Chapter 48
CHAPTER
FORTY-EIGHT
Mascen
“You were so good, Mase. I hate that we have to go.” My mom kisses my cheek settling back on her heels beside their SUV.
“I’m just happy you guys came.”
Seeing my parents, sisters, and even Dean in the stands had taken me by surprise. But not nearly as much of a surprise as when I saw Rory in the locker room. I still haven’t been able to wrap my head around that one.
“Did you see Rory?” she whispers so no one else can overhear. “Did you talk?”
“She talked,” I mutter, raking my fingers through my hair. “I mostly stood there.”
My dad rounds the car, draping an arm over my mom’s shoulder. “Sometimes you just have to stand there and take it, let the woman do the talking.”
“Hey,” my mom elbows him in the stomach. “Don’t eavesdrop.” To me, she says, “You love her, don’t you?”
I swallow thickly, my chest tightening. “Yeah, I do.”
She reaches up and pats my cheek. “Then you know what to do.”
I hug her and watch as she climbs into the back of the vehicle, their two bodyguards already up front.
“I loved watching you play today, son.”
“Thanks for coming.”
A moment passes between us, one where no words are spoken but everything is said anyway. He pulls me into a hug, smacking my back.
“We’ll see you soon.”
“I love you, Dad.”
He presses his lips together, his eyes glassy. “I love you too.”
Stepping back, I watch him get inside and the SUV pull away.
Things with my dad aren’t perfect and I don’t expect them to change overnight, but I think we’re headed in the right direction.
“Stop looking like a forlorn poodle without a snack and come say goodbye to your favorite sister.” Willow leans out of the Mustang window. Dean, behind the steering wheel, shakes his head and laughs under his breath. “I’ve seen Goldfish crackers with more depth and emotion than you.”
“I would just like to say I’m the favorite sister,” Lylah pipes up from the back.
I walk over to where they’re parked a few spaces down. “Did you guys seriously load up without giving me a hug? Fuck, I feel unloved.”
“You’ll get over it.” Willow sticks her tongue out at me. “We’ve got to hit the road.”
“Me too.” I point at the bus waiting in the distance.
“Be careful, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do … which I’ll pretty much do anything so shit you have free rein, bro.”
I shake my head. “You’re fucking crazy.”
“Thanks.” Willow winks at me.
I bend over, smiling at Lylah in the back. “Love you, Lylah-bug.”
“Eh, do you have to call me that?”
“Always.”
Leaning through the car window I hug Willow the best I can and fist bump Dean. From the back Lylah grips my hand briefly.
“I’ll see you guys over spring break,” I promise, stepping back. “I love you.”
“Love you, Mase.”
“Call more, we miss you!” Lylah yells from the back as the car pulls away.
Watching them leave I feel a pang of homesickness as I head to the waiting bus.
“Thanks for waiting,” I tell Coach.
“Don’t make it a habit,” he grumbles, to which I laugh.
Sitting down beside Teddy he pulls out one of his Air Pods. “Who was the chick who reamed you out in the locker room? She’s got spunk. Think she’d go out with me?”
I narrow my eyes on him. “Don’t even think about it.”
He cackles loudly. “I knew it.”
“Knew what?”
“You’re in love with that girl, and if the great Mascen Wade’s been bitten by the love bug then we’re all fucked.” He shakes his head, reaching to put his Air Pod back in. “That shit is highly contagious.”
I lean my head back against the seat. I don’t tell him, but it doesn’t matter what my feelings are. Some things are unsalvageable and I don’t know if I can fix this with Rory but I damn well am going to try.