God, how many candles did I blow out hoping my dad would show up? How many times did I wish on him on a shooting star? I understand what she means by wanting him because I’ve been there. The only difference is I had a mother and brother who I knew would always be there for me and never allowed me to feel like I was missing out.
“Maybe we can talk to your caseworker and see if we can test your DNA. Maybe we can find some of your dad’s family that way. How does that sound?”
“Can we really do that?”
“I don’t know, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.”
Shelby throws herself into me and wraps her arms around my waist. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
I laugh softly. “Don’t thank me yet. I don’t know if I can make it happen.”
But I’ll try. I’ll try to get all of these kids what they want. Even if it kills me.
* * *
Tapping my pen against my list, I look down at the names I’ve written down so far.
Cora, Grace, and Clay.
Who the hell else do I need to make amends with? Who do I actually care to make amends with?
“Hey, man, what are you doing?” Wyatt asks as he slides into the chair across from me.
“I’m making a list. What are you doing here?”
Wyatt raises a brow and looks around the library.
“Okay, stupid question.” I laugh quietly.
“Nah, man. It’s all good. I just got done with a study group, and I saw you, so I thought I would come see what you were up to.”
“Not much other than staring at this piece of paper.”
“Do you want to go grab a burger or something?”
My stomach rumbles, reminding me I haven’t had anything to eat in a couple of hours. “Sure, why not.”
Quickly I pack up my shit and we head outside. “Do you want to drive or should I?”
“My Jeep is right there.” He points toward one that’s parked right up front.
“Nice.”
We get in, and while he starts to drive, I look around the Jeep. “This thing is way cleaner than my truck.”
Wyatt laughs. “Yeah, I’m not a fan of messes.”
“And yet you live in a house full of guys.”
“And a girl. Grace lives with us.”
“Wait, she lives with you guys?”
Wyatt looks over at me for a second before looking back at the road. “Is that a problem?”
“No, not at all. I knew she was living off campus, but I swore she told my mom she got her own place.”
He nods. “Ah, yeah. That was the deal she made with her dad. She could live with us as long as she didn’t tell everyone she was living with a bunch of guys. He didn’t want people to get the wrong idea.”
