AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Will do,” Hunter shouts back, giving Jay a thumbs up.
“What’s Drew doing?” I ask. He has ten kids sitting on the ground in front of him while he talks, gesturing to different parts on a BMX.
“He’s showing them how they should do a final check on the bike before you race, making sure everything is screwed in nice and tight,” he says, crossing his arms in front of his big chest.
“You really found your place, didn’t you?” I say, leaning against the fence.
“This has always been my life.”
I turn my head away. “That much was clear the last couple of years.”
“Fuck, Skylar. Sky, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded,” he pleads.
“No, it’s okay. I know what life was like before you and mom got a divorce and you were still competing,” I state, swallowing back the emotion in my voice. I remember all the times they fought and screamed at each other, the tears and broken promises.
Grabbing the railing his knuckles turn white. “I was still a kid back then. Your mom just turned nineteen when she had you. Man, I was barely legal myself.”
“And that was the reason you let us go?” I ask, raising my voice.
“No, fuck, it wasn’t. I should’ve known better. I should have fought for you like I did on the track,” he says, holding my stare.
The kids look in our direction. Hunter whistles and they turn their attention back to him.
“Known better and done what? Not marry mom, then leave when I was still a kid?” I ask, turning around and walking away.
“Fuck,” he swears, going after me, “Sky, wait.”
“Wait for what? You know how fucking long I waited for you? Do you?” and I can’t help it, I cry, tears stinging my eyes.
“Kid,” he says, trying to grab my arm.
I pull my hand away. “No, dad. I had this whole plan on how we were going to do this,” I say, motioning between us. “I had a plan, and now I don’t know what to tell you, how to tell you…”
“Tell me what?” he asks, his voice cracking.
“You are being so nice about letting me stay here for fuck knows how long, with your stupid yogurt and granola,” I blubber.
He starts to smile. “I hear myself when you say shit like that,” he says, sounding proud.
I swear under my breath. “This is not funny,” I grit out, stamping my foot. But I can’t help but smile as well. “I missed you, Jay, do you know that?” I ask locking eyes with him.
“I missed you too, kiddo.” He laughs, but the side of his mouth turns down.
“Just not enough to visit.” He cringes at my response. “I just need some time, before I go back home,” I say, taking a step away from him.
“This could also be your home,” he whispers, his eyes pleading.
“Could it really?” I ask, motioning to the track. “BMX was always number one, why would it be any different now?”
He opens his mouth like he wants to say something, but changes his mind at the last moment. “I’m here whenever you feel like talking,” he tells me, taking a step back.
“Just give me time, Jay,” I say, turning around, not looking back.
