Page 86 of Anti Player

“I know, we’ve been friends a long time,” I say, as if this is news.

“Damn, bro,” Connor says, shaking his head.

“Look, I get what you’re saying, and I want to assure you I would never do anything to hurt Maddie or Asher. They both mean so much to me, but what we have will be over by the end of summer.”

“If you say so,” Connor says. “I just hope Brett doesn’t see what we all saw at Coney Island. The way you were both smiling at each other. You two were practically glowing.”

“Because we had sex.” I chortle as I eat some brussels sprouts and kale.

“It was before the Wonder Wheel.” He raises his brows.

“We’re having fun, Connor,” I reinforce, hoping he can leave well enough alone.

“Fine, then have fun,” he replies, but he says it in a way that tells me he doesn’t believe me and maybe it’s because I’m notbelieving myself either, but I can’t let my mind go there. Maddie and I are temporary. It was always the plan.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

Madison

“Hi, Mom.” She is finally picking up the phone.

“Hi, sweetie,” she replies.

“Where have you guys been? I’ve been trying to reach you and Brett the last few days and neither of you are answering my calls,” I say, feeling frustrated. I even thought about getting on a plane, but I didn’t want to take Asher there if things are out of hand.

“Why don’t you speak to your brother?” Mom says sounding off. I love my mom with all my heart, but I hate how she isn’t able to say certain things to us. Like every time Dad left, she’d make excuses for him instead of telling us straight he abandoned us again.

“Hello.” Brett’s gruff voice comes through the phone. Just by his tone I can tell he’s tired and frustrated.

“Finally,” I sigh. “Why haven’t you been in touch?”

“Things are not what I was expecting, Maddie. I took off for two days because I couldn’t be here,” he says, and my stomach dips.

“Why didn’t you call me?” I ask, feeling hurt. Even though Mom was shut down, Brett, Henry, and I were always able to open up to each other and be there for one another.

“I’m putting you on speaker,” Brett says.

“Hi, Maddie,” it’s Henry’s voice.

“You’re there too?” I ask with surprise.

“This asshole came to Connecticut and brought me here,” Henry chides.

“What’s going on, you two?” I ask.

“We need to tell her,” Henry urges. Their hushed tones are making me nervous.

Brett sighs. I know it’s him because of his gruff voice.

“Dad is sick, he’s dying,” Brett says quickly, like he’s exhaling some pent-up air inside him.

I freeze as the words slowly process in my mind.

“Maddie?” Brett asks.

I’m sad, confused, and hurt.

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