Page 76 of Saving the Halfback

Picture it. Picture it, Bailey.If I could picture it, then it happened, and it had to be true.

“B?” Ethan grabbed my hand as I walked by. “I’m sorry. She was a good dog.” He spoke softly. I knew he’d liked Marley. He’d wanted to keep her himself but was afraid she’d get hurt at his place. How ironic. “When did it happen?”

“A week before school started.” I finished up with the stall and moved to the next one. I didn’t say anything more, instead focusing on the job at hand and doing what I could to forget about the old pup.

“Did you guys just build this?” he asked, looking around at the stalls.

“Yep.” When I finished, I made sure all the stalls were closed and Applewood’s and Titan’s stalls were locked because they loved escaping.

Ethan stopped walking as we got to the door and looked out into the rain. “I can sleep in the barn.”

“My mother would kill me.” I took his hand in mine and tried to pull him, but he didn’t budge.

“Yeah, well, I’m not worth this. You should’ve just left me at the church.”

I frowned. “What makes you think you’re not worth it?”

He said nothing, just remained a stone, staring down at me.

With a growl, I planted my feet in front of Ethan and tilted my face up so I could stare him in the eye. His lips twitched in an almost smile. “I don’t care what you think. You’re my friend, you need a place, you are staying here, and you aren’t running. I say you are worth it and, never, in all the years we’ve known each other, have I ever thought any less of you.” I adjusted my grip on his hand, so my fingers threaded with his. “Besides, my mom probably already has the bed made up for you and everything. If you stay out here, she will just drag you in herself.”

He stared at me for the longest time, taking everything in, taking me in. I couldn’t read his eyes, didn’t know what he wasthinking. He was still so guarded. Then he nodded, and I was finally able to release the breath I’d been holding.

The moment we stepped into the house, the smell of warming chili hit me. My stomach growled and my mouth watered as we kicked off our shoes. “Get washed up and come on down,” Mom called from the dining room.

“’Kay!” I called back. I could tell Ethan was retreating into himself, becoming closed off, but I was done allowing that to happen. “Come on, I’ll show you where the guest room is.” I figured if he had space for himself, that might help.

We walked upstairs and turned down the hallway. “My parents are down there.” I pointed to the right. “I’m here.” My door was wide open, though it was too dark inside to see anything. “And this is the guest room.” I opened the door next to mine and turned on the light for him to walk inside.

It was a simple room that my aunt used when she came to visit. A double bed was neatly made, a nightstand stood beside it, and on the other side was a small dresser. The large window had a window seat identical to mine, with a couple of cushions on it. Ethan set his bag down and gave a little smile. “What?” I asked.

“Nothing.” He shook his head.

Then I realized… “You remember.”

He nodded slightly. “Been here a time or two in the past.” Which was an understatement. Even though my house was the most difficult for everyone to get to, because of the distance, the guys came out here any chance we could get an adult to drive them. There was more freedom on the farm.

“I’m going to take a quick shower downstairs and get changed into dry clothes. Feel free to use the one up here.”

I went to my room and grabbed my stuff, and by the time I went into the hallway, I saw the bathroom door was already closed and heard the shower running.

As I hurried downstairs to the shower, Dad stepped in my way. “Was he in a fight?”

I froze for a moment. “I promised I wouldn’t tell.” Dad narrowed his eyes at me, and I sighed. If I wanted my parents to give Ethan space, they had to know something. “I was driving by when I saw his dad hurting him. Police were there, so they kind of know and asked him to find a place for the night.” Dad’s face instantly relaxed. “Don’t treat him any differently. He’s waiting until he turns eighteen to get out of there because he’s afraid children’s aide will put him in a group home.” Everything came tumbling out, and afterward, I was biting my lip. I felt like I was betraying Ethan, but if my parents knew the truth, they would help. I knew they would; they cared about the community.

“Does he have any other family?” Dad asked.

I shook my head. “He was planning on staying at the church.”

Dad nodded. It was all he needed to know. “Get washed up for supper.”

I was such a mess of emotions, I couldn’t even enjoy the warm water on my cold, rain-soaked skin. Stepping out of the shower, I towel dried my hair and quickly got dressed, hanging up my towel before leaving the bathroom.

Ethan was sitting on the steps of the stairs, as if he was waiting for me.

“Hungry?” I asked.

“I could eat.” He kept his voice low.

---