Page 39 of Cabin Fever With My First Flame

“I sense a bit of history repeating itself. Have you confronted Bailey and asked her outright what her intentions are?” Micah asks, yanking a little harder on the tie than necessary.

“I promised I would give her space and that the next move is hers. I didn’t expect a week of radio silence,” I admit.

Micah lets go and shrugs. “A lot happened in a short period of time, and I’m sure it was overwhelming for her. If I had more than five dollars in my pocket for the concessions, I’d bet you she appreciated the space and time to breathe. You offered her friendship, which she sorely needs. Is that still on the table if she gets back together with Daniel? Be honest because I know you offered it with the intent that it could turn into more.”

I don’t answer him right away because I also offered that hand of friendship believing that Daniel wouldn’t be in the picture full-time. Now that he is, it changes my perspective. I swallow hard, not because I’m nervous, but because Micah re-tied my bow too tight. I pull at the bow tie to loosen it slightly.

I open my mouth to answer when a throat clears from the darkened corner off to our right. A deep voice tells Micah, “That’s not really a fair question to ask a man in love. If you were in love with a girl—could you stand by and be her friend while she was in love with someone else. Could you be her friend without letting jealousy grip you and guide your actions? Could you pretend that you weren’t head over heels for the girl?”

Micah shakes his head as the man emerges from the shadows. The corners of Daniel’s lips turn up when he sees me. He turns to face Micah, “May I have a moment alone with your uncle?”

I give Micah a subtle nod that he should leave. I turn to Daniel. “Are you here to gloat?”

His smile fades. “Quite the contrary. I’m here to apologize.”

My face must register my surprise because he chuckles and then continues, “I’ve always admired and respected you, Finn, although I never told you or showed you because I was jealous of you from the moment you came to town and caught Bailey’s eye. I pretended to be your friend so that I could be hers. It wasn’t fair to either of you, and for that, I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry? You lied to get what you wanted and took away the one person who meant the world to me. I’ve accepted that I played a part in believing the lies and assuming the worst, but I never thought you would betray me, Daniel. I trusted and loved you like a brother. When you told me that you had been cheating behind my back, you did it with such remorse that I didn’t even question it. I questioned Bailey’s integrity instead! And the Academy Award goes to Daniel Johnson for Best Actor.”

Daniel’s shoulders slump, and his chin reaches his chest. “I deserve that. You have every right to hate me.”

Some of the vehemence leaves my body as I deflate. “I don’t hate you, Daniel. I just wish I understood why.”

He clasps his hands behind his back and stares at the ground. “Because I’m not a good man, Finn. At least not compared to you. I want to be. I want my daughters to speak of me the way they spoke of you on Christmas Eve. You’ve always put other people first, but not me. I’ve been selfish, and now I’ve lost the best things to ever happen to me. I’m here to get some of that back.”

“You’re here for Bailey.”

He shakes his head. “If I had tried, she would have shot me down like an F-22 taking down a hot air balloon. Quick, decisive, and with more ammunition than necessary to get the job done. We have a lot of good memories together, but I broke the cardinal rule. She may have forgiven me, but I don’t deserve a second chance, nor do I want one. I just want Bailey to get the ‘happily ever after’ she was supposed to get in the first place.”

My heart lifts at his admission. “Then why are you moving back?”

He laughs. “Do you want the truth?” He waits for me to nod. “First and foremost, I’m moving back for my daughters. It’s hard to maintain a relationship with them if there are 1,500 miles between us. I’d have to take them away from their friends for summers and holidays, and they wouldn’t want that. Even though Bailey and I are over, I’m not willing to give up on my girls.”

I can and absolutely respect that. “And the other reason?”

“Free rent and a job,” he says jokingly, only I don’t think he’s kidding. “Look, Finn, I’m not planning on getting in the way if Bailey and you decide to rekindle an old relationship. I had my chance and blew it big time. I just wanted to let you know that I’m sorry for the way I treated you and for my actions. Bailey was never meant to be mine, no matter how much I wanted her to be. I will be in my daughters’ lives and Bailey’s by default. I’ll be at family barbecues and such. You should know that if you pursue a relationship with her, I promise to be on my best behavior—no more lies and or manipulation.”

He holds out his hand for me to shake. I eye it warily but slide my palm into his. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Name it. I owe you one for all the pain I caused you. I was young and selfish, Finn, and thinking in the moment. I never thought about the impact in the long term.”

I squeeze his hand and pull him close, speaking in low tones. “Can you tell Bryce your plans? He’s your biggest advocate, and not a day goes by that I don’t beg God and say, ‘Hold me back!’”

Daniel laughs. “I can do that. I’ll also give you some fair warning. His sister, Amanda, has saved up to get a date with you tonight.”

I cringe. “How much?”

“Enough to buy a used car?” he jokes. His smile fades, and his tone becomes serious. “I can’t change the past, Finn, but I can promise a better future. I doubt we’ll ever be friends, but I’d like to be. At a minimum, I’d like for us to be cordial. The best way I know to do that is to ask for your forgiveness. If you can’t grant it, I understand.”

I embrace Daniel, and we give each other the three-pat ‘bro’ hug. “If you are truly remorseful, I forgive you. But it’s not my forgiveness that matters in the end. Why don’t you come to church next Sunday? I’ll save a seat for you.”

He smiles. “I might just take you up on that offer. Good luck with the auction. I hope you make a very lucky lady happy tonight.”

Bryce walks off the stage and notices that Daniel and I are standing side by side. He looks perplexed by the amicable expressions on our faces and then goes into full “Bryce” mode. “I just raked in $2,300, a record for the department. Beat that Hollister!”

“Tell me, Bryce, how much did your sister save to get a date with me?”

His eyes narrow. “She only has to beat the highest bidder; it doesn’t mean she has to spend everything.”

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