Page 118 of Saving the Halfback

“Thanks for planning this, Chase. I think we all needed it. I never thought I would be hoping for more rainy days.”

Chase smiled. “I hope you guys don’t stop going out there. Thanks for making my day, Bails. One last birthday hug?”

I didn’t hesitate. I stepped into Chase’s arms, and he held me. It wasn’t a quick squeeze, like I’d expected him to give. He held me. He pulled me in, and at first, I didn’t think he would let go… I was okay with that. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed his hugs. His closeness. His laughter and smiles. I knew I missed my friends, but I never thought about how much I truly missed them individually. So, I held him back. I didn’t want him to go. To leave. He let go, though, his eyes glassy.

“Thank you, Bailey.” He gave a soft smile before leaving, and something in the pit of my stomach didn’t sit right. Something screamed to not let him go, but what was I supposed to do?

42

Chase

Iset the cinder block and rope next to the pool and sat down beside them. In my hand, I stared at the wallet-sized photo I kept in my nightstand. It was a picture of the four of us—Bailey, Lachlan, Ethan, and me. At the pitts. Lachlan’s brother had taken the picture to get us in trouble, but his mom and dad just laughed about kids being kids and made copies of the picture. We must have been eight or so, with a missing tooth here or there. It was a great photo and one I looked at often when I was struggling.

I shoved it into my pocket and took out my phone. The new picture of us at the pitts. Nolan made a great addition. As much as I’d hated him in the beginning, he was a good guy. Jealousy, likely…of how close he’d gotten to Bailey so easily. Now I saw how much work he put into it, how much he cared about her, how he would protect her. No jealousy remained.

Holding down my thumb on the picture, I included all their names and clicked send. I hoped this picture would help them through difficult times, like the other had me.

I set my phone down, took the rope, and began tying it to my feet. The other end, I tied to the cinder block. I pulled the block into my lap, then I just sat there.

Dad’s text message had come at exactly midnight, telling me to get out and to leave his belongings behind. Telling me he wanted nothing to do with me. That he would legally remove my name from any tie to his. He reminded me I had nowhere to go. I had nothing to start off with. I had no resources.

I wouldn’t be a burden to anyone anymore. I didn’t need his reminders…I knew.

A tear slipped down my cheek, but inside, I felt empty. This was how it had to be. I left no note. I had no one to write to. Another tear slipped free…free…how long had I been told to hold back the tears, to take it like a man. Now, the liquid flowed freely because was just about me. I could finally get rid of this loneliness inside of me. I could finally let the pain go. I could…

My phone began to ring, breaking the silence all around me. I risked a peek at the screen.

Bailey.

Fuck. I let out a shaky breath and tried to compose myself. I couldn’t. I couldn’t answer it.

The phone stopped ringing. I took another deep breath, held on to the cinder block, and—

My phone pinged as a text flashed on the screen.

Bailey:I need you.

I set the cinder block down and picked up my phone, clearing my throat before pressing the dial button.

“I’m sorry.” Bailey was crying.

“What happened?” I asked.

“I couldn’t get a hold of Lachlan, Ethan doesn’t have a car right now, I know Nolan doesn’t have his phone…and I didn’t know who to call.” She took a deep breath.

“Bails, what’s going on?” I began untying my ankles.

“My parents had an emergency. One of the tractors is stuck in the field, and the farm hands are trying to get it out. The cows got loose, into the neighbor’s field.” She was speaking so quickly.

“You want me to come out and catch cows?” I asked. I didn’t have the faintest clue how the fuck I would do that, but if she needed me to, I would. I stood up and started walking to the house to grab my shoes and keys.

Bailey chuckled through her cries. “No. I…I’m at home. It’s just…the garden door keeps opening and slamming shut, and the dog is barking. I don’t know why the dog keeps barking. And I think someone is here, and I don’t know what to do. I can’t move.”

She was scared. Someone was in the house with her? Fuck. “Stay on the phone with me, Bails. I’ll be right there. Did you call the police?”

“NO! I can’t. They will take me, Chase. They will come and take me when they see what I did to him. Oh my god, what have I done?” She wasn’t making any sense.

“Easy, deep breaths. I’m coming.”

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