Page 94 of The Fake
“Wait, you think I’m their best player?”
He gives me a look that saysdon’t play dumb with me, but when a big smile stretches across my face, he caves and gives me the grin that tells me he means it. “Of course, you are. They’re lucky to have you. Damn idiots at Golden don’t even know how badly they screwed up losing you.”
After everything that happened, I often wondered if my parents really believed I was good enough to make it on my own. I’ve been stuck in limbo, deciding if they paid my way into Golden because they thought it’s where I belonged or if they didn’t think I could do it by myself.
Maybe they were just doing everything they could to ensure I got my dream. I don’t like what they did, and I’d never condone it, but I can’t say I don’t get it. If I could pay to have all Nathan’s troubles erased wouldn’t I do it? Isn’t that what I tried to do in a way?
“Thanks, Dad.”
“So this is it, huh?” my mom asks.
I know she’s referring to my decision to stay at Valley and if I hadn’t been one hundred percent sure before, I am now. Each bump in the road has solidified it. I don’t want to run. I want to prove I can handle everything thrown my way.
“Yeah, Mom, this is it. This is where I belong. At least for now.”
The waiter brings our drinks and my dad takes a sip of his red wine. “I know it’s hard for you to understand, but we just want you to have all the opportunities you deserve. We’re sorry we interfered and cost you your spot on the team.”
“Actually, I think I’m starting to understand just how much people will do for the ones they love, but I appreciate the apology.”
Conversation is easier after that. I fill them in on classes and all things Valley, and they tell me about a new hotel opening and renovations they’re doing to the house.
“Do you guys want to come see my dorm before you leave?” They’re heading up to Scottsdale for the rest of the week and then coming back this weekend to watch our last fall scrimmage against New Mexico.
I can tell my mom doesn’t totally understand why I’d want to live in the dorms when I could have an off-campus apartment, but she keeps her comments mostly positive as I lead them up the stairs and to my room.
I introduce them to Emily and Sydney, who are sitting on the couch watching TV. A glance around the room, and I can tell they picked up for my parents.
Bri is closed up in her room so it’s a quick tour of my room and the living area, which only takes a few seconds to really see. I’m just about to usher them back out so we can say our goodbyes when there’s a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it.” Sydney leaps from the couch to answer it.
“Thank you for coming,” I say as I hug my mom tightly.
Sydney calls out from the door, “Chlo, it’s for you.”
33
Nathan
Shawand I’d been playing video games for the better part of two hours when I couldn’t take it anymore. No texts, no calls. Shit, I’d take communication by pager right now. Morse code. An owl. I just want to know I didn’t screw things up beyond repair. Gabby told me to be patient, but I’m failing pretty miserably with that virtue.
Which is how I end up standing in Chloe’s dorm with her parents looking me over.Shit.
“What are you doing here?” Chloe asks. Her eyes widen, but she walks toward me.
I smile a little too big to cover the panic strumming through my veins. Meeting the parents was very clearly not on the list of to-dos tonight. Mine or hers.
“I…” I start to make an excuse, but I’ve told enough lies to last a lifetime. “I wanted to see you.”
She blushes and smiles as she turns to her parents. “Mom and Dad, this is Nathan, my boyfriend.”
My heart stops beating for a second at the word boyfriend. It’s the second time she’s shocked me by using it. The first time was the morning after our one night together when she was trying to please her roommates. I gotta wonder if right now she’s using it to please her parents. But when she glances back at me, her eyes dance with amusement and I know she means it. I haven’t lost her yet.
“Meet my parents, Ellie and Jeff Macpherson.”
I don’t miss the slight quirk of her dad’s eyebrows.
Her mom, however, isn’t so subtle. “Chloe Marie, you didn’t mention a boyfriend.”
