PART 7:

We lived in a one-bedroom apartment in a part of town where you didn’t walk alone after dark. I worked three jobs to put myself through community college, then transferred to state school, then somehow landed a tech job that turned into another job that turned into a startup that I ran into the ground before I figured out what I was doing.

She paused. I know what it’s like to count every dollar. I know what it’s like to be afraid of losing everything. That’s not something you forget, no matter how much money you make later. Adrian stared at her. The business magazines don’t mention that part. Of course not. Rich people like rags-to-riches stories as long as the rags part is vague and inspiring, not real and uncomfortable.

Selena smiled, but there was an edge to it. But it’s true. So when you talk about protecting Emma’s stability, I understand that in a way most people in my position wouldn’t. I’m not trying to storm into your life and mess it up. I’m trying to figure out if there’s a version of this where we both get to be happy without everything falling apart.

And if there’s not? Then we’ll find out together. Or we’ll walk away before anyone gets hurt. She met his eyes. But I think we owe it to ourselves to at least try to find out. Adrian’s phone buzzed again. This time he pulled it out. Two texts from Mrs. Castellanos. Emma wants to know if you’re coming to her soccer scrimmage at 3:00.

I told her you’re running errands, but would try to make it. He checked the time. 2:17. The scrimmage was at the park 15 minutes from his apartment. I have to go, he said standing. My daughter has a thing. Of course. Selena stood, too. Adrian? Yeah? Can I see you again? He should say no. He should end this before it started. Go back to his life.

Focus on Emma. Stay safe. Yeah, he heard himself say. Yeah. You can. The smile that broke across Selena’s face was worth every ounce of fear currently eating him alive. They walked out together. In the parking lot, Selena stopped next to a sleek black sedan that probably cost more than Adrian made in 3 years. That’s you? He said, nodding at his truck.

That’s me. She looked at the rusted wheel wells and the duct tape holding the side mirror on. Does it run? Most of the time. You should let me No. Adrian cut her off gently but firmly. I appreciate it, but no. I’ve got it handled. Selena nodded slowly. Okay. But if it breaks down and you need a ride, I’ll call a tow truck.

You’re stubborn. I’m careful. There’s a difference. She smiled. I’m starting to see that. Adrian climbed into his truck. It started on the second try, which felt like a small victory. Through the windshield, he could see Selena still standing by her car, watching him. He lifted a hand in a wave. She waved back. Then he pulled out of the parking lot and drove toward the park where his daughter was waiting, his head full of things he couldn’t name, and his chest full of something that felt dangerously close to hope.

The scrimmage was already underway when Adrian arrived. Emma’s team, the Purple Dragons, a name the kids had chosen with great seriousness, was down two to one. Emma was playing midfield, her ponytail flying as she chased the ball with the kind of intensity she brought to everything.

Adrian found a spot on the sidelines next to Mrs. Castellanos, who was sitting in a folding chair she’d brought from home. “You made it,” she said without looking up from her knitting. “Barely. Thanks for covering.” “That child would forgive you for missing the second coming if you had a good reason, but she lights up when you show, so I’m glad you’re here.

” They watched Emma steal the ball from an opponent and pass it cleanly to a teammate. The teammate immediately lost control and the other team recovered. “How was your errand?” Mrs. Castellanos asked in a tone that suggested she knew damn well it wasn’t an errand. “Fine.” “Fine like fine or fine like I don’t want to talk about it?” “The second one.

” Mrs. Castellanos made a humming sound and kept knitting. “You’re allowed to have a life, you know, outside of that child.” “My life is that child.” “Your life includes that child, not the same thing.” She glanced at him over her reading glasses. “Emma’s happy because you’re happy. If you’re walking around like a ghost because you’ve sacrificed everything that makes you feel human, she’ll figure that out eventually. Kids always do.

” “I’m not a ghost.” “You’re close enough to one that I can see through you sometimes.” Adrian didn’t have an answer for that. On the field, Emma scored a goal and the Purple Dragons erupted in cheers. She turned immediately to the sidelines, searching for him. When she found him, her whole face lit up.

Adrian’s heart did something complicated in his chest. After the scrimmage, Purple Dragons won four to three, Emma ran over, sweaty and triumphant. “Did you see my goal?” “I saw it. That was beautiful.” “Coach says I’m getting better at not bunching up with everyone else.” “That’s huge.” “You’ve been working on that.” Emma grabbed her water bottle and drained half of it in one go.

“Can we get pizza?” “It’s not even 4:00.” “Early pizza, the best kind.” Adrian looked down at her dirt-smudged face and grass-stained knees and felt the familiar weight of love settle over him like a blanket. “Yeah, okay. Pizza.” They went to Romano’s, the cheap place with the checkered tablecloths and the jukebox that only played songs from the ’80s.

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