Huh. Maybe I did know him some.
What I didn’t know was his phone number, or if he had social media, or why the hell I cared if he was being a big baby and keeping his distance just because he’d had his dick in my mouth.
Today I had a lighter class load, which meant more time between school and practice. When I got home, Collins was the only one there, and the two of us played video games while I tried to keep my mind off Brax. It shouldn’t be this difficult. He was really starting to piss me off.
My cell rang, and I peeked over to where it sat on the coffee table to see Mom on the screen. “Hey, I gotta take this.” I paused the game, scooped up my phone, and stood.
“Why do you leave when you talk on the phone lately?” Collins asked.
Wow. Who knew he paid attention? “I don’t know. Why do you smell like a grandma’s house?”
“I smell like an old lady?” He sniffed himself, and I laughed. “Fuck you.”
“See ya at practice.” As soon as I was out the door, I answered the call. If I talked to Dad, we fought. If I talked to Mom, Dad was always discussed or sometimes argued about. It was easier for me to simply leave so no one heard.
“How’s my favorite son?” Mom asked. I didn’t mention the fact that I was her only son, though apparently not Dad’s.
“I’m good. How are you?” As soon as I asked the question, I wished I could snatch it back and maybe burn it. How well could she be?
“I’m all right. Your dad got the rest of his things out of the house this past weekend. I’m thinking about getting new things. I realized none of this is my style at all. It’s his. I don’t think I would have chosen one piece of furniture in this house if it wasn’t for him.”
Anger sat heavy in my gut. I hated him so fucking much. “You should do it.”
“I think I will.” I knew she was smiling without having to see her. “I hate how everything went down, but I have to admit it’s kind of exciting too. I feel like there are so many things about myself I didn’t explore because I put your father first. Because I wanted to be the perfect wife, to be exactly who and what he needed. And those aren’t even things I can blame on him. I made those choices myself.”
The quad was busy, people chillin’ at the tables, some with books and some not. I walked around one of the buildings and leaned against the wall to get some privacy. “I hate him.”
“He’s your father, Ty. I know you’re angry and hurt. You have every right to be, but he’s still—”
“No. He’s not. I get to make that decision for myself.” I would never forgive him for hurting Mom, for lying to me, for the siblings I never knew.
“You won’t take money from him.”
“I don’t need it.”
“You will at some point.”
“I got a job…at a local bar.”
“You know we didn’t want you to work in college. We want you to focus on school and lacrosse. How are you supposed to do well in your classes if you’re at a bar half the night? It’s different if you were doing an internship or honing your skills, but spending your nights at a bar? I don’t like it.”
I sighed. I knew she wouldn’t understand.
I wasn’t dumb. I was aware I wouldn’t be able to afford my tuition next year. Eventually, I would have to fold. Even if I got money from Mom, it would be the same as getting it from him, but couldn’t I try for some independence? At least attempt to break away from my father? My whole life, I’d done everything he’d asked of me. I was like a doll he’d made to be exactly what he wanted, and I was fucking tired of it.
“I love you, Mom, but you don’t have to like it.”
“You know I’ll always support you. Just don’t bite off your nose to spite your face, okay? Your decisions will piss your father off, but it’s your future they’ll affect.” Her reply didn’t surprise me. Dad would demand I quit when he found out. That was one of the differences between them. Still, I couldn’t understand what was so wrong about getting a job. Yeah, they wanted me to focus on school, but shouldn’t they be proud I’d taken that step? There were people who didn’t have a choice, while my dad would lose his shit and call working at the bar beneath me. That was fucked up when I thought about it.
“Thanks, Ma. I gotta go. I have practice soon.”
“I love you, Tyson.”
“I love you too.” I hung up, then paced around the quad for a while. I was too… I didn’t know what I was. Frustrated, for one. And hell, I’d only worked two shifts, but I liked my job at Shenanigans. I’d taken it because it helped accomplish three goals—giving me independence, pissing off my dad, and annoying Brax—but it was sort of fun too.