‘And she told me, in no uncertain terms, that my chance to play the protective father had passed. That if she wanted to go, she would go alone.’ He swallows. ‘She stopped taking my calls after that.’
A drop of rain lands on the windshield. The sky is a turbulent grey.
‘So that’s the story,’ Dad says after a minute of silence. ‘I keep hoping that one day she’ll forgive me for not stepping up the way I should’ve. Then I’ll work on forgiving myself.’
My heart is heavy with those words. ‘Maybe you should work on forgiving yourself anyway.’
He doesn’t reply.
Hunter comes out of the house and leans against the veranda post.
‘I still can’t believe you have a boyfriend,’ he says. ‘Must have been a fairly impressive play to win you over at that time in your life.’
‘It was impressive.’ My eyes are locked on Hunter’s. ‘He built me a swing.’
Dad frowns. ‘Kid’s making me look bad.’
I smile. ‘Thanks for the beer.’
He nods. ‘Anytime.’
I climb out, watch him drive away, then wander over to Hunter.
‘Do I have to burn the police station down?’ he asks as I approach.
I shake my head. ‘Not today.’
He searches my eyes. ‘What happened?’
‘Well, I had a birthday beer with my dad at the pub. Fairly sure the beer was VB.’
He winces. ‘Jesus, Annie. For a moment there I thought you were telling me a happy story.’
‘And I liked it.’
He throws his hands up. ‘This day just keeps getting worse.’
I smile and look up at the sky when a drop of rain hits my face.
‘It’s about to bucket down,’ Hunter said. ‘Come inside.’
My feet don’t move. ‘Fancy a walk?’
His eyebrows lift slightly, and then he looks up at the thunderous clouds swirling above us. ‘Sure.’ He steps off the veranda and takes my hand just as the heavens open up. ‘Let’s go.’