Law #3: Don't Fall for the Athlete: Sweet Second Chance Romance (Laws of Love) Agnes Canestri (books like harry potter .TXT) 📖

Still, if I keep meeting my father, and if he keeps acting like he does today, they might just get cauterized.

Mom steps over to us and puts a hand on my shoulder. “We have an exceptional son, Mason.”

My father smiles. “I know we do. It’s not to my credit that he turned out the person he is, but I promise I’ll do my best to help him stay on the right course for the rest of his life.”

For the next few hours, we continue to page through the album, reviving memories and addressing subjects I never thought I’d ever speak about with my father.

Dad tells me about his own childhood and the cruel ways he and his brother would get disciplined by his old man—a grandfather I’ve never met. His tale doesn’t sound like an attempt to rationalize why he too used his belt to teach me manners. Instead, it’s a tentative step to make me see him as a person instead of an evil stick figure.

I think I need this reminder.

While the pie is baking, Mom joins us. With her present, the conversation becomes lighter and sunnier. I can honestly, and surprisingly, say we’re having a good time chatting.

By the time I finally remember that I still have a long journey ahead, we’ve eaten two-thirds of the pastry Mom prepared, and it’s already getting dark outside.

“I really should go now,” I say, blinking at my watch.

Mom shakes her head. “In the dusk? Why don’t you sleep here and continue your trip tomorrow?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t mind driving in the dark. I’d prefer to get back to Atlanta as soon as possible.”

I keep quiet about the fact that even if I stayed, I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Every time I close my eyes, Ellie’s face pops into my head.

Mom sighs. “Fine, then. Let me just run over to Martha’s and tell her you’re leaving. She insisted on saying goodbye to you, too.”

Mom hurries out the back entrance that leads directly to our garden.

Dad and I both straighten. When I glance at him, I catch him observing me.

“What’s the matter?” I ask.

He swallows, as if afraid to speak up, then clears his throat. “Son, I know I can’t claim to know you well. Not after the many years we’ve spent apart. But your voice had an odd undertone when you said you wanted to drive back to Atlanta.”

I jerk back. “Odd, how?”

My dad shrugs. “Don’t know. Like your heart and mind were split. Like you don’t really want to go but feel compelled to do it.”

My throat dries out. “That’s exactly how I feel. How did you know?”

He sighs. “I know a lot about a life that isn’t aligned with your soul’s desire.” He shakes his head, then taps me on the shoulder. “I’m far from being your confidant, but I’ll gladly listen.”

I’m not sure why I do, but I tell him about Ellie.

My description is succinct and factual, especially when I touch upon how I landed in anger management therapy. Still, Dad seems to discern the essence easily.

“So you’re in love, son?”

“I am. But Ellie isn’t ready to give me a second chance. She says she’s over us.”

My father twists his lips from left to right. “That girl seemed anything but over you when we met at the dance. She looked worried sick about you.”

“That’s because she was my therapist. She—”

“Ah, nonsense.” My dad waves. “I’ve been around enough shrinks while detoxing to recognize when a person is invested emotionally or is only performing his duty. Our sweet Ellie wasn’t just preoccupied about the impact our meeting would have on your treatment. She feared for you. That, my dear boy, is a sign of love.”

Love? No, not possible.

Then again, hadn’t Devon said the same thing?

“Her brother said she lied to me about her feelings. Dev thinks Ellie’s just too afraid of getting burned again.”

“It sounds much more plausible to me.” Dad nods.

The memory of the kiss I shared with Ellie floods my mind.

If I’m honest, I, too, felt that Ellie still cares for me deeply. I tasted it in the way her lips melted with mine. That’s why I didn’t even factor in Bill when I dared to ask her my question.

Could my friend and my father be right?

Was her lack of faith the real motive for pushing me away?

“If Ellie isn’t over me but still doesn’t want to be with me, it’s even worse,” I mumble. “It means I’ve hurt her so deeply she can’t trust me.”

My father clicks his tongue. “Or it means that she’s a cautious one. Just like you.”

When I raise my brows, my father chuckles. “What was your first reaction when you heard I’d like to re-enter your life. Never again, right?”

“Pretty much.”

“Still, we’re here now, aren’t we?” He smiles. “Ellie needs to realize that she has nothing to fear.”

“I told her I’d never hurt her again!” I exclaim. “Still, she didn’t want me.”

“Told, yes.” My father nods. “But showed?”

I gawk at him while my heart jumps to my throat.

He catches my bewildered gaze and says, “I’m not kidding myself, son. I know that today doesn’t mean we’ve instantly become two peas in a pod. Or that your mother is ready to take me back as her husband. If I want those privileges again, I must build my way back to them. Brick by brick.”

“What are you saying?” I feel slightly dizzy.

“If you want Ellie to believe you, show her you mean it seriously this time around. Don’t let your words do the heavy lifting for you. Use actions. And be patient.”

I shake my head. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin. She’s been so clear she doesn’t want me.”

“May I offer a starting point?” When I don’t answer, Dad adds, “Think about what makes Ellie feel insecure about you. Tackle that doubt, first. Smash it with all you’ve got.”

We look up as the kitchen door opens and Mom and Martha enter.

After I say goodbye to everyone and promise Mom I’ll pull over as