Kai exhales, struggling to take in the information.
“She made up that it was a scary guy from Logan’s Point, so Coach would go to college.”
“I can’t believe this.”
I shake my head, eyeing the diary strewn on the carpet. “She planned to tell him later, but by then she…”
Kai finishes the sentence. “Was gone.”
I throw my head into my hands. “Oh my gosh. This is so much heavier than I ever imagined. I’ve been so scared of this moment. Now, I don’t know what to feel.”
Kai rubs a circle on my back. “But Coach Anders is a good guy.”
“The best.”
“So, you can feel happy.”
I lower my hands. “How can I tell him? It’s been sixteen years since he ever would’ve suspected I was his. Now I awkwardly bring it up at practice? Ugh. This is a nightmare.”
“No. A nightmare is your dad’s a criminal. You’ll be okay.”
I throw my arms around Kai, burying my face in the nape of his neck. My body releases in convulsing shivers. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Kai’s arms wrap around me snuggly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Hey, Jamie,” Milo’s voice calls as he steps near.
I’m wound so tightly; I don’t budge an inch. I’m clasped around Kai as Milo’s voice sounds from the doorway.
“Oh,” he mumbles. “What… What’s…”
“Scram, Milo,” Kai mutters.
“Umm…” he mumbles, and soon his footsteps disappear.
I collapse ever further against Kai. I can imagine how this looks to Milo, but I have no bandwidth for it right now. This is so much bigger than finding time to kiss a boy.
This is about my dad.
Oh my gosh. My dad.
I have a dad.
Suddenly, waves of tears stream from my eyes. I muffle tears against Kai’s shoulder, soaking his t-shirt.
He soothes me, rubbing my back. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I hiccup and jitter against him. I hate that the past week has led to so many fights with him. At this moment, he truly is my best friend. I feel like a fool for ever doubting how much he cared about me.
He’s got me. Somehow, the tears keep coming. But I feel safe, because Kai is holding me up.
Twenty-Seven
“Areyouokay?”Kaiasks as I lift my head off his shoulder.
I wipe my hands over my face and stand from the bed. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I cried like that.”
“I don’t blame you. This is heavy stuff.”
