“Not if I kick yours first.”
That comment had his mouth hanging open for a good five seconds. “Where the hell is this coming from? Why are you pissed that I’m headed back to Daytona? It’s not like you didn’t know it would happen. It’s what I do. It’s who I am.”
Their voices rose, and she glanced over her shoulder, stomach churning yet again when she found both Darlene and John watching them. Shit. This was so not how she saw things going down. But they were already on the road, and there was no turning back now.
“Why won’t you see that sports psychologist?”
“Oh, I see you and Hudson had a thorough heart-to-heart.”
“Can you answer the question?”
“I’m not sure.” He straightened, giving up his death grip on the counter. “Give me a minute.” He moved past her and didn’t stop until he stood at the table, his gaze on John and Darlene. “Did Hudson fill you in on what went down with my boss? Is that why you’re here?”
Darlene shook her head. “I don’t…” She turned to John, but he only had eyes for his son. She obviously had no clue.
“What are you running from, Wyatt?” John’s voice wavered a bit as he gazed at his son.
Regan swallowed the lump of fear in her throat and moved to Wyatt’s side. She tried to touch him, but he moved out of the way and glared at them all.
“Maybe we should just forget about all this.” Regret made her nauseous, and she wanted nothing more than to rewind the clock and make a better decision than bringing his father into the mix.
She’d reacted blindly in a way that wasn’t the norm for her. And now she was going to pay.
“No.” Wyatt moved closer to the table. “I think it’s time to get this shit out in the open. I’m not a scared little kid anymore, John. I’m not going to let you walk all over me. I’m not going to take the blame for something I had no control over. Not anymore.”
John exhaled and closed his eyes. “No. You shouldn’t. I’m sorry I made you feel that way.”
“Sorry?” Wyatt made a sound of disgust. “You’re sorry? That’s all you’ve got?” He looked up at the ceiling. “Unbelievable.”
Again, an uncomfortable silence fell over them, broken only by Bella’s agitated panting. The small dog had picked up on the angry vibes in the room and wasn’t too happy about it. She stood in the corner watching all of them, her small tail wagging as she tried to catch her breath.
“Sorry is only a beginning, Wyatt.””
In the space of a few seconds, the mood went from anger to something else entirely. The two men stared at each other as if they were the only ones in the room.
“Maybe we should go.” Regan looked at Darlene, but John shook his head.
“No. Please stay. These things are never more real than when witnessed by those we love and care about. When your mother died, a part of me went with her, and it’s something I’ve never managed to get back. She made me a better man, and I…” John sighed heavily. “I didn’t deserve her. God knew that, and he took her from me.”
“God didn’t take her away, old man. A drunk driver did.”
“No.” John looked away. “It might have been a car that took her from us, but it was my fault she was on the road that day. My fault she was on her way to that motel just off the interstate.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Wyatt’s expression was thunderous.
“A woman I’d been involved with made arrangements to meet her there. Angel was on her way to the motel when that bastard crossed the center line and hit the both of you.”
Regan saw the shock on Darlene’s face, but it was nothing compared to the look in Wyatt’s eyes. His face was white, his lips pulled back in a snarl.
“You had an affair.”
“I did.”
“And she found out about it.”
“I don’t know what she was told. I only knew she was going to meet her. I pray she didn’t find out about…” He stumbled over his words and whispered. “About the affair.”
Wyatt shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and stood there, glaring at his father, not bothering to hide his dislike, disappointment, and anger. He took a few steps until he was inches from John, forcing the older man to look up.