“No, I never knew. Really?”

“Yep. They had fights about it. Dad thought twenty was way too young to tie yourself down for the rest of your life, but Mom said you always knew what you wanted and how to go after it. She told him it was your life and he should butt out.”

Big Mac grunted out a laugh. “I can picture it.”

“You’re just like him with your kids, you know.”

“And you’re not with yours?”

“True.”

“Let me give you a ride home, Kev.”

“Okay.” He pulled a twenty from his wallet and left it on the bar for Chelsea.

Big Mac did the same, in part to thank her for looking out for a member of his tribe.

“Despite her ratting me out to you, she’s really cool,” Kevin said of Chelsea.

“Yes, she is. She’s the best. I keep trying to hire her away from the Beachcomber for the Tiki Bar, but she’s been here forever and doesn’t want to leave.”

“Loyalty is a nice trait to have.”

The double meaning wasn’t lost on Big Mac, who steered Kevin in the direction of where he’d parked his truck. “Deb was loyal to you for a long time, Kevin, and she handled this the best way she could from all reports. People change. Shit happens. The most important thing for you to remember is she’s the mother of your sons. That’ll never change. No matter how bitter you may feel, keeping it cordial with her is in their best interest.”

“I know. And I’m not really bitter. I’m just sort of wrecked that it happened in the first place. How could I not know she was that unhappy?”

“You can go over and over it a thousand times and never find the answers you’re looking for. Or you can accept that she’s made her decision and try to find the way forward. You can also try to learn from it so if you’re ever in a serious relationship again, you remember to pay attention.”

“The thought of starting all over with someone new makes me nauseous.”

“Frankie would tell you there’s a lot to be said for starting over.”

“He’s happier than a pig in shit.”

“I’m sure he’d love that description.”

“It’s true.”

“Yeah, it is, and he’s waited a long time for it.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” Kevin said. “I’m happy for him and Betsy. She’s great.”

“She really is. You’ll find your Betsy, too. When you’re ready.”

“You sure about that?”

“Absolutely. And my family would tell you I’m always right about these things.”

Kevin groaned. “And you wonder where Mac gets his blowhard tendencies.”

“I don’t wonder at all.”

Kevin laughed harder than Mac had heard him laugh in a long time.