Page 258 of Tell Me I'm Enough

“Smart,” I tell her, smiling.

We all fall into easy conversation, talking about the game, about how weird it is having parents everywhere, making everyone feel like they need to be on their best behavior.

It almost feels normal.

Until my dad joins the circle.

He looks over at me. “You know, when I was your age, I didn’t have time for all…this.”

“All what?” I ask calmly, confused by his constant andextremelyunnecessary input.

He gestures vaguely at Simone and at my friends. “Distractions.”

Simone stiffens slightly.

“It’s family weekend,” Chase says lightly, trying to diffuse the tension.

My dad ignores him. “You’ve already lost one season to stupidity. You’dthinkthat would humble you.”

I hate the embarrassment that washes over me in front of all my friends.

I’m so tired of it, tired of him.

“Why don’t you go back over to the other parents and relive more of your ‘glory days’ with them?” I tell him with a bite to my tone. “You know…the years that youpeakedin life.”

I hear a lowoopfrom Tank off to the side.

My dad looks around behind him, then back at me. “Who are you talking to?”

“…You,” I say, like he must have some kind of comprehension problem.

“How about you watch yourself and remember who signs the check that pays for your tuition here, okay? Stop trying to embarrass me like you’re constantly embarrassing yourself on that field and in the classroom.”

His jabs are getting sharper now, more desperate to assert his dominance with me.

“I’ve earned my spot around here with my own talent. Ask anyone.”

He leans in. “You inherited it.”

The whiskey flowing through my system makes the words hit different, makes everything harsher, louder, more ugly and painful.

I just stand there, staring at him, wondering why the fuck he’s even around when it’s so obvious that he hates everything about me.

Simone steps forward slightly, standing closer to me now, like she wants to protect me. “He works harder than anyone on that team and in his classes. He’sverysmart, and you should be proud of him.”

“Simone,” I warn under my breath.

“No, it’s fine,” she says softly to me. Then to my dad, “He doesn’t deserve to be talked about like that.”

My dad looks at her like she just amuses him. “Sweetheart,” he says, voice dripping condescension, “You should maybe mind your own business.”

“Maybe if you didn’t talk down to him in front of people who actually care about him, I wouldn’t have areasonto insert myself into your business withmyfriend.”

Chase mutters, “Oh shit.”

My dad smiles slowly. “You’re very bold.”

“I just don’t like bullies,” she says evenly. “Especially ones too old to be doing it in the first place.”