my dad disapproves of my filmmaking ventures.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I know you were at odds on occasion when you left here. I had hoped you’d patched things up.” While Gavin was estranged from Elk Lake City, I didn’t realize he still wasn’t getting along with his dad.

“He thought I quit baseball instead of it being the injury that held me back. I’d lost the range of motion necessary to really throw a ball.” He rolls his wrist to prove it to me.

“How can you pitch to Gee, then?” He’s made plans for batting practice tomorrow afternoon.

“It’s not the same as tossing a ball eighty miles an hour.”

I nod in understanding. “I’m sorry again about your dad, then. That must be rough.” As I have no relationship with my father, it was another reason I wanted Gee to have Patrick. He needed a good solid man in his life. He needed someone who would be there for him, and Patrick was in his own right. He didn’t make every game or school event as he traveled often, but he provided for us in other means.

“Mind if we don’t talk about my dad? Even if this isn’t a date, it’s depressing.”

“Sure.” I smile. “When I asked what’s next, I really meant with your career in filmmaking. You mentioned at the showing that you have another production to work on.”

Gavin’s face breaks into a genuine smile, his interest heightened.

“Yeah, Joe and I immediately started another project once we wrapped on Brant’s. We plan to follow this kid, Juan Sanchez, through the immigrant farmworker seasons. We’ll finish up next November when he circles back to California. It’s been a really interesting process, and I’ve become more appreciative of where my food comes from and who works to get it on my table.”

Gavin beams with pride.

“You made it sound like you’re going into business or partnership with the director. What was his name again?”

“Joe. Joe Scanlon, and yes, we’ve decided to start our own production company for small scale and indie films. I could have used my connections with Zoey and went to her father, going big production with Steinmann Studios, but I wouldn’t have the creative decision-making power I want, and I don’t really know anything about filming fiction. I want to capture things in real-time, as they happen, and educate others. Immigration is more a passion project of mine, and I see Joe and I eventually returning to sports as that’s what brought us together. We’re hoping to form a relationship with Bigflixs.”

“Wow. That’s all so impressive.” Gavin has been a success already in one manner, and he’s on his way to being a success in another. It’s all a reminder that he’s too big for this town in his dreams, his life goals, and his future plans, and as his future is planned, he’ll be leaving once again. I swallow around the lump in my throat and the false tinge of hope I had that Gavin might stick around. I thought spending time with his family might glue him back together with them and keep him more vested here. It was silly to think such a thing.

Our dinners arrive, and Gavin smiles at his plate. “God, I’ve missed these burgers.”

I weakly look at my fish tacos, suddenly no longer hungry.

“So I want to ask you something, and I know it’s personal, but know that asking comes from a place of genuine concern.”

I softly chuckle, looking over at him as he rambles. “That was quite an introduction, and now I’m nervous.”

“Tom mentioned Leo’s property.” I sit straighter in the booth. “And the possibility of a large tax bill, and a realtor that’s been badgering you to sell.”

I look away from Gavin, aimlessly glancing across the Tavern at the television behind the bar. The locals love this place, and I try to support it as a fellow business owner.

“I don’t think we should discuss the property,” I quietly say. Gavin sets down his burger.

“You don’t seem to want to discuss anything with me. Not your husband. Nice fake boyfriend, by the way.” His voice drops, and I glance up at him. “Or your home or your business. What’s going on here, Britton? What am I missing?”