Page 82 of Embers in Our Souls
“You got it. Clay, River?”
“Same, please,” they both answer.
“I’ll take a water, please,” Malloy answers. “I’m driving these guys.”
We all settle in and begin prepping for lunch. Soon, I see Darth come out of his little hiding spot, probably getting used to the noise.
“What the fuck is that?” River yells, nearly spitting his beer out.
I look over, my brows knitting. “Um, a cat. You’ve seen one before, right?”
“When the hell did you get a cat? And why?” He looks disgusted. “I told you to get a dog, Hunter. A DOG!” He mouths it like I’m not comprehending words anymore.
“Yes, River. I understand the difference. I didn’t go out and get a cat. This is Indiana and Noah’s cat. I’m watching him for them. Her parents are in town and her mom isn’t a cat person. His name is Darth.”
Now everyone looks confused. “Like Darth Vader?” Ashton questions.
“Yes.” I roll my eyes. Seriously, why they named the cat Darth is really beyond me. I think people think the feline will be a terror due to the name. Plus, the cat is as white as snow.
“Noah is a huge Star Wars fan, and he wanted to name the cat something unique. So here we are.”
“Huh, I sort of admire that,” Malloy says.
“Yeah, he’s super cool,” I say.
“Did you two tell him you’re dating yet?” Clay asks me.
“No. We’re telling him after her parents leave. We thought we’d let her parents head out first, because if her parents are anything like they were when we were growing up, they’d want to see me and honestly—baby steps. They weren’t my biggest fans years ago.” I take a sip of my beer.
“Why? You’re not giving yourself enough credit, Hunter,” River says, pointing his beer in my direction.
“Listen, I know you see this version of me today, but I wasn’t this stellar person”—I puff out my chest— “who seemed put together back then.” I wink for added effect.
I get a few chuckles from the guys, but River gives me a stern look. “Seriously, though. Why wouldn’t they accept you now? You’re an adult and you’ve got your shit together.”
“The version Indiana’s parents knew of me back then was the kid from the trailer park with loser parents. I was the kid that barely made the grades, skipped class, and rode his motorcycle to school.” I still feel that pang of insecurity creep up when I think about my past and Indy’s parents.
“The motorcycle part hasn’t changed,” River chimes in with a smile on his face. “I’m still not wrapping my head around the fact that they won’t accept you today. You are a good fit for her and she for you. And it’s not up to them.”
“I guess I just feel insecure still for things in my past. Yes, I should let it go, but I feel it when I think of them. So, when she told me they were coming this weekend, I thought it best to postpone telling them. My parents did a number on me, but Indy’s parents’ opinion of me had a significant effect on how I felt for years. I truly saw myself as worthless. Like I wasn’t good enough for her.”
“She’s done quite well for herself,” Malloy states. “But part of that is because of you. She wouldn’t be where she is if it weren’t for the way you pushed her to be independent. There’s a lot to be said about that.”
“She has. But people like them just like to point fingers at all the mistakes I’ve made, and they only remember where I came from. I’m an easy person to blame for the problems that exist between them and their daughter. That being said, we want to keep the blowback from affecting Noah. We’re going to tell him once they leave. My goal is to move forward with Indy, without much drama if possible.” I feel a tightness in my chest because everything I ever wanted feels like it’s right at my fingertips. Like I’m finally at that point where I’ve always dreamed of reaching with her.
“I’m happy for you man,” Malloy says, grabbing my shoulder and squeezing. “Just remember you deserve to be happy.”
“Thanks,” I tell him. “I’m excited to tell Noah. He’s a good kid and I want to get to know him better. The little bit she’s told me and that I’ve gotten to see, I already like him so damn much. I’ll be pumped to see a different side to him as we get to spend more time together.”
“Then you should definitely get the kid a dog,” River says.
“Give it up, Riv.” Clay rolls his eyes.
I laugh. “No way, not after that disaster with that hump-fest from the foster place.”
“That was a fluke, Hunter! Look at my sweet Lola! She’s an angel,” River continues.
“Seriously, Riv. Enough,” Clay says, as if he’s talking to his own child, and not his brother.
