Page 68 of Hard Count

“It is. Goodbye, Mom.” I hang up the phone. I have nothing else to say to her. At this point, I don’t care if I ever talk to her again. I rub my eyes and take a calming breath. I didn’t expect to find all of this when I came over here. I wanted to have a moment in the house I grew up in on my birthday.

Once again my mom ruins everything.

I close the file cabinet drawer, but stop at the last minute when something catches my eye. A manilla folder withdivorcewritten on the tab. Do I want to look? I need answers. I won't be able to stop thinking about it if I don’t.

Hesitantly, I pull the file out of the drawer and take a seat at my dad’s desk. I scan the documents until I find anything that can tell me who asked for what and who really wanted me. It looks like my dad is the plaintiff. He filed for divorce. He wanted to leave her. I don’t blame him now that I see what she’s really like.

Ikeep reading and scanning the papers. My breath catches and tears prickle my eyes. He asked for the house…and for me. He wanted full custody.

What happened? How did I end up with her? I don’t understand. Now I have more questions than when I started.

My phone dings with a text. I hope it’s Nash. Maybe he got home early. I need him.

FRANKIE:

Do you want to meet me at The Armory for a little birthday celebration?

They have karaoke too.

ME:

I don’t know if I’m up for it tonight.

FRANKIE:

It’s your birthday! I’m sure you would prefer to be with Nash but they won’t be back for hours.

I want to celebrate with you too.

ME:

Fine, okay. Give me ten minutes.

I want Nash but forgetting about everything with Frankie sounds like a good idea right now. If anyone can distract me from reality, it's her.

22

NASH

It’s almost ten at night when I walk into the house. I can’t wait to get my hands on Drew. I didn’t see her car out front but maybe she had to park down the street. I’ve been thinking about waking her up ever since she sent me those photos. I want her naked but I'm hoping she has my jersey on.

I get halfway down the stairs when my phone starts ringing.Gage. “Hey? What’s going on?” I ask.

“Are you back in town?” I can barely hear him over the awful singing in the background.

“I just walked in the door to see Drew.”

He laughs. “Is that so? Pretty sure I’m watching your girlfriend drunk on whiskey and singing really bad karaoke with Frankie.”

That can’t be true. She doesn’t drink for one thing and two she said she would be here waiting for me. I open the door to my bedroom and sure enough, it’s empty. “Where are you?”

“The Armory.”

“It’s her birthday. She’s celebrating.” I would have preferred her waiting for me in my bed but I’m glad she went out withher friends instead of being by herself.The alcohol is a little surprising.

“She did mention it was her birthday once or twice when she pointed out her party dress.” He chuckles. I don’t know why that’s funny. “You might want to bring Eli. Frankie’s ex is here. Nothing’s happened but he’s been watching her.”

“Fuck.” I knock on Eli’s door. Once he sees my face he puts a shirt back on and grabs his keys. “Keep an eye on them. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”