Nets and Lies(40)

“And then you giving me that bullshit ultimatum and not speaking to me yesterday.”I shook my head. “It was like I didn’t even know you anymore.”

Will leaned towards me. “Melanie, all I can say is how very sorry I am. I guess I just snapped when I found out there was some kinda real evidence with Jordan and how you weren’t going to be able to go to the rally. It blinded me, and I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I don’t feel like myself anymore.”

I wanted to tell him I knew how he felt. That being someone else drained me, and I’d give anything to go back to the old me. But I didn’t. Instead, I squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry for what you’re going through, Will. I want to be here for you. I really do.”

He brought his hand to my face. Slowly, his fingertips rubbed across my cheek. “Not being with you—it’s been miserable.”

I closed my eyes. “It has for me, too.”

“Please forgive me. I can’t live without you, Mel,” he murmured, before leaning over to kiss me.

I jerked away before I could stop myself. It was a gut reaction—a true aversion to anything remotely sexual.

Will stared at me with questioning eyes. Stammering, I said, “I-I’m s-sorry. I guess I’m just gun-shy after what happened.” I’d given him yet another lie. I was getting way too good at this.

The truth was I missed his kisses. I missed the way they could make with tingle with longing and feel safe and protected all at once. I knew it was strange to feel this way about him after what happened.

I cupped his face in my hands and stared into his eyes. “I love you so much it hurts,” I whispered.

“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m so, so sorry. I never want to do anything to hurt you ever again,” he said.

I accepted his apology by bringing my arms around his neck. And for the moment, we were all right.

***

The next night found me lounging around on the couch once again while my parents rushed around getting ready for Luke’s ball game. “Suzanne, have you seen my phone?” Dad shouted upstairs.

“It’s on the table by the door,” I replied.

Dad laughed. “What would I do without you?”

I smiled. “Who knows.”

He grabbed up the phone and slid it in his pocket. Then he looked over at me. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with us to Luke’s game?”

“Nah, I’m tired. I’ll just support him at the next home game.”

Dad smiled. “All right. Call us if you need us.” He went back to the staircase. “Suzanne, we have to go!”

Mom responded by rushing down the stairs in a cloud of Tresor perfume. “Okay, okay, I’m ready,” she panted, clearly out of breath. She was notorious for being late.

“Still not coming?” she asked, throwing on her coat.

“Nope, I gotta hot date with popcorn and a movie.”

Mom forced a smile. I could tell she was concerned by the way I’d been acting lately. Plus, I was never one to not be doing something on Friday and Saturday nights, even after games. “Okay, well, if you’re sure…”

“I am.”

“Then we’ll see you after nine.”

I nodded. “Be careful, and tell Luke to win big!”

After finding nothing on television but reality shows, I picked up my worn copy of Pride and Prejudice. Just as I was being swept away by Mr. Darcy, my phone buzzed next to me. It was a text from Will.

Need to talk. Be there in five.

I quickly texted back an ok. I didn’t have to wait long for him to knock at the back door. I let him in. “Hey babe, what’s wrong?” I asked.

Will didn’t answer me. He gazed around the kitchen. “Where’s your mom and dad?”

“They’re at Luke’s game—you know the Freshman play away one tonight over in Hamilton.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot.”

He still stood there, swaying back and forth. “Will?” I questioned.

“Let’s go to the living room.”

Without a word, he stalked out of the kitchen. I followed slowly behind him. Before sinking down on the couch, Will slung off his coat and threw it angrily to the floor. I hesitated in the doorway, unsure of what to say or do. When his chest began heaving in silent sobs, I crossed the room to him. “Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked, as I eased down beside him on the couch.

He momentarily stiffened, and I knew he was embarrassed for me to see him crying. But I drew him into my arms and held him. “It’s okay,” I whispered in his ear. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”

I held him for a few moments before he pulled away. He wiped his damp eyes on his sleeve. “Because of all this shit going on, Dad can’t come to Senior Night.”

I gasped in shock. With everything going on, I hadn’t given Senior Night much thought. It was a celebration time where players and their parents were introduced to the fans. Mothers received roses, and then both parents led their child across the court. It was a big production—something you looked forward to.

But the enormity came crashing down on me. Of course Coach T wouldn’t be allowed to come. Because of his arrest, he wasn’t allowed within ten feet of a school yard. So he wouldn’t be able to stand beside his son—his only child—at the last home game of Will’s high school career.