My mom glares at me, then turns to Principal Nosta. “Can I take her home for the day? We need to have a discussion.”
“Of course.”
We stand, and my stomach knots as we walk to the parking lot. Once we’re at the car, my mom grabs my shirt, pulling me close.
“What were you thinking, Dylan?” she asks, her voice low and controlled. “You’re in big trouble, young lady.”
“I was thinking that I love lacrosse and I’m good at it. I wanted to prove myself.”
“You could have gotten hurt. Or worse.” She lets me go, and I climb into the passenger seat. The drive home is silent, tension crackling in the air.
“The season is over, Mom. There’s nothing more to talk about.”
“What was the end goal here? Why lie and hide to play such a barbaric sport?” she finally asks, her voice trembling with anger.
“You know why, Mom. I love it. My goal was to earn a scholarship for playing lacrosse at the college level. I had to try.”
“There’s no way you’re playing lacrosse if you expect me to pay for your school.”
“Hence the scholarship. You never understand. You don’t even try. I’m not some prim and proper lady like you want. I’m me. While I enjoy getting dressed up, I equally adore lacrosse. Why can’t I be both?”
“Ladies don’t wield sticks and fight. That’s what that sport is. No more. You’re done.” She turns onto our street. “As your mother, it’s my job to decide what’s best for you.”
I roll my eyes, crossing my arms. “I’m eighteen and about to leave for college. I need you to support me and let me make my own decisions. I need your love, nothing else.”
She glances over at me. “It’s not that simple. It was reckless. You are grounded. So very grounded.”
We pull into the driveway, and my heart sinks. I’m dreading seeing Matthew, but at least being grounded means I’ll be forced to stay in my room, away from him. The downside is I won’t get to see Jacob and Ford. But I’ll hold on to the memories of the weekend to keep me going through this prison sentence.
Walking through the front door, I forcefully slam it behind us.
“Young lady, this is not the end of our discussion. You are done seeing those boys and grounded to your room indefinitely.”
“You are the literal worst. How about a congrats on winning the lacrosse championship? OrI’m upset you lied, but proud of you. You must be serious about the sport. How can I support you?”
“I will not support my daughter playing some heathen sport with sticks and tackling. I told you cheerleading would be acceptable.”
“Ugh, I can’t wait to go to college and leave here for good.” I storm up to my room and slam the door.
I lie back on my bed, the weight of the day pressing down on me. My mind drifts back to the weekend, to the stolen moments with Ford and Jacob. I can still feel Ford’s kiss on my lips, the warmth of Jacob’s hand in mine. I close my eyes, letting the memories wash over me. The way Ford’s eyes lit up when he came, the sound of Jacob’s groaning, the feeling of being wrapped in their arms. For now, those moments are enough. They have to be since I’m apparently locked in this cell indefinitely.
I mock my mother’s tone in my head. “Ladies don’t wield sticks and fight. That’s what that sport is. No more. You’re done. And grounded. So very grounded.” I roll my eyes, exasperated by her narrow-mindedness.
Why can’t she understand that I can be both strong and feminine, that I can excel in a sport I love without compromising who I am?
Tears prick at my eyes, and I blink them away furiously. I refuse to let her see me cry, to give her the satisfaction of thinking she’s broken me. I grab my phone and text, Ford and Jacob, needing their support more than ever.
My phone buzzes, and I grab it eagerly, thinking it’s a message from Jacob or Ford. Instead, it’s Matthew.
Matthew:We need to talk.
My stomach flip flops. I knew this was coming, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
Chapter 5
Jacob
An hour earlier
