Page 95 of Stealing Home

Scott’s forehead creases and his brow furrows. “Did you think I was breaking up with you?”

I shrug. “Your dad hates me, your mom is mad at your dad and staying with her friend, and you’ve barely spoken to me since we left their house. What else am I supposed to think?”

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m such a fucking idiot. Come here,” he says and holds out his hand to me.

I take it, and let him pull me into his arms. He tucks my head against his chest, and I hear his heart racing. “Of course that’s what you thought. I’m so sorry, sweetheart, I wasn’t thinking straight. Come sit with me,” he says.

“Wren and Griffin are waiting downstairs.” Odd that I wanted to talk up until he’s right in front of me, and now I’m afraid of what he is going to say.

Scott sits on my bed and pats the spot next to him. “I walked past Wren when she was on her way downstairs. I told them I’d look after you and they took off.”

Mustering up some courage, I join him on my bed. He’s quiet for a moment, and I give him time to gather his thoughts. “I’m sorry I was so quiet and broody after we left my parents. It didn’t occur to me you’d think I was breaking up with you. It’s the opposite, actually. I’m giving my parents back my trust fund. I was too in my head trying to figure out all the things I’d need to take care of once I did.”

“If that’s what you feel you have to do, I’ll support you,” I tell him.

“Maybe it’s part stubbornness, but also a need to show my dad how wrong he is about you. It might not change his mind, but I can’t help but feel like that money comes with strings.”

“I’m glad you’re not taking it. We don’t need it. But, why did you say you needed to go back to your house tonight?”

Scott looks a little nervous. “I really should have talked to you before I started handling everything. Without my trust fund, I can’t afford the rent. I thought it was better to rip the bandaid off and tell Max, Will, and Taylor so they could find someone to take my room. Plus, I needed to pack.”

“Is this your way of asking to move in with me?” I feel much lighter now that I know he isn’t trying to break up with me.

“We pretty much already do live together. I’ll get a part time job and help cover some of the bills,” he insists.

“There’s only four months left before graduation. I have no problem covering us for now. When we move, our positions will reverse until I find a position. Most people don’t start their lives with millions at their disposal. We’re both educated in high demand fields, we’ll be fine.”

“I need you to make me another promise.” He takes my hands in his and looks me square in the eye. “You have to have faith in us, in me. I’ve told you over and over I love you, and I’ll want you forever, but at the first misunderstanding, you immediately jumped to thinking I was leaving you. If we’re going to stand a chance, I can’t be the only one who has faith in us.”

33

Scott

Between classes,over the next week, I get all of my stuff out of the baseball house, and help the guys pick a new roommate. Max and Will swing by with the last of my things. It doesn’t escape my notice they’d saved my baseball gear for last. I hadn’t packed it, because while I’m content walking away from baseball at the end of the season, I’ve never left anything unfinished before.

“Where’s the missus?” Will teases me.

“You’re super funny, Will. I can’t wait to marry her, but she’s got to be divorced first. But, to answer your question, she’s working downstairs.”

“Is there a reason you guys held on to a box of my gear when I came by yesterday to grab the rest of my stuff?” I reach in the box and pull out my glove. The smell of the leather and grass brings back memories of all my years playing, which makes me think of my dad, and I drop it back inside.

Max shrugs, and both of them have a guilty look on their face. “We just thought you’d be missing it.”

“Don’t you have a game to get ready for tonight?” I check the time on my phone, Harlow will be off work in an hour, and they take the field in two. Usually they’re getting ready, mentally and physically, for a game right now.

They exchange a look, then Will answers me. “It doesn’t really matter. Haven’t you been following the season since you left?”

“Since I left? You mean, since I was kicked out. I haven’t really kept tabs. Would you?” I ask.

Max’s jaw clenches. “You could have come back, and you know it.”

“You mean by breaking up with Harlow so that abusive piece of shit can get his hands on her again, just so I can play a game? If you think that was ever an option, you really don’t know me very well.”

“So you are loyal to a woman you just met, but not your teammates you’ve known now for three years?” Will chimes in.

Max steps in between Will and me, and pushes him back a few steps. “That’s enough. We want to convince him to come back. This isn’t helping,” he says to Will.

Then he turns to me. “Campbell can’t pitch for shit. The only bright side is the sophomore that took his place in left field is much better than he ever was, and doesn’t seem to think that being an outfielder is some kind of insult. Coach is running the team into the ground in practice, everyone is fighting, and we’ve lost every single game since you left.”

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