Page 27 of Stealing Home

I hope this means you’re doing what you need to do for you.

She didn’t answer, and I know I can’t push her much more. If I get any more obvious I’ll end up telling her to leave him again, and that’s something she needs to decide for herself. Still, I worry every day she’s in the same house with him that he’s going to hurt her, or rather hurt her again. Last night was the first decent night’s sleep I’ve had since I started getting close to her. Knowing she was somewhere safe, with people who care about her eased the constant nagging fear I’ve been carrying around.

“Please tell me you aren’t watching that phone hoping Coach’s wife will text you?” Taylor hisses.

I look around. “Will you watch your fucking mouth?”

He shakes his head. “You’re the starting pitcher of the team. There’s a whole posse of jersey chasers who’d drop to their knees for you, and you set your sights on the one woman who could fuck up your entire future?”

I shake my head. “I know, okay? But there’s something about her I can’t shake. I get this feeling that she needs me.”

“Listen to me. She doesn’t fucking need you. She’s got a husband. He can end you if you piss him off.”

“Just drop it. Nothing fucking happened, and it won’t. And yeah, I want to talk to her, but only because I’m worried about her,” I lie. It’s technically true that nothing happened, but I’ve more than made my intentions clear. If I get the chance to be with her, I’m taking it.

The bus gets on the way, and we’re mostly silent for the entire ten hour ride. Some of the guys in the back, the other juniors and seniors mostly, are ribbing each other. Everyone else is either sleeping, or watching something on their phones. Except for me. I’m using my time to study for the computer science exam that I’m missing today. I’m ready for it, in spite of the guys using our house like a frat house.

It’s late when we arrive in Ellensburg. We pile out of the bus and stumble into the hotel. The team takes up the entire third floor. Between all the players, coaching staff, and the trainers, it’s a lot of rooms. That’s even with most of us rooming together.

Taylor and I start to settle into our room when there’s a relentless pounding on our door. “Open up assholes,” Joaquin, shouts in the hallway.

“Let them in before they wake the entire hotel,” I grumble.

Taylor goes to open the door and several of the guys stroll in. Max flops down on my bed, while Joaquin takes control of the remote.

Kent and Will are a bit more quiet, but barely. Still the noise level in the room ensures I won’t be turning in early, especially when they decide to order pizza. My phone dances across the table with a call.

I step out into the hallway so I can have a chance to hear whoever is on the phone. I answer once I’m outside, and hear my mom’s sweet voice on the other end of the line.

“Oh, my baby! Did you make it in?” she asks.

I smile just hearing her voice. Most guys are chomping at the bit to leave home and stretch their wings, but they didn’t have my parents. They were nurturing and supportive, without being over the top.

“Just checked into our rooms,” I answer her.

She sighs. “Are you sure you can’t convince your coach to let you stay here? I don’t get enough time with you.”

“I know mom. I tried, but he said it was a team building experience for us to stay together, but we’re going to have dinner after the game tomorrow,” I console her.

“I understand you not wanting your dad to step in, but if he tries to interfere with our dinner plans I’ll get a crowbar and hunt him down,” she threatens.

My dad shouts in the background, “Red, don’t even joke about that.”

I’ve only heard a little about the time my mom defended herself against the two men who abducted her, but I know the mere mention of it sends my dad into a dark place. Which means he’s going to toss her over his shoulder, I try and block out the rest. I’ve caught my parents making out enough to know that the romance is very much alive in their marriage to this day.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, mom,” I say and get off the phone before my dad steals her attention.

A giggle down the hall draws my attention. I spot one of our training staff, Alicia, making out with Coach Rivera. Without thinking, I lift my phone and snap a picture of the two of them.

For a moment I debate telling Harlow. He’s hurt her enough, and she might think I’m only trying to push her to leave him. Ultimately though, I decide that she deserves to know.

I don’t know how to tell you this, but I can’t stay quiet. Coach is making out with one of the trainers. I swear I’m not trying to manipulate you into leaving him, even though I hope you do. You deserve better than him.

I send the picture in case she doesn’t believe me.

My phone starts to ring, and Harlow’s name flashes on the screen.

“Hey gorgeous,” I greet her. “I’m so sorry to have to tell you. Should I have kept my mouth shut?”

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