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Now that I think back, she’d had that distant look in her gaze the same as she does now. How hadn’t I picked up on it before? Had my own issues outweighed my hindsight to see that she, too, is hurting from something.
Hailey clears her throat. “So do you think Abram will show?” I don’t like that she’s changing the topic, but I go with it. “I mean he has to, right? They’ve come so far and worked so hard,” she emphasizes.
I chew on my bottom lip, hopeful that he might come to at least one game, but the hope’s faint. He hasn’t bothered all season. I haven’t been here before this year to know if he’d come in the past, but something tells me that answer’s also a firm no.
“I don’t know. I talked to Abram earlier this morning about their upcoming game before he left for work.” Trying to put out some ideas without being too forthcoming. “He never gave me a definite answer.”
“It’s official, all men are oblivious idiots.”
I snort my agreeance. “He said something about not being sure if he was welcome, you know, after everything.”
The uncertainty that he held in his gaze as he’d told me that made my temple throb. He should come. They both can be stubborn, but come on?
He’s letting his fear of upsetting his son outweigh the pride I know he has for him. The team’s come so far.
I’m proud of him, proud of them all. They’ve worked so hard to get this far and they’re at the tip of victory’s tongue.
Hailey draws out a depressed exhale. “Well, hopefully he shows. If they don’t win tomorrow, then the season’s over.”
She’s right. Tomorrow’s the last game before they go all the way. The team needs all the support they can get.
Plus, I know Finn might not say it, but deep down he’d want Abram there.
I lean my head down on her shoulder. “Yeah, let’s hope.”
thirteen
Rory
Abramdoesn’tshow.
The boys won, but he wasn’t there to witness his son’s hard-earned victory. Or how he dominated the court, not missing a single shot the entire game.
Finn had been on fire.
Officially, KPA’s made it to the championships. They did it.
“Rory,” Eli says. Calling my name as he steps outside the Casper mansion, sounding almost relieved.
Odd, but whatever.
“Want to grab something to eat?”
I shake my head, already bypassing him on the way to go inside. “Thanks, but I grabbed some food earlier.”
Cole told me he’d meet me back here after I told him I was going to spend some time with Hailey after the game.
She looked like she’d needed it. The fake smile she’d plastered on her face the whole game a hard thing to imitate since the boys had done so well. Usually, she’s full of energy. Jumping in her seat, yelling at refs—that only happened once, and itwasa bad call—but tonight it was forced.
Something’s wrong with her, but she won’t open up about it. She shook me off or changed the topic anytime I tried to coax it out of her.
Usually, Hailey’s an open book so it’s strange and alarming that she’s acting this way. I’ve never seen her like this before.
After about an hour, I gave up and told her I was going to head home. Begrudgingly she agreed, saying she was tired anyway.
Another lie.
She’d had three sodas at the game. There’s no way she could be tired. If anything, the girl should be bouncing off the walls or at least need to go to the bathroom. She hasn’t, not even once, in case you’re wondering.
