Wasted Words by Staci Hart

“Okay.”

She ruffled my hair, and I angled to get away from her. “Missed you, bub.”

I smiled at the nickname — short for Bubba and much preferred. “You too, sis.”

“We’ll hang tomorrow night after the game. You’re coming out, right?”

I raised a brow. “Can I avoid it?”

She laughed. “Nope. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Mom smiled and sighed. “All my babies under the same roof. You don’t think you’ll miss it, but you do.”

Dad chuckled, and she patted his arm.

“I’ll leave you boys to catch up. Don’t stay up too late, all right?”

“No promises,” Dad said.

She tsked. “You’ve got a big day tomorrow, mister. Both of you do. Get some rest.” She gave me kiss and headed out.

“Night, Mom.”

Dad and I were left in the content silence, marked only by the Johnny Cash song playing overhead.

My mind wandered to Cam. Was she okay, or was she as torn up as I was? Part of me needed to know. The rest of me was wounded and didn’t want to talk to her at all. Not yet.

“You all right?”

I sighed. “Not really. It’s been a weird day.”

“Sounds like it. I’ve got to admit — I’m a little surprised to hear about Cam.”

“Why?”

“Don’t exactly know.” His brows furrowed as he thought about it. “Maybe in part because you’ve never dated anyone like her before.”

I huffed, exasperated. “That’s exactly why I wanted her. I’ve been dating in the wrong pool. You know, Cam says we’re too different, but look at me and Jess. She didn’t like football at all — we didn’t have a single thing in common. Or how about me and Gretchen? She went to college to find a husband, not a bachelor’s degree, and at the end of the day, she didn’t want me. Not as I am. She wanted what I stood for, some cardboard idea of a boyfriend. It’s the same story for every woman I’ve dated, even back to high school. They didn’t want me, but Cam does. Did. She’s real. She’s beautiful and perfect, even with her flaws.”

He nodded. “Well, I can’t really argue with that, can I?”

I shook my head. “I feel like I’ve been defending my feelings to everyone. To you. To Cam. To Kyle.”

He chuffed. “Kyle’s an idiot. Don’t defend yourself to a fool, son.”

My jaw flexed, my thoughts still rambling. “It’s so frustrating. I feel like no one understands or believes me. I don’t get everyone’s problem with Cam. She made me happier in a week than every woman I’ve dated combined, and yet somehow I’m still sticking up for myself. I feel like I’m in it all alone.”

His face softened, his eyes apologetic. “I’m sorry, Tyler. I’m not opposed, don’t get me wrong. I said I was surprised, but it’s a pleasant surprise, especially hearing you talk about her like this.”

I slumped in my seat. “I just want everyone to believe in us the way I do. Especially Cam.”

“We do. And I want to believe she’ll come around, if for nothing more than your happiness. I wish I could give you some advice, but it’s been damn near thirty years since I dated anyone besides your mom. All I can say is that you’ve got to keep on believing. Don’t give up on her.”

“What do I do, Dad?” The words were thin, defeated.

“Well, like you said. You can’t make her drink. So you’ve got to try to be patient. Give her time and space to sort through how she feels and what she wants. You’re at the finish line, but she’s struggling at the halfway mark, so go back and run with her. Cheer her on. Get her there.”

I nodded, heart aching.

“Tell me what Kyle did.”

The ache turned into an angry burn. “Nothing but piss me off. He’s so against the idea of me and Cam that he’s got nothing to say that I want to hear on the matter. I don’t understand why he cares, why he’s so invested in my love life.”

He sighed. “Kyle got caught up in the machine. He used to be a good kid, one of the best, but I can’t say I didn’t see this coming. He’s always been too concerned with what everybody thinks.” He took a sip of his beer. “I shouldn’t badmouth him after he just paid for our uniform redesign.”

I raised a brow.

“Yeah, I know. I was surprised too. He didn’t tell you?”

I shook my head.

“We’re unveiling them tomorrow — he’s coming to be recognized during halftime.”

I frowned at the thought that he’d be there, but Dad kept talking.

“Anyway, you know, the two of you were thick as thieves when you played together, and when you got hurt, he stepped up. But I don’t think he quite knew what to do with himself. He thought you’d always be on the level, and when you weren’t … well, I think this is his way of trying to bridge the gap. Turn you into a version of him so the two of you don’t feel so different. I suspect he misses you.”

“I miss him too, but the Kyle I miss doesn’t exist anymore. I don’t even know him now, and I refuse to be berated by him for who I choose to love.”

“And that’s fair. There’s no rule that says you have to.”

I took a sip of my beer. “I’m not looking forward to seeing him tomorrow. We got in a fight last week about Cam, and I haven’t talked to him since.”

“I suspect it won’t be pleasant. But maybe he’ll leave it alone and stay away.”