“Godhelp that girl,” she grumbled, shaking her head.
“Yeah,well, God helpmeif she turns me down,” I said, equally solemn, and herstern lines softened.
“She’dbe crazy if she does,” she said gently. Then, clearing her throat, she lookedback to her crossword puzzle. “Your grandfather is in the game room.”
“Of coursehe is,” I said, drumming my exit against thecounter and I took a step back before heading down the hallway, scented withammonia and age.
Rememberinghow long it had been since I walked that hall, made the guilt course through mybloodstream. I wasn’t a selfish man—never had been—but those months sincemeeting Richard had made me unrecognizable to myself.
Ifound I didn’t like me very much anymore.
Oneof the nurses spotted me and her jaw dropped. “Oh my God, Devin!”
Therewere things I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to hear again, and my name, spoken asthough I were more important than the Pope, was one of them. My spinelockedand my feet froze as I turned to her, immediatelyexpecting her to rush forward with a demand for an autograph, or a request tospend the night with me. But instead, she reached out, touching her hand to theelbow of Billy’s jacket, and smiled genuinely.
“It’ssogood to see you again. Your grandpa has missed you a lot.”
Fuck,to be treated like a normal person … it blocked my throat with the strength ofmy happiness and I coughed, nodding. “Yeah, I bet.”
“He’llbe so glad to see you,” she said, smiling again before tending to anotherpatient I recognized, but who no longer recognized me.
Alot can happen in just a short period of time. I knew that now.
Iturned into the game room and spotted Billy immediately. Not in front of thechess board, but stationed at the television, cane clutched between hisweathered hands. Approaching him, I considered surprising him, and then, Ithought better of it. Giving the old man a heart attack wasn’t something Iwanted on my conscience, so instead, I pulled up a chair beside him and satdown. I waited for him to acknowledge me, and when he did … well, shit.
Hisdulled eyes widened and sparkled as he let the cane go, letting it clatter tothe floor. One hand came up to press against my cheek. “Devin! You’re back!”
“Yeah,Grandpa,” I said, and his hand rounded to the back of my neck.
Pullingme closer, he pressed his forehead against mine and pat my cheek with hisopposite hand. “I’ve missed you so much, kid.”
Reciprocating,I pressed both hands to his cheeks and nodded. “I missed you too. But don’tworry—I’m not leaving again for a while.”
“Gotit out of your system for now?” he asked, hesitantly pulling away, composinghimself.
Ilaughed. “Yeah, you can say that. Some things are more important than thosefifteen minutes of fame, you know?”
Hiseyes twinkled. “I do.”
“Andbesides, who the hell is going to kick your ass in chess?”
Hisfeathery browsliftedand his mouth quirked. “You’vebeen practicing?”
Ilaughed, shaking my head. “Hell no, I’m just kidding, but hey, Ms. Scottactually smiled at me, so I figured anything could happen at this point.”
?
Iparked the truck five minutes before closing and watched Brooke leave onTrent’s arm. Trent caught sight of me and he turned to Brooke to say something,before heading across the street to the only parking lot in the main streetvicinity.
Irolled down the window. “Hey asshole.”
“Whatthe fuck, man? I was coming over here to be nice and you have to get allcocky.”
“Ididn’t want it to get weird,” I said, smiling my sincerity.
Henodded, dropping his gaze to his feet. “Well, brace yourself,‘causeuh … I’ve missed you, dude. I wish you had been herewhen, you know,” and he put his arm around Brooke’s waist.
Inodded, feeling guilty for not making him a priority when I should have. “Iknow, and hey, congratulations. Sorry I never called you back. I’m a piece ofshit.”
