It's Better This Way(70)

Chapter 28




Heath didn’t have high hopes for this idea Julia and Lee had cooked up, but, having nothing better to offer, he went with it. All he could do was hope this fiasco didn’t explode back at them.

Michael and Adam had been cool toward Heath ever since they’d learned he was unwilling to let Julia go. He’d left no doubt about his feelings for her. His sons had let it be known in subtle and not-so-subtle ways that they strongly disapproved. They had repeatedly warned Heath he was setting himself up for a world of hurt with his involvement with that woman. Heath assured them he knew what he was doing, and he had the distinct impression they viewed him as an old fool. He very well might be an old fool, but he was a happy one.

His doorbell rang and, squaring his shoulders, he opened it to Michael and Adam. He’d invited his boys to watch the Seahawks play an away game. When he’d first mentioned it, they’d had a dozen excuses why they couldn’t join him. For the last month they had begged off several of his invitations. He’d asked again, and his voice must have relayed more than his words, because both boys agreed to spend Sunday afternoon with him.

    “Michael. Adam.” He gave them each a bro hug, slapping their backs before leading them into the living room. He had beer out, plus a bowl of peanuts and a few other snacks.

“So, Dad, what do you think the Hawks’ chances are against the 49ers?”

“Good, if the offensive line can protect Russell Wilson,” he said. They all sat down together, and the boys each reached for a beer. They shared a love of football, and until recently had watched most of the Seahawks games together. It was these special times with his sons that Heath treasured most. His sincere hope was that at the end of today, they would still want to spend time with him.

Ten minutes before the game started, as casually as he could manage, he said, “I’ve invited—”

“Not Julia?” Michael snapped.

“Dad, if she comes, then Michael and I will leave.”

“If you’d let me finish,” he said, stabbing them with a glare as he swallowed down his irritation.

“Okay, fine. Sorry.” It was Adam who spoke.

“I’ve invited a couple to join us.”

“Who?” Michael asked.

“Anyone we know?” Adam added, his tone full of suspicion.

The timing of his question was perfect. No sooner had the words left his mouth when the doorbell chimed. Heath stood to answer and welcomed Lee and Eddie into the condo. He turned around to see the shocked look that came over his sons’ faces as their mother and Eddie walked into the room.

    “Mom? Edward?” Michael breathed out, as if he was convinced he was seeing things.

“Edward?” Adam didn’t seem nearly as surprised to find his mother as he did Eddie.

Lee’s hand was linked with Eddie’s as she smiled, as if this sort of thing happened every day. “I hope you don’t mind that your father invited us to join you.”

“You don’t like football,” Michael reminded her. He looked amazed to see her wearing a Seahawks jersey.

“I enjoy time with family, and if that means watching a football game, then I’m all in.”

Except no one was watching the plays on the field. All eyes seemed to be focused on the newly arrived couple.

Finally, it was Michael who spoke. He pointed his finger in a circular motion, taking in Heath and his mom and Eddie. “When did this happen?”

Lee sat next to Michael. “Not long ago. We decided it was time to act like adults. It’s been years since we split, and we thought it was silly to hold on to this enmity.”

“Wow,” Adam whispered. “This is a surprise.”

“You never said anything.” Michael posed the comment to Heath.

“Yeah, Dad, you might have given us a heads-up about this.”

“Maybe,” he said, looking to appease them both. There were more surprises to come.

    They all turned to the game. Heath wasn’t sure anyone paid much attention to the action taking place on the field.

“Heath, is there popcorn?” Lee asked.

“Oops. I forgot that’s your weakness. I’ve got the microwave kind. Will that do?”

“Sure thing.”

Heath started toward the kitchen when Michael leaped to his feet. “I’ll help.” He said this as if it was necessary for two people to microwave popcorn.

As they reached the kitchen, Michael backed Heath against the marble countertop. “What’s really happening here?” he demanded. “You’re not all chummy with Edward and Mom for nothing.”

He knew his son was too smart not to realize something else was afloat. Although he wouldn’t openly admit it, he was relieved when Lee moved to join them. “Michael, you’ll never guess who got me this Seahawks jersey,” she said, tugging the front of it away from her body so he could get a better look at it.

“Santa Claus?” he muttered sarcastically.

“No, a new friend of mine.”

“You seem to be making lots of new friends these days.”

“New and old friends,” Lee said, turning to smile at Heath. “Your father and I were married for a lot of years. Our split was amicable. He’s moved on, and so have I; there’s no reason for us to remain estranged. Don’t you agree?”