Asher's POV
"Don't forget your water bottle," Mom said as we pulled up to the gym. Her voice was soft, but I could hear the tension behind it, the same tension that had been there since Dad left. She smiled, trying to act normal, but I wasn't fooled.
I grabbed my bag from the back seat, avoiding her eyes. "Yeah, I got it."
She reached over and touched my arm lightly. "Asher, have a good practice, okay? I'll be here to pick you up when you're done."
I nodded, mumbling, "Okay," before hopping out of the car and shutting the door behind me.
I didn't turn around as she drove away, but I could feel the weight of her gaze lingering for a moment before she disappeared down the street.
The truth was, I didn't want to be at practice today—or anywhere, really. But staying home meant hearing Mom's worried questions or Jared's attempts to cheer me up, and I didn't have the energy for either.
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