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He turns the door handle, and I’ve never been so thankful that I remembered to lock the door.
“You can’t live your life thinking I’ll buy your way in. You need to earn it?—”
I finish his sentence. “Just like you did. I know, Dad.And don’t you think I’ve been busting my ass to make sure I don’t let you down?”
“Don’t worry about letting me down. You’ll be letting yourself down if you don’t get a good education.”
I sigh. “I know, Dad. Can I shower now?”
I hear him huff off and finally get the opportunity to turn on the water, wanting more than ever to wash all the stress away. The last thing I want to do is go to more school after I graduate. Yeah, I want to continue playing football, but every other aspect of going to college just doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t know what I want to do, but I know it won’t be working for TimeLand in any capacity.
If only that was actually an option.
My dad started the company with his three friends, but since it was all his idea to begin with, he’s the president and CEO, and there’s nothing more that he wants than to see his son follow in his footsteps.
The idea of sitting at a desk all day, working on a computer, makes me want to scratch my eyes out.
I’ve never been the guy to sit and play video games or spend all day on my phone, yet my dad wants me to take over a company that is basicallythat. If I don’t like to actually play the game, then why would he ever think I’d want to work on the backend of it?
In a perfect world, he’d have me start at the bottom of the company, learning all aspects of programming and design as I work my way up, so I know every side of the company before he retires and leaves it all to me.
The fact that he puts it all on my shoulders and not my sister’s frustrates the hell out of me too. She’s two years older than me, and she goes to a local college toget her teaching degree. My parents think it’s noble that she wants to work with kids. I think it’s sexist that they think I have to have the corporate job since I’m a guy while she can do whatever she wants, knowing she’ll have a trust fund behind her the entire way.
When I step into the hot water, I can’t help but stand there and let it wash over me, wishing it would wash my dad’s words off me, too, but, no, they keep replaying in my head.
“You have to go to Stanford.”
“You have to take over this company.”
“You have to keep my legacy alive.”
Well, fuck that. What about my legacy?
He’s never cared about me a day in his life. To say I’ve had a normal upbringing would be a huge laugh. The only time he even talks to me is to make sure I’m on track for his plan or to make sure I’m making him look good on the football field, like I’m his fucking trophy boy. He was never able to play football, so it’s like he’s living the life he wanted in high school through me.
I’ve heard him talk to people about me and how I play, like he’s bragging, yet he’s never once said those things to my face. I’ve never heard that he’s proud of me or that I do a good job. No, it’s always things that I need to do better.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Dalton
It’s finally Friday, and I can’t wait to play our first game tonight. Coach has us all amped up to play and I’m itching to catch that ball to run it in for a touchdown. Coach says I’m the secret weapon this year, and I’m locked and loaded for sure.
We have a rally after lunch, so only four classes to go, and the game is on.
After I walk into my first period class, I slide into my seat, leaning forward to whisper in Trish’s ear, “Looking good this morning.”
I sit back and watch her blush as she turns to face me, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Thank you.”
The bell rings before I can say anything else, and like the good girl she is—at least in class—Trish turns to face the front of the room.
“Okay, class, since it’s Friday, I thought I’d give you time to work in class with your partner on the next assignment,” Mrs. Anderson says to start the day.
The hobby paper was easy since both of us can write about horses or running without having to really talk to each other. I’m praying this one will be the same way.
“For the next assignment, you’ll be conducting interviews with each other. I want you both to learn things about one another that aren’t obvious. This is your time to dig deep. Talk to one another and see where your conversation leads. That’s the best way to really find out who someone is,” Mrs. Anderson says. “It might get loud in here, so you’re welcome to go sit in the quad outside the door, but don’t leave this area.”
