Page 86 of The Echo of Regret

When I spot Justin shoving his shit in his bag, I head his direction.

“Hey you,” I say, grinning when he looks up at me and hoists his bag over his shoulder. “That was a pretty big fucking swing.”

“Yeah, I know.” He tips his chin up and just stares at me.

I chuckle. “Jeez, Justin. Can you ever just say thanks? Why is everything a battle? Every single thing is a fight with you. Why?” Crossing my arms, I shake my head. “Like, I feel like I can’t even be irritated about it anymore. It’s just becoming funny at this point.”

Justin purses his lips and looks to the side.

Sighing, I rest my hands on my hips. “Well, that was a great hit. And if you take anything away from being here today, I hope you realize that the people who are giving you advice—people like me and Rush, and whoever coaches you in the future—we’re just trying to help. The only thing we care about is helping you be everything you want to be.”

His body language shifts slightly, a layer of tension in his shoulders dissipating. I don’t know what caused it, whether it was something I said or if I imagined it entirely, but there’s a part of me that hopes he’ll take at least something from today’s game, even if it’s small.

“Hey, sweetie,” my mom says, coming up behind me, her eyes on Justin. “You have plans for Thanksgiving?”

Justin gives her a tight smile. “Hello, Mrs. Mitchell. Yeah, I’m…driving to my aunt’s in Spencer Creek.”

“Ah, well, if anything changes, you’re always welcome at ours, okay? We’re breaking bread at 2, if you wanna join.”

He nods. “Thanks.”

Mom turns to me. “Need a ride home?”

I shake my head. “I’ve got my car.”

“Alright, see you in a bit. Love you.” She rises up on her tiptoes and presses a kiss to my cheek then gives Justin a wave and heads toward the parking lot.

“How about you? Do you need a ride?” I ask Justin.

He glances off to the side, toward the parking lot, and my eyes follow his. It’s mostly empty, almost all the guys having taken off already.

“Come on, dude. I’ll drop you at home,” I say, waving for him to follow me as I turn and head toward the bleachers to grab my bag. I don’t glance back, but I hear a long sigh and then the sound of Justin’s feet when he finally starts walking behind me.

“So you’re heading to Spencer Creek, huh?” I ask once I’ve pulled out onto the main road a few minutes later.

Justin nods.

“You and your mom?”

“Mom’s working today. I’m just…going by myself.”

I blink a few times, saddened by that answer. I mean, I get it. Not every store closes for every holiday, but I guess I hadn’t thought about how that results in some kids being left alone on a day that’s supposed to be about togetherness.

Well, I guess Justin’s not going to be alone, but he still won’t be with his mom.

“What did you think of the game today?”

Justin sighs. “It was fine.”

“Us old geezers know how to play, huh?” I tease, grinning at him.

His lips tilt up slightly, but just as quickly as the expression appeared, it’s gone.

“I guess.”

It might be the first time I’ve seen a smile from him that didn’t come with a side of cocky attitude, and I’m nearly bowled over by it.

“And how’d I do as the ump?” I ask as I continue driving around the lake, toward town.

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