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“That’s what I’d like to know,” I whisper.
We’re interrupted by SJ’s heavy breathing as he’s fallen asleep and won’t be answering our questions anytime soon. Great.
“I’m sure you guys can talk about it in the morning after he’s sobered up,” Evan says. “I’d also like to know what he means about your dad making him leave.”
“I’ll get to the bottom of it,” I promise. And I will. Because I’m so mad right now.
“Thanks for bringing him home. I’ll keep an eye on him,” I assure as I walk Evan out.
“I’ll check on him in the morning. It’s going to be okay. I’m going to talk to some people and see if we can do something. This isn’t over,” he says. “I’m sorry, Callie, but your dad has been a piece of shit. Last year, he tried to take my inn from me.”
Angry tears prick my eyes, and embarrassment fills me. “I’m so sorry, Evan. I didn’t know.” Shame fills me for what my father has done to the people I love in our town.
“It’s not your fault. But we can’t keep letting him run over everyone in our town, doing whatever he wants and hurting people. We need to shut him down for good.”
“I agree, and I’ll do anything to help,” I offer.
“I’m glad you’re back. He needs you,” he says quietly. “See you later.”
“Thanks,” I say, shutting the door softly behind him.
I take off SJ’s shoes and hat and pull a blanket over him as he curls up on the couch. He looks so young like the SJ I remember. Vulnerable. He reaches for me and grabs my hand and whispers as he drifts off, “I love you, Otter.”
* * *
The next morning, SJ is hungover, and I have a shift to get ready for at the hospital. I wake up to the sun rising out the living room windows. This view is breathtaking. I fell asleep next to SJ after he held my hand and called me Otter. I couldn’t leave him.
I take a quick shower and get ready for my shift and smell coffee brewing. At least he’s up. I wonder what he meant last night about my dad. What did he do? I’m going to confront him. He can’t keep meddling in my life. I gave my parents a chance when I came home, and I tried to have a normal relationship with them. But they have proven once again that they’re not capable. I realize that they believe that all the horrible things they’ve done to us are our fault. They never take accountability for their actions, and they are downright toxic.
I dry my hair and head out to the kitchen to find SJ nursing a mug of coffee, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
“Like shit,” he says, his voice gravelly.
“Evan is going to help you fight this,” I say quietly. “And I’ll be talking to my dad.”
He holds up his hand. “Don’t do it, Callie.”
“This town loves you, and these players need you,” I remind him. “Also, my dad’s a shithead.”
That got him to give me a small smile. But he holds me in front of him. “I don’t need the coaching position. I can work with my dad. I’ll miss the players, but it’s not worth you getting involved. You need to let this go. You’re risking your position at the hospital, too.”
“My dad is a horrible human for everything he’s done. What did you mean last night when you said he made you leave before? What did he do?”
He winces. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
“We need to talk about this later,” I say calmly. “I love you, and we’ll work this out. I have to go to work. I’ll see you tonight, and we can talk more.” I lean up to kiss his cheek and pull him in for a big hug. We stay like that for a few minutes.
He says nothing as I leave, and it makes me sad. SJ needs to see what we see. The man he is, and the man this town needs. And God help anyone who gets in my way of showing him this.
twenty-six
SJ
Now
“We’re not giving up,and neither will you.” Evan crosses his arms the following day outside my dad’s auto body shop.
