Chapter 27 Tabitha
“Dang. What a match,” Freddy says in awe.
“I’m so glad I got to see him score a goal. Wow, I hope he’s okay after that collision with another player.”
Freddy clutches my hand and drag me closer to Kai’s friends and family.
“Fred,“ I hiss with discomfort.
He plays deaf and plants me behind Kai’s parents. The butterflies inside me spiral into turmoil. We are way too freaking close.
The teams move about the field, shaking hands with each other as a sign of respect.
“Oh, I’ll ring his neck,” Mrs. Nelson says to her husband.
It makes me flinch, and I can’t help listening in.
“Grace, don’t go ballistic at him,” Mr. Nelson says placatingly. “He still finished the game.”
“Coach Lyle was calling him off the field. See, look at that.“ Mrs. Nelson points further up the field where Coach Lyle is talking with Kai. “Does that look like a congratulatory conversation?”
Mr. Nelson shrugs it off. “Coach Lyle is a curmudgeon.”
“Don’t be flippant with me,” Mrs. Nelson says. “That boy needs to know we’re serious about the car.”
“But we’re not,” her husband responds. “We’re only serious about him not hurting himself.”
“And what good is it doing? He doesn’t listen.”
“He’s sixteen tomorrow. We’ve got a few more years of him not listening to us. Just be glad both our boys aren’t like him.”
Mrs. Nelson sighs like she’s carrying two heavy bags up a mountainside. “Yes, thank goodness for that.”
Tyler runs off the field, and his parents are quick to congratulate him on a good game. His friends Parker and Lewis gather with them, chatting about the game. Accidentally, I make eye contact with Tyler. His smile creeps to the right and his eyebrows push together.
I press a hand into my stomach and swallow hard. Oh my gosh, this is mortifying. Am I being completely obvious? Will he say something? Does he want me to back away?
“What were you doing?” Mrs. Nelson’s voice raises as Kai moves off the field. “You should have come off the field after that player charged you.”
Kai stops abruptly, glaring at his mom. “Whoa. Why are you barking at me?”
“Because it was entirely unnecessary for you to stay on the field,” she replies. “For goodness’ sake, your team was already winning.”
“Mom, I scored another goal. That wouldn’t have happened if I walked off.”
“Even if the other team scored, you still would have won,” she argues.
Tyler, his family, and his friends edge a little away from the growing argument. I glance at Freddy, wondering if we should do the same.
“But they would’ve scored,” Kai disputes.
His dad moves beside him and cautiously presses a hand against the back of Kai’s neck. “It looked pretty nasty out there. We should get you checked out.”
Kai jerks away from his dad’s hand. “Would you guys stop fussing? I’m fine. It loosened up when I ran.”
His mom huffs. “You’re not a doctor.”
Kai groans, looking up at the cloudy sky. “Mom, I’m fine.”
His mom gently tucks her hand under Kai’s chin and draws his head down to meet her eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, Mom. Geez, could you be more embarrassing right now?”
At that, I can’t help but laugh. Unintentionally, I’ve gained attention from a few turning heads.
“Tabitha?” Mrs. Nelson says, startled. “Hi, what are you doing here?”
Crap. Do they all not want me here?
“Whoa,” Kai says, tilting to view me past his mother. “You’re here?”
“Umm.” A nervous giggle mumbles out of me. “Hi.”
Kai waves, his brow furrowing despite his grin. “Hi.”
“Are you okay, honey?” Mrs. Nelson asks, looking down at my feet. “Your father said you had a limp.”
“Oh, this is Dr. Jones’s daughter?” Mr. Nelson says, snapping his fingers in recognition.
I glance between them. “You talked to my dad?”
“Yes, he called me after your incident with Kai,” Mrs. Nelson explains. “He didn’t tell you?”
I look past her at Kai. “My dad called your mom? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“The guy calls me a menace.” Kai shrugs. “I’m sure as heck not gonna remind you of that.”
Mrs. Nelson crosses her arms and shakes her head at Kai. “Is this why you’re acting like you’re okay? You don’t want another lecture from Dr. Jones?”
Kai stares at her pointedly. “Do you?”
When his mom is quick to tut and eye roll him, Freddy and I exchange confused looks.
“I can call ahead for an appointment with Dr. Morrison’s office on Greenacre Avenue,” Mr. Nelson says. “He doesn’t need the emergency room.”
“I don’t need a doctor, period,” Kai insists. “The guy’s elbow jabbed me like a bat. It only hurt initially. It’s gone away now. Didn’t you see Coach make me stretch my arms over my head? It didn’t hurt. He gave me the all clear.”
I can see on his mom’s face she wants to point out that Coach Lyle isn’t a doctor either, but it seems mine and my brother’s presence has thrown her off her game.
“Anyway,” Mrs. Nelson says, refocusing on me. “Your foot, hon. Any limp?”
