Page 26 of The Seal's Promise
“I guess some things don’t change,” Dalton said, holding out his hand in greeting.
Tyler folded his arms over his chest as a rebuff to Dalton’s attempt to be a grown-up.
“So you’re back in town and trying to pick up where you left off, is that it, Dalton? Only to find someone took your place while you were gone?” Tyler asked, one side of his mouth lifting.
“What’s that mean?” Max said. “Hey, Dad, are you in town for business again or to see my big game?”
Tyler looked down as if he just realized Max was standing there.
“I’m always doing business, Max, you’ll learn one day when you’re old enough. Real men always have business to do.”
“Hey, Max, are you getting a pregame snack? Come on, I’ll help you pick out the least healthy option,” Miles said after stepping out of the coffee shop and quickly reading the energy.
Dalton was disappointed in himself for not having a better instinct to shelter Max from this. And he had to applaud Miles Banks for stepping in.
“Are you coming to the game or not?” Brooke asked. “Max will be really hurt knowing you were in town and didn’t bother to show up.”
Her tone was soft, as if she had to try to gently convince Max’s dad to pay attention to him.
“Yah, looks like I’ll be at the game. Maybe I need to keep a better eye on things, or you might let some stray start playing my part.”
Dalton gritted his teeth.
“You don’t have any say on who I spend my time with. But you’re welcome to participate in Max’s life.”
Tyler just looked between Brooke and Dalton and then laughed. “Whatever. You may as well have her now that I already took what I needed.”
It happened so fast, his reaction was so visceral, that in the blink of an eye he stepped so close to Tyler he knocked the ball cap off his head and his chest bumped Tyler’s. He’d always known Tyler was a weak person, but the fact that he would speak about the mother of his child like she was a used object he was done playing with was going too far. And Dalton saw red.
“Don’t ever speak about her like that again, and definitely not around Max, or you’ll regret it.”
Tyler was surprised enough not to talk back until he got some space between them. “I’ll talk any way I want, and if you touch me again, you’ll regret it.” Then he walked away toward a flashy red sports car parked on Main Street.
“You can’t antagonize him like that, it’ll only make him meaner,” Brooke said, walking past him to go inside the coffee shop.
But Dalton stayed to watch as Tyler punched his steering wheel before he revved his engine and sped off.
“Making friends, I see,” Wes said, walking up from behind him.
“This town is too small,” Dalton said.
“Already getting the itch to leave? That was fast.”
“No, I just mean I’d like to go the rest of my life and not see that idiot ever again.”
Wes grunted. “Come on, I’ll let you buy me a coffee.”
They found Miles sitting with Max and Brooke, but Dalton could see it would be awkward for Brooke if he tried to join them. And now his brother was lingering. So, he settled for a fancy coffee while they chatted with May for a bit. Just when Dalton thought he better let things rest with Brooke, Max came over with chocolate smeared on his face from the cookie he’d just had.
“Don’t forget we’re going to the batting cages next—I just have to wash my hands, Mom says.” Then he walked off.
“I’m not even going to say it,” Wes said.
“Good, don’t, because I don’t need any lectures from you. I’m just getting reacquainted with an old friend.”
“Uh-huh. My deputy said he saw you and Brooke getting reacquainted in your new truck the other night in the rain.”
“Your deputy needs to practice a bit more discretion.”
