Page 26 of Sweet Little Lies
She sighs on the other end of the line. “Well good. That helps matters. You know I had to ask, Lance. You’re a notorious partier.”
What am I supposed to say to that?
“Well, I wasn’t drinking at the lake around kids. Mica’s my friend and we were there with her family. Now will you please tell me what the fuck I’m supposed to tell this reporter? I really don’t want this to be overblown. I need to protect their privacy.”
The last thing I want to do is to hurt Mica or her family in any way with my pseudo-celebrity status. As a college basketball player in a nationally recognized program, I get my share of recognition. That happens when you’ve been interviewed onESPNand SportsNews for the last four seasons. It’s just part of the game. I’ve learned to deal with it when it comes to playing, but not in my personal life.
And I don’t want to do anything to cause Mica to back away from me. She keeps to herself and doesn’t want to standout. And that may be because of her family and who they are and where they’ve come from. But that’s just a wild guess based on my observations over the last year.
With where things stand between me and Mica right now, this very event could be a catalyst and she could easily turn away from me just to please her family.
Because they were far from pleased when they learned about my presence at the lake with her today.
When Mica’s sister, Therese, and her mom came flying into the ER, the hostility on their faces was palpable. I’m not sure if it was aimed at me personally, but I know for certain they were not happy I was there with Mica and the kids. They seemed to instinctively know what a bad influence I am on their sweet Micaela.
“It’s up to you, Lance. I don’t see any harm in telling the reporters what happened from your perspective. If you don’t give them anything, they’re likely to dig up something else which could hurt you and yourfriend.” I don’t like the way she says that word. Like Mica being my friend is a horrible transgression on my part.
“Give them a statement only if you want to, but I think it would be great publicity for you going into this school year. The world needs good news about their sports idols.”
I scoff, my shoulders drooping. I was hoping she’d tell me no.
“Okay. Thanks Jackie.”
We hang up and I walk back in through the automatic doors as if I’m about to face a firing squad. And in a way, I am. But when I step inside, the cold air-conditioned air slapping me in the face, all I see is Mica, standing there looking angelic and perfect.
Her arms wrap around her middle, her eyes searching the room for me with uncertainty. As if she assumes I won’t be there. That I’ll have left her and gone home.
When our gazes finally lock, relief floods her face and she rushes toward me, arms thrown wide open. I catch her in my embrace, lifting her off her feet as she wraps her hands behind my neck and holds on to me for dear life. Her tiny, lithe body shakes in all the emotion of the day’s events. I just hold her and allow her to let it all go.
And no matter how culpable I am for what happened today to little Alvie, I know I’m meant to be here with Mica. I want to be the man she relies on that holds her up when she needs me and supports her through everything. The guy she turns to when she wants to be loved and cherished.
I want to be that guy for her. And it feels like she may have let down her guard and finally allowed me in.
I just hope I don’t fuck it up from here.
