Jeff gives them a meaningful spiel, stepping in where I’m inadequate. My phone buzzes in my pocket a couple of times, but I ignore it. If it’s my family, they can wait. All night if they have to.
“Good job tonight,” I tell everyone once more as we’re heading out of the locker room. “Next week is a fresh start, okay? Take it easy tonight, and we’ll come back better than before on Monday.”
Outside of the locker room, I search for Devin, spotting her at the doors to the main entrance. She’s not alone. My parents and two brothers form a semi-circle around her, her back to the wall. This far away, I can’t hear what they’re saying, but Devin’s lips are drawn thin, her face pink.
“Shit,” I mutter, stalking over to them.
With each step, my fury mounts, the pieces of conversation I pick up only stoking the flames.
“You and Oliver... so happy after you broke up,” my mom says.
“You sure... rebound?” Josh laughs.
I shove Josh to the side, his laughter turning into an outraged cry as he stumbles backward. I pivot so that I’m standing in front of Devin, blocking her from my family. “Enough.”
My dad’s eyes narrow. “Nice job out there tonight, Oliver. You have a real talent for coaching.”
“Did you not hear what I just said?” I advance on him, finger pointed in his face. “Enough of your shit talking. Not to me. Not to Devin. Ever again.”
His eyes go wide, his jaw dropping open. My mother clutches her purse tighter, and Lance’s expression shifts from amusement to shock. It’s the first time I’ve ever spoken to him this way, and the newness of it, combined with the adrenaline rush, has me on a roll. I wouldn’t be able to slow down if I tried.
“Y’all treat me like I’m some kind of leper,” I snap at the four of them. “All because I didn’t play football. Well, guess what? I like my life, and I don’t give a fuck what any of you think. No one does. And yeah, Devin and I are back together and it’s amazing. Know what else is great?”
“Oliver,” my mom gasps. “This?—”
“Living on Pine Island,” I hiss. “Being away from you. It’s the best choice I ever made, because you’re not here. Now Devin and I are going to walk out of here, and if you want to ever talk to me again, some shit needs to change. I’m done being your punching bags. I don’t exist for you to take your insecurities out on. Call me when you’re ready to grow up.”
With that, I take Devin’s hand. This time, I don’t have to shove either brother to the side. They step out of my way, looking just as flabbergasted as my parents. I’ve expressed everything I need to, and it’s time to get out of here before I really lose control and say something that I’ll regret.
“I’m sorry,” I rasp as Devin and I walk down the hallway. I can’t even look at her. I hate her seeing me this way, angry and on the verge of a total meltdown.
“It’s okay.” She squeezes my hand.
It’s not until we’re outside that I finally stop. The cold air stings my lungs as I release her hand and sag against the wall, gulping it in.
“Hey.” She puts her palms on my shoulders, the warmth of them seeping through my hoodie. The gentle but steady touch helps to clear the angry fog swirling around me.
I shake my head at the ground. “That was?—”
“Excellent.” She grins. “I’m proud of you.”
I guffaw. “I dunno.”
“I know how I feel.” Her fingers trail down my cheek, soft against the harshness of everything that just happened. “And they needed to hear that.”
Straightening up, I sigh. She’s right. Maybe tonight will be the catalyst for real change in my relationship with my family. That or the start of a complete fallout.
Either way, I said my piece. The next move is theirs.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Devin
“Let me know if you have any trouble with the exercises.” I open the door for Kacey, a college student recovering from a soccer injury and my last appointment of the morning.
Which, since it’s Saturday, also means the last appointment of the day.
Working on weekends has never been my favorite thing, but rotating the shift with the other PTs at the clinic is a real perk. I also like being available for the people who can’t make it to the weekday appointments. There’s something satisfying about accommodating someone’s schedule, about making physical therapy accessible when life gets in the way of healing.
