Page 110 of When Wrecked Meets Ruined
She sounded weary and defeated, not like the fighter I knew her to be. “What’s wrong?”
“My mom still hasn’t come back.”
“The fuck? Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Before I left for pre-season training, Evie and I promised to tell each other everything. No secrets. No stupid miscommunications. We agreed it was the only way to make this work. Now I was just finding out that she’d kept something from me.
“I just thought… I thought she’d come back. No, that’s a lie. I don’t think she’s coming back. She took most of her clothes. And that scumbag landlord told me she hasn’t paid the rent and….” She stopped talking and let out a loud exhale. “I’m sorry.”
Now I felt like an asshole. I was giving her shit for missing a game. Meanwhile, her shitty mom had abandoned her. But the last time we talked about it was three weeks ago, and she hadn’t said a word about it since.
“You should have told me, Evie.”You should have asked, asshole.
“I’m telling you now. I know you’re busy, and the last thing you need is something else to worry about.”
“What did we say before I left? What have I said about a million times? I’m here for you. We’re in this together.” This wasn’t entirely true because I was here, living a damn good life, without having to worry about paying the bills or looking after a little sister.
“I know. But don’t worry, okay? I’ll figure it out.”
“Yo,Flash,” Nico yelled.
I ignored him.
“They call you Flash now?” Evie asked with a laugh. “It’s a good nickname for you.”
“No, it’s not,” I muttered.
“You love it,” she said.
I didn’t mind the nickname, but I’d gotten a lot of shit for it. Three weeks ago, when I scored that touchdown against Alabama, an ESPN announcer said:“McCallister’s flashes are brighter than most. He’s a dynamic, explosive player and certainly one to watch.”
“Talking to your girl?” Nico prodded. I waved him away. Like an asshole, he didn’t take the hint. He kept talking. “Hey Evie, come party with us Saturday night. You don’t wanna leave your boy alone too long—”
I shoved him. The asshole just laughed and tried to wrestle the phone out of my hand.
I snapped and shoved him against a locker. “Touch my phone again, and I’ll break your fucking hand.”
He held up both hands in surrender, and I backed away. “I was just messing around,” he said.
I glared at him and waited until he was gone before returning to my call. “Evie?”
“Yeah, I’m here. What did he mean by that?”
“Nothing. Ignore him. He was just being an ass. I’ll come over tonight and move you into the guesthouse.”
“I can’t stay there.”
“Brody would be cool with it. You can’t stay in that house.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Stop being stubborn. You still want to stay in Cypress Springs, right?” I prayed like hell that she still wanted that.
“You know I do,” she said quietly.
“Good. Then it’s a done deal. The guesthouse is empty, and it’s a hell of a lot better than the house you’re living in.”
She sighed. “I don’t want to be a charity case.”
“You’re not. Don’t even think like that. I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
