Page 97 of Forever Golden

BLUE

“Hey.”

Closing the back door behind me, I peer up when Mike speaks. He’s wearing an old apron I guess used to be Mom’s—back when she actually cared enough to cook, that is. Still, there isn’t an inch of him that’s not covered in flour.

Instead of speaking, I slide my shoes off and keep heading toward my room.

“Took you a little while to get home,” he says. “Did you make a stop first?”

Clearly, he hasn’t gotten the hint that I don’t feel like talking, so with the hardest eye roll ever, I stop in my tracks. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’m late because I just fucked my boyfriend in the locker room shower, but I decide against it. Instead, all he gets is a blank stare.

“Well, wherever you were, hopefully you didn’t eat. I just got dinner in the oven. Homemade chicken pot pie, dinner rolls.”

Thereissuch a thing as trying too hard, and he’s definitely tapped into that vein.

“No thanks,” I force out, turning again to head toward my room. Phase two of the plan involves me being spotted with Ricky again, so he’ll be here soon.

“That was a good game you played out there.”

I stop again when Mike starts talking.

Again.

“Thanks.”

“You’ve gotten a lot stronger on defense since the last time I saw you play.”

I nod. “You’d be surprise how much someone improves their game in eight years.”

The snide comment just wiped the smile completely off his face.

Good.

He lowers his head and… damn. Why do I feel guilty being mean to this asshole? He’s been nothingbutmean and nasty to me my whole life. He doesn’t just get to waltz back through the door and get a fresh start. I don’t get back all the hard years. I don’t get a redo.

“I know you don’t want to eat, but maybe you can sit in here with me and Scar just this once. This is kind of a celebration dinner,” he adds, chuckling a bit.

Walk away and leave his ass standing here looking like an idiot. Don’t fall for whatever game he’s playing.

I look at him—pitiful and hopeful.

“A celebration for what?” I ask, hating that I’m even being minutely cordial.

His smile is back, but it’s far more subdued than before.

“I got the job.”

His announcement makes my stomach twist a bit. Maybe it’s shock or… maybe I’m a little excited for what that could mean for our household. I’ve pulled the weight on my own for so long, I—

No. Don’t get your hopes up. There’s no guarantee he’s planning to take care of business. How many times have you seen him blow an entire paycheck on booze and bullshit?

“Congrats,” I say with a dry grin. It’s all I can muster, and I’m not even certain he deservedthat.

“Thanks. So, does that mean you’ll be joining us? I could kind of use the buffer with Scar. She’s a little upset with me for making her delete that damn gossip app last night. Seemed unhealthy how much she’s on that thing,” he adds with a nervous smile.

I glance over at the table he set, at the sink full of dishes he’s preparing to wash. For so long I wanted this—for him to be a dad—but now I’m terrified to give him a chance. Having that taken away twice in a lifetime might be too much for me.

“Pass.”

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