Page 135 of Honey Pot

Silas led the charge as we jogged onto the field. The lights were bright and surged in hot waves against my skin as we made our way to the center. The roof to the stadium had been left cracked open to let in the crisp winter air and cool the crowd naturally, the sky pitch black above us.

The Hornets and Lorrettes hadn’t broken their lines, still positioned on either side of the mound, most fidgeting with their hats or with their hands tucked behind their back staring up at the rowdy crowd. Noticeably missing from Lorettes' lineup was Joshua Logan. I scowled and wondered where he might have been to miss today's event. He loved the rival game more than anyone.

“Good evening,” Silas spoke into the mic, gripping his papers in his left hand as he waved them around in the air. “Welcome to the seventh annual Rivals Exhibition game!”

The crowd cheered for him in excitement.

“We’re excited, too,” he confirmed. “Now, I know usually it’s my father out here addressing you all, amping you up for the new season, and thanking you for being loyal Harbor fans, but he’s busy so you get me.”

I stiffened beside him but held my stupid grin and nodded as he fumbledthrough his speech without lines or direction. The panic seeped from his usually cool demeanor and gave me secondhand-heartburn.

“Like every season before, the profits from today's game go to a worthy charity or foundation that gives back to the Harbor community.” Silas sidestepped, moving out of my space and held out the microphone to me. “Cael Cody, everyone.” He led a thunderous chorus of cheers. “We missed him too.” Silas smiled and looked up to the bright lights. “During the off-season between careful recovery and surgery, Cael’s been working tirelessly with me to put this entire event together, it’s only fair I let him tell you what foundation we’re supporting this year.”

A nervous laugh tumbled from my lips, and I cocked my head to the side in confusion.

“If there was ever a time for you to be well…you,it’s now.” He held the microphone out for me to take. “Don’t get shy on me, Cody. Give them a show,” he whispered, just for us, and I swallowed the nerves as my fingers wrapped around the microphone.

Silas tapped my shoulder and handed me a small piece of paper with a paragraph of script on it. My brows pinched together and the smile came back to me as I read what he wrote.

“Are you sure?” I asked him in shock.

He scowled at me and motioned for me to get on with it.

“Alright, alright.” I shook out the crippling fear, found my footing, and stepped forward.

I filled my chest with air, my lungs stinging and my heart racing.

“Who thought it was a good idea to give me a mic?” I yelled with laughter in every word as the crowd cheered. “It’s insane here tonight! Who’s ready to see us kick the Lorette’s asses?” I hollered and the stadium thrummed with anticipation. The small groups of students that had traveled down from Lorette chimed in with a few, dull boos. “I know I am!” I chuckled and took the time to inhale deeply before bringing the mic back to my lips.

“This little piece of paper that Doctor Shore just handed to me contains the announcement for the foundation. A cause close to my heart and something that will mean the world to the entire Nest.” I turned to look atthem all with a tight nod, gratitude surging through me as they all raised their hands in unison, tapping their chests and encouraging me.

Always together,two steps at a time.

I tripped over my words, choking up on the microphone with a hint of panic I had never experienced before. For all my flaws, public speaking was not something I was afraid of…but suddenly… I couldn’t find my voice.

I turned to find Dad, maybe in a pitiful attempt for comfort but he wasn’t there. The spot he had been previously filling was glaring back at me.

And then all the lights in the stadium turned off except for the hazy yellow that shone at my back, highlighting the field in a circle around me.

“Up, Cael!” Dad’s voice echoed from the dugout. “Look up.”

I listened, looking up through the cracked open stadium ceiling, my breathing strangled with panic as my eyes adjusted to the darkness and the stars shone back at me, dancing around the moon in the sky.

An apology in the best way Dad knew how to give one. Bringing us all together again. Sun, moon and stars.

Hey, Mama.

I inhaled one shaky breath, filling my lungs as I looked back down to the paper and finished the speech.

“Through the generosity of the Silas Shore and all of you tonight, we were able to create the Rainey Day Scholarship. A fund that will help students on the path to recovery looking to further their education and start fresh here at Harbor University. A scholarship named after my Mama–our Mama, that would last long after we were all gone from the walls of Harbor.”

I paused to catch my breath and to keep from crying as Ella’s bright smile caught my eye. A foundation for kids like us, struggling but trying. She nodded, silently encouraging me to continue.

“Funding that would honor her name and support students like me. Kids who needed a little more help to find themselves and give them the resources to get an education that would help keep them healthy.” My heart swelled and tears stung at my eyes. I angled away from the crowd, and I pulled the microphone away from my face to let go of the shaky sigh as the cheering grew louder. “If I keep going you’re all going to watch me cry and that’s– I’ll hand it back over to Silas’s now, but hey…” I shook out the sadness and plastered a smile on. “Let’s kick some Lorette ass?” The horns blew loud and the crowd lost their minds as I turned back to Silas.

“Good job kid.” He pressed his shoulder into mine, praising over the air horns and screaming.

“This is…Thank you.” I nodded at him.

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