Page 63 of Fighting Spirit

I sigh, not able to deal with this argument. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Good man.”

He hangs up, barely uttering a farewell. I’d place money that within the hour, I’ll have a text from my mom, trying to smooth over the tension between us.

“What did Keithy want?” Trevor yawns as he flops down next to me on the couch. I tip my head back until it hits the cushion, not ready to talk about it.

“The game.” I squeeze my eyes shut, as if I can pretend that call never happened.

“Ahhhh, that time again, is it?”

“I guess so.”

“He pull the whole ‘I don’t ask for much, you need to make time for this’ bullshit?”

That pulls a chuckle out of me. “It’s like you’ve heard it before.”

He makes a grumble of assent.

Sure enough, a minute later, my phone lights up with a message.

MOM

He just wants to spend time with you.

“That Pheebs?” Trevor asks. He’s seen this whole routine almost as often as I have.

“Don’t call her that.” I shoot him a glare.

“What?” He laughs. “Your mom loves me. We’re like that.” He holds up two crossed fingers and I bat his hand away.

“Fuck off, you’re not allowed to be friends.”

“Too late, pal.”

My phone buzzes again.

MOM

It’s because he cares, these games are important to him, he wants to share it with his son.

Are you really not going to go?

I sigh, hating the thought that all this might be stressing her out, even if she shares some blame for how things are, always rushing to smooth things over and never calling him out. I don’t want things to be hard for her.

Rowan

I’ll go.

MOM

Oh Honey, that’s wonderful news!

Why don’t you bring Trevor with you? He’s such a nice boy, I’m sure he’d get along great with your dad!

A loud laugh next to me tells me Trevor is reading over my shoulder. I shove him away.

Rowan

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