“What the fuck happened Creed?”
“Kress hit her head. She got blood on me.”
His dad lifted a brow, “She split your lip too?”
Creed shook his head, “I got mad that she got hurt. I bit my lip too hard.”
Their father shook his head, “You are such a disappointment. You can’t play tonight. I arranged some college scouts to watch you. Now what will you do?”
His voice got louder as he said each word, and I could see Creed grit his teeth, “I don’t know. I’m sorry. Kress has to go to the emergency room.”
Kresslee started to stir in Creed’s arms, and their father shook his head, “Fuck that. She is fine.”
Kresslee lifted her head, and I could see her shake her head, then put it back against Creed’s shoulder, her eyes closing once more.
Creed shook his head, “I’m taking her.”
Their father glared at him, then his fist punched out so quickly, it was as if a snake struck, hitting Creed in the face.
Creed’s head snapped to the side, and I saw him close his eyes quickly before he looked back at his dad.
“Punish me later. I need to take care of Kress.”
He shoved past their dad, who was starting to rage at them, and I watched Creed put Kresslee in an old truck and drive away, his dad screaming after him.
I blinked at the scene. No wonder Creed got upset after each game. I saw their father punch his own son in the face over his walking away, choosing his sister over his future.
I knew that I needed to be careful with Creed and Kresslee. Creed wasn’t a bad guy. He was only watching over his sister, and I was the guy who got him punished. Of that I had no doubt.
I swallowed hard, my nose slowly stopping its steady stream of blood.
I watched Kresslee and Creed’s dad walk away, getting in the nicest car in the lot, and drove in the opposite direction from Creed. I knew that wasn’t normal.
My dad walked up to me, concern on his face, “What happened?”
“Nothing.”
My dad shook his head, getting his handkerchief out of his pocket, handing it to me, and I wiped my nose.
He grabbed my arm, leading me a little way away, “I know something is wrong.”
I looked up at my dad, “Why are some people not meant to be parents?”
My dad’s face softened. “Tell me the story.”
I told my dad about everything, including what I had witnessed with Creed and his dad.
My dad shook his head, “I don’t know what to tell you about parents. Except you know about bad ones yourself. And youknow that some men shouldn’t have stayed to be a parent. They aren’t cut out for it. All you can do is pray they will make it out of there in one piece.”
“What about Kresslee? I know she is my girl.”
My dad smiled at me, “Then be patient. No matter what life throws at you, be patient. It doesn’t seem as if her life is her own. Don’t give up on her.”
My dad was right. After that day, Kresslee sent me a text saying that we weren’t allowed to talk to each other anymore.
If I hadn’t spoken to my dad, it would have broken me. It did a little as it was. Having my girl for a tiny amount of time and then losing her was the hardest thing I dealt with.
I threw myself into school and football. I ended up graduating as valedictorian and received two scholarships to attend the college of my choice. My dad was freaking thrilled, and I got my degree in accounting while I played. When I got drafted right out of college to the team I longed to play for, I was thrilled.
