33. Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Three
Andre
I haven’t heard from Paul in days. Maybe it’s been a week; I don’t know at this point. Everything is a blur. It’s a miracle I’m able to get myself and Rylee up in the morning and to school on time.
She’s upset, of course, not at all understanding what’s going on, and I don’t know what to tell her. I can’t tell her that Paul left because I accepted a job across the country.
She’ll never forgive me.
What the actual fuck was I thinking?
Seriously, I don’t understand. It’s like I was a different person during those interviews. I knew I shouldn’t have done it, but part of me really wanted it. Maybe I just needed to know that I could do it…
No, that’s not it. I was caught up in the attention. That’s really all it is.
How pathetic.
I check my phone during my lunch break and see a text from my mother.
That’s unusual, so I check it right away, worried that something is wrong.
My mother always calls the old-shool way when she needs something.
I open the text to find a link. I don’t click on it right away because maybe it’s a scam.
This is so strange. But something tells me this isn’t a scam and that she sent it purposefully. So I take the chance and click on it.
It opens up to a job listing. One of the local colleges is looking for a football coach.
Something in my chest both tightens and loosens at the same time.
I love my mother.
I fill out the application before thinking about it, and every letter typed feels right.
This is the right thing to do. I just know it.
My fingers fly over the keyboard on my phone, hoping and praying that my resume will upload this way because I’ve only ever done it from the computer before.
Thankfully, it does, and I hit submit. That’s when the bell rings and I need to get back to the gym for my next class.
I’m busy for the rest of the day and then have practice after. All I want to do is run to Paul and tell him the good news.
I don’t know where he is, but I can guess. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a lot of options. He’s either in one of these crappy motels around here or staying with Amelia—and I’m voting on the latter.
The afternoon goes by way too slowly and practice drags. I let the kids off twenty minutes early just because I want to get out of here. A few of them even seem upset by it, but oh well, kids. You’ll be fine. Go home and eat dinner.
I call my mom and ask if she can keep Rylee for another couple of hours tonight. Of course she agrees, so I race over to Amelia’s and knock on the door.
It’s pulled open quickly, the door slamming against the wall. Then someone is leaping into my arms, hugging me tightly.
“Andre,” Maddox says as he squeezes me.
“Hey, buddy,” I say, hugging him back.
I missed this kid.
Amelia walks over, standing in the doorway and smiling softly.
Good. She’s not mad at me too.
“Okay, come on before you strangle him,” she says.
She pulls Maddox off me and puts him on his feet. He stands beside his mother, looking up at me with a smile.
“He’s not here,” she says. “Sorry. I don’t know where he is.”
I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Thanks,” I say. “If you hear from him, can you let him know I stopped by? It’s important I see him in person.”
“I’ll let him know.”
I hold my fist up to bump Maddox’s. “I’ll see you soon.” I look up at Amelia for approval. She nods her head. I ruffle his hair before taking off.
Where else could he be?
There are only two motels in this rinky-dink town. I drive by both of them and I don’t see his car in either. I park in one of the lots and think.
Where the hell could he be?
None of our friends live around here, not even close by. No one that he’d stay with. Sure, he could be with someone from work maybe, but I don’t think so.
And if I can’t find him, my news will have to wait until I do.
I don’t think he’ll even answer my call, but if he did, this isn’t the kind of conversation I want to have over the phone. I need to look him in the eye when we talk. When I apologize and tell him the good news.
As I put the car in drive, I get another idea. One last place to check.
I drive to the neighboring town, to the bar we hang out at.
The last time I saw him, he was drunk beyond belief. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s been doing a lot of that lately. Not that he’s ever had an issues with alcohol, but it is easy to drown your problems in it.
The bar is busy for a Wednesday, and it takes me a few drive-arounds to find a place to park. I finally get one when I find someone pulling out, and I snatch it up before the other car that just pulled in tries. I hurry inside and go right to the bar.
There he is.
Across from me, at the other end, all by himself with a half drank beer in front of him. He’s staring at it like it’s insulted him. Maybe it’s better I caught him out in public. It’s unlikely he’ll make a scene.
If he does make a scene, I guess we’ll be banned from the place.
I move around the bar and take up the seat on the side of him. He looks at me, then does a double take, his gaze darkening with anger.
“Just hear me out. Please.”
He scoffs, reaching for his beer and swallowing all of it. He gets to his feet and throws down a bunch of cash.
“Paul—”
“Shouldn’t you be on the other side of the country by now?” he hisses, moving past me.
“I’m not going!” I call after him. He stops, and I think this is it. That’s all it took. It was so simple.
My best friend. My boyfriend. My love. I told him I was staying, and he’s going to forgive me. I take a step toward him, but then he keeps going.
My whole body freezes up, turning to ice. He walks out the door.
I think I’m going to be fucking sick.