Chapter Twenty-seven
Razor paid close attention to the GPS. She drove into Smithville, went straight through the four-way stop, then headed back out.
She hoped she wasn’t lost. She came around a sharp bend, and the GPS piped up: “The destination is on your right.” She slowed as she crested a hill and spotted a gravel drive, then gunned the engine up the incline, spraying gravel.
A well-manicured lawn sprawled out in front of a single-story farmhouse with a beige exterior and reddish-brown trim.
The house couldn’t have had more than two or three bedrooms, but space wasn’t a priority.
Functionality was. A fenced-in pasture showcased a herd of black and white cows.
They looked up briefly, then resumed grazing as if nothing had happened.
A small shaggy white dog bounded from the backyard, barking and chasing Razor’s truck.
She laughed and slowed her speed to make sure she didn’t hit him, then parked on a gravel flattop behind the house.
The dog bounded up onto a wooden deck and barked some more as she climbed out.
She knelt down to his level and held out her hand.
“You’re okay. I’m a friend.”
The dog sniffed her hand, then licked it after he concluded she was all right. Razor laughed again and scratched behind his ear, prompting him to lean in to the touch contentedly. Then a screen door slammed, and she saw Bill on the deck. She gave the dog one last loving pat, then stood up.
He had a light scruff on his chin. His hair was disheveled, as was his shirt.
His expression was sad, and she had a pretty good idea why.
They stared at each other, the buzzing of flies and moos of cows the only sounds.
After two long minutes, Bill turned and walked back toward the door.
Razor hung her head. He still needed time.
“Have you had lunch yet?”
Her head snapped up, and she blinked at the unexpected question. “No, sir. I haven’t.”
“Come on in. I’m making sandwiches.”
He entered the house without a backward glance, and Razor followed suit.
She entered the bright yellow mudroom and gently closed the screen door behind her, then took off her shoes before entering the kitchen.
The main room was an open layout with a double-decker countertop that separated the kitchen and the living room.
Despite the big space, the dark wood paneling on the walls made it cozy.
The floor was a durable gray tile. The countertops were a cream quartz, and all the appliances were stainless steel.
Obviously, it had been recently updated.
Razor sat on one of the cushioned stools and waited until he placed a turkey sandwich with potato chips in front of her.
“Drink?”
She nodded.
“Sweet tea or water?”
“Sweet tea. Definitely.”
Bill grabbed two glasses from the cupboard and a pitcher from the fridge, filling both glasses with the Southern staple. Drinks ready, lunch made, he sat down and took a huge bite of his sandwich. Razor chewed thoughtfully and allowed the silence to settle over them.
She’d known people like Bill were prone to long periods of thought, which was a necessity on a working farm.
Every activity, every chore was rhythmic, repetitive, and needed contemplation to decrease the risk of injury or loss of profit.
Even the act of eating lunch—same time, same meal every day—let a farmer work through the biggest problems. Who knew chewing could be so introspective?
Bill grabbed a chip and popped it into his mouth. The crunch was loud in the absence of conversation, but once he swallowed, silence reigned again. When his last bite of sandwich and last chips were devoured, he finally spoke.
“I’m assuming Summer sent you.”
Razor shook her head. “She has no idea I’m here.”
Bill looked up, emotions swirling in his eyes.
“How is she?”
Razor took a deep breath. He’d asked about her well-being. That was a good sign.
“Not good. She’s having a hard time emotionally.”
Bill rubbed his hand over his stubbled chin.
“I apologize for running off the way I did. I was completely shocked and didn’t know how to react.”
“I don’t think any parent knows how to react in that situation.”
“Did you know?”
His eyes held accusation. Razor trod carefully.
“I had a hunch, but Summer only confirmed it a couple days ago. I think she was afraid my reaction would be a precursor to yours.”
Bill sighed. So far, he seemed to be taking it pretty well.
“I just…I can’t believe she didn’t tell me.”
“I understand why she didn’t, sir.”
“Can you explain it to me?”
