Daddy's Best Friend

73

CHAPTER 73

HENRY’S POV

The hospital cafeteria was a strange setting for what I anticipated would be a heart-to-heart with Collins. As I sat there, nursing a lukewarm cup of coffee, I couldn't shake off the feeling of awkwardness that hung in the air. Then, out of the blue, Collins appeared, his gaze meeting mine with a mix of weariness and curiosity.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, a hint of hesitation in his voice.

I gestured to the empty chair opposite me. "Be my guest. I could use some company that doesn't involve hospital gowns and sterile hallways."

Collins chuckled, a sound that resonated with the camaraderie we once shared. He took a seat, and for a moment, the silence lingered, each of us seemingly lost in our thoughts.

After a sip of coffee, Collins cleared his throat, breaking the quiet tension. "Henry, I owe you an apology."

I raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised by his admission. "Apology? I never thought I'd hear that from you."

He nodded solemnly, a seriousness settling on his features. "I let my feelings about Sophia cloud my judgment. I treated you unfairly, and for that, I'm sorry."

I leaned back, contemplating his words. "Well, that's a start. But I have to say, your protective dad routine was getting on my nerves."

Collins chuckled, a self-awareness in his eyes. "I guess I overdid it. Old habits die hard, especially when it comes to Sophia."

I grinned, deciding to lighten the mood. "You think? I was starting to feel like I needed a permission slip just to hold her hand."

He laughed, the tension between us dissipating. "I get it, Henry. I messed up. But I'm willing to make amends if you're up for it."

I extended my hand across the table, a gesture of reconciliation. "Friends?"

Collins hesitated for a moment before firmly shaking my hand. "Friends."

As the warmth of our rekindled friendship settled in, Collins leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You know, I never expected Sophia to fall for someone like you."

I arched an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate.

He smirked, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I always thought she'd end up with a straight-laced, suit-wearing guy. But here she is, with a rebellious artist."

I chuckled, acknowledging the irony. "Life's full of surprises, my friend. And Sophia's got a knack for keeping things interesting."

Collins nodded, a newfound ease in his demeanor. "Yeah, she does. And I guess I need to learn to roll with the punches a bit more."

The tension in the hospital room had dissipated into a surprisingly light-hearted exchange between Collins and me. As we chatted, making amends for the past, there was an unexpected camaraderie building. Then, out of the blue, Collins leaned in, his eyes locking onto mine with a playful glint.

"You know, Henry," he said, a smirk playing on his lips, "if you ever hurt my daughter, I won't hesitate to use these hands to rearrange your face."

I chuckled, genuinely entertained by his bold declaration. "Is that a threat or a promise, Collins?"

He leaned back, the hint of a grin on his face. "Let's call it a friendly warning. Sophia's my world, you know."

I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Who said anything about hurting her? I plan on keeping those hands of yours safe and sound."

Collins laughed, a hearty sound that echoed through the hospital room. "Good to know, Henry. But seriously, you break her heart, and I'll break... well, you get the picture."

I nodded, appreciating the protective fatherly instinct. "Fair enough. But between you and me, I think I'm the one more likely to end up with a black eye."

Collins chuckled, acknowledging the truth in my words. "Sophia's got a strong spirit. Takes after her mother, that one."

I couldn't help but smile at the mention of Sophia's mother. "Yeah, well, I've learned not to underestimate her. She's got a way of surprising me."

Collins leaned in, a conspiratorial gleam in his eye. "You're telling me. I never thought my daughter would end up with a guy covered in tattoos and sporting a leather jacket."

I chuckled, realizing the irony of my presence in Sophia's life. "Life's full of curveballs, Collins. Sometimes, you just have to swing with the pitch."

He nodded, a newfound understanding in his expression. "I suppose so. And if Sophia chose you, there must be something worthwhile in that rebellious artist persona of yours."

I couldn't resist a playful retort. "Well, Collins, I may not be the suit-and-tie type, but I promise to do my best to keep your daughter happy."

He leaned back, the tension now replaced with a genuine warmth. "I believe you, Henry. Just remember, if you mess up, I've got a mean right hook waiting for you."

The poolside at my place was buzzing with life. Sophia, fresh from the hospital and now discharged, radiated a newfound energy. As she lounged in a chair, a wide grin stretched across her face, she seemed to have left the hospital blues behind.

"So, Sophia," I teased, dipping my fingers into the water, "any plans for your newfound freedom?"

She shot me a mischievous glance. "Well, I was thinking of declaring myself the queen of this pool. What do you think, Henry?"

I chuckled. "Queen Sophia, it has a nice ring to it. Just don't go too heavy on the royal decrees."

Kylie, always the voice of reason, chimed in. "Speaking of decrees, Sophia, your dad here thinks he's the undisputed champion of the pool basketball. Challenge him, and let's see who reigns supreme."

Collins, Sophia's father, looked at me with a smirk. "Henry, you up for a friendly competition?"

I feigned a look of contemplation. "Well, I wouldn't want to embarrass you in your daughter's eyes, but sure, let's do this."

As we engaged in a heated pool basketball match, Sophia and Kylie assumed the roles of enthusiastic cheerleaders. The banter between Collins and me escalated with each missed shot and each dunk, turning a simple game into a battle for bragging rights.

Amidst the splashes and laughter, Kayla, who had been quietly observing, decided to jump into the fray. "Okay, gentlemen, let's not forget there's a lady present. How about we make this interesting? Loser does the dishes for a week?"

I exchanged a glance with Collins, and we both nodded in agreement. Little did she know, I had a secret weapon—Sophia, who had a sneaky talent for pool basketball that rivaled even her dad's skills.

As the game intensified, we lost track of time. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the poolside scene. The competition, now more about camaraderie than winning, reached a fever pitch. Collin's laughter echoed through the air as he made a spectacular shot, scoring the final point.

I raised my hands in mock surrender. "Alright, Collins, you win this round. But I demand a rematch someday."

Sophia clapped, a gleam of pride in her eyes. "Good game, Dad! But you better watch out for Henry next time."

We all gathered by the pool, sharing stories and laughter. The evening unfolded into a tapestry of shared moments, a mosaic of connections forming between unlikely friends. As we sat there, I couldn't help but marvel at the resilience of relationships, the way they could evolve and adapt, even in the face of challenges.

"So, Sophia," I said, leaning back, "what's the verdict on your dad's victory? Should we let him revel in his glory or challenge him to a rematch right away?"

She grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, definitely a rematch. We can't let him get too comfortable."