EDDIE: Joey keeps asking if this is his fault.
Absolutely not.Him thinking that was the last straw.I couldn’t let this stand any longer.I needed to see them.Reassure both of them and maybe get my family back.
I threw off my pads and grabbed the closest pieces of clothing I had hanging in my locker.I grabbed my keys and bolted for the door, throwing on a hoodie over my compression shirt.
Max called after me,Crane, where are you going?I thought you were doing press—
Gotta go,I said.Family emergency.
And for the first time, saying that didn’t feel like an exaggeration.
***
Eddie’s porch light is on when I pull up.Parking my car, I pause to give the surrounding area a scan, making sure there isn’t anyone lurking with a camera.Nothing that I could see.
With quick movements, I head up the front path and up the porch steps.I knock.
After a beat, the door opens slowly.
Eddie looks tired.Not in theI worked a long shiftway.In thethe world is weighing on me againway.Shadows under her eyes, shoulders tight, hair up in a messy bun that had seen better days.
Hey,I say softly.Can I come in?
She hesitates, then steps aside.
Joey is on the couch, knees drawn up, blanket around his shoulders.The TV is on but muted, casting blue light across his face.He glances up the second I round the couch.His expression does something I hate—flickers with relief, then guilt.
Hey, bud,I say, sitting on the coffee table so I can be eye level with him.Your mom said you had some questions.
He stares at his hands.Everyone at school won’t shut up about the pictures.And the articles.
I clench my jaw.What did they say?
Some of them think it’s cool,he says.Because you’re famous and you were at our house.But some of them…some of them said I’m just lucky.That you’re only around for publicity.Or mom’s using you.
He swallows hard.And then I thought about my game.And how I messed up before.And…I don’t know.It just feels like everything’s my fault.Like if I hadn’t gone to that stupid party, none of this would be happening.
The words punch the air right out of me.Eddie also makes a hissing sound.
No,I say sharply.Absolutely not.Don’t say that.He flinches.I force myself to soften my voice.Look at me.
Joey’s eyes flutter down, then reluctantly come back up to mine.
This is not your fault.You hear me?Not even a little bit.Grown-ups make choices.I chose to be here.I chose to spend time with you and your mom.I chose to walk out that door, knowing people might see.None of that has anything to do with you being wrong or bad, okay?
He blinks fast.
I like being here,I say.I like being part of your life and spending time with you.Whether we’re playing Xbox or just hanging around.You’re not the problem.You’re a gift.I’m so incredibly lucky to have you and your mom in my life.There are just some people in this world who think taking pictures of others without their consent is okay.But it’s not.
A tear escapes down his cheek.He wipes it away with an annoyed swipe.But now my mom’s family is mad at her again.And everyone keeps talking about what she did back then.When she had me.Like that was some huge mistake.
It wasn’t,I say fiercely.You are not a mistake.You’re the best thing that ever happened to her.
He swallows.She told you that?
She didn’t have to.
He looks away, eyes shining.I glance up at Eddie, seeing her standing near the doorway, arms folded tight over her chest, face fragile and fierce all at once.
