You didn’t understand why you were being forced into this, but you were. Your mom had started dating the football player Kelcey, which meant that the time she used to spend playing with you was now spent drinking in loud stadiums, watching men crash into each other and throw balls… or at least, that’s how you saw it.

Taylor had taken you to what was supposed to be a big game of the season, where the entire Kelcey family and some of her friends were gathered to support—but you weren’t having it.

You hated absolutely everything—the loud noise, the smell of alcohœl, the shouting, the sport, and most of all, you hated this strange family that had suddenly forced its way into your life.