Chapter 36
BURTON
Playing again is a rush. And I feel bad for the little tantrum I threw last week. Then again, I have to deal with some of this mental stuff sooner or later.
We beat the Nebraska team yesterday and then again today. Coach Martin let us know in the locker room that the game for tomorrow is postponed because of internal reasons with the other team, so we’ll actually have a day off.
That means I can hang out with Connie and her family.
As I walk out of the locker room and the stadium with some of my teammates, I see a familiar couple waiting by the gate.
“Grandma and Grandpa Zelinski. What are you doing here?” I say, reaching out my hand to shake Grandpa’s. He takes it and pulls me in for a back-slapping hug.
“That was an awesome game. My favorite play was where you caught the ball and spun around at the same time before you threw it into the net. This is the sport I didn’t know I’d love.”
I laugh until I look over at Grandma, whose face looks like she’d rather be anywhere but here.
“Thank you for coming. If I’d known you wanted to, I could’ve gotten you some tickets.”
Grandma shook her head. “We don’t mind buying them as long as you’re playing.”
Is that a compliment?
“How’s Laney?” I ask, the ache in my chest opening again. But I can’t not ask about her.
“She’s up in New York or down in D.C. this weekend. I can’t remember which,” Grandpa says. “That girl travels more than anyone I’ve met.”
I think back to the conversation we had about venturing out and seeing the sites when she’s in the Northeast.
“Has she seen anything yet? Aside from baseball fields?”
Grandma shakes her head. “She didn’t say anything about it when I was on the phone during your intermission.”
I keep the smile off my face because to be honest, I’m scared of Grandma Marianne.
“Well, thank you again for coming. Let me know the next time you want to come, and I’ll get you tickets on the front row.”
They wave goodbye, but Grandma stops and reaches out to pat my forearm.
“She’s a great girl, who needs a resolution. If you don’t have feelings for her, tell her, will you?”
I open my mouth to respond, but I can’t say I don’t have feelings for Laney Zelinski. Because I have all the feelings for her.
“Laney is someone I’ll never forget.” I swallow hard.
“Then what’s the problem, boy?”
“I can’t support her doing what I’m doing now.”
The old woman’s frown causes me to take a step back. “You think she cares about that?”
“I don’t know.”
She nods. “Because you never asked her, you lug. Most people just assume they know what she wants without asking. Or her idiot ex-boyfriend decided not to tell her he’d started dating other people.
Co-mmun-i-ca-tion, son. If I need to spell it out for you, I will.
I’d say use that big mouth of yours and talk to her before you make things final. ”
Grandma gives me another long look before turning and catching up with her husband.
I walk out to my truck and sit in the seat with the engine off. Grandma Marianne’s words float in through my brain. Sure, I’ve heard my roommates say similar things, but from someone close to Laney, it hits home a little more.
How do I bridge the gap I forced by being an idiot? I don’t want to start texting her again and have her wondering what’s going on. And I don’t want to call her. What if she doesn’t pick up?
The only logical solution is to do it in person, but can I wait for another three days?
I don’t have to work tonight, which is a relief. And we don’t have a game tomorrow, but Aliana scheduled me for the afternoon shift.
What if I went to D.C.? What if I went there and explored with Laney and we talked about everything? Well, I’d have to explain first and then hope she’d want to see the sites with me.
I’m half ready to book a flight and half terrified I might fly out there for nothing.
Her grandmother’s words must mean Laney told her about our situation, right?
The biggest question is, what do I want? Am I willing to do whatever I can to make things work with Laney, despite my self-doubts?
Hope sweeps through my chest.
The only thing that slightly dampens it is the thought of her telling me it’s too late.
I turn on the truck, speeding home. A quick text to Jessa confirms the baseball team will be in D.C. tomorrow.
I find a red-eye flight and book it. I’ve got two hours until takeoff.
Throwing some clothes into a bag, I grab whatever I can find, hoping to come up with an idea of how to start this conversation.
Jessa, I’m heading to D.C. If you have any ideas on how to make amends for being a dork to Laney, I’ll take them.
I’ll come up with some now
Walking out into the living room, I announce, “I’m on a flight to Virginia tonight. Can I get a ride?”
The three younger roommates look at me like I’ve lost my mind before loud conversations and questions take over.
Clark grins, standing up to grab his keys. “I’ll take you.”