Page 62 of The One I Left Behind

“You say no, and then you’re going to tempt me?”

She laughs.

The passenger door opens. I was too distracted by her to realize Clayton was already here. A few of the players walk by me, each one glancing in our direction.

“Can we not?” Clayton says. “I already got shit from everyone for getting called out.”

Gillian glances at me, then at Clayton. “You’re the one who said not to live in secret.”

“Jesus, Mom, can we please just go?”

Gillian smiles and puts the car in drive.

“Hey, Clayton, I’m sorry for calling you out, but what you did is the type of mentality I want the team to have. It’s an admirable quality, and you should feel good about yourself.”

“What did you do?” Gillian asks, looking between us.

“Oh. My. God. Can we go?”

“Owen Harris was struggling with the run, and Clayton jogged alongside him, encouraging him,” I say.

“Oh.” Gillian puts her hand over her heart. “I’m proud of you, Clay.”

“Can I be rewarded by getting out of here?” He slides down in his seat.

“I guess I’d better go.” She purses her lips at me and drives off.

I watch their taillights turn out of the school lot. I’ve never wanted to be in a car so badly in my life.

Chapter Twenty

Gillian

On Wednesday night, the first softball game between the ranches is held under the lights at the high school. Of course it’s Plain Daisy Ranch against Wild Bull Ranch, the two biggest rivals of all the ranches that play in the league.

My doorbell rings as I’m grabbing my purse. “Clay, I’ll be home later,” I shout.

He took a shower after practice, so he walks out wearing just his shorts. It’s been three days since football camp started, and since the first day, Ben has kept his distance when I’m picking Clayton up from practice. I’m thankful he understands what it’s like for Clayton.

“You going on a date with Coach Noughton?”

“Softball game. Want to come? It’s a big one.”

“A bunch of old guys trying to live out their glory days? No thanks.” Clayton grabs a bag of chips and heads down the hall.

“Love you,” I yell.

“Love you too. Hope no one breaks a hip.” He laughs.

Kids. It’s like they don’t realize that one day if they’re lucky, they’ll be older too.

The camera on my doorbell chimes, and when I open the front door, Ben stands there wearing shorts and a blue T-shirt that says Plain Daisy Ranch with a swoosh under it.

“Nice shirt,” I say.

“Just got it.” He turns around, and I see that the back says Noughton with a number two underneath.

I laugh.

---