Page 10 of Laugh

“Daddy, it’s not fair!” Bamber whines to him.

Alexander just sits down, shaking his head. “Why the hell did we come over if all we are getting is some bullshit girl drama?”

I know I’m not helping the situation when I growl out, “Same Alex… fuckingsame.”

“Enough of the language!” Dad barks out at me, and I wince.

“I’m not even hungry anymore. This is complete and utter bullshit, Harry!” Amber cries out. She just won’t let it go. It’s like they’re not hearing a word that comes out of my mouth.

Dad, Deborah, my brothers and sister all start arguing over the top of each other. When I feel my phone vibrate, I pull it out with the handnotslowly leaking out my life blood. I snort a laugh when I read the text.

Unknown: Haddie, this is Beau Hudson. The guy from the library with the football players. I got your number from your friend, Addie. Sorry if this is a bad time, but I was wondering if I could persuade you to give some of my players assistance with bringing their grades up. I know you mentioned you could help them, so I wanted to see what that would entail.

As I scan the message, another text pops up with another paragraph. Beau Hudson is a quick texter. I’m impressed. I don’t bother to suppress my giggle when I read the rest.

Unknown: Also, I wanted to apologize for misunderstanding what I walked into at the library. I didn’t know you were staff there. Would you be available to talk sometime this evening? I can compensate you too, if necessary.

“This isn’t funny, Harry!” Amber screeches at me.

“No, it’s not funny. It’s freaking hilarious.” I’m tempted to tell her who just messaged me. I want to say it’s to prove that the guy has no interest in me except for helping him out. But, secretly? I want to rub in her face that he texted me. Talk about the perfect ammo to go ka-boom in the middle of this awesome family bonding time!

The only thing holding me back is the look of pleading desperation on my father’s face. “Haddie…” he begs me.

“Look, you all have completely missed the mark on what is happening here.” Holding my phone up, I wave it at them and keep talking before anyone can say anything else. “Something work related came up, so I have to go. Sorry about dinner, but I’m going to escape before we all descend into the bowels of claws, tears, and running mascara.”

“It’s a family night, pumpkin.” I know dad doesn’t want me to go, but everyone else’s response is enough for me to know that my presence here is only going to create unwanted tension. They don’twantme here.

“Just let her go if she doesn’t want to spend time with us, Don,” Deborah seethes out, her arms crossed. She stands partially in front of Bamber likeI’mthe one that she needs protection from.

“Yeah, I’m gonna go. I’ll call you later.” I give my dad a quick kiss on the cheek and wave at my brothers, who don’t seem like they could care either way if I stayed or left. “Nice seeing you guys.”

I ignore the bickering behind me as Amber and Deborah explode, directing it all at dad. The uneasy surge of guilt turns in my stomach. I’ve left him there to deal with the shit show I inadvertently contributed to, and that sickens me, but I just can’t stay here for the rest of the evening. This all went south so fast, and I feel like I forgot to wear my seatbelt for the inevitable crash.

Sliding into Marcus’s car, I put my actual seatbelt on and connect my phone to Bluetooth. Dialing the number Beau texted me from, I listen to it ring as I pull out of my family’s driveway and head home.

“Hello?”

“Oh Captain, my Captain! I hear you have need of me.”

Chapter 5

Ride my Spaceship

Beau

“Oh Captain, my Captain! I hear you have need of me.”

I press my lips together tightly so she doesn’t hear the sigh escape me. Getting irritated with her when I’m about to ask for a favor probably isn’t in my best interest, but damn if she doesn’t push my buttons.

“Haddie, thank you for giving me a call.”

“Happy.”

“Excuse me?”

She giggles through the phone. “Nevermind. You messaged you wanted to ask me a favor. What did you need?”

After going through everything with my players this week, we all determined very quickly that we need help. Even though their professors were willing to give them the extra credit needed to bring their grades up, we were screwed with the tutors. Most of the qualified students weren’t around this summer. They were going to have to cycle through multiple tutors for each subject, and schedule them around practices. It would become a nightmare.

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