“What will you do about him? Do you think you’ll ever talk to him?” She sipped some coffee.
“No, I’ll stay away from him. Talking to him isn’t worth it.” And would only bring up feelings I’d buried long ago. I sighed and slumped my shoulders, then stuffed eggs into my mouth.
“We’ll be traveling with the team this weekend. Do you really think you can avoid him? What if he wants to talk to you?” She cocked her head, her gaze raking over me. “What if he’s changed? I’m pretty sure he’s out now. He lives with a couple of other queer football players. They call themselves?—”
“Stop.” I held my palm to her. “I don’t want to know. He’s dead to me.” I lifted my chin. “I wouldn’t talk to him even if he cornered me somewhere.” It was better this way.
With a huff, she said, “God, you’re so dramatic sometimes.” She giggled and reached across the table to squeeze my hand. “But I love you, anyway.”
“Yeah, love you, too.” I grabbed her hand for a beat andreleased it. “Let’s finish our breakfast and go back to our apartment. I have studying to do for my digital marketing class.” And so far, it was my favorite. I had a knack for content and had gained a ton of followers on Instagram. Maybe I could be an influencer someday?
“Sure. Just…” She pressed her lips together. “Don’t be so harsh on the guy if he wants to mend things. You never know what someone else is going through.”
“You’re supposed to be on my side.” I lifted a brow. “Besides, I’m sure he’s forgotten about me.” Pain pierced my chest. If only my brain would keep him out of my dreams. He’d returned to them with a vengeance after seeing him last night. It wasn’t good for me.
A few days later,I sat on the sofa in the two-bedroom apartment just off campus I shared with Grace, reading a book on marketing research. It was boring as fuck, but necessary. My phone buzzed on the cushion next to me, and I smiled as I read the name on my screen. I answered the call. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“I didn’t catch you at a bad time, did I?” she asked.
“Nope. In fact, you saved me from falling asleep while reading.” I folded the corner of the page I was on and closed the book, resting it in my lap.
“It wasn’t for class, was it?”
“Uh, yeah. But don’t worry, I’m getting decent grades.” I glanced at the white coffee table and my water bottle resting on top of it. One thing I’d noticed out here in the desert, drinking enough water was almost a full-time job.
“Good. And how is cheerleading going?” She chuckled. “Do you like it as much as gymnastics?”
“I’m…” Oh hell, should I mention Eli? She understood the situation better than anyone. She’d pulled me from the depths of myheartbreak. Nope, he was dead to me and not worth our time.
“Wren? You still there?”
“Yes, Mom. Cheerleading is fun. I’m having a good time with it. The tumbling isn’t as rigorous, so my ankle is feeling great.” Okay, it wasn’t perfect, but when compared to competing in gymnastics, it was much better. I circled my ankle, noting the lack of pain.
“That’s good to hear. Your birthday was last week. Did you hear anything from your father?” she asked.
“Nope, just a card with a hundred dollars in it.” My chest twinged. I hadn’t called him, even though it wasmybirthday.
“Oh, I’m sorry, honey. I don’t know why he’s like that. He was always a selfish man.” She huffed.
“I’m sure it has something to do with me being gay.” I picked at a string on the hem of my t-shirt. He’d said little when I came out to him, but who knew what he’d been thinking?
“He wasn’t around even before he knew. I don’t think that’s the cause.” She clucked her tongue. “It’s like he’s still trying to punish me for divorcing him. Except he’s only hurting himself and you.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I hadn’t seen my father since I’d been in high school. He let me visit him once, and even with us in the same house, he avoided me. “Anyway, I’ll be traveling with the football team this weekend. We’ll be in Mississippi.”
“Oh, that sounds like fun.” She chuckled. “And you’ll be there with Grace?”
“Yep.” And fucking Eli. My chest grew tight. “It’s nice to travel and not have to compete.” I drew a deep inhale. “How’s business?”
“Well, you know real estate is booming up here with all the Californians moving in. I’m set to have a record year with my brokerage.”
“That’s great, Mom. I’m happy for you.” Despite my father being a dick, Mom had moved on and done well for herself. Mylips tugged into a grin. “Any dating prospects?” She’d had a few boyfriends since the divorce, but they’d only lasted a couple of years each. And no, they hadn’t become stepfathers to me.
“I don’t have time for it right now. I’m working a lot.” She sighed. “I enjoy what I’m doing, and dating can wait.” She paused. “Hey, Ethan is doing well. He got a job at the bank. I went in yesterday, and he was all smiles behind the teller counter.”
“Yeah, he mentioned he’d interviewed there. I guess he got the job.” I twisted my lips. Would Ethan have known about Eli playing for ASU? I’d sworn him to secrecy with everyone else, but he was my best friend. He’d been the one to tell me?—
“Anyway, I should go. I have a client coming in soon to look at a property.”
