Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
I gave him a hug. “Hey, buddy.”
He looked up at me. “How long can you stay?”
“Only a couple of days, unfortunately.”
Alex pouted. “I wish it were longer.”
“Me too.”
Presley and I looked at each other. My pulse began to race.
“Now?” I mouthed.
She shrugged and whispered, “We have some time before dinner. So no time like the present.”
I looked back over at Alex. “Hey, buddy. Can you sit down with us for a minute? There’s something we need to discuss.” My heart pounded. I couldn’t remember being this freaked out about anything in my entire life.
Alex’s happy demeanor seemed to change as he sat across from us. His face was red, and he was no longer smiling. Alex is nervous, too. Did he already know? Had Tanner gone against his word and told him? That didn’t make sense… Alex had been so happy to see me only a minute ago.
Presley rubbed her palms on her jeans as she sat down. I knew one of us had to start, and I felt the onus was on me.
I cleared my throat and bit the bullet. “Alex, we have something really important to talk to you about.”
His breath was shaky. “Uh-huh?”
“And I want you to know that it in no way changes our relationship.”
He fidgeted, looking anywhere but at me and seeming more anxious by the second. The fact that he was so on edge didn’t help one bit.
“Are you okay?” I asked him.
“Yeah. Just say it,” he shouted.
Shit.
Taken aback by his attitude, I sat speechless for a moment. Presley licked her lips, seeming frozen and just as tense as I was.
I was just about to come out with it when Alex blurted, “I swear I didn’t mean anything by it.”
I blinked. “What?”
“It was just a silly bet.”
Presley’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“The bet I made against Uncle Levi before the Dolphins game.”
Wait. What? I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You bet against me?”
“Well, you’ve been playing like crap since the season started. And some kids at school started a bet. I bet three months’ allowance that the Broncos would lose to the Dolphins. Then the kid who lost the bet got mad and told me he was going to tell you I bet against you.”
Alex was practically in tears, and I felt so damn bad for him.
Presley shook her head. “I wish you wouldn’t bet your allowance, Alex. That’s not very smart. Even if you did win, that’s not a habit I want you getting into.”
“I won’t do it again.”
“Look, Alex, I would never get mad at you for betting against me.” I shrugged. “You made the smarter business move. For the record, I have been playing like crap. It’s mostly because I’ve had a lot on my mind. So I don’t blame you.”
“I’m really sorry.” He looked down at his sneakers.
“Don’t worry about it another second. If anything, it gives me a good kick in the butt to do better, so you have a reason to want to bet for me and not against me.” I quickly corrected myself. “But like your mom says, it’s not a good idea to bet again, in general. So no more of that.”
Alex looked between us. “Am I in trouble for something else? Why did you want to talk to me?”
“No, honey,” Presley said.
I took a deep breath, gearing myself up all over again. “So…” I said. “You know how close you and I got when I was living here this past summer?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “It was the best.”
“Well, those were some of the best weeks of my life. Not only did you and I get to know each other better, but your mom and I… We spent a lot of time together too. And we…really grew to care about each other. A lot.” I looked over at her. “It wasn’t anything we were expecting. But we became more than friends.” I paused. “We fell in love with each other, actually, and we want to be together.”
Alex blinked several times but didn’t say anything. He looked understandably caught off guard and confused. Then he muttered, “Oh…”
Presley finally spoke. “Dad knows, Alex. He’s not happy about it, but we’re hoping he will grow to accept it. Your dad and I were never going to get back together, honey. I will always care about your father, but I decided a long time ago that we’re better off as friends. I told you that before. So this isn’t about choosing Uncle Levi over him. And both of them love you very much. This doesn’t change anything there. I want to make sure you understand that.”
“And I’m not trying to move in on your relationship with your father either, Alex,” I said when Presley paused. “Your dad will always be your dad. I’ll always be your uncle. And both of us will always be here for you.”