Page 14 of Don’t Call Me Son

His mom rolls her eyes but grins, leaning over to say something to Jay’s dad.

My eyes reluctantly drift across the crowd until they land on my mom. She’s laughing behind her hands. I grin and shake my head at her. She mouths, ‘you okay?’ I give her a nod and a thumbs up, but I look away quickly; not letting my gaze flick to Colt.

Colt

I’ve been watching him for the last forty minutes, and the feeling in my chest is a strange mix of pride and something darker.

Archie is incredible. I always knew he was good; Sarah talks about his times and how hard he trains, but I didn’t know he could run like that. When he’s on the track, he looks… alive, focused, and powerful. There’s this fierce, almost joyful expression on his face when he hits his stride, like the rest of the world disappears and he’s exactly where he’s meant to be. The way he moves, completely in control, it’s beautiful to watch. He makes it look effortless even when he’s clearly pushing his body to the limit.

And yet, not once in the past forty minutes has he looked over here; not even a glance. Sarah had started shifting in her seat beside me, getting a little uneasy. “Why hasn’t he looked over yet?” she’d whispered after the first couple of races, a small frown pulling at her brow. She was starting to wonder if he really was embarrassed of us.

Then Jay dumped a bottle of water over both their heads. Archie laughed, shoved his friend, and finally looked toward the stands. Sarah lit up instantly, waving with both hands and beaming that bright, proud-mom smile again. I’m glad for her; seeing her happy settles something in me.

But Archie’s eyes flicked away before I could even give him a nod, a smile, or a thumbs up… anything to show I’m here and I’m proud of him. Instead, he deliberately avoided my gaze.

I lean back in my seat, jaw tight, one arm draped casually around Sarah’s chair, while my other hand rests on my thigh, fingers drumming slowly.

He can run like the wind and light up for everyone else… but he won’t even look at me.

…

They’ve reached the last race of the evening.

Coach steps into the middle of the track with the mic. “Alright everyone, we’ve got one final event. The 100m dash. I’m not going to force anyone, but I know some of you have serious speed in those legs. For reference to everyone watching… Bolt’s world record is 9.58 seconds. The fastest student time last year was 9.92. Anything under 10.5 is considered excellent at this level. So… who’s feeling brave?”

Everyone goes quiet for a beat. Then a couple of students start walking over. A few parents clap encouragingly.

One of the bigger lads suddenly jogs over to the bench, surprisingly, where Archie is sitting and yanks him up by the arm. “Coach! I know he’s got it in him!”

Coach laughs and nods like he agrees. Archie groans dramatically and throws his head back, making half the team laugh, but he still walks over.

Sarah claps excitedly beside me and gives Archie a big thumbs up; she’s glowing again.

A few of the runner’s parents start jogging down from the stands to motivate their kids. I grin; perfect opportunity.

I pat Sarah’s knee and stand up. “I’ve got this, love.”

Archie notices me moving and his eyes go wide. I jog down the steps and onto the track.

Coach shakes my hand with a firm grip. “Evening, Mr. Carlisle.”

I nod and crook my finger at Archie; he swallows hard but walks over. God, he’s so fucking cute.

I lean down close, keeping my voice low so only he can hear. “You’ve been incredible tonight, Archie; I mean that. I had no idea you could move like that. I’m proud of you. Now go and show every single person in these stands what you’re made of.” I pause, then add with a dark little smirk, “And when you’re done, you’re gonna come find me, so Daddy can tell you just how good you were.”

Archie’s breath catches; but he smiles a little, nervous but pleased, and nods, breathing harder now.

I turn and give Sarah a wink and thumbs up; she beams, probably proud of us both.

“Colt!” Kim calls out, patting the empty spot on the bench where Archie had been sitting.

I walk over and drop down; I’m so much bigger than all these kids it’s almost comical.

Jay shoulder-bumps me. “Hey Colt.”

Kim grins up at me. “You enjoying yourself?”

“Yeah,” I say, eyes on the track. “It’s been an eye-opener. Had no idea Archie was this good.”