Page 3 of Don't Let Go

She giggled as I kissed the corner of her mouth before leaving a trail of kisses along her throat.

“Okay. That’s enough, love.” Iris put her finger to my lips. “We gotta go get ready for the party tonight. I’ll see you later.”

With a quick kiss goodbye, the girls walked toward Jessica’s car.

I rubbed the back of my neck and was about to say something to Quincy when I saw my dad talking to a man and a woman in the distance. I dropped what I was saying and walked over to the man who would rather be a state senator than my dad.

My father wore a black tux with a checkered tie. He always had to look the part. When I stood next to him at his conventions, I was only a few inches taller. We both had the same strong jawbones, chestnut brown hair, and dark eyes. When I was younger, people always told me I looked like my father when he was my age. I thought that was a high honor, but now I wasn’t so sure anymore. I didn’t want to inherit his ego as well.

My dad looked up and saw me coming. “It was nice talking to you, Charles and Julie. I’ll tell the governor your insightful take on the clean water initiative.”

The couple thanked my father and shook his hand. They linked arms as they walked across the parking lot, probably gushing over how amazing and down-to-earth their senator was.

My father turned toward me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “There’s my boy. What a game!”

I shoved my hands in my front pockets. “I saw you come in a few seconds before the final buzzer. Don’t pretend like you saw the whole game.”

Dad’s friendly grin turned into a sneer as his hand fell to his side. “You know how hard it is for me to come out. I flew in from DC yesterday and was in meetings all day today.”

I pointed my finger at his chest. “I bought that excuse years ago, but I was naïve then. You haven’t seen me play since the seventh grade. I’m a senior in high school now. Mom would have never let anything get in the way of coming. She was the one who gave a damn.”

Without warning, my dad slapped me across the face. My cheek burned, but I wouldn’t show that it stung.

“Boy, don’t you use your mother against me. We both lost a good woman who would move the world for those she loved.”

I spat on the ground. “She was always the better parent.”

Dad pressed his lips together, wanting to say more but refusing to. “Tyler.” He sighed. “I don’t want to fight. I came to see you play. I know I wasn’t here long, but what I saw was amazing. You’re so talented. I’m proud of you.”

I kicked a rock. It skipped a couple of times before landing in the dirt. “Thanks, but sometimes I would like more than words of encouragement. Sometimes, I’d like you to show up.”

He nodded. “I did tonight, and in a few weeks, I was thinking of going to our old fishing spot like we talked about last month. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

I itched the back of my right leg with the top of my left sneaker. “Sure. That would be great.” I looked over my shoulder at Quincy, trying to find an escape. “Look—”

Dad cut me off without meaning to. “I know we don’t spend enough time together.” He rubbed the side of his nose and looked at his wristwatch. “Do you want to get a quick bite to eat? We could catch up.” He touched my face where he slapped me. “I’m sorry I lost my temper.”

I looked over at Quincy again. He was still leaning against my car, scrolling through his phone. “I would, but I need to helpQuincy with something tonight. Then we might hang out with some friends later. Can I get a rain check?”

“Yeah.” He toyed with his watch, fixing it even though it didn’t move. “Go have fun. I’ll see you later.”

“Maybe at my next game, you can come at halftime. See a bit more.”

He laughed. “When is the next game?”

“Next Thursday down in Chandler.”

Dad’s face twisted with disdain. “I can’t next Thursday.”

Typical.“Forget about it. We’re near the finals, and then we’re going to win the state championship, and then I’m done. No more basketball for my high school career.” I clenched my jaw. “But hey, maybe you can catch at least one college game.”

Dad’s forehead furrowed, the look of disappointment I had come to know when I did something disapproving while he was running for senate set on his face. “I can’t miss this meeting, Tyler. You’re not the only one counting on me. I’ve got all of Arizona to think about.” That vein on his forehead bulged out a little.

“That’s fine,” I said, taking a few steps back. “I know where your loyalty lies. I’ll talk to you later.” I turned my back on him and caught up with Quincy.

“What’s going on?” Quincy asked in a hushed voice as we got into my car.

“Same shit, different day.” I started the car and took off. My father stood in the parking lot, watching me peel out like an immature child.

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