Page 94 of Let's Be Forever

“No, I have a kid and?—”

Callan speaks over me. “Some of the other guys on the team have kids and they’re still going out.”

“Leave him alone.” Matias slings an arm around my shoulders and pulls me away from Joey’s hold. “Don’t listen to them. I’m not going out either.”

“You’re not?” Callan groans, exasperated. “I thought you said you were.”

“No, you like to pretend that’s what I said,” Matias answers, like this is something that occurs often. “You know, the first game of the season, win or lose, I go home to Abby.”

“Bring her along,” Joey insists.

Some of the guys listening all agree, but Matias shakes his head.

“No, stop asking me. I’m not going to change my mind, and we already have plans. And if any of you dumbasses asks me what kind of plans, I swear to fuck I’m going to fight you,” he warns.

“Okay, fine, you have your reason, but what’s your excuse?” Callan questions me.

“His baby momma,” Marc interjects. “She lives with him.”

All their attention is fixed on me. I know they’re curious to know what’s going on just like some people online are. But before they ask me anything, two familiar voices stop them.

I’m not sure where my parents came from, but they appear out of nowhere. I wasn’t aware they were here.

“Sylas, hi, darling.” Mom embraces me in a hug, kissing my cheek affectionately like she does when people are around.

I’m stiff, unable to do anything but stare at her and Dad.

The guys talk to them, shaking hands and smiling at them, unaware of the tension between the three of us. The only one who notices is Marc. Like me, he’s rigid, unable to look at them the same.

Once the guys have said goodbye, they all leave except for my best friend, until I tell him that it’s fine. I appreciate him, but I know they’ll pretend like nothing has happened if he’s here. They won’t talk in front of him. So with one last look at me, he leaves.

“Well, it’s about time you started acting like a Lenoir,” my father boasts, but in the same breath he sounds indifferent. “I was wrong for assuming coming here would be a waste.”

Rage and resentment consume me, killing my high and veiling my happiness with fury.

“You can’t be serious,” I seethe, balling up my fists at my sides.

Mom places a hand on my shoulder, smiling at me so delicately as if nothing ever happened. It makes me feel nauseous. I have to shake her off, otherwise I’ll lose it.

“Sweetheart,” Mom huffs out. “You have to understand, we were only doing what was best for you. You should thank us.” She glances around. “And we should speak about this in private.”

“What’s best for me?” My hands tremble. I think the rest of my body shakes, but I’m not sure. “You threatened Anna. I missed out on my daughter’s birth. You took that away from me.” I raise my voice. “I missed out on so many things because of you!You.” I lock eyes with Mom and she flinches. “Not even a month ago you were on my case about having kids and all this time I had one. But you denied her. As if she wasn’t?—”

“Calm down.” Dad speaks in a quiet voice, staring at me like he’s embarrassed by me. “You’re making a scene.”

I’m doing my best to quiet the voice in my head that insists I hit him.

“A scene? What, you’re worried someone will find out thatthe greatDean Lenoir and Clara Alves are pieces of shit? You took so much away from me. I?—”

“Listen here.” He grabs me by the collar, leveling me with his piercing, angry stare. “You ungrateful?—”

I push him hard and away from me, and he stumbles back but catches his footing. “You don’t get to do that shit to me anymore. Touch me again and I swear?—”

Dad scoffs. “Remember who gave it all to you. You’d benothingwithout me. You’re only as good as you are because of me.” He sweeps his eyes over me as if I’m a nobody and not his son. “What, you going to hit me, Sylas? You’re really going to hit your father? Do it. Show me how weak you still are.”

I choke on the ball that’s lodged in my throat. My vision swims, and my ears ring.

“We did what we needed to do so you’d get your life together, and we don’t regret it. We’d do it again because we love you,” Mom says apathetically.