Page 70 of The Hang Up
The smile prepared me. Otherwise, I would’ve let the guilt settle in. “If I remember correctly, you weren’t interested in the zoo after age twelve.”
“Not that you would know.”
“Touché. But that’s not the real reason?” I guessed, giving him a sideways glance.
We moved on from the rhinos and walked around. The excited kids raced by us. The sounds of the animals calling to each other and splashing in the water. Sean bent down, making clucking noises to get the attention of the anteaters. No matter what Sean said, he enjoyed the zoo.
Sean stood up again. “This is one of Brock’s favorite places. I mean, he’ll tell you it’s for Angel, but honestly, he gets more excited about it than she does. It’s one of the things you might need to know about my best friend.”
“Noted.” I slipped my hands into my pockets. “I never intended to take your friend away—”
“Nope. We’re doing this my way. The other reason I brought you here is because you always get to pick. And the country club—I know you were trying, but I hate that place. I felt uncomfortable all through dinner.” He gave me a wry smile. “At the time, I thought that was intentional.”
I stopped and touched his arm. “You thought I was trying to make you uncomfortable?”
He shrugged. “At the time? Yes. But now I know you were just clueless.”
“Am I still clueless?”
“I mean,” he said with a grin, “if you have to ask…?”
I scratched my jaw. “I don’t have to ask. I’m clueless. Clueless when it comes to fixing us, and honestly, I’m clueless—” Would admitting this go too far?
“What?”
“Being in love. Making things work. I didn’t do so well with your mother. And I really can’t—I’m terrified I’m going to fuck this up.”
“Your record isn’t great.”
I shot him a look. “Thanks. Helpful.”
He shrugged. “But neither is mine. I’ve never been able to stick to anything. But Ben—we’ll make it work.”
“I like Ben. Not that you need my approval.”
The boards clanked as we walked across the small wooden bridge. Sean looked over at me. “One of the best things about Brock is his determination. He never gives up on anything.”
“That should work in my favor.”
“Jesus, Dad. It’s already worked in your favor. He told me—” He swallowed and tried again. “He’s been in love with you for years. I guess there’s something to be said for never giving up.”
We walked in silence for a while. He barely looked at the animals, which signaled he had something more to say. I waited. I was learning to be patient.
“I’ve never seen Brock this happy.” He glanced over at me. “You must be doing something right.”
I tried to play it cool. Or chill. Or whatever they said nowadays. But I couldn’t keep from smiling. Sean acknowledging that I made Brock happy? The fact that Brock was happy? Happier than he’d ever been. “Thanks, Sean. That means a lot.”
“Don’t get mushy on me.” He paused again, and this time, it seemed intentional. “You’ve talked to Mom.”
I nodded, even though he didn’t say it as a question. “That was fun.”
Victoria had called the day after the party. Wanting to know what the hell was going on. I told her she should have shown up. Then she proceeded to tell me I should’ve stopped at a Corvette, and as far as midlife crises go, this one was a doozy. And if I was going to have an affair with a twenty-five-year-old, I could have at least picked a hot supermodel instead of our son’s best friend. Bestguyfriend. “How do you think this makes me look? Did you think of that?”
“Not for a second,” I’d told her and ended the call.
Sean nodded. “She told me about it.”
“Sorry you had to deal with that.”
