Page 123 of Burnout
“It’s not about that,” Archer says. “It’s about Flynn. He just wants to be a normal kid with a normal family on nights like this. That’s what we all wanted.”
My stomach clenches. I never thought about it like that. I glance back at Flynn. Fuck. “I’m gonna get some air.”
I leave without another word. I pull out my phone when I get to the cafeteria. The smell of burnt popcorn makes me queasy. Or maybe it’s staring down at my dad’s contact on my phone. I unblock his number and then hit call without letting myself think too hard about it.
He answers on the second ring. I walk toward a quieter corner, but there’s background noise on his end too.
“It’s Parents’ Night,” I say, skipping all other greetings.
“O-kay.”
I grind down on my molars before continuing. “Can you make it to the game or not?”
“I’m already here,” he says, and this time his voice sounds closer and I realize I’m not only hearing it through the phone. I spin around and face him. He drops his phone from his ear slower than I do. If he wants me to act happy or surprised he’s here, then he’s not getting it from me.
“Flynn called last night to let me know about the game,” he says.
So many questions sit on the tip of my tongue, but I’ll be damned if I ask them or give him another opportunity to feed me bullshit answers.
The buzzer sounds and I turn to walk back into the gym. Dad follows. When we get to my brothers, I pause and so does he. I wave my hand indicating he should sit with us. His brows lift slightly, but he sits without comment.
“What the fuck?”Archer signs and mouths as our father takes a seat with all of us for the first time in…too long.
“This doesn’t change anything between us,” I say to Dad, motioning between me and him. “Flynn is good. The best parts of all of us. I don’t understand why he wants you here, but know that when you break his heart, it will be a relief. I’ll finally be able to forget you exist.”
I take my seat without another word. Hendrick nods like he’s agreeing with everything I did or said. Jane’s shown up since I left and gives me a thumbs-up. Her approval makes me smile.
My heart hammers in my chest, but I don’t have long to calm down before Flynn walks over. He has his red Valley Highwarmups on, ready to sit on the bench. And in his hand are two buttons with his team photo.
We all greet him like the seconds before weren’t tense and uncomfortable.
“They, uh, gave me these.” He holds them up with a bashful smile. He stretches one out toward Dad. I hate every second of it, even if I understand that it’s more about partaking in the ritual than proclaiming him parent of the year. Then Flynn hands the other one to me. His face is flushed. My throat is thick with emotion as I take it. I hold it up in thanks and he backs away, then spins around to head back to the bench.
My fingers fumble as I slide the pin through my shirt and attach the button. When I glance up, Hendrick is grinning wide. “Who looks ridiculous now?”
I scratch the side of my nose with my middle finger and put all my attention forward as they announce the starters for the game.
After the game, we all hang around to wait for Flynn. Dad does too, but he keeps his distance. Our baby brother comes out quickly since he didn’t play. He goes to Dad first. I can’t hear what they say, but Flynn looks happy.
“He’ll be okay,” Brogan says, as if reading my mind.
“Dad is one hundred percent going to let him down.”
“And when he does, Flynn will be okay. You three survived it and so will he. Besides, he has us. We more than make up for one deadbeat dad.” He elbows me with a cocky grin.
I hope he’s right.
When Flynn saunters over to us, Dad leaves. None of us say anything about him or the fact Flynn asked him to come.
“You want to grab dinner?” I ask him.
“Yeah. That’d be cool.”
We go to The Hideout because Hendrick wants to swing by the bar after and it’s the closest restaurant nearby. Once we settle in, Archer and Brogan see some friends sitting on the bar side and leave us to go say hello to them.
Flynn is on his phone, ignoring us.
“Have you seen Avery while you’ve been home?” Hendrick asks. Jane suddenly sits straighter, obviously eager to know as well.
