The Boy in the Jersey ✔️

22

Chapter 22

Four long, excruciating, painful days had passed since I left Josh's house. He had been blowing up my phone the whole time. The first few hours it was nonstop calls, the next day it was texts after the calls, the third day was calls, texts, and he actually stopped by the house.

I had been avoiding him at school and wouldn't answer the calls or texts he sent me. Not that I didn't want to, but I needed time to think and process. I really didn't want to believe that Josh was using me but his dad planted that seed of doubt in me. Now I didn't know what was real, if any of it was.

My dad knocks on my bedroom door before entering my room. I look up from my drawing at him.

"What's up dad?"

He shoves his hand in his jean pockets before motioning to my desk chair with his other hand.

"Can I sit?"

I nod my head and my dad heads towards the chair. I sit up and close my notebook as my dad sits in the chair.

"Are you doing okay kiddo?"

"Yeah I'm fine. Why?"

"You've been off lately. I just want to make sure you're ok honey."

"I'm fine dad, I promise. I'm not going to do anything to myself."

"Good. That's good baby."

He takes a deep breath and taps his fingers against his leg before he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Is it Josh?" He asks in a near whisper

My eyes widen and my palms get sweaty.

"How did you know about him?"

"Kelly I'm not that old. I saw the way he looked at you the day he came by for practice. Aside from that your mother told me"

"Of course she did" I say with a chuckle

"You were so much happier. What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it dad"

"Honey I want to help you if I can. I know you're not a little girl anymore but I'm still your father. Talk to me please" he begs

I take a deep breath and wipe my hands on my sweatpants before adverting my gaze from him.

"I spent the night at his house after his birthday party and while he was getting changed I met his dad."

I pause and take another deep breath to compose myself.

"He was hammered and he said some really hurtful things to me. Then he told me that Josh couldn't possibly have feelings for me because I wasn't perfect. He concluded by telling me that Josh was just using me because I was the coaches daughter."

My dad's eyebrows furrow together.

"I felt embarrassed and humiliated so I ran. Josh has been trying to talk to me but I've been ignoring all his calls and texts. I haven't even read them. I don't know what to do dad. I thought what we had going on between us was real, but after his dad said those things I don't know anymore."

"Kelly honey, I don't know how he was with you and what you guys had, but Josh is a good kid. I don't believe that he would use you. I could be wrong. Teenage boys can be idiots, and Josh hasn't had a good home life. He could've made a mistake."

"But it's such a bad one if that's the case dad. I feel so stupid to fall for it. Thinking someone could have feelings for me" I say turning my attention to the flaking  polish on my nails.

"Honey everyone makes mistakes. I made a huge one when I met your mother. I let jealousy get the best of me and pushed her away. But she took the time to hear me out and she forgave me. Now I'm not saying that what he did was forgivable, but you should at least hear him out. You're so miserable honey and I can't stand seeing my babygirl like that."

"I'm sorry dad" I mumble

"Don't be sorry Kelly. It's okay to have feelings. Just next time he calls answer the phone. If I know him, he's stressing over it. I can tell by the way he acts during practice. Don't make his life difficult. Be the bigger person"

"I'll try dad"

"That's my girl."

With that my dad stands up and plants a kiss on top of my head before leaving my bedroom.

I glance at my phone screen which was lit up with new texts and missed calls from Josh. This time though there was a voicemail left for me. I grab my phone and open my voicemail. My finger hovers over the play button for awhile before I take a breath and hit the button. I put the phone up to my ear and wait.

My breath hitches when I hear his drained voice through my phone. My heart hurt listening to his message.

"Kelly? Please pick up your phone or - or call me back. I don't know what happened but I need to talk to you. Please. Please Kelly. I'm worried that I somehow had messed us up and I want to try and fix it. Please call me back. I miss you and I'm going crazy. I need to hear your voice Kelly. I need you Kelly. I-I don't know what to do anymore."

The beep sounds in my ear and I pull the phone away and put it on my nightstand. He missed me? I didn't know what to do.

I grab my pillow and bury my face in it as I rock back and forth on my bed. Tomorrow was the next game, if I went I could talk to him. He wouldn't be at school because the team would be practicing all day, but after the game I can talk to him. I can hear him out like my dad said.

I glance at the jersey he gave me, hanging in my closet. Would he really go through all that trouble? I couldn't help but wonder.

I grab my phone again and send a quick text to Thalia.

You going to the game tomorrow?

Tali: I'm not sure yet. Why what's up?

I really need you there with me. I'm about to do something really crazy and I need you in case it goes to shit.

Tali: lol. Kel you know I always have your back. I'll be at your house at 5 pm sharp.

You're the best Tali.

Tali: ;p

I put my phone back down and head in to my closet. I take the jersey down off the hanger and grab a white tank top, my ripped denim shorts, and a zip up jacket.

Logan can't know about any of this until I talk to Josh tomorrow. Because our conversation will determine if I can ever forgive him. I hope I can. Because of I'm being honest with myself, I miss him too, and it's making me crazy that I haven't seen him, or been in his arms.

I fold the clothes up neatly and put them on my desk before going back to my bed. I grab my phone again and go to my texts. If I was going to talk with him, I needed to start by reading his messages.

I tap on our conversation and scroll to the first one he sent me three days ago.

Josh:

•

Y'all can hate me for that ending, but it's gonna make the next chapter even better.

Should she forgive him?

Q: What is your favorite candy bar?

A: I have to go with Kit Kat or Twix. Can't go wrong with those 😬😆