“We have nothing to talk about and I’m going to be late.”
“Look, you’re leaving soon—”
“So what, this is your “let’s make amends for being a douche” moment?” I state, not making eye contact with him. “I’m not interested in anything you or your wife has to say.”
“She’s your mother.”
My actions are so fast they surprise me. I’m in front of Sterling with my finger in his face. “She’s not my mother any more than you’re my father. Parents don’t treat their children like scum and that’s what you do. You couldn’t even be bothered to show up for my graduation. My high school graduation for God sakes. Who misses their child’s graduation?” I shake my head. “The time for you to be parents is over. I’m leaving in a week.”
“That’s what I want to talk to you about.”
I scoff. “Whatever. I’m going to be late.”
“Five minutes.” I roll my eyes and start working on the other side of my truck to tie down the tarp. “Your mother and I decided we’ve been wrong and we’re going to make it up to you.”
“No thanks.” I finish doing all I can on my truck. I’m out of avoidance tactics. I look at him for the first time in a long time and notice that he’s aged since that fateful day in February. I shake my head as I look down at the ground and kick an imaginary rock. I wish things were different – that he was more like Mason’s dad – but he’s not. I should’ve swallowed that knowledge long ago, that I’d never have the kind of father most kids dream about. He’s about structure and social status.
Sterling sighs. “We’ll financially support you while you’re away at college as long as you maintain your GPA and position on the team. I’m not thrilled with your choice of college, but what’s done is done. If you thrive, like I know you can, you’ll be in the NFL draft in four years.”
He makes me want to yell and pound my fist into my truck. They’re going to support me… financially. But when I need the emotional support they’re nowhere to be found. It’s a little too late for him to come at me with this now.
“Whatever,” I say again as I hop in my truck and start it. I don’t look in the rear view mirror as I’m pulling out of the driveway to see if he’s watching. I can’t bring myself to care.
“What if a bear comes and tries to eat me?” I roll my eyes and shake my head slightly at her remark.
“Seriously Josie, a bear isn’t going to come around here. He’ll hear you and Katelyn complaining all the time and think better of it.”
Josie hits me, causing me to laugh. The drive here all she did was talk what if’s and it doesn’t matter how must assurance I gave her, she’s still scared.
I pound the last stake into the ground and pull her into my arms. Tonight, and for the next five nights, we’ll be in each other’s arms. No parents, no curfew, no rules. It sounds just about perfect.
“You’ll be fine, I’m here,” I reassure her, pecking her on the nose. I pull her hand into mine and walk the short path back to our campground. There are four chairs set up around the fire pit and a fire is already going.
I go to the cooler and pull out a beer, taking one of the seats. I twist the top, throw it into the burning flames and watch the metal change colors. Josie moves her chair closer to me, putting her arm through mine and resting her head on my shoulder. Katelyn and Mason sit down opposite us and mirror our positions.
“I can’t believe this is it. Our last hurrah,” I say, pointing my bottle toward Mason as a nod to what’s about to come for us.
“I’m going to miss you,” Josie whispers in my ear. I notice Katelyn looking at Mason like she’s hiding something and truth be told, they haven’t spent much time with us this summer. It makes me wonder if they’re pregnant. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s been asking her to marry him for a while now. It would suck though.
Mason clears his throat and kicks the dirt in front of him. He’s looking everywhere but at me and I’m not sure what to think.
“What’s up, man?” I ask, as I empty my bottle. I set it on the ground and place my hand on Josie’s leg. My thumb rubs circles on her thigh.
Mason shrugs. “I have something to tell you.”
Josie’s grip on my arm gets a little tighter as I adjust in my seat. What on earth could he possibly need to tell me in the middle of the forest? “What’s up?”
He looks at Katelyn who nods and kisses him on the shoulder. When Mason looks back at me, he’s not making eye contact. Whatever he’s about to tell me is bad, but unless he’s told me that he’s slept with my girl, it can’t be that bad.
“I’ve decided to stay and go to school with Katelyn.”
I stiffen. I take everything back. This is right up there with sleeping my girl. “What do you mean?” It’s a stupid question. I know what he means.
“I don’t want to leave Katelyn.”
“So you just…” I have to close my eyes and count to ten. I lean forward and Josie starts to rub my back. “Did you know?” I ask her, quietly. She shakes her head. There are tears in her eyes and for the life of me I can’t understand why. Are they for me or for the friendship I’ve shared with Mason?
“Liam –”