Page 22 of When Sky Breaks

I nod, and we all journey to the lobby. It’s awkward and weird, and my brain goes into hyperdrive.

Why would Foster invite him to dinner? It’s a disaster in the making. Johnny isn’t a small-town man. He’s a Michelin-star restaurant kind of man. He said the town is cute. Like it’s a Polly Pocket or something. I don’t know Foster’s aim, but it isn’t just to be friendly. I mean, it will be friendly because Foster’s nice, but he saw how Johnny treated me, and I sense a lecture in my near future.

“Johnny is just some doctor you work with, huh?” Foster says as soon as I hit the road. He and Trek have that in common. Striking when I can’t shy away from the conversation at hand.

Thankfully, I’m driving, so he can’t see my face. It’s probably pinched or terrified. This will be the first time I’ve brought a guy over to meet him. And it’s not just any guy. It’s a man seven years my senior and a major deal at the hospital.

There were moments when I wanted to really introduce August to Foster. Or re-meet him. I wanted him to see the boy I loved and how much being around him made me feel like I was floating.

August was always the calm eye of a storm, whereas Johnny is chaotic and carefree, sometimes damning the consequences and asking for forgiveness later. Johnny prefers fancy restaurants and August liked to bring me a simple apple from the orchard.

Vastly different, which is what I need.

But now that they’re in the same town at the same time? The ball in my stomach grows larger. It’s only a matter of time before both my worlds collide. My past and my present with me in the middle.

“Just ask it, Dad. You know you want to,” I say, exasperated.

“Are you sleeping with the doctor on my case?”

If there was anything in my mouth, it would have spewed out. I swivel quickly before darting my gaze back to the road. “No. Absolutely not. We started seeing each other two months ago. I was just as surprised to see him here as you.”

“Do you think it’s wise to have him on the team?”

I swallow. “He’s the best at what he does. And I didn’t know until yesterday that he put himself there.”

“He’s older?” He says it like it isn’t obvious. I don’t know any doctors my age unless they’re genius level.

“He’s thirty.” I wince while I wait for his response.

Foster places a hand on my shoulder. “I trust you know what you’re getting into with that man, but I wouldn’t be your father without a little advice.”

Here we go.

“Lay it on me.” Can’t be any worse than the lectures I tell myself.

“Be careful with that sweet heart of yours. I saw it break into pieces before. Not just anyone is worthy. So please listen to it. It will lead you in the right direction.”

Rolling my lips under my teeth, I fight the emotions threatening to pull me under at his soft tone. He only knows half of what my heart went through, but there was no hiding the devastation I felt when August revealed his secrets and left.

And right now, I’m lost at sea with not even a current to lead me anywhere but further away from the shore.

“I’ll admit it’s a lot. Coming home, your diagnosis. Johnny showing up and finding out August is back in town.” That last part I meant to keep to myself, but Foster has a way of making me feel safe in talking about almost anything that bothers me.

“August, huh? Is that why you were twitchy yesterday?”

I nod.

“Bet that was hard seeing him.” Another gentle squeeze to my shoulder.

More than you can imagine.

Foster sighs. “I know he’s one of the main reasons you never came home.”

I flit my eyes to his to see him watching me. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, knowing it won’t make up for it.

“Don’t apologize. Heartbreak can bend even the strongest. I just wish I had helped you get through it. I know the feeling well.”

I take his hand and grip it tight. Right now, he’s the only real tether I have. The one man who’s always had my back. And I took it for granted.

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