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She doesn't turn to look at ht"

My eyes slide to Max, who's looking flummoxed over what is clearly a tense, personal moment between me and the staff athletic trainer He raises his eyebrows at ive him a shake of my head and Vale pushes past him, out the door and toward the AT offices

Max holds his arms out in question "Dudewhat the hell was that?"

I let out a long breath of frustration before turningstory, it deserves a beer or two Interested?"

"Sure," he says with a set this next session set up with Vale and we can head out"

Chapter 16

Vale

"You okay in there?" I askroolued to the TV Our apartment is so small, I can speak in a normal voice and he'll hear me even with the volume of Jeopardy! at a moderate level

"For the fifth and hopefully last tiood Dandy Peachy keen Stop asking"

I snicker and slip the last dinner plate into the dishwasher I brought hi and I have to adood In fact, he probably could have come home yesterday, but out of an abundance of caution, Dr Furhht for soht while dad noshed on some low-sodium hospital chicken and I ate a questionable meatloaf from the cafeteria, atched the Cold Fury play their first hoame of the preseason on the flat-screen TV affixed to the wall I had offered to coame, but Bruce told me to stay with my dad I expect this is because they really don't need me anyway, because this job was pretty much created just for my dad's and my benefit But still, it's fortuitous that I can have some flexibility with Dad's illness

I was also a little grateful to avoid the opportunity to run into Haho has knottedbut up and down since we've crossed paths again We have a few days of polite existence, then we snap at each other We have phenoive cold shoulders We focus on the present but then get mired in the past

Up and down Up and down

It's been two days since I sake in the workout room True to his word, he came and visited ot to the hospital When my dad told me I had just missed him when I walked in, I was equal parts happy and disut further, and didn't lessen in the slightest as atched hiht He's been a tremendous addition to this team, and you can tell he's slotted in as sea fits in a custohtered the Florida Spartans 5-1 and Hawke got a shorthanded goal after poking away a poor pass atteed with adrenaline and joy over the play, even as s on Wednesday in the workout room

And I hadn't gotten Dad settled in his recliner thiswith the remote control in his hand for more than thirtyready to head out the door toand Dad answered it His voice was so damned buoyant and joyful when h

e said, "Hawke, my boy Great to hear from you"

Years have passed with bitter and bruised feelings in between, but my dad seems to have cast it all aside He's accepted Hawke back into his life as if they'd never lost touch I'd like to do the same too, but that just hasn't been achieved as of yet

I wonder if it ever will be

Whileht--I loitered around, eavesdropping My dad recognized this as he shot a glance over atslared at him, and then stomped out of the room

I close the dishwasher door, the reue arorab my cell phone from the kitchen table and head back to my bedroom to call Avery She and I text each other pretty much every day, but we do try to touch base by phone at least once a week

When the ho text A quick tap of er on the icon and I see it's from Todd

Just checking in to see how you're doing How's Dave?

Dear, sweet Todd

We've talked by phone once since we parted ways, and he's sent s off with him, he's still kept in touch with me He said, "I'm still your friend, Vale"

And I suppose that's true, but I can tell he's harboring hope we'll somehow make this work While I don't have any romantic interest in him now that I've broken ties, I don't hate him I don't dislike him On the contrary, I still very much like and adht being friends with an ex is possible, it see a valiant atteain, I think he has an ulterior ive him false hope

I shoot a quick text back We're both good Home from hospital and all settled in How are you?

I don't wait for Todd to respond It's still working hours for a dentist and he normally doesn't leave his clinic until after six pm I'm sure he's armpit deep in cavities at this moment

Instead, I dial Avery and she picks up on the third ring "Your da on my last nerve She's just eaten the third pair of Thomas's socks this week She's a menace, I tell you"

"That's all on you, sweetie," I tell her with a laugh "If you'd put the socks in the laundry basket when you took them off his little feet, Piper wouldn't be inclined to eat them"