Page 65 of Spotlight
“Good, most of the time.” He gives me a half grin. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the shit out of them, but they can’t help but treat me like a kid no matter how old I get.”
I realize the more he talks that I hadn’t really opened myself up to getting to know him before and now I want to know it all.
“How so?” I ask.
“I’m not sure how much Archer or Sabrina has told you, but my mom passed away when I was eight. After that, my brothers raised me. Knox, mostly. Hendrick was off at college and Archer and Brogan were only a few years older than me.”
“I’m sorry. That had to have been hard.”
“Thanks.” He bobs his head.
“What about your dad?” I ask him.
“We’re pretty close, yeah.”
“Really?” I asked the question, but I thought I knew the answer.
“Yeah. Why? What’d you hear?”
“Sabrina mentioned in passing once that Archer’s relationship with him was strained.”
“It is,” Flynn admits. “I’m the only one that has much to do with him. Archer’s been making a little effort, but Knox and Hendrick have basically written him off.”
“Why?” I ask, then think better of it. “Sorry. None of my business.”
“It’s okay.” He takes a bite of pizza and then sets the slice down.
I wait in suspense while he chews and then takes a drink of water.
“He wasn’t around much when we were kids. He drove a truck all around the country, sort of popped in and out when he could. Then when our mom died, he stepped in to take care of us. Or he tried. Dad didn’t know how to handle us. He hadn’t really ever done any of the parenting, and we were all a wreck after losing mom. I’m sure we didn’t make it easy on him. Anyway, he stuck it out for a while, but eventually he took off again. After that, we managed on our own.”
“And you forgave him?” I don’t mean for it to come out full of accusation and skepticism, but as a parent it’s hard for me to imagine leaving my kids to fend for themselves.
“You sound just like my brothers.” Flynn smiles at me. I try to see past it for any hint that he’s covering up pain underneath it, but he seems genuine.
“I’m not saying I agree with it or that I don’t wish he’d been around, but I guess I’ve made peace with it. He screwed up and made a lot of bad choices over the years, but he’s still my dad. I’d rather have him in my life now and in the future than hold on to resentment for the past.”
“Wow.”
“You think I’m naïve or stupid for forgiving him and expecting him not to disappoint me again?” he asks, then adds, “Trust me, I’ve heard it all. And I get it, but the thing is I know what it was like not having a relationship with him. If it’s a risk, then it’s one I’m willing to make. People change.”
“I don’t think you’re naïve or stupid.”
“No?” he asks, brows lifting and a smirk pulling at his lips.
“It’s incredibly pragmatic and far more understanding than most people would be to someone who hurt them like that. I don’t know what that was like, but I’m not sure I could be as forgiving.” The more I think about it the less I think I could do the same. I stare down at my plate as I wonder about Greer. Will she resent her father one day for not being around more?
Flynn’s knee bumps against mine gently. “You okay?”
“I was thinking about Greer’s dad and what her relationship will be like as she gets older. Right now, she adores him, but she’s starting to realize that she sees him less than other kids see their dad. I don’t want her to feel like she’s missing out, you know?”
“She’s not missing out. She has the best mom possible.”
I laugh softly. “Thanks.”
“I mean it. She’s a dope kid and you’re amazing with her. It’s sexy.”
“It’s sexy?” A far heartier laugh bubbles up in my chest.
