The Perfect First (Fulton U, #1)(87)

My parents, Seph, and Nix waited for me in the hallway.

“You ready?” I slipped my hand into hers. Bringing it up to my mouth, I kissed the back of it.

“Yeah, my mom texted me that they’re almost to the hotel. I wish they could’ve gotten an earlier flight to see you play.”

“There’s plenty of time for that, and we’ll be in Seattle later this season. I can have them roll out the red carpet for them.”

“Just make sure you don’t eat any of the baked goods Aunt Sophie brings tonight,” she warned everyone.

“Sweetie, you were wonderful.” Mom kissed me on the cheek and squeezed me.

“Great game, son.” My dad hugged me and clapped me on the back. “Keep playing like that and I’ll have a steady supply of fudge pies for you at the house.”

“I feel like you’re trying to fatten me up.”

He laughed and wrapped his arm around my mom’s shoulder.

“He’s trying to get them out of the house. He’s been stress baking, so there’s about ten in the fridge already—not that I’m complaining.”

My gaze snapped to his and he said, “It’s my problem, not yours. Keep doing what you’re doing. I’m proud of you.” He blinked like he had something in his eye and tightened his hand around Mom’s shoulder.

His words hit me right in the chest and I nodded.

“Everyone ready to eat?” Nix rubbed his hands together.

“Now you sound like Berk.” We walked out of the stadium. Splitting between cars, we got to the restaurant. I slipped my hand into Seph’s on the center console. She took her eyes off the road and smiled at me.

No matter how many times she did it, it was like the first time, a feeling like rays of sunlight hitting your face after a dreary day. I loved this woman more than I’d ever thought possible.

“What’s up?” She squeezed my hand. That reassuring gesture let me know she was there for me and would always be there for me.

“Nothing, I’m just happy classes are over so you got to come to my game.”

“Who’d have thought I’d be busier than you this year, Mr. Pro Football Player?”

“You’re lucky I keep a clean house and I’m an excellent cook.”

“I am lucky.”





*



SEPH





Getting to the restaurant, I spotted my Aunt Sophie right away, and I did a double take when I looked at the person beside her. Mom! It was a complete transformation. Aunt Sophie’s hair was dyed a light green, almost a teal, and Mom’s usually light brown hair was a bold, deep red.

I’d never gotten the whole Is this your mom or your sister thing, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if people thought I was her mom from the way she looked. When Aunt Sophie and I had gone to my house together, I hadn’t known if my mom would come with us. I’d barely convinced Reece to stay behind at the hotel—and by barely, I mean I hadn’t. He’d waited in the car outside the house in case there were any issues.

I walked in the front door. “Mom?” I stood in the middle of the entryway, calling for her, which I’d never done before. Aunt Sophie stood beside me.

The hurried but muted rush of her coming down the steps was the only sound in the whole house, aside from the ticking of the grandfather clock in the living room.

“Seph, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” She stared at me wide-eyed like she’d expected to find me with a limb hanging off my body. “Sophia, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to do what I should have done years ago. We’re going.”

“Where are you two going?” Her gaze bounced between us and she wrung her hands in front of her.

Stepping forward, I grasped her arm gently. “Not me and Aunt Sophie, Mom—the three of us. I’m staying in Philly. I’ve gone over everything with Dr. Huntsman. I’ll graduate at the end of next year and finish my PhD there.”

Mom glanced over her shoulder. “But your father—”

“Has no say in what I do, or in what you do.” I slid my hand down to hers. “Come with us, Mom. He has no power over you, and I’m not going to let him ruin our lives anymore.”

“Helen, what’s all this noise?” My father stepped into the entryway, and every muscle in my mom’s body tightened like a gazelle caught in the crosshairs.

“Why hello, Arthur.”

“Sophia.” My mom jumped at his sneer.

“Is that any way to greet your sister-in-law, you insufferable prick?”

My dad’s eyes widened and his face turned beet red. “Get out of my house.”

“Gladly. Helen, let’s go.” Aunt Sophie opened the front door.

“Helen.” As if the warning tone in his voice that had been ground down into our brains wasn’t enough, he dropped his hand onto the back of her neck. She sucked in a sharp breath and I let go of her hand.

Funneling every harsh word, scornful comment, and memory of bruises, I planted both my hands in the center of his chest and shoved him. He stumbled back and banged his back against the ticking clock. “You don’t get to do that ever again. You will never lay a hand on her or me again. In fact, after today, I never want to speak to you again.”