I can’t afford university without her help, and after what happened in my last year of high school, she only agreed to pay if I stay at home where she can keep a close eye on me. Too bad for her, I’m a pro at being a ghost around here, and she has no idea what I get up to behind her back.
Once I’m done with my arts degree in three months’ time, I’m out of here, and won’t be looking back. I’ve applied for a scholarship to the National Institute of Musical Theatre Arts in Sydney, with the end goal being Broadway or the West End.
With a final exhale, I finish my meditation session with my daily mantra, “I am enough just asI am. I am unstoppable in pursuing my goals. I am strong and capable of handling whatever comes my way.”
Watch out, world. Leni Hart is coming for you.
Chapter 3
Ethan
My phone feels heavy in my hand as I stare down at it, the Euphoria home page open on the screen. The tempting little devil’s card sits on my desk in front of me, but I can’t bring myself to open the direct messages to take the plunge. It’s been one week since I paid my full membership to the club, and I don’t even know if I’m going to go back.
The front door slams shut, and my heart races as I exit the app and slide the card into the top drawer just as my son enters my office.
“You alright?” Dylan asks as he drops into the chair across from me. “You look a little flushed.”
“Fine,” I grunt, placing my phone face down on my desk.
He eyes my phone, then brings his gaze up to meet mine, a disgusted look on his face. “Fuck, Dad. You weren’t just watching porn, were you?”
“No,” I say a little too quickly, although he’s not too far off. “What are you doing here?”
Hisbrow lifts. “I need an excuse to come say hello to my dad now?”
I release a sigh, running a hand through my hair. “No, of course not. It’s good to see you. I’m just surprised you drove three hours without calling to check if I was home first.”
He shrugs. “I knew you had a Sunday game this weekend, so I thought I’d come down to support.”
“Coming to spy on the opposition, huh?” I ask with a grin. “Convenient you chose to visit your dear old dad when we’re playing BHU in two weeks.”
Dylan smirks. “We’re going to wipe the field with you.”
I huff a laugh. “You can try, mate. You can try.”
“Whatever,” he grins.
God I miss our banter.
Deciding to rip the Band-Aid off sooner rather than later, I ask, “How’s your mum?”
Dylan’s face morphs into a scowl. “Do you really want to know?”
Do I?
When I remain silent, he shakes his head. “They’re sickening. I wish she hadn’t felt the need to move closer to me. I mean, Henrique is closer in age to me than he is to her.” He shudders.
I’ll admit I was disappointed when Dylan applied to Blue Haven University rather than play football under me at Beckford U, but I understand him wanting to forge his own path. After we split, Vanessa moved three hours away to the beachside town. It’s good for me; I don’t have to worry about bumping into them at the grocery store.
Our son’s obvious disdain for the age gap between hismum and her new boyfriend stirs something in my gut. I wonder what he’d think if he knew what I was contemplating doing with someone around his age.
I clear my throat. “So, you’re staying for the weekend?”
He nods. “I’m going out with some of the boys from high school later. I’ll be late, so don’t wait up.”
“Where are you going?” I aim for casual, but my rapid pulse echoes in my ears as I wait for his response.
“Starting at Carter’s, then see where the night takes us.”