“You’re her father. You’ve been the center of her universe since the day she was born.
You’re her constant, and the mere thought of losing you for any reason made her afraid to tell you.
And, based on your reaction to her kissing Harper, her fears were confirmed.
And no matter how you feel about her being gay, I want you to know she’s not alone. ”
Bill waved his hand and scoffed. “Oh, I don’t care that she’s gay.”
Razor jerked back. “But you said you were disappointed in her.”
He rolled his eyes, like Razor said the most ridiculous thing in the world. “I was disappointed because she lied to me. For months. I expected secrets but not flat-out lying. I bet this Harper girl’s the reason she was out of sorts on her last visit.”
“Yes, she was,” Razor confirmed, and then she laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was just thinking that you and my mom would’ve made good friends.”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
Bill’s eyes widened, and the light bulb went on over his head. “Are you saying Summer thinks I don’t love her anymore because she’s gay?”
“I’m afraid so. To be honest, I thought the same until now.”
“But I’ve never had a problem with gay people. Hell, one of my farm hands is gay. And it’s obvious I don’t have a problem with you.”
Razor’s eyes widened.
“I mean, I assumed…”
“Your assumption is correct, sir.”
He sighed in relief. “Good. Oh my God, she must think I’m horrible.”
“No, she doesn’t. She still loves you. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be so torn up right now.” Razor handed him his phone. “Call her and talk to her. I think she’ll be happy to hear she still has her father.”
She took their dishes and placed them in the sink, soaking up the peaceful view through the window above the counter.
When she turned back, Bill had the phone to his ear.
She gave a silent wave good-bye, and he mouthed thank you as she headed out the door.
The puffy little guard dog came around the corner, tail wagging in anticipation of getting more attention from his new friend.
She bent down and gave him a couple of pats, then hopped into her truck.
Once she turned the key, her phone pinged with a group text from Courtney to her, Ashton, and Nancy.
I need you to stop by my office before practice today. Urgent.
Razor replied, curious but not worried. The biggest crisis of the weekend was resolved. Now all she had to worry about was finishing the season.
* * *
Despite the ominous tone of Courtney’s text, Razor detoured to the locker room to drop off her gear and ran into Summer, who looked very happy.
“Hey. How are you?” she asked.
“I just got a call from my dad.”
“Really?”
Summer folded her arms and gave a skeptical expression. “Don’t pretend to be surprised. You went and saw him.”
“I did. What did he say?”
“First, he apologized for taking off Saturday. Then he said he loved me. Said he was happy I found someone I care about, and he wants to meet her.”
Razor beamed. “That’s great news.”
Summer raised her eyebrow, smiling. “I thought you said to give him time.”
“I said for you to give him time. I didn’t say anything about me.”
Summer laughed and punched her shoulder.
“So, he wants to meet Harper. I guess that means you two are back together?”
Summer nodded. “Yeah, we…talked yesterday. Mainly I apologized for lashing out at her. She said she understood and apologized for any pressure she put on me. We talked for hours and, uh…”
A blush stained her cheeks, and Razor held up her hand.
“I don’t need details. I’m happy things worked out for you.”
Summer pulled her into a tight embrace. “Thank you.”
Razor pulled back and shrugged. “There’s no thanks necessary. I said I’d be there when you needed me.”
Tears welled up in Summer’s eyes, and Razor found herself in another bone crushing hug. She relished the feel of being wanted, of being trusted, and held on a little longer. She looked up and saw Ashton watching them, a proud grin on her face.
“I have to get going. Coach Dyer wants to meet before practice, so I’d better head that way.”
“Oh, of course.”
Razor proceeded down the familiar hallway. She nodded and smiled to those she recognized. She noticed Ashton leaning casually against the wall and turned the doorknob to Courtney’s office. It was locked.
“She’s not here yet,” Ashton said. Razor nodded and leaned against the wall next to her. She must’ve been sporting one hell of a grin because Ashton continued, “I take it everything with Summer’s dad went well.”
