Hidden Play: The Return 《COMPLETE》

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Gigi never leaves my side. When we finally get home and I have to explain the whole mess to our parents, she stays within arm's distance throughout the entire conversation. My mom cries and hugs me, while my dad claims he 'has a mind to talk to Coach and sort out this mess.' But in the end, they agree to leave it be – for my sake.

At this point, there's no way I can play. Win or lose, the season is done, and I refuse to make things worse by kicking up more drama. Best to just pick myself up and move on. The four of us go to bed with heavy hearts.

Gigi follows me into my room and refuses to leave. She plucks a few movies from my collection and throws an armful of shitty, processed food on the top of my comforter. (Let's be real, it's the best kind of food at times like this.) Then she tells me to scooch - just like she used to do when we were little and I'd had a bad dream. Just like she did after my first heartbreak with Bobby.

I instruct Gigi to take my phone for the rest of the weekend (every bit as difficult as it sounds). I don't want to know what's happening on social media, who is trying to reach out to me, or what they're saying. The only piece of information I ask for prior to being dropped off at school Monday morning is the outcome of the game.

Gigi hesitantly pulls up to the curb and grimaces before handing me my phone. I slip it into my side pocket, and my stomach tightens with dread. One week. I have to survive one week of whatever hell is waiting for me inside those doors.

I grip the door handle and slowly breathe through my nose. My left leg bounces up and down, and my hands become clammy. I wait to get out until my peers start moving towards the front door, indicating the sound of the first bell.

"Tell me," I say. "Did they win or lose?"

I'm not sure which is worse – seeing them gloat after winning without me or being on the receiving end of their anger after losing because of me. Both fuckin' suck balls. Gigi sucks her lips into her mouth before shaking her head.

"They lost."

Dread. It trickles down my spine and chills me bone deep. Kurt's fury was bad enough at the hotel. I can't imagine how he'll be now, after a weekend to stew about the loss he no doubt blames on me. My pride pipes up, allowing me a moment of happiness knowing they needed me to win. It's quickly suffocated and drifts away into my emotional abyss.

"You can stay home this week," Gigi whispers. "You know that. Mom damn near forced you to stay home this morning."

A muscle tics along my jaw. "I already bent over for Kurt and took the hit not playing after he tried to lay me out. I'm not letting him fuck me by cowering in my room for a week."

Gigi nods. Her features tighten into a scowl. She wants to argue, but she wisely stays silent. This is one battle she can't win. It's also a battle she can't fight for me. She doesn't think I heard her fighting on the phone with Mike yesterday, but I did. Looks like he isn't as cool with me coming out as he appeared to be. She's already done more than enough for me, and now it's time I start to pick up the pieces.

"I love you, Gigi," I say. "Thank you."

My sister flinches at the words. They're not ones I let readily spill from my lips, and she knows it. Her expression softens, and she pokes her bottom lip out in a small pout. Fat, crocodile tears collect at the corners of her eyes, and I let out a small laugh before pulling her into a bear hug.

"Oh, c'mon. None of that. It'll all be good. I'm good."

She sniffles into my shirt and hugs me. Her muffled voice tells me she loves me too, and she'll come kick anyone's ass. I just need to give her the word, and she's there. It's a truthful offer, but we both know I won't be reaching out.