Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“I’m more mature now,” I replied tongue-in-cheek. “I’m no longer trying to be the annoying older brother who got dragged to his kid brother’s stuff.”
“Campus life suits you,” she mused.
I’d moved back home during winter break of my freshman year to help Mom any way I could after Dad left, and I commuted to college. But by summer break the following year, she told me to go live my life. I still went home most weekends since it was only a thirty-minute drive, but I avoided Bailey so he couldn’t pick a fight with me. It was nice to catch up with Mom on campus too.
Mom’s fingers skimmed over my new tattoo. She’d noticed it as soon as I sat down, and when her eyes softened, I knew I’d chosen the right memento. Dad wrinkled his nose at my tattoos but refrained from commenting on them, which I appreciated. He didn’t have to like them, only respect my choice in getting them. Besides, he couldn’t be surprised. They were a natural extension of my art.
We cheered for the whole team, but Alex’s and Bailey’s events most of all. One of their teammates seemed extra flirty with Alex, so I couldn’t help wondering if there was the potential for something between them. My gut churned, but what did I expect, for him to remain celibate while my crush raged on? At least the guy would understand Alex and his schedule, which only bugged me more.
I hated how my eyes always searched his now whenever we were in proximity, as if my attraction had come roaring back. Or maybe it never went away. It was probably time for a hookup, or I was liable to have him star in my nighttime fantasies again, which was so not a good thing.
Alex stole glances toward the stands every now and again, and his smile was endearing. I’d spotted him around campus this week, but our areas of study were different. If I wanted to see him, I needed to seek him out, which meant either standing in front of the building of his core classes or coming to his swimming events.
Dad shifted his position to get a better view of the other end of the pool as Bailey competed. He looked proud of Bailey’s time on the scoreboard, and as usual, Bailey basked in the glow of his attention.
Once Bailey’s second event was finished, Dad stood up to make a call. I barely kept from rolling my eyes. At least he’d finally removed his suit jacket, likely because of the humidity. He’d always had this air of self-importance about him, but how could I complain? I’d never wanted for much in childhood, and now I was attending a great college with my parents’ help. Of course, his affair had clouded my vision of him and changed my worldview. No way around it.
“So, is he?” Unfortunately, I’d zoned out and missed whatever Mom asked me, but there was no doubt she was speaking of Bailey. “Talking to you?”
“No, but that’s okay.” I pressed our shoulders together. “As long as you’re still talking to me.”
That was the honest truth. I’d been most afraid of ruining her world, hoping like hell that telling her wouldn’t backfire on me. I knew that Bailey would always be cared for, and like him, I’d hoped they could work it out. Keeping the secret had been like acid destroying my stomach, but holding my breath through the aftermath had been almost as bad. Almost.
She kissed my cheek. “Of course I am.”
I breathed out in relief, even knowing what her answer would be. “Bailey thinks I ruined our family, so…”
“Honey, our marriage was hanging by a thread for a long time, and now that you’re an adult, I can admit that to you.” She’d admitted some other things too, in our heart-to-hearts over the last few months. “I thought maybe if I waited for both of you to graduate…”
“I’m sorry,” I said, knowing that Bailey’s last year of high school had been brutal for him.
“No, don’t be.” Her fingers curled around my wrist. “Daddy is the one who made that choice, and then I made my own. And after all the pain, I’m doing just fine, and your father is happy with someone else.”
“But is he?” I muttered, unable to help myself. Dad and the woman he’d cheated with broke up and got back together so frequently that I was getting whiplash.
“That’s for him to decide. All I care about is that he keeps the relationship with you both.”
Before I could respond, Dad returned from his phone call and sat down. He made small talk with us, and then we watched the end of the meet. Franklin U had accumulated the most team points for the day, and the swimmers’ smiles were blinding, the coach’s too, and I’d bet it felt damned good to have done so well their first time out.