I release a sigh of relief. “I must have been out of it for a while, huh? If you made it here from home.”
“While I’d love to pretend I sprinted all the way here, in a desperate rush to be by your side, I was actuallymeeting Nate in that building.” She points behind her, and I laugh and then groan.Nate was the other voice.
“Nate knows too, then?”I sigh.
“Sorry.” She scrunches her nose, feeling my embarrassment.
“Thank you, again.” I smile.I’m still looking toward the building Cory had pointed to when I see Dylan peek from behind a wall. “It’s safe,” I yell and wait for him to run over. Nate arrives at the same time from the other direction.
“Please don’t ask questions,” I say. “But thank you for being there for me,” I add, forcing a smile.
Dylan stares at me, concern and question darkening his eyes. I tense up, waiting for the words to leave his mouth, but he surprises me. “Well, we missed class; let’s go eat,” he says with a comforting smile, and I’m quickly realizing food is his answer for every awkward moment. Without waiting for a response, he walks off toward the parking lot, letting me off the hook.For now.
I’m anything but comfortable as we eat, yet I’m the picture of confidence to anyone looking my way. Hiding my feelings is a strength I’m proud of. My phone vibrates again in my pocket, and I tense until I realize it’s been an hour since the last call. Looking at the screen, I relax when I see it’s a news alert rather than a call or text, but can’t hide my gasp when I see the headline. Thomas Kelly’s statement on those rumors. Several sets of eyes stare at me suspiciously, so I smile and pocket my phone.
When I’m home and alone in my room, an hour later, I pull up the alert, clench my fist in nervous anticipation, and finally read the statement.
“There is no truth to the rumors surrounding my family. Anything you may have heard or read about my relationship with my family, in particular my sister, is fallacious and should be ignored. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by a loving and supportive community, and I’d appreciate it if we did not subject them to harassment and lies simply because I’m in the public eye. I will be making no further comments on this matter. Thank you.”
My whole body lightens with relief, and I shake out my hands, cringing at the pain caused by my nails digging into my palms. Although I know that part of his statement is a lie, I finally relax. Only a handful of people know the truth, so if Thomas is presenting a united front, then I’m pretty confident it will all blow over and morph into nothing but hearsay.
Taking a deep breath, I sink back into my bed and fight to keep my eyes open, the toll of the last couple of weeks taking over me.
Chapter Sixteen
Dylan
Cheersringoutaswe enter the Ball House after our first game. My teammates lap up the attention, hands raised high in the air, proud smiles on their faces. The single guys have a girl—or two—by their side within seconds of our arrival, while the guys with girlfriends open their arms for the affection they’re about to receive. I’m one of the last to enter and immediately turn for the bar. Not because I want to get drunk, but because I need a distraction from the madness surrounding me. The house speakers come to life as “We Are the Champions” blasts through the rooms. The team all sing along in their loudest, most obnoxious voices, and I want to be there with them.I do.But not tonight.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a girl approaching me with fierce determination, and I inwardly cringe. I can tell from a distance that she’s beautiful with her long blonde hair and curves in all the right places. But she’s not the blonde I want right now. The one Ineedright now. When she’s about ten steps away, her smile grows and she bites her lip. My eyebrows crease, and I try to hold off a frown as I prepare to reject her. At the last second, she’s intercepted by Joel, and I sigh in relief. He gently grabs ahold of her elbow to get her attention and pulls out his best smile when she looks his way. She’s a goner on impact. Joel is definitely better looking than I am and athousandtimes more likely to give her what she wants. I don’t feel sorry for her at all. Instead, I grab a beer, lean back against the bar, and take a deep breath.I can do this.
Joel returns from abathroom breaka little while later and attempts to cheer me up. I’ve met Nate’s curious gaze several times, and I know he suspects something’s up, but he’s keeping it to himself. The other guys are completely clueless. If my absence would go unnoticed, I’d disappear, but since it was our first gameandwe’re celebrating a big win, I’m expected to party. My mind, however, is elsewhere. It’s been nine years, but it still hurts like a fresh wound. I can still remember it like it was yesterday. The police officers arriving at the door. My mom falling to the floor. The media outside our house barely twenty-four hours later.
The great Dean Mathers had died tragically just shy of twelve months after his retirement. The story was in the news for weeks. In the first fewdays, we couldn’t escape it, and I stupidly assumed it would be easier if it all went away. I was wrong. As the story died down and his face no longer flashed across the papers and TV screens, I missed him even more than I thought I could.
This morning, like every year, Mom, Luce, and I headed to the cemetery at the crack of dawn to avoid the diehard fans who also visited. The well-maintained headstone sat high on a green hill at the back of the cemetery, an empty plot sitting beside it. I stood against a tree as Mom filled Dad in on the happenings of the past year, even though she visited monthly. Now that I think about it, she was most likely updating Lucy and me on her life, not Dad, because a lot of what she was saying was new to me. While Lucy and I were close to each other, we’d both drifted a little from Mom, or maybe she’d drifted from us. I couldn’t say. Today Mom spoke of her new small business, of Lucy’s impressive internship, and of my achievements in football. How she knew anything about my football is anyone’s guess. When she mentioned her recent vacation with her current partner, I cringed. Did Dad really need to know that? Sure, Sam was nice and supportive and he was great to Mom, but I didn’t think she needed to mention him here. Today.
Lucy was next and kept it light, as always. Crouching down in front of the grave, she spoke with a smile on her face. “Mom filled you in on all the good bits, so I’ll just add that I love you, Paps.” He hated that name. “I miss you. And remember, if you are watching over me, please, please, leave when I’m with a man. I can’t stress that enough. I would like to remain your perfect little angel for all eternity.” At that, she stood and brushed out her dress, clasping her hands together in front of her and standing tall with a glint in her eyes. Acting the part of daddy’s little girl.
“Lucy!” Mom scolded.
I rolled my eyes and bit back a laugh. Trust Lucy to try to pull me out of my bad mood.
Once again, I’d remained silent. I never spoke when we visited, never told him about my life, never even read the words on the stone. After all this time, I still couldn’t face my dad.
Lucy put her arm around my waist and pulled me close as we walked back to our cars. “You need to let go of this misplaced guilt.”
It wasn’t the first time she’s said something like that to me, and just like last time, I ignored her. “Coming to the game today?” I asked.
She offered an understanding smile and allowed the change of subject. “Wouldn’t miss it, little bro,” she said, lifting on her toes to scruff my hair, emphasizing how not so little I was.
Shouts from a nearby drinking game bring me back to the present and the party going on around me.
“You should go home; I’ll cover for you,” Joel says at my side.
I turn to him with a raised eyebrow. “You can’t cover for me. No one would ever believe you were a wide receiver. You’re not fast enough,” I say and we both laugh when Joel shoves me into the wall. The relief is clear in his eyes now that I’ve finally started joking around.
“I’ll have you know I received best on field,twiceduring my career,” he points to his chest, before holding two fingers in the air and nodding his head.