I take a deep breath. I feel like I should be more shocked. That this should be a huge revelation, and I should be reeling from it.
But the truth is…this makes the most sense of anything.
This all feels very true. This sounds like the Scott Hansen I thought I knew. The Scott Hansen I wanted to be real.
“So can you get past all of this for Mia?” Jack asks.
That’s the question.
My feelings about Scott still feel muddled, but I do feel better.
“I think Scott and I need a chance to spend time together, maybe get to know each other again,” I say. “Without my attitude getting in the way.”
Jack smiles as if he’s proud of me. “That’s a good idea. It won’t be hard to show Scott that you’re a good guy who will treat his daughter well.”
Fuck. I run a hand over my face again. This would be easier if I were just trying to extend an olive branch to Scott for the sake of our jobs or the town or even my own peace of mind.
Involving Mia makes it a really big deal.
But… “Yeah, I need to try for her,” I say.
“I think I know the perfect thing,” Charlie says. “He and a bunch of other guys in uniform—a couple of cops, firefighters, EMTs—are working down at the park to redo the picnic structure and skate park. They’re tearing down the old structure that has all the graffiti and stuff on it. The one no one ever uses.”
“That thing’s been there since we were kids,” Jack says. “I don’t think it’s ever even been painted.”
I know it hasn’t. It’s at the back of the park, past the baseball fields and swimming pool. There are newer ones toward the entrance to the park that get a lot more use. The structure they’re talking about hasn’t hosted a picnic in years. But it’s hosted lots of drinking, smoking, and fighting. I know firsthand.
“Yeah, it’s pretty beat up by now,” Charlie says. “They’re taking it out and building a new one. They raised the money for it last fall.” He looks at me. “You should go help with that. Scott is heading it up. You’d fit right in.”
I automatically try to come up with a reason not to. It’s my knee-jerk reaction, though, and I catch myself. I nod. “Yep, that sounds perfect. A community service project means we won’t be alone and won’t have to talk a lot, but we’ll spend time together, and I can make that first move toward cooperation.”
“There you go,” Jack says, looking proud. “Great idea.”
“Yeah, get down there and charm the guy,” Charlie says with a grin. “He’ll be begging you to date his daughter.”
I don’t grin. Or laugh. Or even nod.
Because this is going to require swallowing my pride and being nice to Scott. Probably even smiling at him.
And there’s a good chance he still won’t think I’m good enough for Mia.
But then I remember how she felt snuggled against me during the movie. How amazing she was telling me where and how she wanted me to touch her. How funny and sweet she is. How fucking much fun I’ve had since we’ve been hanging out.
And yeah…I can swallow my pride and be nice.
I’ll even bring the guy coffee.
“Just don’t go in there and start telling him how you think he should do things,” Charlie says. “Let him lead the project. Let him be in charge.”
I frown. “Of course. It’s his project. I’m cool.”
“It’s just that…” Charlie trails off.
“What?” I ask.
“There was just a lot of talk at the city council meetings about it. One side wanted to turn it into a big picnic pavilion with built-in grills and bathrooms and stuff.”
How had I missed this?
