Time to fix this.
Hey, Joey?I say.Would you give me a few minutes to talk to your mom alone?Then we’ll all hang out, okay?
He sniffs.Yeah.I’ll be in my room.He stands, and I pull him into a quick hug before he can escape.He hugs back harder than I expect.
Don’t go away,he mumbles.
My throat closes.I’m not planning to.
When he’s down the hall and his door clicks shut, I turn to Eddie.
She’s already shaking her head.
Sidney—
No,I say.My turn.
Her eyes widen a fraction at my tone.I cross the room, stopping close but not too close.
You’re scared,I say.I get that.I respect that.But you don’t get to decide this for all of us by pulling away and hoping the storm passes.Her jaw tightens.You keep trying to make yourself and Joey smaller so no one can hurt you,I continue.But that’s not living, Eddie.That’s hiding.
That hiding kept him safe,she says, voice shaking.From my parents.From judgment.From situations exactly like this.
And now?I ask gently.Is this safety?You flinching every time your phone buzzes?Him thinking he’s the reason you’re being attacked again?The reason you’re so sad all the time.
Her eyes flood.Don’t.
I talked to the team PR,I say.We’re going to do one controlled media availability.One.No gossip outlets, no tabloids.Real sports journalists.I’m going to make it clear that you and Joey are important to me.That you’re not distractions.That my game is better because you’re in my life, not worse.And I’m going to make it crystal clear that my personal life is not up for dissection.
Her mouth parts.You’d…say that?Publicly?
Yes.I’m done letting other people define this.
What if it makes them dig deeper?she whispers.What if it blows up bigger?
Then they’ll see me standing next to you instead of you standing alone,I say.And I will crush them.
Her breath shudders.
This isn’t about saving face,I add.If this affects endorsements or media narratives, fine.So be it.I’ve worked my ass off to get where I am.I can weather a little noise.
Her voice goes small.What if I can’t?
I step closer, heart pounding.Then I’ll hold some of it for you,I say simply.For as long as it takes.
Silence pulses between us.She stares at me like she’s trying to decide whether to believe me.
I’m not going anywhere, Eddie,I say.I love you.I love Joey.I want to be in this—really in it.Not just when it’s cute and easy, but when it’s messy and hard and people are being awful and the internet sucks.
Her eyes flare.You…love us?
Yes.Have for a while.
A sound breaks out of her, a half sob, half laugh.Tears spill down her cheeks, and she wipes at them angrily.I hate crying.
I don’t,I say softly.It means you’re letting yourself feel things.
She lets out a shaking breath.I don’t know how to do this.I don’t know how to stop waiting for everything to be taken away.
