Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
HARLEY
I walk out of my room and toward the kitchen. Though between my legs is slightly sore, it’s not excruciating. Then again, I’m used to my body hurting daily because of how hard I train. So, to me, this is nothing new.
Just in a different part of my body …
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” I ask my mom as I set my duffel bag down beside the door. “Like … really sure? Because I can stay, you know.”
After washing her hands at the sink, she turns the faucet off and grabs a paper towel, drying them before she walks toward me. Planting her hands on my shoulders, she looks me in the eyes.
“I would love for you to stay here, Harley. But you can’t.” Her forehead creases slightly. “You have school and practice. A whole team depending on you to make it back and train for that invitational in Florida in March.”
A part of me just wishes she’d tell me she needs me to stay.
I mean, I know she’s still struggling, and Coach and the school can’t punish me if my mother needs me, right?
I’m not ready to go back to real life. I’m due at practice tomorrow afternoon, and I haven’t even been able to look at a softball without getting a stabbing pain in my heart.
But I know my mom, and she isn’t going to let me throw away my sophomore year right now because she knows how pissed my dad would be if I did that.
I continue to silently stare at her when finally, she gives me the tiniest smile.
“Auntie is staying with me until I get back on my feet again.” She pauses, a thought suddenly hitting her. “She’s going to help me figure out everything with our insurance too. I’m so sorry that you’ve had to deal with getting your medications without it.”
“It’s fine, Mom,” I answer quickly. “I told you, I found a program that’s been super helpful.” I plaster on a fake smile. “Seriously, don’t worry about me.”
She eyes me over, her gaze becoming glossy before she pulls me against her for a hug.
I’m not about to tell my mom that the guy who is somewhere outside right now, doing whatever it is he’s doing, has been footing the bill for my prescriptions.
I’m not going to say that because it sounds bad, and I already feel weird about it.
I didn’t feel as guilty when I thought I could pay him back with my own earnings, but since my dad passed away, I haven’t made any new content. And right now, I hate even thinking about posting.
When she releases me, she cups my cheek. “I’m so proud of you, Harland. And I hope you know how proud your dad was too.” Her thumb strokes my skin. “He told everyone he met at the hospital that his baby girl was the catcher for a Division 1 college and about all of your home runs.”
Tears glaze over my eyes, and I gulp down a lump in my throat. “Thank you, Mom,” I whisper, hugging her back before we both wipe our eyes.
“Now, one last thing before you go …” she says, leaning against the counter.
“That boy? I really like him, Harland. What a sweetheart.” Her eyes grow wide, and she looks around.
“Also, your dad would have lost his mind if he knew you brought the son of a retired NHL player to his funeral,” she whispers before winking. “Pretty cool.”
“We’re just friends,” I say quickly—perhaps a little too quickly—before shrugging it off and shifting around, stuffing my hands into my hoodie pocket. “That’s all. Just friends.”
She gives me a knowing smile, her eyes dancing with clear amusement before she jerks her chin toward the front door. “Well, your friend is out there in the cold, throwing the ball with Charlie,” she coos before she takes a few steps to get a closer look. “Quite a guy, that Cane Hale.”
I watch him down the street, throwing with the kid I used to play softball with whenever I came home because she loved it so much. But this trip, I haven’t wanted to. I just didn’t feel like it.
And even though I still don’t want to, and I know we have to be in the car, headed to the airport in the next five minutes …
I let myself watch from the window of my house.
I know Cane isn’t playing with the kid down the road to make himself look good.
He’s doing it because she no doubt asked him when he was outside, doing some things in the yard for my mom.
He isn’t the type of guy to say no. And that’s a problem because it makes him an even bigger distraction in my life.
I don’t go outside, and I don’t tell my mom how I really feel about Cane. But I study him, letting my heart melt each time Charlie smiles because of something he said.