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“How do you mistakenly throw someone a birthday party?”

My mouth opened and closed “Alexis…” My shoulders dipped and I liftedit fall limply to my side “Alexis ood idea” That sounded like such a weak excuse and the look in his eyes toldI needed to know

His head snapped back “She would never This is not the day… Especially not today” His voice was tight, like every breath was a chore, requiring every ounce of his strength He opened his closet and put the present on the shelf His fingers shook as he set it down and closed the doors

“Tellon What happened today? You were late to the ga at risk?”

“I know exactly what’s at risk”

“Then talk to me Tell me what happened and ether”

“There’s nothing to be worked on, Jules There’s nothing to be fixed It’s unfixable Not everything can be solved with cupcakes and cookies So with real-world shit that can’t be fixed with a sar You don’t understand You couldn’t understand With your country estates that ran in your fae that’ll probably cost as much as I make next year in the pros”

“If you make it You didn’t play because you were late! There are scouts and coaches watching every uys make What could be so important you’d risk that?”

“You wouldn’t understand”

“Was it Alexis? You can’t be her white knight for the rest of her life Did Alexis need help?”

“If this was about Alexis, of course I’d help Who else does she have but me?”

“She has herself Her parents She can’t keep hoping you’ll swoop in and rescue her It’s not your job As long as you keep ju in, she’ll never learn how to take care of her own problems”

“You have no idea what it’s like to have no one To have nothing Absolutely nothing”

“I’ve lost things” My vision blurred with unshed tears “I’ve lost people I care about”

“To death They didn’t choose to throw you away like garbage” He spat the words like an accusation “Practically chuck you out ato relance”