Hometown Love

Colton

Physical pain had always been easier than emotional pain for me. When my dad left, that's when I got more involved in football and pushing myself to be better. When I left Callie behind, I worked ten times harder than I ever had before, trying to forget her. Today, I tried to work myself to the bone at the ranch. But it didn't make my dad's surprise visit any easier to process.

After slaving away past dark, John finally found me in the barn.

"Colton, son, I think it's time for you to take a break," he placed a cold beer down on the table outside the current stall I was in.

I pulled off my gloves, returned the equipment to the wall, and brought the cold beer to my lips.

"I don't think the stalls have ever been this clean," he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

My smile was small, and it was out of politeness. John called me out right away.

"What's on your mind, boy?"

I huffed, not knowing where to start.

"My father came back to town," I started, looking up at John's furrowed brows.

"He wants me to pay him for all the work he did being a father for eight whole years," I took a long swig from the bottle.

"And you're angry about this?" John questioned.

"Of course I'm fucking angry, John. The man is not my father. He is an opportunistic bastard who only thinks about himself. I've spent my whole life hating him and living in spite of him," I unloaded my feelings.

John sighed.

"It sounds to me like you are holding on to a lot of anger, Colton. You have achieved a life that many dream of. You are a hard-working, talented, and passionate young man. You are loved by a lot of people. You are thriving, you are growing, and you are persisting. It is his George's loss that he is missing out on the best parts of you."

I looked up at him, my eyes holding unshed tears. I couldn't be strong any more. This man had broken me as a child, and I don't think I had ever fully pieced myself back together.

"You know, you didn't need your father around to have a dad who loved you and looked out for you," John's voice broke slightly.

"I know, John. You were always the man I looked up to as a father-figure. You are what helped shape me into the man I am."

John nodded, his hand over his heart in gratitude.

"So why let him invalidate everything you have worked so hard for in your life? Just because he is at war with himself after all these years, doesn't mean he should be able to disturb your peace."

I sat silently, absorbing John's wisdom.

"Just because he is your father, doesn't mean you have to be anything like him. You are a great man, you will be a great husband and a great father. Because that's the kind of man you've pushed yourself to be. Maybe you did that in spite of George, but that doesn't diminish the fact that you built this life, son."

My heart leapt at the prospect of becoming a husband and father. Mostly because I knew Callie would be the one I would share those milestones of my life with.

"You are absolutely right, John," I reached out to shake his hand. "Thank you for showing me what it means to be a good man. I won't let George invalidate my success and how hard I've worked to get here."

"That's good, Colton. Now," he looked at me sternly, "I saw Callie running out of here and I'm assuming her pulling away like she was trying to make the tires smoke had something to do with you?"