Page 12 of Forever Inn Love

“It’s been a lot of work, but it beats living above the shop.”

“I bet. Quieter, too.”

I look out the large picture windows of the cabin and stare off at the mountain and tree line. “It’s definitely peaceful and quieter out here.” For years, when I was on deployment, the thought of coming back here and building this cabin got me through. Dreaming of this view and a life here are what gave me hope.

“The boys and I had fun watching the game last week,” Ty says, interrupting my thoughts.

Caleb is Evan’s nephew, his sister Allie’s kid, and Kase is Ty’s stepson. They are all close friends and live on the Golden Gable Inn property. Kase’s mom is the head housekeeper at the inn and new to Freedom Valley since I’ve been back.

It’s wild to think that so many people I went to high school with now have families. I used to think about what it would be like to have a family. I didn’t grow up with a mom or anyone other than my dad, the motorcycle club he belongs to, and Goldie. I didn’t have the classic childhood like the Harpers had. I don’t even know if I would know how to be a dad, but mine was pretty great. My parents had me when they were fifteen. My mom took off with my little sister a few years after that and never came back for me. I don’t think my dad knew how to be a dad, but he did his best. I’m thirty, and he’s forty-five now. We’re still close. As for my mom and sister? We don’t have a relationship, and I have two core memories with my mom. Both were disappointing. I’ve just realized that these are the family cards I’ve been dealt. And I play with the small hand that I have. I hold the cards that matter closest to me. The ones that don’t? I discard, just like my mother tossed me aside all those years ago. She no longer matters.

Evan looks over. “The boys haven’t stopped talking about how they’ll play for the Eagles someday. I don’t have the heart to tell them it will be at least a good decade before they’re old enough. But you might still be coaching then,” Evan jokes.

“Next time you come to a game, bring them down to the field so they can meet the players. I’m really proud of the team and how they’re playing this season,” I add as I reach for a piece of pizza. I look over at the boys, lost in conversation with each other as they stare at Ty’s phone. They’re quietly watching some show while eating. They seem like great kids.

“They’d love that,” Ty says, opening the second pizza box.

“Hey, did you know that this is the last week Molly and Frank are running Freedom Pie? They sold it, and the new owner takes over next week,” Ty says. “I’ll be sad to see them go.”

“Yeah, their daughter Holly is staying in the loft at the garden shed right now at the inn. She lost her home and her job when they suddenly decided to sell. It was a shock to her. She’s working a temp job right now while she tries to figure things out.”

“That’s too bad,” I say, surprised to hear this news.

“I know. But I hope things stay the same at Freedom Pie. I love that place,” Evan says.

“I think my dad and I lived on their pizzas growing up.” I laugh.

“When are they finally going to make you coach? After all the speculation, I hear Coach Murphy’s retirement is official. It must be a dream come true for him to get you in there to replace him,” Evan remarks.

I hesitate with his kind words, but I still sometimes feel like an impostor. I appreciate hearing Evan’s thoughts on this. I’ve been wondering what the rest of the town thinks of me now. In high school, I was a starting player for Freedom Valley. But off the field, I wasn’t as accepted. As the son of a biker, some people thought of me as the town trash. Now, all these years later, I wonder how they see me. Am I still just the trashy son of a biker? The broken guy who came back from the Army? I’ve been trying to figure out how I fit in a town that never accepted me. Sometimes being back feels like high school 2.0, and I don’t want to go through that again. Once was enough, thank you very much.

I take a bite of pizza and chew before I respond, thinking about what to say.

“No clue, I’ve been waiting for months. I’m a volunteer coach as of now. They know I’m interested, and Coach Murphy says he’s brought me up at every meeting. I guess I’m just waiting to hear whether it’s a go.”

“It would be ridiculous for them not to hire you, especially after you’ve already done so much for the team,” Evan points out.

“Seems like a natural fit to me,” Ty adds as he hands each boy a napkin.

“We’ll see.” I don’t say it, but I’m worried it won’t happen. I’m already volunteering. Why would they buy the cow if they’re already getting the milk for free? But it’s not about the money. Sure, I would love the job, but I have my doubts at this point.

“How are things with Mellie and Kase?” I change the subject. Ty’s worked at my dad’s shop for a while now, and he’s a good mechanic. He’s around my age and has become a good friend.

“Good,” he says with a stupid grin. “I can’t imagine life without either of them now,” he says, looking over at Kase.

“He’s got it bad,” Evan ribs him.

Ty shrugs with a grin. “When you know, you know.”

I’ve seen the way Mellie and Ty look at each other. You can tell they love each other. Mellie brings Ty lunch at the shop. And I’ve seen them around town holding hands and out to dinner as a family. A weird sensation comes over me when I think about having my own family. I want that. I think I always have, but I’ve shoved it down and tried not to think about it. I had a few long-term relationships in the military, but nothing serious beyond that. There was no one I could see myself marrying except for the one woman I ruined everything with. Callie.

She was my person.

“Speaking of,” Evan hedges, “what about you? Maybe we can put you on a dating app or something. That’s the only way we’re going to get you out there since you rarely get out.”

I roll my eyes and groan. “Have you been talking to my dad?”

“No.” He laughs. “Just want you to be happy, man. Have what we have.”

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