Part 30 (1/2)
”Hey, boy, come on in.”
He pulled Tyler into a hug, and Jenna noted they were about the same size, though Tyler was maybe an inch or so taller than his dad. Sean was broader, not as lean and muscled as Ty. As she walked in, she couldn't get over how similar they looked. Sean Anderson was strikingly good looking, still in great shape, and his wife, Gloria, was a knockout of a redhead with a curvaceous figure and bubbly smile.
Gloria hurried over to give Tyler a kiss and a hug and enthusiastically shake Jenna's hand.
”We're so excited to meet you, Jenna,” Gloria said. ”Please come on in.”
The condo was modern, with white-and-black furniture and a piano that sat above the sunken living room. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city and the lake.
They took a seat at a table near the windows.
”I thought since you're not a native to our city, you might enjoy the night view,” Gloria said. ”Especially since we're lucky enough to have a clear night tonight.”
”It's beautiful,” Jenna said. ”You must love it here.”
”We do. We take walks by the lake in the summer. There's a gym downstairs that we use in the winter. Have to stay active, don't we, boy?” his dad said.
”You bet,” Ty said.
His dad patted him on the back. ”Of course this one stays active on the ice. Couldn't be prouder of you, even though you beat my team the other night.”
”Sean,” Gloria said, shaking her head before turning to Jenna. ”I don't know how he can root for the other team when his own son plays for the Ice.”
”Hey, I've always rooted for the local boys. Besides, Tyler gets traded a lot. How the h.e.l.l am I supposed to keep up with what team he's playing for this year? I have my loyalties. Tyler understands that, don't you?”
”Sure I do, Dad. But I wouldn't bet against me.”
Jenna laughed.
”That's what I keep telling him,” Gloria said. ”My money's on you, honey.”
Tyler leaned over and kissed her cheek. ”Thanks, Gloria.”
”Hey, the kid's tough. He can take a little compet.i.tion. And he knows I'm always pulling for him.” He turned to Jenna. ”So, Jenna. Tell me about yourself.”
Whoa. Lightning-fast change of subjects. She found it hard to keep up, but she managed to hold her own. She told Sean and Gloria about the family bar and her part in it. They shared a few c.o.c.ktails, and Sean kept them entertained with jokes and funny stories about Ty's childhood, but Jenna could see Ty was restless and uncomfortable.
”So, Sean, what do you do for a living?”
”I own several car dealers.h.i.+ps in town. Still in business after forty years.”
She could so see him in sales. ”How interesting.”
”He even has commercials on TV,” Gloria said, pride evident in her beaming smile.
”Oh, that's exciting.”
Sean grinned. ”Yeah, we buy a lot of TV time. Have to keep your name in front of the people or they forget all about you.” He slapped Ty on the back. ”Isn't that right, son?”
”You bet, Dad.”
”That's why you have that fancy agent getting you those deodorant and shampoo spots. Keep the fans interested. Get them coming to the games. Make the men want to be like you and the women want to get you in the sack.” He s.h.i.+fted his glance to Jenna. ”Whatever it takes to keep my boy in the limelight, right, honey?”
Jenna blinked. ”Sure.”
Ty's father was exhausting. She wasn't certain he was all that interested in Tyler's career, only that he stayed ”on top.” No wonder Ty was uncomfortable.
They managed a couple hours, then Ty stood.
”We've got an early flight tomorrow, so we'd better head out.”
They said their good-byes.
”Such a pleasure to meet you, Jenna,” Gloria said. ”I hope we have a chance to see you again.”
”I hope so, too.”
Sean shook her hand. ”You're a sweet girl. Tyler has great taste in women. Always has. Just like his old man.” He put his arm around Gloria.
Tyler led Jenna to the door. ”See you later, Dad.”
They rode down the elevator in silence, and it was much the same on the short ride back to their hotel. When they got back to their room, Jenna came up to Tyler and put her arms around him.
”What's this for?”
”No reason.” Maybe she needed it more than he did, but she figured he needed it, too.
”My dad can be an a.s.shole.”
She leaned back. ”No, he's not.”
”Yeah, he is.”
”Your parents are night and day different. Your mom's kind of quiet and reserved. Your dad is very boisterous. I can see why they didn't mesh well.”
His lips lifted. ”That's being kind.”
”I like Gloria.”
”So do I. And my dad likes to impress people. He just doesn't know how to do it, so he comes across as a p.r.i.c.k. His social skills need work. My mother worked for most of her life. And when she wasn't working, she was catering to me and my dad. She didn't know what to do with herself after the divorce so she stayed in the house and kept her memories of me alive like some G.o.dd.a.m.ned shrine. She sews and bakes and has a small circle of friends that she's had forever, but she never remarried. She took back her maiden name because she hates my father that much. She just never figured out how to move on and carve out a new life for herself. She's frozen in that house. I think you might have helped her with that tonight. Thanks.”
”You're welcome, but I think your mother has done just fine moving on. She might not have done it right away, but everyone does things at their own pace.”
”I guess you're right.”
Jenna swept his hair away from his brow. ”You don't have to apologize for your parents. They are who they are and they have nothing to do with who you are.”
He looked down at her. ”They have everything to do with who I am.”
”You think so? I don't believe that. I think we forge our own ident.i.ties. We aren't tied to our parents, their pasts, or their mistakes. We don't have to be like them-the good or the bad.”