Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

FINN

My heart is racing so quickly that it’s making me lightheaded as I see a face I haven’t seen in months. I don’t even have the protection of my grandpa like I normally do. What is going to happen if he realizes I’m here? Is he going to hurt me like he’s done in the past? Why the hell didn’t I check to see who the Koalas were playing before I showed up tonight? How could I have been so stupid? This whole situation could have been avoided had I just taken a moment to pay attention to the schedule, but it’s a little too late for that now. I want to run but I also don’t know how I’d explain that to Monster’s family.

“Are you okay?” Aurora asks with her brows pulled together. “You’re as white as a ghost.”

I take a shaky breath and try to nod, but that makes me dizzy, and I almost fall into Aurora even though we’re sitting.

She quickly grabs a water that we bought when we got here and unscrews the cap before pushing the bottle into my hand and telling me to drink.

I do as I’m told and try to even out my breathing, but it’s extremely challenging.

“I think he’s having a panic attack,” Aurora tells someone, probably her parents, but I can’t tell for sure because I can’t see straight.

“Breathe with me,” Aurora coaches. “In… one, two, three, four. Hold… One, two, Out… one, two, three, four.”

She keeps up the rhythm, and I follow the instructions, forcing myself to only focus on her voice, not on the panic that’s coursing through my veins.

Eventually, I begin to calm down, and I don’t feel like I’m going to pass out anymore.

“Are you okay?” Aurora asks as I take another sip of the water, and I nod slowly.

“I’m better, thanks.”

“What caused you to freak out like that?” she questions, and I stare at my shoes, not answering right away.

“I saw my brother,” I whisper. “And let’s just say we don’t have a good relationship. This is the first time I’ve seen him outside of my grandpa’s events in over a year and I guess it’s just really throwing me for a loop. I didn’t realize the Koalas were playing the Rhinos tonight, or I wouldn’t have come.”

“Do you want to leave?” Aurora asks, clearly concerned for me, which is nice.

I mull over her question for a moment, not sure how to answer.

On one hand, I’d love to get out of here before Donny sees me, but on the other hand, I want to support Monster.

“I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but I just want you to know that if you want to stay, you’re safe with us. I don’t know what kind of relationship you had with your brother, but he won’t be able to hurt you tonight,” Monster’s mom says with a warm smile.

“I appreciate that,” I whisper. “I really do want to watch Monster play and show him that I support him. I’m just nervous.”

“We’re here for you, son,” Monster’s dad assures me, causing my heart to race and for me to almost choke on the little gasp of air I suck in.

I can’t believe my boyfriend's dad just called me son and it feels like he really means it. He has this look of understanding and caring in his eyes that I've never seen from my own father. Something I didn't know I needed until right now. It makes me resent my upbringing a little bit more, but it also makes me grateful that these people are in my life now.

“Okay, I’ll stay for now,” I reply, feeling safe enough for the time being.

“If you change your mind, just let me know, and we’ll get you out of here,” Aurora assures me.

I see where Monster gets his sweetness from. His family is amazing.

“I will,” I tell her with a dip of my chin. “But while we wait for the Koalas to take the field, I need to ask you something.”

“Anything,” Aurora says firmly.

“What’s Monster’s real name?” I ask, and she laughs.

“Oh my goodness, I can’t believe you’ve gone this long without knowing his name,” she responds while giggling. “It’s Isiah, but he hates it.”

“I’m sure he would have changed it if it wasn’t sentimental to me,” Monster’s mom chimes in. “Although I don’t understand why he dislikes it so much. I think it’s a perfectly fine name.”

I chuckle, feeling lighter and less on edge, which is appreciated after my minor panic attack.

“I think it’s a great name,” I tell her. “How much trouble do you think I’d get in if I start calling him that?”

Aurora’s eyes light up with a mischievous gleam. “I have no idea, but you have to do that... and please let me watch!”

I laugh and shrug. “Sounds like fun to me.”

Everyone else joins in the laughter, and I’m really glad that I’m here with these people.

Is it weird that I can see them becoming a part of my family already? Probably, but I can’t find it in me to care.