Page 32 of The Penalty Shot (Totally Pucked 5)

“I don’t want to tell you because I don’t want you to freak out.”

“When have I ever freaked out?” I say, reaching out and brushing his strawberry-blonde hair that’s the exact replica of my own, out of his eyes. By a sheer stroke of luck, Alex is my twin. He’s got the same shade of hair, my nose, my lips, and the very same blue eyes.

In most ways, he’s like me. Smart, resilient, kind. Wise beyond his years, and for the last eight years, it’s just been the two of us. He’s my best friend, but will always be my baby, no matter how old he gets.

"These guys at school…They’re bullying me. They’ve been bullying me. Taking my sketchpad, tossing my backpack in the toilet.”

My jaw drops. So that’s what really happened last week, not that he left it at school. Alex lied to me because he was worried I wouldn’t be able to handle the truth.

God, how did I not see it? My stomach twists. Heneverlies to me.

“Alex, you don’t ever have to lie to me. I’m your mom, and no matter what happens, I will always have your back. What are their names?”

He frowns and shakes his head. “This is why I was worried about telling you, Mom. It would just make the whole situation worse. I have to handle this myself or it will never get any better. Asher told me to tell the teacher, but then I’ll just look like a snitch.”

Asher?

“Wait, you told Asher about this?”

He nods. “We talk on the rooftop when I go up there to draw. He’s my friend, Mom. I trust him, and…” He trails off, looking down again. “I think besides Callum… he’s the only real friend I have.”

Tears, hot and fresh, well in my eyes. My poor baby, he was suffering in silence, and I had no idea that this was going on. I move closer to him and pull him into my arms. He fits against my chest as I hold him tightly, and I drop my lips to the top of his head.

“If you trust Asher, and he feels like a safe place for you, baby, you should always talk to him. I hope that you can trust me enough to come to me, too, but I know sometimes it’s harder to talk to our parents than it is to our friends. I just want to always protect you, Alex. It’s my job as your mama. Why are these kids targeting you?”

Alex shrugs, pushing his black glasses up on his nose. “They say I don’t belong. I guess…they are all rich, spoiled kids and the fact that I don’t wear expensive shoes or clothes, or have the latest smartphone sets me apart from the other kids.”

“Okay, that’s bullshit. Excuse my language, kiddo, but you worked just as hard as their spoiled little behinds did to get in there. You busted your butt to get the best grades you could. Why do they deserve to be there any more than you? I pay your tuition; you keep your grades up.”

“I know, Mom. I don’t know. I just don't want to make the situation worse.”

“Listen, I trust you enough to let you handle situations yourself. Not to brag or anything, but I raised a strong, brilliant kid that has a good head on his shoulders, but baby, I just can’t sit back and watch you be bullied by kids. It’s my job to protect you.”

He nods. “I know, Mom, but when you go up there and talk to the principal, it’ll just make everything ten times worse. Then I’ll be a snitch. Please, please, just let me try to handle this by myself first.”

“Promise me that if you think for a single second that you don’t have it under control, that you’ll come to me or Asher or tell a teacher. I’m trusting you that you can handle it if you say so, but the mama bear in me wants to give those kids wedgies and bring them to their parents.”

He laughs, and it makes me feel slightly better.

Tousling his hair, I pull him to me and hug him tightly again. Every day he’s getting, and I remind myself that, soon, he won’t want hugs from me. He’ll be a teenager with his own life, his own friends, much like I was, and it makes me want to cherish these moments even more.

“Now, I have a surprise.”

“What?”

I smirk. “Well…Asher should be here any minute, and we’re going to an art exhibit at the Chicago Truborn. He mentioned something about an awesome local street artist he thought you would like.”

Alex’s eyes widen as he jumps up from his chair, punching the air. “Holy crap, I’ve been wanting to go for ages, Mom! This is awesome. I’m going to get my sketchpad to bring with me. We’re going straight there?”

Glancing at my watch, I nod. “Yep, as soon as he gets here. Grab your back pack. “

With that, Alex sprints from the kitchen to his room, leaving me alone at the kitchen table. After my phone call this afternoon from Mama, I’m even more thankful for the close relationship I have with my son. She has no idea what I’ve been through or what I’ve sacrificed for him.

Ten minutes later, Asher walks through the front door with his black duffle bag slung over his shoulder. He’s wearing a pair of faded blue jeans, with a black t-shirt, and a worn pair of vans. So handsome that my throat suddenly feels tight. His hair is slicked back off his forehead, and his facial hair is a little longer since he’s been gone.

It’s not just his outfit; it’s the sexy smile on his lips that takes my breath away.

It’s the feeling in my stomach, the fluttering of butterflies, that is always there when I’m around him.

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