Page 95 of Anti Player

Brett raises his brows at me.

I blow out a breath.

“Mommy needs to go to school, Asher. This is the best thing for our future,” I try to explain, but he isn’t having it. My son runs off up the stairs. I go to run after him.

“Wait.” Brett stops me by taking hold of my arm. “Give him a minute.”

“Okay,” I exhale. “What do I do, Brett? This is an opportunity I can’t walk away from. And even if I do get into a school in New York, I still want Texas. That place has been a dream for me.”

“Asher will come around. He’s a kid and he’ll adjust,” my brother says.

“Will he?” I ask. “He had a sleepover with Liam, and you had to see how happy he was when I picked him up. He couldn’t stop talking about all the fun things they did together.”

“He’ll make friends in Texas, if that’s what you really want,” Brett says. What I really want is for Kaleb to tell me to stay. To tell me he loves me and wants to be with me and Asher, but that isn’t going to happen.

“It’s for the best if I go to Texas,” I reply. I need to protect my heart. I need to not feel broken and do something good for my career, and if I do well it will be good for Asher too. He’s just too young to understand.

“Okay,” Brett sighs.

Kaleb and Henry walk in the door. They look like they were playing basketball together at the park since they are both dressed in basketball shorts and Kaleb is holding a basketball under his arm.

“What’s going on?” Henry asks, looking between Brett and me.

“Maddie got that scholarship she applied for. She and Asher are moving to Texas,” Brett says.

Kaleb’s eyes snap to mine. He looks hurt. I should’ve been the one to tell him, but it doesn’t matter because our expiration date is fast approaching.

“When do you leave?” Kaleb asks, and I watch his Adam’s apple bob.

“Probably the week after next. We need to go see Dad tomorrow. I’m thinking we should spend a few days here and then I’ll go back to New York and pack up,” I explain.

He nods.

“Congratulations, Maddie,” Henry says, and he reaches over and hugs me. “I’ve heard you talk about that school in Texas. I’m really proud of you.”

“Thanks,” I sigh. “It feels like another big move, but I think it will be good for me and Asher.”

I break apart from Henry and look at Kaleb. “Congrats, Maddie. Glad you’re making your dreams come true.”

He looks sad, but that can’t be right. He is the one who kept saying how temporary we are.

“I’ll miss you guys,” he continues.

“Thanks, we’ll miss you too,” I say, feeling awkward. “Especially Asher. He considers you a friend.” I don’t know why I add that last part, other than this is a very uncomfortable conversation to be having with my brothers around.

Kaleb nods and smiles, but it doesn’t touch his eyes.

“I should go check on Asher,” I tell the guys. I leave them and head upstairs. My stomach feels like it’s in knots. I don’t really want to leave New York, but how can I stay? I also can’t let my heart dictate my life anymore. I need to make responsible decisions for me and Asher, and the responsible thing is to go to Texas and get a degree. People who finish the culinary program in Texas go on to open restaurants that achieve Michelin Star status. Asher and I would be set. I wouldn’t have to depend on my brother to support us.

I find Asher in my childhood room, lying on the bed with his arms crossed. I try to explain to him why it’s for the best, but he doesn’t want to hear what I have to say. It makes the decision to leave even harder.

The next day, Kaleb and my mom babysit Asher and my brothers and I venture to the rehab facility to see my father. I’m feeling sick as it is over leaving New York, so seeing my father is just added stress. Brett and Henry have already spoken with him and they have made some sort of amends with him, but it doesn’t mean I will be capable of the same.

Brett is driving and we arrive to the rehab center. We leave the car and my brothers walk on each side of me. My protectors. They’ve always been this way.

“It’s going to be fine. No pressure,” Henry says, clearly reading my nerves.

“I’m jittery as hell,” I admit, shaking out my hands like it will make my nerves just fall off me if I do.

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