“Like I said in my message, the air conditioner of a friend of mine is on its last leg and I was hoping to pick your brain about it.”
Not that this time would be any different from any other conversation with his father where his only blood relative berated him.
No Wolfe, he gave himself an internal pep talk.This timeisdifferent.
“Seems to me that a fancy fuckin’ hockey player could afford to buy a dozen AC units and save your friend the trouble.But we all know you couldn’t save—”
“Enough,” Wolfe roared and pulled out of traffic to park in a grocery store lot.“Fucking enough.”
“You can’t talk to me like that, boy,” his dad instantly sobered, anger dripping from his voice.
“I’m no boy, and it’s long past time that I spoke with youlike that, Dad,” Wolfe countered, feeling like he was shedding the shell of fear that consumed him for years.“I’m shitty with touchy-feely emotions, but I’m done being your landing spot for your drunken, evil-filled rants about Elle and mom.”
“You killed them!”he shrieked.
“No, I didn’t,” Wolfe said with a calmness that surprised the hell out of him.“I was twelve.Elle’s drowning was an accident.And I had no more control over Mom’s heart attack than your descent into alcoholism and endless grief.It’s time we move on.Try to be a family.”
“What kind of psychobabble is that?It’s bullshit and you know it.”
“All I know is that I would like to try to have a relationship with you, but it won’t happen until you get the help you need.Hell, we both get the help we need.”
“You’re a fucking loser and a—”
Wolfe disconnected the call.He took three deep breaths then realized he clutched the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were white.
Wolfe wasn’t certain he’d ever speak to his dad again.He was done being on the receiving end of his rants.
Wolfe had no control over his family, not even Aspen.
He did, however, have control over himself and his own emotions.It was time for changes, and maybe it started with him allowing himself to enjoy life, like sampling the sweet treats his boss baker created.
Wolfe’s mouth watered, but wasn’t sure if it was the thought of eating a cupcake masterpiece by Aspen or the woman herself.
Although Wolfe knew he had a long way to go, he felt lighter than he had in years.
He placed his SUV into gear and jumped back into traffic and began to percolate on a plan to win back his girl.
His girl.Wolfe liked the sound of that.