Page 83 of Come Back to Me

Today’s Friday, but it’s not any regular Friday. It’s homecoming game day.

Homecoming games aren’t usually common in college. It’s more common in high school, but SCU is known for their homecoming games.

I almost can’t believe this day is here, but it’s not that hard to believe. All of these events we get hyped for come up so fast and breeze right past us.

I have to say basketball has taken over my life, but not in a bad way. I’ve known that I’ve wanted to pursue the sport as my career since I was a kid.

Noah’s dad, Ben, helped teach me how to play. He’d watch college and NBA games with me on TV. He came to my high school games and most of my college games. It’s been hard not having him around, but I know he’s cheering me on from wherever he is.

Ben was more of a father to me than my father ever was. I regret not being able to tell him how gratefulI was for everything he did for me. I’ve told Noah this, and he told me that he knows Ben is proud of me.

I’m going to continue to make you proud, Ben. Thank you for everything you did for me.

“Gray, you’re in the zone again,” Noah says, standing in the doorway to my bedroom.

I shake my head, allowing myself to come back to reality. “Of course I was.”

“What’s on your mind?” he asks, making his way over to me and sitting down in my desk chair.

I know talking about his dad isn’t easy for him because the wound is still fresh. I noticed this weeks ago when Xander brought his dad up and Noah shut down, but I have to tell him that his dad has been on my mind lately.

“I was thinking about your dad, and how I wish he was still here with us,” I blurt out.

“There’s a part of me that believes I’m living one of my nightmares, and I can’t find an escape route. I know how much he meant to you. He won’t be here physically anymore, but he’ll always be here in spirit.”

“How areyoudoing?”

“I’m hanging in there. These past few months have been difficult to say the least. I have to admit that I don’t know if I’d have a shred of my sanity if it wasn’t for my mom, Lizzie, you, Xander, Dani, and Violet.”

“You know I’m here if you ever want to talk about anything, right?”

Noah grins. “That goes both ways, my friend.”

“I know.”

Xander appears in my bedroom. “How are you feeling about the homecoming game today?”

“Oh, good morning to you, too.” My tone is loaded with sarcasm. “I feel great. We’ve been practicingalmost every day for the past month.”

Xander and Noah exchange awkward glances at each other as silence consumes the room.

“Okay, what the hell is going on? Is there an elephant in the room or something?” I ask, anger filling up my body.

“Is Violet still going to the game?” Noah asks.

“I asked her last night about it to confirm, and she did. Why?”

“Do you think that’s the best idea?” Xander piggybacks off of Noah.

“I’m not in the mood for this shit right now.”

“We’re not trying to piss you off, man. You told us how she’s a huge distraction for you right now. Look, Violet is one of the best people I know, but I also know how you get around her,” Noah says.

“Correction, it’sgot. Past tense. I wouldn’t have invited her to the game if I wasn’t able to handle it. Also, she would’ve come even if I didn’t formally invite her.”

“I don’t know about that. She might have skipped out on it if she knew you weren’t comfortable with her going.”

I slap my hand onto my forehead. “Shit, you’re right. I don’t why I’m assuming that since I haven’t seen or spoken to her for six years. She could’ve changed.”