Page 65 of Reckless Curves
“DON’T FUCKIN TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!BARGE IN THERE.”
Tom recoiled and almost fell off his barstool. His ears rang as he stared at Sully.
Sully pointed at him. “If you love her fight for her. No one said love was easy. If it was, we’d all be loved up. All I know is that when you find that special someone you let nothing push or pull you apart. She loves you so much. She’s hurting and she’s scared. So go to her. Find a way. Make her listen and understand you’ll be there when things get scary. She doesn’t have to do everything on her own anymore.”
Tom slid back on the stool but didn’t get too close to Sully in case he started yelling again. He was right. Since her scare with cancer, Kendra always believed she had to do everything on her own. She’d protected him and Marcus by not revealing Connor’s father, and she’d refused to bow to her parent’s pressure. She’d done it all on her own.
Well, she wasn’t on her own now.
“Now, about your dad. That’s a bitch and a half, but it ain’t your fault, son.”
Tom shook his head. “I should’ve listened to Sam and reconciled with Dad as soon as I found out he was sick. Dad tried, but I wouldn’t listen and meet him half way.”
Sully grunted. “Hindsight is a bitch. Can’t blame yourself, just like I don’t blame my kids for not believing me. Josh and Lindsey are starting to trust me more, but not Will. He’s old enough to remember the worst of it. Just like you. It was easier for Sam to forgive your dad because he didn’t go through the stuff you did. You had every reason to not believe that Vincent had changed. He told you he would, but never did.”
Tom shrugged. “Then how come I feel so guilty? I could’ve saved him, Sully.”
“Coulda, woulda, shoulda. You’ll drive yourself crazy with that. Maybe your dad didn’t want to ask you to be tested becausehefelt too guilty. None of that matters now, Tom. What matters is how you spend the time you have left with Vincent? Are you going to sit around whining or are you going to make the most of it?”
Tom said nothing as he looked at all the booze just mere feet from him. Thinking about Kendra and Connor, Tom knew that if he was to have any chance at lasting happiness, he had to resist temptation. One drink would lead to two, and two would lead to five, and so on. Their faces rose in Tom’s mind and he couldn’t, wouldn’t put them through the same hell he’d endured as a kid. Kendra would then have the excuse she needed to push him away. He wouldn’t make that easy for her.
Grim determination took hold of him, and he looked at his friend. “Sully, I’ve made up my mind.”
Sully arched an eyebrow. “Oh? What are you going to do?”
Tom got off the stool and stood tall. “I will go see my woman and look out anyone who stands in my way.”
“Attaboy!” Sully clapped his shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.”
