“Now let’s get our asses to practice so I can show you up on the field.” I stood, and they did the same.
We got ready and headed for lacrosse. Practice was awesome. Coach complimented me more than once. I threw a killer Around-the-World pass that was nothing less than a thing of beauty.
When it was over, I hurried to the locker room, since I had to work tonight. But before I could make my escape, Coach called, “Langley!”
Fuck. I’d been so close. I turned back, my friends going on without me. “Yeah, Coach?”
“Good practice today.”
I wanted to remind him that he’d been so worried I couldn’t handle my job, school, and lacrosse, but I was making it work. That I was having my best season, and that I was happy, and regardless of how I played, shouldn’t that be the most important thing? But I just answered, “Thank you.”
I took a quick shower, got dressed, then made my way to Shenanigans. Was it ridiculous that my stomach felt slightly fluttery when I walked inside and Brax looked up at me with a smile? Oh God, it was true. I was so totally fucking in love with this guy, and I liked it. I didn’t even know it was possible to feel this way.
When Brax frowned, I realized I was standing there staring at him, looking like a dopey motherfucker. I shook my head and walked over. “You miss me?”
“You should have seen how you were looking at me just now. It’s clear you missed me.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my lips. There were some awws in the background because obviously everyone realized we were cute as fuck.
“Shut up and get back to work,” Brax told them.
“Why is being brooding and grumpy so hot?”
“Go do your work, dish bitch,” Brax teased.
“Our love language is insults,” I joked back, then headed to the kitchen. I was a few minutes early, so I took a quick piss and washed my hands. It was almost time to clock in when my cell buzzed.
Seeing Dad’s name on the screen, I almost slid it back into my pocket and ignored it, but the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, something telling me I needed to answer. “I only have a couple of minutes. It’s almost time for my shift,” I said instead of hello.
“I just wanted to let you know I’ll be in town late tonight. I’d like to see you tomorrow.”
My spine stiffened, a sinking feeling in my gut. “Why?”
“I have business in Southern California. And do I need a reason to see my son?”
“You know I don’t—”
“Your temper tantrum has gone on long enough, Tyson. You’re upset with me. I get it. I was wrong, but nothing will change the fact that we’re family. I’m still your father whether you want me to be or not.”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Why couldn’t I find it in me to tell him he wasn’t my family anymore? Why, after what he’d done, couldn’t I stand up to him more? Why was there a part of me that still wanted to make him proud? Feelings were so fucked up, so confusing and hypocritical, but so damn strong. “We can have lunch. That’s it,” I found myself saying.
“Okay. We’ll eat at the restaurant in my hotel, like we usually do. Meet me at one o’clock. What about this boyfriend of yours? Your mother told me you’re seeing someone. I’d like to meet him.”
No, he wouldn’t. Not really. He would hate Brax. He wouldn’t think he was good enough for me. But the truth was, I wanted Brax there. Wanted his support. Wanted my dad to know how much Brax meant to me and that I would never hurt him the way he’d hurt my mom. “I’ll see if he’s free.” And he would be if I asked him to. I had no doubt Brax would find a way to be there if he knew I needed him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Tyson.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
I was in a strange daze as I clocked in and got to work. When I headed back into the main part of the bar, I put on my best smile, cleaned tables, made jokes, and pretended everything was okay.
Brax was watching me, though. In some ways, that was nothing new. We watched each other a lot, probably part of the whole us being gross for each other and me being in love with him.
That definitely wasn’t what I should be thinking about… Now, instead of just freaking out about my dad, I was also losing my shit again about being in love with Brax.
A couple of hours later, I approached the counter, and Brax lowered his voice to ask, “Are you good? Something’s up.”