The Guy Who Gave Up His Jersey (New Version)

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We stayed one more day in Panama before making our way back into town. We had decided it was time to go back, even if I wasn't fully ready. Alejandro had his own responsibilities to take care of and I couldn't hide forever. Plus, we missed a day of school and Alejandro has his senior project to finish. Our circumstances forced us to return against our wishes.

We were down the street and my stomach was cramping from how nervous I was. Ale stopped on the curve of my drive way and turn to look at me. He had asked me if I wanted him to go with me inside the house but I assured him I could deal with the wrath of my parents on my own. He had his own wrath to face when he returned home. I thanked him for everything he had done for me for the weekend and gave him a hug before getting out the car.

"Call me if you need something."

"I will. Text me when you get home." I responded and closed the door.

I made my way up the small steps preparing myself for whatever waited for me behind the wooden door. I didn't dare texting my parents I was returning, I figured Alejandro would tell my parents for me. Unlocking the door, I opened it and got inside. Upon entering I was greeted by my parents sitting on the stairs. My dad had his face buried in his hands while my mom stared at me blankly. You could tell these last few days had taken a toll on both of them. I dropped my bag on the floor and waited for the screaming to start.

My mom was the first one to get up from the stair and go over to me. She wrapped her arms around me, embracing me in a hug. I wasn't expecting a hug or even for my parents to be waiting for me by the door. I anticipated for a screaming of a life time, I imagined to have them screaming from the top of their lungs questioning my actions. I hugged her back and departed from her as soon as my dad looked up at me.

Considering no one had said a word yet I took upon myself to say something. "I am going to say sorry for stupidly leaving out of the city but I won't apologize for leaving the party."

A dry laugh erupted from his mouth. "Do you know how worried your mother and I were?" The pure anger boomed in his voice.

I ignored him and met my mothers eyes. "How long will I be grounded for?"

My mom turned to look at my dad who had a stern look on his face. If I interacted with I was going to blow I, I'd say everything I have buried in my chest and things would get heated pretty fast. I hoped he wouldn't continue to talk to me and get the hint I wasn't ready to speak to him.

"Until you leave for college!" His voice boomed behind me. I pretended I didn't hear him and repeated myself.

Suddenly, I felt myself being turned around, his dark orbs meant mine instantly feeling his glare kill me. His face was a bright red from how flustered he was. His fingertips engraved themselves deep into my skin, causing me to pull myself away from his grip.

"You do not get to come to my house and ignore me!"

I bit down on my bottom lip and nodded. "And you don't get to tell me my punishment when you aren't my father Roger!" My words cut him, his face morphed from anger to complete pain.

"I raised you, I have fed you, loved you, and protected you! I am more of your father than the man who made you!" His eyes filled with tears.

"At least that man had the ballls to walk out of my life when he didn't want me anymore. Instead of leaving my mom and I you are dragging us around, cutting us up into pieces. At least that man was able to let me go."

He was stunned by my sudden outburst. Never in my life had I argued back to him nor compare him to the other guy. I guess he thought he couldn't be compared to him since they were nothing alike—they're not. Roger took me in and loved me, sadly somewhere along the way he got lost. Whatever path he got on doesn't include any of us, his job is all he needs so why doesn't he just marry his job instead? His job can be dragged around without hurting it.