Page 64 of Keeping the Single Dad
Alex and Brodie had been a light again. A beam had pierced a small shard in the armor that I’d built around my heart for the past ten years. Now, I’d lost them. I’d run, rather than attempt to explain myself. How could I ever go home? I had no job to go back to. No team.
My phone had died the minute I’d got off the train, and I hadn’t even remembered a charger. It wasn’t as though I’d been thinking straight when I’d packed the bag. Alex had probably seen the story by now. He wouldn’t forgive me when he realized what a mess I’d made of things.
I couldn’t forgive myself either.?
Chapter 39
Alexander
Brodienibbledhisicecream. The freckles on his nose bunched. “You should have invited Lana. She loves this place.”
My stomach dropped to hear her name. “Lana’s busy today.”
“But Lana always hangs out with us after you play a match. Why didn’t she want to watch you?”
I’d have to tell him. I just had to think of the right way. “Do you remember when you had that argument with Robin about the football cards?”
Brodie nodded. “He stole my Haarland card.”
“Right. Well, Lana and I had a fall out. We’re still going to be friends but we might not spend time together anymore.”
Brodie eyed me suspiciously. “Does that mean she’s not your girlfriend now?”
“She never was my girlfriend, pal. She was just my friend.”
“But I don’t kiss my friends.” Brodie jabbed at his ice cream. “Why did you fall out?”
Better to be honest. We’d have to have a discussion. No doubt the kids at school would be talking about it on Monday. “Lana told a journalist some things about me. It hurt me that she would go behind my back.”
Brodie wrinkled his nose. “Lana wouldn’t say mean things about you on purpose.”
No. I didn’t think so either. I’d been a fool. How could I have got her so wrong?
“I bet it’s because you’re so boring. It wasn’t Lana’s fault. The papers had to make things up about you to make you sound interesting.”
I sighed. No doubt some of it was exaggerated but there was no smoke without fire. There were facts about our relationship in the article that only Lana knew. It was definitely her. Lana shouldn’t have breathed a word about private matters. A dollop of ice cream dropped off Brodie’s spoon onto his white sweater. I passed him a napkin and tried not to cringe. That wasn’t going to be easy to get out in the wash.
“If any of the kids at school say anything to you, tell me. I can talk to the teacher about it.”
“They can say what they want. I’m not bothered.” He shoved another spoonful into his mouth. “They’re all just jealous because my dad is the coolest.”
“You think I’m cool?”
“I mean, not really. You’re not good at Mario Kart, and when you try and dance it’s embarrassing, but you played in the World Cup. No one else’s dad has done that.”
I couldn’t help the smile that pulled at my lips.
Brodie blew out a breath. “Can I still see Lana?”
I picked a crack in the table. “Sure. We can still watch the women’s team play if you want to.”
“It’s not the same. I want her to come round to the house. Can’t you make friends again? I made friends with Robin.”
“We are friends. It’s just going to be…different now.”
“Can’t you talk to her? If me and Robin made friends again, then you can.”
“It’s not that simple, pal. I wish it was.”
