In the lastfew seconds of the game, ASU’s kicker took to the field at the twenty-two-yard line. We were about to kick yet another field goal for the win.
We snapped the ball, and our kicker hopped to it and kicked.
I watched with the crowd as the ball soared between the goal posts and the announcer said, “Field goal and game, ASU!”
The stands went insane, with everyone screaming, hopping and jumping over the railings. A flood of people rushed the field, and as I turned, Eli stood next to me, his helmet discarded, his hair dripping and the most charming smile on his face.
“Babe, it was amazing having you here with me this year.” Throwing his arms around my waist, he picked me up. “Kiss me!”
Wrapping my legs around him, I cupped his sweaty cheeks and planted a long kiss on his mouth.
“Oh, my.” Grace and the squad circled us, clapping and whistling.
“Dawson, get a room.” With a cackle, Malik slapped Eli’s shoulder.
As our kiss broke, Eli said, “We will, don’t you worry about that.” He set me down, snatched my hand and led me into the tunnel.
The daybefore I was to leave for Medford with Eli, I stood in my room packing for my trip. With finals over, all I had left was to relax in my hometown with Eli beside me. What would our friends think when they saw us together? I’d called Ethan a few days ago and told him. He’d been happy as shit for me. We’d planned on meeting him at the local bar one night.
I’d tried to call my father again, but he never answered or returned my calls. I didn’t know what to think, but my therapist had directed me to focus on myself. I couldn’t control otherpeople, but I could control my reaction to them. And so, this had been my focus while I studied through finals. Grace had left for Prescott yesterday. At least her home was only a few hours’ drive up north.
As I stuffed my briefs into a corner of my bag, knocking filtered in from the front room. Who the hell was that? I wasn’t expecting Eli. I jogged into the main room and opened the door.
A FedEx courier stood at the entry with a cardboard envelope and an electronic gadget in his hand. “Wren Lewis?”
“Yes?” I fixated on the envelope. Was it some sort of early Christmas present? My heart pattered. Had Eli sent this?
The man handed me the envelope. “Here. Can you sign?” He held the gadget to me with an electronic pen.
“Yeah, sure.” I signed and as he left, I closed the door and mumbled, “What the hell is this?” Stopping at my dinette, I grabbed the tab and pulled, opening the side of it and then spread the sides apart. It was papers. Lots of them. “What the fuck?”
I slipped the papers out and peered at them. The numbering on the sides told me they were legal papers. As I read, my heart sank, and nausea balled in my gut. That fucker. I swallowed hard and willed my pulse to slow. I needed someone to talk me down.
With trembling hands, I slipped my phone from the pocket of my sweats and called Eli.
The phone rang once. “Hey, babe. How are you doing? Is your packing done?”
“Eli?” I asked in a shaky voice. “I’ve um, I have what I think is a change to my father’s trust in my hands. A FedEx guy just delivered it.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. I’d seen not only Stuart’s name on it but also Karen’s. I could understand the new baby being added, but Karen? Was my name still on it?
“Put it down, and don’t you dare look at it until I get there. I’ll be right over.” The call ended.
I stared at the papers. What the hell should I do with it? The top sheet had an arrow Post-It reading,sign here. Did they expect me to be stupid enough to sign it without understanding what it said?
Throwing it on the coffee table, I dropped onto the couch, planted my elbows on my thighs and scrubbed my face. The only thing I could control was my reaction. I’d wait for Eli.
I plucked the remote from the coffee table and turned on the television.
“Wren? Open the door.”The door shook with Eli’s pounding.
Did I even lock it? I jumped off the couch and swung the door open.
“Babe, are you okay?” Eli stepped inside, grabbing my cheeks and inspecting my face. “Did you look at it?”
“No, I waited for you.” I fell into his arms as he spread them wide and melted into his embrace. “I saw Stuart’s name and then I saw Karen’s. That’s as far as I got, and that’s when I called you.” As his big hands brushed my back, I exhaled a ragged breath.
“He could have just added Stuart. We expected that, right?” He freed me, grabbed my hand and led me to the couch. Pointing at the stack of papers, he said, “Is this it?”
“Yes.” I sank into the end of the sofa in a heap, my pulse racing. “I don’t want to read it. I don’t think I could, even if I tried.” As my breath snagged, I said, “What if they removed me?” Did I even give a fuck at this point? Maybe I was better off without them in my life.
