Page 24 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

“God didn’t invent coffee. The Ethiopians did.”

I shake my head and laugh. “You’re such a nerd. And who created the Ethiopians?”

“I’m not going to discuss philosophy with you. Have youmade a decision aboutMom?”

My chest feels heavy and about to cave in.I’ve done everything I could to not think about her. First, I got stupid drunk, and then came the crisis with the Titans’ plane. “No.”

“Ryan... She has stage four?—”

“I know! You don’t need to fucking remind me. I got the picture the first time you told me.” I rub my face, already regretting my outburst. “I’m sorry.”

“I know you are, Ryan. Anyway... my leave of absence was approved by the hospital. I’m flying to San Diego in a couple of days.”

“How long are you staying?”

“I’m not sure. It depends on how long... you know.”

“Yeah,” I reply through the choke in my throat.

“I was hoping you’d come.”

I clench my jaw so tight, my teeth hurt. I’m still benched, but I’m hoping to be cleared to play this week. I could find the time to meet my brother in San Diego, though. It might be easier to deal with my feelings if I’m not alone. But I rebel against the idea. I locked Mom and everything she did in a dungeon and threw away the key.

“How can you afford to take time off work?” I ask.

“I’ll manage.”

“Cory... At least let me send you some money.”

“I don’t want your damn money! I want you to stop thinking about yourself for a second and go see Mom. She’s not the only one suffering. Mackenzie is a mess.”

I swallow the lump in my throat as guilt digs its claws deeper inside of me. Not too long ago, I would have said I didn’t give a damn about that girl, but now... shit. I do feel bad that I pushed her away. It’s not her fault our mother was a selfish woman. Mom had checked out of her marriage to my father long before she got knocked up with Mackenzie.

“Stop being so fucking stubborn. Do you think it’s easy to see you struggling financially when I have plenty of money to spare? And now this?”

“You’re callingmestubborn?” He laughs in derision.

“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll come to San Diegoifyou accept my help.”

Cory doesn’t answer for a couple beats. He’s not only stubborn, he’s also a proud man. He wants to make it on his own, which drives me mad. He shares a shitty apartment in Montreal with four other residents and always looks like he isn’t eating enough. I’m sure ramen noodles is on the menu way too many times per week.

“Fine. I’ll take your money. But you have to be nice to Mackenzie, or the deal is off.” He doesn’t ask me to be nice to Mom, which shows how smart he is.

I sigh heavily. “As long as she’s not a brat.”

“She isn’t, although, she hates your guts right now.”

“I’m used to women hating me.”

“I bet you are. I have to go. I’ll send you my flight details.”

“All right, Cory. I’ll see you in a couple days.”

I’m still reeling minutes after the call ended. I can’t believe I agreed to go to San Diego to visit my mother. We’ve been living hours away for almost a decade, and I made the mistake of seeking her out only once. I drove to her house in a moment of weakness soon after I signed with the Titans. But I never got out of the car. I saw her with Mackenzie, being all motherly and shit, and it did my head in. I couldn’t cope, and my resentment of her grew.

I’m feeling wretched again when I get home, and dying for a burst of sunshine that only June can give me. I don’t bother knocking, and I find the front door of Mrs. Carpenter’s apartment unlocked.

“Hello?” I call when I don’t see anyone around.

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