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Instead, I ran like a coward. I walked onto the football team at Oregon State and played for them for four years. Never once coming back to the only woman I ever loved.
“That’s why you never came home?” She turned and looked me in the eyes. I stood there in silence. “Answer me, Steed Parker.”
“I knew what I had done to her was beyond wrong. I did the one thing I promised myself I would never do…I hurt her. I couldn’t stand the thought of her glaring at me with so much hate. It was easier to stay away.”
Her head slowly moved from side to side as she took a few steps closer. “Easier for who, Steed?”
Turning away again, my mother paced the hallway for a good three minutes. She shook her head and wrapped her arms around her waist. “If I had known, I would have never thrown you together like that. Paxton deserved a warning … especially with Chloe.” She covered her mouth as horror filled her eyes. It was then she realized how it probably had affected Paxton to find out like that.
I nodded. “I’m sorry I never told you and Dad. I knew you would have been angry with me.”
Her hands dropped to her sides. When she looked me in the eyes, I held my breath. “Not angry, Steed. A child is never something to be angry about. But your actions and the way you handled it, I’m deeply disappointed in you. We didn’t raise you to be a coward.”
Wincing, I took a step back. The words hurt more than I imagined they would.
She headed back down the hall. I couldn’t move. My legs felt like lead as I watched my mother walk away from me.
I deserved her disappointment and so much more.
I walked down the hall and out the door. I soon found myself sitting on the bleachers, staring out over the football field. All those years I had avoided coming home for fear of hurting Paxton again and facing what I had done to her. I hadn’t even been here for a day and already I had hurt the two women I loved more than my own life.
When I glanced at my watch, I jumped down and headed back into the school. The halls were emptying as families headed out. I stepped into Paxton’s classroom only to find her alone, staring out the window.
She didn’t turn, but somehow she knew I was there. “They made a mistake on the spelling of her last name. It said Park.”
I stood there motionless, the idea of Paxton being caught so off guard shattered me. “I’m so sorry, Paxton,” I said barely above a whisper.
“Chloe’s a sweet girl.”
My chest ached. “Thank you.”
Her voice cracked as she wrapped her arms around her body. “She has your eyes.”
I nodded and tried like hell to keep my feet where they were. All I wanted to do was go to her. Pull her in my arms and tell her how much I loved her. How sorry I was for hurting her. But I didn’t move. “I’m so sorry, Paxton.”
Her shoulders lifted, but when she faced me, all I saw was the same angry eyes that had stared into mine ten years ago.
“Your family is waiting for you. You should go. They left a good fifteen minutes ago.”
With a small nod, I took a few steps back. “Paxton, I—”
Holding up her hand, she shook her head. “Just go, Steed.” Her voice sounded tired and defeated so I did what she asked.
I left.
Because I was so goddamn good at doing that.
After Steed walked out of the room, I counted to thirty before I covered my face and let myself cry.
He’s back.
Steed is home.
He has a daughter.
The small knock on the door made me jump. I dropped my hands and saw my best friend from college, Corina, standing with a stunned expression on her face. We had been short on teachers this year and I had begged her to move from Austin to Oak Springs and teach first grade.
“What in the world? Why are you crying?” She rushed into the room, shutting the door as she walked in.
I practically threw myself at her. “He’s back. Oh, God, Corina. He’s back and he has a family!”
She pushed me away and stared into my eyes. “Steed?”
I nodded.
“Holy crackers. Okay. This is an emergency. I’ve got this. I’m in control of the situation.”
My legs felt weak. I couldn’t get the look in his eyes out of my head. The second I saw him, I was overcome with happiness. Then everything that had happened came rushing back. When he smiled, I lost control, and let the anger win.
Corina rushed around my desk, grabbed my purse, shut off all the lights, and pulled me by the arm out the door.
“Where are we going?” I asked numbly.
