Dad: You okay?
Me: How long does trust take to build?
Me: For real
Dad: It takes as long as it takes. It’s not an easy process. Can I help?
Me: Nah love you ttyl
Dad: Goodnight son
I’m zoning out and almost miss the stop to my apartment. Deadass, I’m unsure if Theo looks down on me now and I made our situation worse or what. His default expression on his good days is indifferent, but more often his expression says I’m-so-much-better-than-you. Tonight he looked disgusted.
I enter my apartment and try to see it from Theo’s perspective. That is not a hole I want to fall into. Imagining what he thinks will only depress me.
I wake up to the team chat blowing up, trying to find Theo.
Me: I left him at Times Square and 42ndStreet to get a hotel room
Benz: You left him alone?????? *screaming face emoji*
Ace: Do you know which hotel?
Me: No
Me: He’s a grown-ass man
Mav: I’m getting popcorn
Brant: I’m sure he’s fine
Ace: No one panic unless he misses practice
O’Keefe:I got a new phone
O’Keefe: Thanks for trying to find out if King killed me
O’Keefe: Hours after I’d be dead
Brant: No one say anything incriminating in case this is a hoax
I silence my phone and take a shower. My head throbs with a tension headache. No surprise. I don’t know what I’m trying to accomplish with Theo. Maybe I’m being selfish and letting him hate me is the nicest thing I can do for him.
If John speaks that way in public to Theo, how is he behind closed doors? He doesn’t give Theo any credit for his success; he only expects him to score goals. It wouldn’t surprise me if John hurt him as a child. Theo seemed resigned and more focused on his mom.
I forgot to ask him about his mom. Shit.
Dripping wet, I lunge for my phone.
The least I can be is someone who doesn’t add to his burden.
Me: Is everything okay with your mom?
O’Keefe: New phone who dis
Me: *eye roll emoji*
I take a picture of my hand and send it.
