Page 105 of Ice Bet

“What are you doing here?” I asked. They couldn’t afford it, and we all knew it.

“Don’t you worry about that,” Riley’s mom—er, Coach’s wife—patted my arm.

Did they do this?

“That was a good game, son. I didn’t realize how much I missed watching you play in person.”

I grinned at my dad after pulling away from my mom’s warm grasp. There was a tight feeling in my gut, reminding me how much I owed my parents for sticking by me, even when I thought my world was falling apart.

After everything happened with Savannah, my dad asked me what happened. He wanted to know if I did something to cause her spiral. There was no anger, just curiosity. I told him the truth. I told him how guilty I felt for not speaking up and for not being there for her like I should have been.

He stayed quiet, patted my back, and told me that we learned from our mistakes. And then he and my mom found a way to get me to Bexley U. He worked double shifts during my freshman year to cover my books because the loans weren’t as hefty as we would have liked. Savannah’s dad fucked us, but my parents held their chins high and got me to where I was now.

“I’m glad you came,” I managed to choke out.

The bus lights flickered, and Coach shook my dad’s hand, knowing we needed to get going. We talked for a few more minutes before Coach and his wife walked over to the bus, giving me a private moment with my parents.

“You look so handsome.”

“Mom.” I grinned as she tried to fix my tie. “The game is over. We’re going back to the hotel, and I’m crashing until morning. My tie is fine.”

She brushed me off. “Just let me take care of you.”

I laughed. “Fine.”

My dad shook his head and grabbed my mom’s waist, pulling her into him. “You better go.” He inched his head toward the bus.

Shrugging, I hoisted my bag up higher on my shoulder. “Not until you two tell me how you got here.”

I did the math in my head. It was a six-hour drive from my hometown to Crown Point. My dad’s 2007 Ford F150 was a gas guzzler—and front row tickets?

“Did you get a bonus that I'm not aware of?”

Highly unlikely.

My sigh matched his. The Bexley U logo on his shirt stretched when his chest puffed out. Both of my parents were hesitant to tell me. Their eyes were shifty and they shuffled on their feet.

“Coach?” I probed. “His wife?”

I paused as a flicker of realization nestled into my chest.

Riley.

“You know what.” I pulled my mom into another hug. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just glad you two made it.”

They’d be at every game if they could.

I knew it.

They didn’t have to tell me.

“We love you,” my dad said, shaking my hand before pulling me in for a hug.

“I know.” I nodded. “I love you too.”

“Aasher! Let’s go.” Ford stuck his head out the door. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews!”

My mom waved to Ford, already knowing exactly who he was because he had FaceTimed her several times from my phone. He had a way of slipping into everyone’s lives.

---