Page 93 of Chasing After You
“Or you could come run my PR team after your internship, but I’d understand if you want to quit to start sooner,” I suggest.
“Are you serious?”
“Of course,” I answer. “You’re doing a great job. I think by the end of the season, people might actually start rooting for me.” Stacey told me earlier things are looking a lot better for me, and I know Mirabelle’s played a large role in that happening, even without pretending to be my girlfriend.
Her face lights up, and she grabs for her phone. “I saved these earlier to show you, but I think they already are,” she says, handing it to me.
User59285483: price left everything on the field #myqb1
cpfo0tball: henry price is my new fav player
User82417: price is the next GOAT
A lump forms in my throat, and I know it’s just a few, but damn. It feels good to see that everything we’re doing is working. It’s . . . I can’t even express how much it means to me that Mirabelle saved these so I could see them. “Thank you,” I say, handing her phone back. Mirabelle’s as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. Like this is . . . I don’t know.I don’t know what this is, but I think it scares the shit out of me.
“Of course. I thought you would want to see them,” she says, setting her phone down on the ground again.
I want to see you.
I return her smile, but before I can say anything, my phone starts to ring.Mom calling.
“Sorry, I should probably get this,” I say, on the off chance that something is wrong. Penelope doesn’t normally call during the day.
“Do you want me to go?” Mirabelle asks and I shake my head as I answer.
“Mom? Is everything okay?” I ask.
There’s a cough, and a voice deeper than Penelope’s catches me off guard. “Ah, actually, it’s me. I didn’t think you would answer if I called.”
“Probably not. You haven’t spoken more than a couple words to me in almost two months, Dad.”
Mirabelle looks at me in surprise, and while I had a feeling this call was coming, I assumed Dad would call tomorrow on my birthday.
“I know. That’s why I’m calling.”
“And?” I ask, knowing I’m being a dick, but I’m hurt. I’m angry he didn’t even try to come talk to me when I went to watch Kaitlyn cheer. I expected Thalia and Sebastian to be mad when we first announced our fake relationship, and I even understood why they were upset. It still hurt, but I understood. My dad, though? That one I didn’t expect.
“I’m sorry, Henry.”
“Okay,” I say, trying to wrap my head around the fact he’s apologizing because I know that’s not easy for him to do. He’s stubborn and proud, but I still love him.
“Okay,” he replies, and I want to tell him how unfair it was for him to treat me the way he did, but is there even a point? I know Dad’s a man of few words. I can vaguely hear whispering before my dad continues. “Can you forgive me?”
Did he even want to apologize, or is Mom making him? “Penelope wants to know, or you want to know?”
“Both,” he confesses. “I understand if you’re not ready, but son . . . I was wrong, and I shouldn’t have said the things I did. I hope you can forgive me.”
I drag a hand through my hair, and Mirabelle pushes her laptop away, resting a hand on my leg in silent support. “It’s fine, Dad. I forgive you,” I say, watching her closely, and while this doesn’t make everything okay, it’s a step in the right direction. I have to give him credit for that.
“Thank you, Henry,” he says, clearing his throat. “So, um, how are you and Mirabelle?”
“We’re good,” I answer vaguely, because this just feels weird and unnatural.
“I’m not sure what you have planned for the weekend, but I hope you have a good time and that you’re safe.”
“Andrew’s flight should actually be landing soon so I have to go pick him up at the airport. I think some of us are just going to hang out at a bar, nothing too crazy,” I say, looking at my watch.Shit, I still have to shower.“Hey, Dad? I’m glad you called, but I have to get a few things done. Can I call you tomorrow?” I ask, leaving the ball in his court.
“Okay. Please give Mira my love and tell Andrew I said hello. I love you.”
