Page 35 of Knotted Laces

My stomach.

Instead of my brain and heart—both of which are hurting.

Havebeen hurting.

But I don’t want to think about that.

Thankfully, she picks up on the thread and runs with it. “I know that you’ve got to hit your micros—or whatever that stuff is called—but it’s the off-season now. You deserve to take that break.”

“Well, I definitely had one,” I remind her, keeping my tone deliberately light. “And it’s macros, by the way.”

“Pish,” she says. “Micros. Macros. Same difference. Now, when will you be back in the Bay? I’m going to send you some food.”

I smile, despite the throb in my head, despite my heart hurting because of…

“Next week. But as tempting as it is for you to overnight some of your lasagna,” I tell her, “I think I’d better find my way back to my food plan.”

Athena snorts, but I ignore her and spend the next couple of minutes talking my mom down from the food mailing edge.

I love her.

She’s amazing.

But I really just need to be off the phone with her.

“Fine,” she eventually relents, “but since we’ve decided we’re taking our vacation on your coast?—”

“I told you I’d visit in a few weeks so you don’t have?—”

She ignores me. “—I’ll make sure you eat well then.”

“Mom—”

“Oh,” she says, distraction creeping into her tone. “Your dad’s home and we’re meeting the McCaulys for dinner. I’ll talk to you soon, honey, okay?”

“I—”

“Love you, baby boy. Bye!”

I barely get my goodbye out before she’s clicking off.

The whirlwind is gone, and I exhale.

“You’re not really going to give up Car Snacks for salad, are you?”

CHAPTER TEN

Ats

He glances up,his hazel eyes filled with confusion for a moment.

Then it clears and his mouth kicks up.

Gorgeous.

He shakes his head. “I’dnevergive up Car Snacks.” A beat. “What exactly are Car Snacks?”

I roll my eyes, hate that my anger is ebbing.

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