Page 65 of The Maverick's Homecoming

A moment later, she was out the door. He watched her drive away and then returned to the kitchen, where his father was waiting.

“My God. Kenzie Osborne? And she’s pregnant again, isn’t she? I’m assuming it’s yours…”

“No, Dad. It’s not. But I wish it was.”

“Well, whose is it then? Does she even—”

“Dad. Take a breath. Be very careful what you say next.”

Finn Sr. blinked. But then he went right on talking. “What were you thinking to start in with her again? Why?”

Finn gave himself a slow count of ten before attempting a reply. Eventually, in a careful, even tone, he explained, “Because she’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I blew it fifteen years ago and walked away from her. But I’ve grown up since then. Now, I know the value of what Kenzie and I had together and I want another chance with her.”

“By God, Finn. You’re making no sense at all.”

“Wrong.You’renot listening. But then, you never do.”

“Please. You were eighteen with your whole life ahead of you. There is no reason for you to blame yourself for what happened then. That girl was holding you back and—”

“Kenzie never held me back.” Finn made his voice ice-cold. “And please keep in mind that this is my house and you are a guest here.”

His dad wore a look of infinite weariness. “Whatever you say, Finn. And you’re right. I didn’t come here at six in the morning to talk about the, uh, past.”

“Good.” Finn went to the coffee maker, poured them each a cup and carried the cups to the table. “Just black, right?”

“Correct, thank you.”

Finn took a seat, too. “Alright then. Whatever you came here to say, I’m listening.”

“I told you via voicemail that we need to talk.” His father scowled. “You didn’t call back. And as it happens, I have a meeting in Billings, of all places. One of my top clients. I flew in there last night. And since it’s only a couple of hours away, I got up at four and drove here. I have to be back in Tampa this afternoon, but I thought we could talk, that I could make you face what you really want. Make you get out there and create the career we both know you could have. You’ve got a chance in a million here. You could be the next—”

“Stop. Please. You said all that before. And I said that I like my life here in Montana and I have no interest in becoming a professional football coach. When a man tells you who he is and what he wants, believe him.”

His dad groaned and slapped the table. “You’re just afraid to fail again—and son, youdidn’tfail, not really. It was an injury that ruined everything. As a coach, you won’t run that risk.”

Finn took a moment to let all that sink in and found himself wondering,Am I afraid?Was that the real reason he didn’t buy what his dad kept trying so hard to sell him?

No. It wasn’t. Finn felt sure of that. “I am not afraid, Dad.”

Blue eyes blazing, Finn Sr. leaned in. “Then what is it?”

“It’s simple. I just don’t want it, Dad. I don’t know how many ways to tell you that I like who I am and I like what I do and I’m happy, right here in my hometown.” Tom chose that moment to leap onto his boot and attack it like a chew toy. “Come here, tough guy.” He scooped up the cat, gave him a quick cuddle and set him on his lap. Purring, the kitten tucked his paws and closed his eyes.

“I just can’t get through to you,” his dad said angrily.

“Oh, you got through to me. I understand you perfectly. I just don’t want whatyouwant for me. I don’t want to be like you. I’m not some eighteen-year-old kid who hasn’t figured out what his life’s about yet. I’ve been in the NFL. I’ve battled my way back from a serious injury—and then got injured again. Now I’ve chosen a new path for myself. And I like my path, Dad. I like it a lot.”

“What are you talking about? I only ever wanted the very best for you.”

“No. Uh-uh. You never tried to help me figure out whatIwanted. You just pushed me without mercy to be whatyouwanted me to be.”

“Of course I did. Because you had what it took. Because you could have been the best of the best.”

“No. Wrong. It was all about you, Dad. About your son being an NFL superstar and how that reflected on you. At one time, I honestly believed I wanted the same thing you wanted. But now? Now I’m home, Dad. And I really like it here. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’re a fool, then.” His dad pushed back his chair and stood. “Or maybe you’re not being honest with yourself. Are you sure you’re not simply afraid to keep fighting, afraid to pull yourself together and do what it takes to make it to the top?” His dad glared down at him.

Finn met that glare without flinching. “You really are messed up, Dad. You know that? It’s sad and it’s painful. But I am not you. I am not areflectionof you. I have my own life and I like my life. A lot.”