Page 120 of Saving the Halfback

I smiled. “Pinky promise?” I held my pinky finger up.

She hooked hers in mine. “Pinky promise.”

I lay wide awake as she used my chest for her pillow. It wasn’t long before her parents arrived back and saw us on the couch. Her dad was covered in mud, so her mom shooed him away. “What happened?”

I shrugged. “She thought she heard someone breaking in, so she called me. All is good.”

Her mom smiled softly in a motherly way that caused a pang in my heart. “She called you instead of the police.” Her mom rolled her eyes. “I’m glad all is good. Do you have to get home?”

“No. We’re comfortable…if that’s okay.”

“Well, the guest room is just up the stairs and to the left if you need to stretch out.”

“Thanks.”

Her mother walked away, still smiling softly as she went upstairs.

I made myself comfortable, sank into the couch, and held on to Bailey. How lucky was I that I got to spend one night with her in my arms?

43

Bailey

Monday

Chase was gone when I woke up on the living room couch. I sat up, looking around the room, ashamed that I had even called him over last night.

When Mom had gotten the call yesterday that Ed was being moved to rehab, that he was making a remarkable recovery, I held it together as best as I could in front of my parents. That bud of pain and rage that sat in my stomach grew, but still, it remained sheathed in fear and doubt. Doubt that all the progress I had made with the guys was even real. Fear Ed would press charges against me, or worse, come for me.

I shivered.

I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. I’d rather spend life behind bars than under his control.

I stood up, stretched, and went on with my morning routine. I had debated calling Chase to see if he was all right—if I hadn’t freaked him out too much—but that just seemed awkward. After chores, I showered and got dressed before going to the kitchen for breakfast.

Mom was sitting there with her coffee in hand and a Tupperware of muffins for the team, which was the new morning routine. “We need to talk,” she said.

“What about?” I asked, feigning innocence.

“Boys, sleeping over.”

I took a deep breath. “Sorry. I know I didn’t ask—”

Mom held up her hand. “I’ll stop you right there. You know we trust you. I know things are happening at some homes, and your friends just need a place to crash.”Like Ethan, I thought. “But I have two points I promised your father I would talk to you about. One: are you being safe?”

I nearly choked on my orange juice. “Mom, I’m not.” I looked down at the table, pushing my pancakes around. “I’m not active like that. We already talked about that.” I was glad Dad and Nolan weren't here this time, but I didn’t need to relive the embarrassment.

“Okay. I know Ethan needed a place to stay, but you have had Chase and Nolan over as well. Do they know?”

“Well…yeah. No, not really, but I’m not hiding. I can just tell Nolan that Chase was over last night.”

Mom held up her hand. “It’s not my business, but I want you all to be safe, and even though boys seem tough, they can have their hearts hurt too. Just make sure everyone is on the same page, then no one can get hurt.”

“Wait…Dad wanted you to talk about this?”

“Oh, no. Dad wanted me to take the doors off the rooms and ensure the boys are only around when we are.” She laughed.

I buried my head in my hands. “Does he think I’m dating multiple guys?”

---