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“I have no idea what that is, but I agree with the principle,” Dad says. “Here is the real question. How are your knees? Because as far as I see it, getting on your knees, groveling, and showing Savannah that you know that you fucked up is your one and only shot at fixing this.”
Having her back… I would beg for that, I realize. On my knees, however she needs me.
“I don’t know.” I shove a hand through my hair. “I told her how I felt already. What if I ask her to be with me, and she still rejects me?”
There is a long spell of silence. Rex and River push back into their seats. I’m guessing that neither of them feels particularly qualified to give me relationship advice.
My dad sighs and locks eyes with me.
He leans back and holds up two fingers.
“In my life, I’ve had the privilege to have two great loves. Your mother was my high school sweetheart. We fell in love when we were still kids and married straight out of high school. I never had to worry or struggle for anything with your mom. She was just light, and sweet, and good.”
He swallows, his voice growing thick with emotion. “When I lost your mother, I never thought I would find love again. I didn’t even think it was possible to have two great loves. Especially one right after another like that. I met Sarah at a grief group that she had found when she’d lost her husband Ed. And I tell you, I was as scared as I was in love with her. I… I had to tell Sarah what I felt. But doing it made me feel as fragile as a brand-new baby.”
My brothers and I are silent. These are deep, dark waters and they are treacherous for even the bravest man to tread. Eventually my father looks up, his deep blue gaze spearing me where I sit.
“If I hadn’t made myself vulnerable all those years ago, I don’t know what our lives would be like now. They would definitely not be as full or as rich as they are. And that’s because of Sarah stepping up and taking over the household. She knew I was struggling, and she carried the weight for me when I couldn’t. And in return, I was able to ease her burdens.” He stops and swipes at a tear that rolls down his cheek. “I tell you what. I think that someone up above put Sarah in my path, knowing that she could love me, and I could love her. And we could heal each other.”
I blink rapidly, staring at my dad. I’ve been on this planet for more than thirty years and this is the first time I’ve ever seen him this emotional about anything. Sav might say no, but I realized that by not being vulnerable, I never even gave her an option to say yes. I always decided for us.
It’s time to hear her decision.
Rex, who runs hot-blooded, and is nearly always emotional about everything, is the first of my brothers to hug Dad. They embrace without thinking, as easily as they draw their next breaths.
River jumps up next, briefly wrapping my dad in a tight hug. I run my tongue over my teeth and then clamber to my feet, giving Dad a quick but hard hug. Dad surprises me by not letting go right away.
He whispers in my ear, “Go get your girl, son. I know you can do it.”
I feel the beginning of tears pressing the corners of my eyes. Glancing around, I see that everyone is swiping at their eyes and clearing their throats, embarrassed to be showing their feelings.
Rex tosses himself back onto the leather banquette. “So? How about it? Did we do a good job convincing you to stay?”
“Please?” River rubs my back. “Pretty please with black-eyed peas? Rice and everything nice?”
I nod slowly. “You’ve talked me into it. I’ll stay at least until I talk to Sav.”
“Thank goodness,” Dad says. He gives me a relieved grin. “I’d say that calls for a celebratory beer.”
He jumps up and presses on a section of the wall, which opens to reveal chilled bottles of wine, and frosty cans of beer. He pulls several cans of Sweetwater Seasonal Ale out, and passes them around. For a few seconds, there is nothing but the sound of tops being popped over the gentle rhythm of water lapping.
Dad holds his beer up. “To family.”
My lips twitch. “And to interventions, I guess.”
“Cheers.” We all lift our beers and then I take a sip. The ale is foamy and bitter, but it’s a familiar and comforting taste. I let the almost-creamy bubbles burst over my tongue.
“So, I have half a plan,” Rex says, looking around. “Hear me out.”
“A plan to…?” River prompts.
Rex poses, fluttering his eyelashes. “To tell Savannah that Cole is fruity as a toucan over her and wants her to be his one and only. You know. Make a public declaration of love and ask her… I don’t know.” He looks at me quizzically. “To ask her to marry you?”
“I wouldn’t ask that question unless you already know what her answer will be,” Dad injects.
“To… be your girlfriend?” River suggests. “At least tell her what you feel.”
“You’ll have to have a chat with Charlie,” my father intones.
