Page 144 of Fair Catch

Blowing out a breath, I mutter, “Not since graduation.”

They showed up like nothing happened, even embraced Kason and congratulated him on both being drafted and his degree. To his credit, he was much more polite during the entire interaction than I would’ve been if the roles were reversed.

Hell, he was nicer than I was, and they were my fucking parents.

But the second Kason was pulled away by Noah so they could get a team graduation photo, I let the two of them have it. In front of everyone who was there, ending my outburst with something along the lines of, “If this is what it means to be a Lancaster, then I no longer wish to be one.”

After that, they handed me a graduation card, went on their way, and I haven’t heard from them since.

I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t sting a little, but there was only one way this could end, and it was with me and Kason together. So the way I’m choosing to view it is that I was the one to cut them off, not the other way around.

As the saying goes, that’s what helps me sleep at night.

“Did you ever open that card from them?” he asks suddenly.

Pausing, I wrack my brain before ultimately shaking my head. “Nah, I’m pretty sure I never took it out of the glovebox when we left graduation.”

Kason produces it from behind his back, offering it to me.

“Yeah, I know.”

I take it from him, looking at the envelope with my name written on it in my mother’s neat cursive. Questions swirl in my mind as I stare at it, then move my gaze back to my boyfriend.

“Why do you have it?”

“I got a text this morning, from your mother of all people. She mentioned it.” A frown pulls at his lips before he mutters. “I’m not really sure how she got my number, to be honest.”

I give him one of thoseyou don’t wanna knowlooks while shoving my finger under the envelope flap. “She might’ve married into the family, but she’s a Lancaster through and through.”

Tearing it open, I tug the card out and flip it open, shifting the check out of the way to read the note written inside.

Hayes—

Enclosed is the money we offered Kason. When he returned it ripped to shreds, your father and I were floored at him throwing away that kind of money, considering he came from none.

He saw more value in you than we did, and for that, we can never apologize to you enough. Nor can we expect his clemency for how unfairly he’s been treated at our hand. With time, however, we hope to earn forgiveness from you both, along with a place in this new life you intend to create together.

Please consider this an olive branch, and use this money, along with the additional sum, to follow whatever path you choose.

—Mom and Dad

My eyes flick to the check, noting the dollar amount is…my entire inheritance.

What the fuck?

Looking to Kason with a frown, I ask, “What did her text say?”

Swiping over his screen, he pulls up a text thread and passes me his phone. I absently hand him the check and card in exchange, my eyes already fixated on the text thread.

Mrs. L: Kason, dear. Can you please check with Hayes about depositing his graduation gift? The ninety days are nearly up before it becomes void. Otherwise we can wire the money directly. Thank you.

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

I set his phone on the counter, more confused than anything when I look at Kason, who is still reading the card.

“Holy shit, that’s a lot of zeros for a graduation gift,” he mumbles, his eyes staring at the check in his hand. When they lift to meet mine, they’re damn near bugging out of his skull.

“It’s my entire inheritance.”

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