“No, it was fine right away. Dad totally overreacted. He shouldn’t have called you. That’s so embarrassing.”
“Hear that?” Kai says to his mom. “Her dad, the doctor, overreacted. Her pain went away quickly. Just like mine.”
His mom waves him off. “Yes, fine. Congratulations.”
Mr. Nelson gives me a warm smile. “So, you’re okay?”
I nod. “Yes. Thanks to your son.”
“Are you here to talk about your assignment?” his mom asks me. “Because he’s all yours. Frankly, if he’s glued to a textbook for the rest of the day, it’ll help settle my blood pressure.”
Kai groans. “Give it a rest.”
I can’t help sniggering at Kai and his mom’s interactions with each other.
It’s clear he got his strong will from her.
And it wouldn’t surprise me if Milo is calm because of his dad’s mellow attitude.
I’d even wager that Mrs. Nelson worries about Kai injuring himself because, back in the day, she was a reckless teen herself.
“Actually, Kai,” I say, feeling my throat run dry, “I was wondering if you might be free today.”
“We’re heading into town to meet up with the others for a bite to eat,” Mr. Nelson says. “Wanna jump in the car with us?”
“Freddy has a car,” Kai blurts, obviously wanting his parents to scram.
Freddy steps in closer. “Yeah, I got it.”
“Okay,” Kai’s mom says. “Be good.”
Kai shakes his head, and his parents leave toward the parking lot. I spy around us and note the others have already left. I guess they figured they could skip the Nelson Family argument because they’d be seeing them wherever they’re going next.
“Good game, dude,” Freddy says to Kai.
“Thanks,” Kai replies. “I didn’t know you guys were here.”
I gesture beside me. “Never tell Freddy anything if you don’t want him to meddle.”
“You brought her down here?”
Freddy shifts awkwardly. “I could tell she wanted to see you again.”
“This has definitely made my day.” Kai clasps my hand. “Better than the win.”
An electric current pulses up the veins of my arm. “Wow.”
“Now I’m glad I didn’t ditch to come by your house.”
I shake my head. “As if you’d miss a game.”
He squeezes my hand. “You don’t know what I’d do for you.”
“Even risk a run in with my dad?”
Kai smirks. “Almost did that this morning.”
“You’re kidding. What happened?”
“No, nothing. I went to get my stitches taken out and was dreading another lecture.”
“Oh, you were safe. He was at home this morning, working in his study.”
“Our house has the most relaxed atmosphere when Dad’s in his study,” Freddy says. “As long as we bring him his precious cup of tea, he hides in there for hours.”
“It’s more than one cup,” I point out.
Freddy shrugs. “The stuff works like a magic potion on him.”
“Whenever you make it,” I reply. “I seem to always screw it up.”
“It’s hot water and a bag. It’s not rocket science.”
“Except for the part where we have to time how long it takes to brew,” I argue. “Oh, geez. Having flashbacks to chemistry class and timing how long different chemicals take to boil.”
“Man, don’t remind me.” Kai laughs out of discomfort. “So, if I need to go back to the hospital for some reason, should I take a cup of tea with me?”
Freddy sniggers. “Wouldn’t hurt.”
“Not that I’m planning to see your dad anytime soon,” Kai says. “So glad we didn’t see him today. I can’t imagine my mom’s mood if we did.”
“I can’t believe Dad called her.” I turn to Freddy. “Did you know?”
Freddy shakes his head. “No. Between his night shifts and my practices, I’ve barely seen him.”
“I hope your family and friends didn’t see us as an unwelcome distraction,” I tell Kai.
Kai smiles. “You’re never unwelcome.”
I fold my arms. “Ha. I bet Jamie would beg to differ.”
Kai glances at the parking lot. “You know, she left ages ago.”
I flick my eyes to Freddy and murmur, “Oh, we know.”
“I can’t believe I never saw you before,” Kai says. “I must have really been focusing on Coach at half-time.”
“We got here late,” Freddy blabs.
“Oh,” Kai replies, and his fingers play against mine. “Well, that’s okay. You’re still here.”
“You played really well,” I sputter giddily. “It was really fun watching you. But I have to side with your mom. It was scary, seeing you knock into that other player.”
“I can’t believe the ref sided with him. He barged into me. Coach said it was because he had possession of the ball, but he really whacked me one.”
“Are you okay?” I curl my fingers around his.
He clasps our hands tight. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“This was the most I’ve ever seen Tabby pay attention to a game,” Freddy comments. “You should consider it a big compliment, Kai.”
Kai grins. “Hmm. Maybe you need to get out on the field?”
I laugh. “I don’t think so.”
He tilts his head, becoming more adorable. “Didn’t you want to be my running buddy?”
“Because it went so well last time?” I joke, embarrassed at the memory of jogging up a hill in my full school uniform.
