She’s not condescending or insulting. Instead, she’s a woman who’s endured a shit ton of stuff she doesn’t deserve but who still plasters on a smile to make everyone around her happy.
I dislike people judging me. I don’t like when they make assumptions, yet I’d done the exact same thing with Mae. And boy, had I been wrong about her.
The stories of my own childhood are on the tip of my tongue around her, but I reel them back every time. The thought of being vulnerable sends a shiver down my spine.
I don’t want to feel as helpless as I did as a child. I know things are different now. Circumstances have changed. But reliving the life I once had takes me away from who I now am. A confident man. An unbothered man. I don’t want to take backwards steps.
The crowd roars as the cheerleaders step out, holding their red and white pom-poms to their hips. There isn’t a person out of place as they skip across the grass, all smiles and flowy hair.
“Wow, they look great,” Bennett mutters, and I clip him over the back of the head.
“That’s my sister you’re talking about.”
“You know I didn’t mean it like that.” My best friend snickers.
I watch Mae. She takes a deep breath, and her eyes meet mine, rounding in the realisation that I’m here.
The girls move in perfect unison as the music starts, their bright uniforms shimmering under the shining stadium lights. The blend of athleticism and artistry is impressive. I’ve never paid much attention to their cheerleading routines, but wherever Mae goes, it seems to spark my interest.
She could sit and watch paint dry, and I’d find the action fascinating.
Renee stands on the sidelines. She’s scrutinising the girls, her eyes narrowed into slits as she stands with her hands on her hips. She isn’t clapping along like everyone else.
Then, her eyes catch mine, and she cocks her head, eyes bouncing between Bennett and me. It appears she wants to ask what we’re still doing out here, but she wouldn't waste her breath on us.
I laugh inside. If only she knew I was rock fucking hard for her daughter last night.
The music fades out as the girls finish their routine, and I cheer with the rest of the stadium, a small smile gracing my lips as Mae’s head twizzles to take one last dazzling look at me before she follows the rest of the girls back down the tunnel.
Pride swarms me. I know it shouldn't. I shouldn’t care. But I do.
Mae doesn’t want to be here. She doesn't want to be a cheerleader, but I admire her for putting her desires aside just to make someone else happy.
Not many people would do that, and it just emphasises how much of an honourable person she is.
I fiddle with the neckline of my navy shirt outside the fancy restaurant. It’s too tight, and I’m not used to wearing them. I practically live in jerseys.
The team, including the cheerleaders, are here for a meal with the founders of the charity ClimateAid—organised by Renee at Peter’s request. Not that she’s coming, though. She doesn’t want to spend more time with us than necessary.
I feel guilty being here, though.
Peter was behind the donation, which the team and I didn’t even know about until last week.
And now we have to sit with the founders and pretend their charity is something we’re passionate about when, in reality, we don’t know much about it.
I’d tried to brush up on some facts last night, but then I’d heard someone’s footsteps outside my room and the soft cursing of a particular honey-haired, hazel-eyed beauty, and my mind decided it was going to morph itself into a dry sponge—unable to soak up a thing.
Poppy’s waiting beside me, her lip pulled into her mouth. Everyone else is inside at the bar, mingling with the founders. But Mae’s not here yet, and it’s starting to worry me.
“Why aren’t you inside?”
She shoots me a knowing smile. “Same reason you’re not. I’m waiting for Mae.”
“Who says I’m waiting for Mae?”
A laugh escapes her. “Then tell me who youarewaiting for, brother.”
I pause. “I want to make sure everyone’s here. It’ll reflect badly on the team if people are late.” I’m lying through my teeth, and all it takes is one look to know my sister isn’t buying it.