Razor laughed and nudged her with her elbow. “Better. I know it could’ve gone the other way, and you think I haven’t learned not to overstep anymore.”
“When you filed charges against Gary, did you clear it with anyone beforehand?”
The non sequitur threw Razor, but she replied, “No. I just did it.”
“Then you have learned from your mistakes.”
Razor felt more confused. “So, you’re saying I did the right thing.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Ashton said bluntly.
“You still took a huge risk, but you came to me and told me what you planned to do. And while I was hesitant, you made a compelling case for why you wanted to try. You didn’t spontaneously drive up to Bill’s place and demand he love Summer.
You were open to the possible consequences and willing to accept them if he wasn’t receptive to what you said. ”
Razor was embarrassed by the praise. “I know I can’t fix everyone’s problems, but I will push when I feel there is more that I can do than just support.”
Ashton laid an encouraging hand on her shoulder. “And I’m happy to be your sounding board when those moments arrive.”
They smiled at each other, and Razor clasped the hand on her shoulder and squeezed, just as Courtney rounded the corner, looking serious and distressed. Nancy joined them from the opposite direction.
“Good. You’re all here.” She unlocked her office, and everyone piled in.
“What did you need to see us about?” Razor asked.
Courtney sighed and looked between the Ashton and Nancy, then addressed Razor directly.
“We have a situation.”
“What kind of situation?”
“The umpire from Saturday’s game, Mr. Frank Bristol, has filed an assault charge against you with the university.”
Razor scoffed. “Are you serious? It was totally an accident.”
“He claims you were belligerent to him throughout the game. That it was retaliation for an earlier incident.”
“I was belligerent to him? The guy practically attacked me in the parking lot, then he trash-talks me and my teammates throughout the game, and he’s charging me? I should be charging him.”
“I believe you. One hundred percent, but…” Courtney paused. Pain flickered across her features, and Razor knew it wasn’t good. “Since the complaint has officially been made, in accordance with the university rules and guidelines, you are suspended until the matter is resolved.”
Razor’s stomach dropped. No way this could be happening again.
“Razor, listen to me.” Courtney’s voice broke through, strong and sure. “We’re going to fight this. I was just in a meeting with the athletic director, and there’s going to be a hearing two weeks from tomorrow. If you win, you’ll be reinstated immediately.”
“And if I lose?”
She looked around the room. No one met her eyes except Nancy.
“You’re not going to lose.” Courtney tried to sound confident, but the undertone of worry seeped through.
“You know what? Let’s forget the whole thing.” Razor stood and turned to leave.
“What are you saying?” Ashton asked.
“I’m saying that it’s been great playing with this team. With you. But let’s face facts. There’s no evidence he provoked me. My word against his, and something tells me as sleazy as this guy is, he’s not stupid enough to leave anything for us to find. I’m innocent, but he’ll win.”
Razor turned away, but Ashton grabbed her wrist and stopped her progress.
“So, that’s it? You’re willing to put everything on the line for your teammates, but you won’t defend yourself?”
Razor looked around the room. “You know what’s going to happen. Somehow, some way, this asshole will find out what I did at San Diego State and parade it out in front of the committee. It’ll be over before I can tell my side of the story. There’s no chance I’m winning this case.”
Razor sighed and looked at Courtney. “Thank you for this unbelievable opportunity, Coach Dyer. It meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Tears showed in Courtney’s eyes. Razor turned away and faced Nancy fully. She looked concerned and sounded sincere as she said, “I’m sorry this happened.”
She turned toward Ashton and gently removed her hand from her wrist.
“Don’t let it end this way,” Ashton said. “Don’t let him beat you.”
Razor sighed. “You’ve helped me so much, and I will never forget that.”
Then she left.
She marched down the hall, not stopping at the locker room, afraid if she saw her teammates, she’d break down right there.
She reached her truck in record time and climbed into the cab, slamming her hand against the steering wheel over and over, screaming into the void.
Sobs wracked her body as she rested her forehead against the steering wheel.
For the first time in a long time, she felt adrift and alone.