Freddy points at Kai. “If I leave my sister with you, don’t get her hurt this time. Got it?”
Kai raises his hands, taking a step back. “I won’t hurt her.”
I whack Freddy’s arm, forcing it down. “Kai didn’t hurt me last time. I stepped off the curb. It was all on me.”
“Then how come Drew said Dad was up in Kai’s face?”
“Because he doesn’t like me,” Kai blurts.
I wince, knowing Freddy’s natural instinct to side with Dad on any matter. “Dad already knew Kai, and won’t give up his rotten impression of him. You know how stubborn he can be.”
“Game injuries?” Freddy questions Kai, trying to find a bright side. “Dad can’t give you a hard time over those.”
“Some were from games,” Kai replies coyly.
Freddy pulls out his phone, checks a message, and then pockets it again. “Tabby, are you sure he didn’t hurt you?”
“Oh my gosh, Freddy, stop. Kai was a gentleman.”
“I’m just checking,” Freddy says defensively, “because I’ve gotta go, and I don’t wanna leave you if you’re not safe.”
I fold my arms. “I thought you told me you’d turned around on Kai.”
“You’re happy to stay?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Then are you hanging around here?” Freddy asks. “Or do you guys want me to drop you somewhere?”
I chew my bottom lip, watching as Kai’s chest rises and falls. “I guess if you got hold of a soccer ball, you could teach me one of your fancy moves.”
Kai’s face eases with mischief. “Is passing a ball a fancy skill to you?”
“Okay, so maybe I’ve only touched a soccer ball when forced to in phys-ed,” I defend. “But you made it look really cool. The thought of touching the ball no longer repulses me.”
Kai laughs. “Good to know. Let me grab my stuff from the locker room and I’ll be right back.”
“Aww, that’s cute,” Freddy comments as Kai jogs toward the locker room. “You’re about to do something sporty on your date.”
I look down at my outfit. “I’m not dressed for something sporty.”
He pats my back. “The girls never are. I’ve seen so many girls infiltrate our practices, wearing dresses and high heels.”
I mumble a laugh, knowing Yvie did that to grab Zane’s attention.
“The guys eat it up,” Freddy continues. “Teaching a chick to throw a forward pass is a good excuse to touch her.”
My eyebrow arches. “Just the guys? Don’t pretend you don’t take advantage of the situation.”
“Those girls just want a footballer. They don’t care which one.”
“Whatever. I’m sure Amber is a pro at forward passes.”
Freddy throws up a palm to block my face. “Whatever.”
I giggle, delighting in hitting a nerve. I don’t know why he has to act so pious sometimes. “So, you’ll stop giving Kai the third degree?”
“It’s a little suss that Dad doesn’t like him.”
“Dad acts like he doesn’t like Drew. He’s not the easiest person to please.”
“Do you trust Kai?”
“I do.”
Freddy’s baby blue eyes soften as he reads my facial cues. “Then I’ll back off.”
“Really?”
“I’m not off his case. I’m just creeping backward.”
“Geez, whatever. Wow, this place is really empty now,” I say. “But I have to admit, I’m glad the others have gone. Most of the time, I’m on edge, but Kai puts me at peace. I don’t want anyone to ruin that.”
Freddy laughs. “Is that a hint for me to leave?”
“No, don’t leave,” I rush. “Stay here until I see him walk back.”
“Tabby, relax. The boy is crazy about you.”
“You think?”
Freddy laughs. “It’s brutally obvious.”
“But what if he regrets ditching his friends to be with me?”
“He won’t regret it.”
“Why are you making this sound so simple?”
He shrugs. “Because it is.”
“No, but...”
“Would you stop trying to implode your relationship before it even begins? You like him, right?”
“Yeah, but…”
“And he likes you?”
I bite into my bottom lip. “Looks that way.”
“Then let it be easy.”
I watch the bright blue sparkle in his eyes. “My gosh, you’re such a little romantic. Aren’t you, Freddy?”
“I want you to be happy. Yes, you should keep your guard up, but I don’t want you to regret not taking the chance.”
I nod. “Thanks. Sometimes, you’re a good brother.”
He huffs. “When am I a bad brother?”
“When you’re over the top and annoying,” I say bluntly.
Freddy nudges me. “Thanks for the compliments, but it looks like it’s my cue to leave.”
I look over to the right and my whole body tingles as Kai walks our way. He’s wearing his Ashworth Academy Hawks hoodie, his shorts are different from the ones he was wearing during the game, and he’s wearing sneakers instead of his cleats. There’s a soccer ball hitched under his arm.
“Have fun,” Freddy whispers and then makes his getaway.
I would’ve whispered back, “Thanks,” but I’m too dizzy and overwhelmed to make a sound.
“Hey,” Kai says, only a few feet away. “I’m all yours.”
My heart’s ten seconds from exploding.