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I blink, guilt confusing my thoughts as the familiar resentment builds inside. “It was Friday. That’s my day. I had a game.”
“And I got called into work. I couldn’t turn down those hours.”
Looking down at Val, I frown. “So you just left without making sure I was coming home?”
My mother scoffs. “Well I didn’t think you would ignore me all night.”
My mouth falls open. “It wasmy day.The only day you are supposed to be off.”
“And I told you I got–”
I throw my hands up. “No, you’re not getting it! It was my day. My only day I don’t have any responsibility for her. The only day I get to live my life without worrying if she’s fed, if her homework is done, if she’s showered. I’m not the one to blame here. You’re the one who left heralone.”
Her head jerks back, her coloring paling as she stares at me. “Sage, I–”
I groan, my temper flaring. “I just wanted one fucking day to myself. You have no idea what I’ve had to give up. You don’t think I wanted to go to my senior prom? My graduation party? God, I had to practically beg the neighbors to watch her so I could make my weekend tournaments.”
Val launches off the couch, loud sniffling coming from underneath the curtains of blonde hair as she rushes past us and into our room. We watch as she slams the door closed, her sobsincreasing behind it. My eyes squeeze shut, knowing I hurt her feelings when I’m not even mad at her.
“Sage,” the broken whisper coming from the woman before me has me looking back. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t blaming you. I was just scared. I had one daughter in the hospital and the other one dead in a ditch for all I knew.” Her eyes glisten, the grief shining as she wipes the fallen tears. “I’m so sorry.”
I tilt my head back, exhaling slowly. “Stop apologizing, Mom. I know how much we need the extra money.” She wouldn’t have left Val alone unless she was positive I was coming.
I don’t know she’s moved until her hands cup my cheeks, pushing my face into her neck as she strokes my hair. “My baby, my first baby. I forget sometimes that you’re still so young. I’ve taken so much from you. I wish things were different. I try so hard–”
“Stop,” I mutter into her skin. The soft scent of my mom’s perfume calms my soul, it always feels like coming home. I know how hard she works to keep a roof over our heads, to keep food on our table, to allow me the opportunity to play the sport I love. It’s why I never complained about the events I missed in high school. Valerie meant more than some stupid dance. “Is she okay?”
My mom sighs. “Second-degree burns on her right palm and wrist. She was trying to make Mac n’ Cheese.”
My stomach clenches, tears springing again as I wonder how long she was home alone before she attempted to make the food for herself. I pull myself away, wiping at my wet cheeks. “I should go talk to her.”
She grabs my shoulders, squeezing before letting go.“I love you. So much.”
I give her a weak smile. “Love you too.”
Keeping my footsteps light as I open the door softly, my heart aches when I see her asleep in her bed. I crawl on the mattress,cradling her small body in my arms as I curl behind her. A moment later our mother joins us on Val’s other side, stroking the blonde hair out of my little sister’s face.
“Everything I do is for you girls. I love you both so much.” Her choked whisper pierces me and I reach out for her hand.
“I know, Mom. I wouldn’t trade my life for anything.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Fallon
After the 10th unanswered call, I call the only other person I know in this town who wouldn’t judge driving me to the home of my nineteen-year-old athlete.
Conor starts laughing the second I climb into the passenger seat of his car. I punch his arm, but it doesn’t stop his deep mocking chuckles. He rubs where I got him before snickering one last time.
“So she carjacked you? You sucked so bad in bed that she was driven to grand theft auto?”
I run a hand through my hair, severely regretting calling him now. I should have walked or figured out how to take the bus to her house. Exhaling, I put her address in his car’s GPS without answering him.
“Ahh, come on. I’m just joking with you,” he says, nudging me to reply.
“Something on her phone spooked her and then she was hightailing out of my apartment before I could even pull up my pants.”
Conor falls silent, the mood darkening as his kids in the backseat talk loudly among themselves. I want to laugh at the ridiculousness that my old college teammate had to pick me up in his minivan full of children to chase down the teenager that just fled my bed.
