16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
Cal Truitt
“ W e had a whole conversation, we talked about it.” Running my hand through my hair I pull my ballcap back on. “Fuck, Charlie.” Here he goes, doing the most again. It’s like having money entitles him to take over everything. “Next you’re going to tell me you made plans for everyone on the Fourth.” His face falls, giving him away. “You are unbelievable.”
“Why are you angry?”
“It was my idea!?” I slam my truck door. “Just so you know, Remi gets to make the plans for the Fourth of July. Not you.” I shake my head in irritation. “You’re like the brother I never fucking wanted sometimes.”
Regret over my words sinks in as I leave for the baseball tournament. But he never learns. Age hasn’t made him grow out of it. Now he has even more money and resources to make things happen, push people around.
Knowing that it could be my last day with him, and I won’t know it until it’s too late, makes me want to turn around– apologize for the harsh words. We’ve been like brothers most of my life.
I’ll never be able to tell Sara I’m sorry for calling her a selfish bitch my last day with her. She ragged on me for our parents forcing her into going to my out-of-town baseball tournament. I would’ve preferred she stay home. The complaining and attitude ruined my day. I would go back and tell my parents I didn’t want her to come. Would she still be here today?
Reflection over the past ramped up after the appearance of that fucking ugly ass necklace. Fear gripping me like a vengeful motherfucker.
The loss of Remington would end me.
Charlie wouldn’t be able to take it.
I sense Grady and Wilder would suffer, too.
How in the whole fucking wide world did she find that? Where was it?
At the stop light, my phone dings with a notification. I smirk at the song added to a playlist Remi started. The idea began with Grady, each of us adding to it. Yesterday she changed the title to ‘Pillow Biter songs’. Pretty Please by Moonlight Scorpio. Pressing play, I nod in appreciation. Well played, sweetheart. Nice work. It’s deeper than the banger I put on there -You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC.
The tournament is for the Minnesota state semi-finals, our team consists of high school students combined from four small towns, Lake Regional. As the day goes on, the work our team has done shines through as they climb the bracket. I’m taping up a knee when our strongest pinch hitter walks into the dugout icing his right arm. “What happened, Will?”
He spits a wad of sunflower seeds into a cup, to answer me, “I think I may have sprained my wrist.” I dig around for a sling, while calling out to the head coach we’re pulling him for the rest of the game.
The team sees me as the go to coach for advice or just to shoot the shit since I’m close in age to them. Approachable. “Hey, Coach Truitt, I asked Jess out finally.” He proudly smiles at me. “It only took seven months, but I did it. She even said yes.”
I never felt excitement like that at his age, not until Remi. “Good job. That’s not the hardest part though.”
“What’s that?” He stops to holler encouragement to his teammates, before turning back. “Got any advice?”
“My dad always said… Don’t add to the population and don’t subtract from it. Don’t end up in the newspaper, hospital or jail.” Once it’s said I realize that dad stopped saying it. After Sara, that glib goofiness of my dad ended.
Along with most of the good cheer in our home.
Moving the conversation along, I ask him, “You want to know the hard part? Keeping her. Get to know her. Pay attention, just be a good guy.”
I’m trying harder to be that for Remi. Past relationships (if I can call them that), I kept it light… little to no attachment. This time… it’s everything. I didn’t dip my toe in, I took a plunge.
“Oh, yeah. She just moved to Minnesota last year.” I adjust his sling, moving the ice pack down to tape it in place.
“Huh, from where?”
He shrugs, pocketing the new wad of sunflower seeds into his cheek. “Don’t know… another M state.” I roll my eyes at him. Such a sixteen-year-old.
For Jess’ sake I hope he tries harder.
My entire life I’ve wanted what my parents had. Two teachers that met in college, married, had a couple kids. Dad coached my t-ball, mom did fingerpainting with us. Carpools, messes, lots of laughter, vacations. I want that. The life before Sara was gone.
Life in a small town, surrounded by love.
Can I have that with Remington? Would she want it? How does that work when you add other men to the relationship? Charlie, Grady… fuck me, even Wilder possibly. Can it work? Anxieties I never possessed before are manifesting. Because I’ll give it my all to make it work. I will abandon every previous dream or desire. Is that love? Obsession? Is there a difference?
Remi James is a unicorn. She can’t pass a dying, misshapen, half dead plant without wanting to bring it home and revive it since Ceily taught her how to repot and grow them back. She sees an injured or stray animal adopts them instantly. Droolius and Squiggles happened upon the right person. Her sense of humor is next level, her individuality strong. My heart feels safe with her.
Her personality is so big and vibrant, I can see why the others were pulled into her orbit.
“You have a sappy smile on your face,” Will says with a snicker.
“Mmhmm. It happens when you start to think about the person you love.”