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I stared up at the darkening sky, tears suddenly burning at the corners of my eyes. Why couldn’t I keep myself together whenever he was around? It was like I regressed back to a toddler, needing my special blankie and a warm cup of milk.
“I saw you returned the studio equipment I sent for your birthday,” he continued when I didn’t say anything, his voice low. “Marie thought you might want those to record some of your music. But if there’s something else you want, just tell me.”
“What I want is my family back.” I finally met his gaze. There was so much pain in my glare that it felt as if I could scorch him from the face of the earth with just a single blink. I hoped it stung.
“I am your family, kiddo.” He took a step closer, his thumbs hooking on the loops of his jeans. “And I miss you.”
“You don’t get to miss me.” I inhaled a breath through my teeth. “You left us, remember?”
“No, I never left you. I never left Lexi. There’s a difference.”
“No, there isn’t.”
“Let’s not do this...” He was looking around now, as if afraid someone was going to see. “Not right before your big game.”
I couldn’t help it. My voice rose in volume. “I. Don’t. Want. You. Here.”
“Audrey—”
“And I definitely don’t want her here.” I pointed at Marie watching us from the concession stand. “You need to leave. Before Mom gets here and you ruin everything.”
“Please, kiddo.” He took another step toward me, hand extended as if he intended to pull me into a hug.
I shrunk away, feeling tears form in my eyes again. I’d rather die than cry in front of him. Crying was a sign of weakness and I couldn’t afford to be weak. Not when Mom needed me to be strong.
“Is there a problem here?” asked a deep voice.
We both looked over to see Collin Preston, fully decked out in his pads and game day uniform. He held his helmet under his right arm and his left arm posed on his hip as if he were some kind of super hero. His dark brown eyes were glued to my father, his lips pulled down into a deep frown.
I groaned. As if this day could get any worse, Collin was getting an inside look at my family’s dysfunction. Not to mention, he now had a front row seat to my perfect replica of a hot mess in a raccoon suit. Lucky me.
“We’re fine,” Dad and I said at the same time.
“You don’t look fine.” He was looking at me now, his eyes flashing. “Audrey, do you need me to escort this guy off the premises?”
What was he, my bodyguard? I shook my head, feeling utterly turned upside down.
“No, my dad was just leaving.” I sent a pointed glare in his direction. “Weren’t you?”
“Sure.” Dad held his hands up in front of his chest. “We’ll leave. But just know that I’ll be there for you when you cool down, mija. I miss you.”
Yeah, right. He had his new wife to keep him entertained.
Still, as he walked away, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness. Only a year ago, both of my parents would’ve shown up to support me. They would’ve sat in the stadium, called my name, and cheered like the rest of the parents. Maybe even waved an embarrassing sign with my name on it. Of course, if they were still together, I wouldn’t be stuck in this mascot costume in the first place.
“That was brutal.” Collin stepped next to me, his eyes trailing my father’s retreat. “And I thought I was the only one with dad issues.”
I glanced up at him with his perfect hair and godlike pose in his uniform. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Collin was a foster kid. He seemed so perfect and arrogant. Like he had the whole world falling at his feet.
“The game’s about to start. I’d better get back,” I said, snatching my raccoon head off the ground. This was definitely a moment I’d like to pluck from my brain and never think about again. Hopefully, he did the same. “Don’t want to miss my chance to make a few more kids cry.”
After a long pause, Collin threw his head back and laughed, his white teeth glimmering in the sun. I chuckled along quietly, feeling oddly pleased at myself for making Collin Preston laugh. It was a pleasant sound. One that I wouldn’t mind hearing again.
He put his helmet on and winked through the face mask. “You’re funny, raccoon girl.”
“The first joke’s free. Next one, I’ll have to charge you.”
I wished I could stuff a sock in my mouth and silence myself, but apparently my ability to shut up had spontaneously combusted.
