“Just missin’ my family. That’s all.”
She raised her brow. “You stayin’ here with us?”
“I plan to stay at my mother’s tonight.” Tanner looked over at me. “But I’m hoping Presley will change her mind and let me crash here eventually, if she still has the space by then. I know she has a lot going on, so I’m not pushing anything.”
“Yeah…” Fern snickered. “It is a little crowded at the moment. You being here might be too much for Presley to ménage—” She shook her head. “I mean, manage.”
Ugh! Sure you did. I glared at her, and she seemed to get the message.
“Well, enjoy your stay wherever you end up sleeping.” She winked. “I just came to say hello and see what all the excitement was about.”
Levi gritted his teeth, looking ready to explode.
Relief washed over me when Fern went back to her room.
Levi left the kitchen soon after and made himself scarce the rest of the day. He told Tanner he had to meet someone, but I suspected he just needed to blow off some steam in private. It wasn’t like we could vent to each other with Tanner right under our noses.
Tanner said he wanted to go with me to pick up Alex. It happened to be the last day of camp, and I knew he was going to be so surprised to see his dad. As much as Tanner showing up here unannounced was jarring, I was happy and excited for my son—as long as this didn’t turn out to be another disappointment.
As Tanner and I packed into my car, I made a mental decision not to give in regarding my decision about him staying at The Palm. He could sleep at his mother’s for as long as she would have him. I knew Alex would likely push for him to stay with us, but I needed to stand my ground.
As I drove toward the park, Tanner placed his hand lightly on my leg.
“It’s so good to see you,” he said.
I abruptly shifted my leg away.
“I’m sorry,” he said after a moment. “It feels so unnatural not to touch you. But I crossed a line there.”
“Yes, you did,” I shot back.
“I don’t expect anything except for you not to shut me out, Presley. You don’t have to say a damn thing to me or pretend to be happy to see me. Just don’t tell me to disappear, even if that’s what I deserve.”
I kept my eyes on the road. “I wouldn’t do that, and you know it.”
“I do know. Because you’re a fucking sweetheart who’s always been too damn good to me.” He leaned his head back on the seat. “You know, when I got off the plane this morning and stepped outside into the balmy air, it felt like I’d woken up out of a nightmare in a way. I’ve been stuck in this rut for so long that I’ve forgotten who I really am. And in that moment—smelling the air—I felt a hint of who I used to be. So much of who I am comes from this place. It didn’t take long for me to understand why you wanted to come back here.”
“Well, I’m glad you get it now because you were less than understanding when I told you I was coming back.”
“I know I was. And I apologize—for that and so many other things.”
I gripped the steering wheel. “How many times are you going to apologize to me, Tanner?”
“As many fucking times as I need to,” he shouted before lowering his voice. “Do you know how much it hurts to see the disappointment in your eyes when you look at me? And to know I deserve every bit of it? When I look at you, Presley, I see everything I’ve ever wanted and every mistake I’ve ever made all rolled into one.”
When I finally glanced over at him, his eyes were glistening. There was absolutely no doubt he was being honest. Perhaps I might not have felt so sorry for him if I hadn’t been having an affair with his brother. But somehow, I did feel sorry for him.
I also felt sorry for Levi. He’d been in denial more than I had about the implications of our getting involved—about how hard it would be when the time came to face Tanner. I think his shutting down today proved how difficult the reality was going to be. Neither of us was prepared for this.
When we arrived at camp, my thoughts took a backseat to the excitement of anticipating my son’s reaction. The moment Alex spotted his father walking next to me in the distance, his eyes widened. It was priceless when the realization hit.
“Dad?” I could see him mouth before he came running toward us.
Tanner held his arms open. “It’s me, bud.”
“Dad!” Alex ran faster, into his father’s arms.
Tanner closed his eyes as he hugged Alex tightly. When he opened them, a lone tear fell.
Jesus. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen Tanner cry. He’d looked emotional in the car a minute ago, but I certainly hadn’t expected him to cry. And he wasn’t the only one in tears. My son was crying, too.
Alex seemed understandably confused. “What are you doing here?”
“What do you think I’m doing here? I came to see you.”
He wiped his eyes. “Really?”
“Really.” Tanner kissed Alex on the forehead. “And I’m not leaving anytime soon either, okay?”
Alex took a few seconds to let that soak in before his mouth curved into a smile. “This is the best day ever.”
“For me, too, believe me.”
“You’re staying with us at The Palm Inn, right? With me and Mom and Uncle Levi?”
Tanner opened his mouth, looking like he didn’t know how to answer.
No. I’m not going to bend on this. “Actually, your dad is staying with Grandma,” I told him.
My son frowned. “Why?”
Tanner’s eyes met mine. “Your mom has a lot on her plate right now, son, with the house and all. She’s trying to fix up all the rooms. She doesn’t need me in the way. But don’t worry, it won’t change us getting to hang out.”
Alex looked to me. “Mom, can Dad please stay with us? He won’t be in the way. He can stay in my room.”
“I don’t think so, Alex.”
Alex pleaded. “Please.”
The sad look on his face hit me straight in the heart. My son never asked me for much. He’d put up with a lot, given the mess of a relationship his father and I had. Am I really being fair to him?
“I suppose…we can make room for your dad,” I said, swallowing the anxiety uttering those words brought on.
“You sure?” Tanner asked. When I nodded, he mouthed, “Thank you.”
I was pretty sure I’d just made a huge mistake. But I’d do anything for Alex, and that proved it.
***
Levi was home when we returned to the inn.
Alex couldn’t wait to tell him about Tanner staying with us.
“Uncle Levi, Dad is staying with us. Isn’t that the best news ever?”
Levi’s eyes darted to me. Frowning, I did my best to offer a silent apology.
And he did his best to pretend he was happy about it as he forced a smile. “That’s amazing news, buddy.”
Tanner ruffled Alex’s hair. “Last I recall, your favorite food is pizza. Is that still correct?”
“Well, now it’s pizza and Iggy’s fried chicken.”
“Ah. You discovered Iggy’s, did ya?”