Page 11 of Breakaway

Turk

When Tatum walks out of the locker room, I pull her in for a hug. “I am so proud of you. You guys are good. Damn good.”

Hugging me back she says, “Most of us. I’m depending on you and Clark to fix the weak links.”

“He’s working on it.”

“Is Cat getting food?”

“I was just there, I didn’t see her.”

She rolls her eyes. “You haven’t let her out of your sight since you met her. When the hell are you going to make a move, bro?”

“Mind your own business.”

“You are my business and as my bestie, so is she.” She pulls back and looks around, frowning. “Somethings wrong. I was gonna make sure she ate and took a box home. She doesn’t drink so we were going for a latte to celebrate. She wouldn’t stiff me.”

“Do the two of you text?”

“A little. She’s got a crappy phone plan, so she has to watch her minutes. Let me check.”

Her frown says it all. “She said she had to leave.”

“What do you know about her?”

“Not much. Actually, damn little. She’s from here. Her dad died before she knew him. Her mom remarried. Then her mom and stepdad both died when she was in high school. I’m not sure what happened then. She really hates talking about herself. I get the feeling her life has been rough. Truth, I was shocked to see that guy here tonight. I wonder what he is to her?”

So do I. The other night he seemed like a boss or almost a big brother. Now I’m not so sure. “Look, I need to get going too. I can’t make your road game Thursday but will try for Saturday. If not, I’ll be here for the next home game.”

“Love you, Turk.”

“Love you, too. Stay out of trouble and leave Baylor alone. Clark’s on it.”

“What? No diuretic the next time hetellsme to get his coffee?”

“Tatum.”

“Just kidding. Sorta,” she whispers as she turns away.

I text Clark letting him know I’m taking off. According to the bus schedule, if it was on time, I just missed it. Another one won’t be coming for forty minutes. She either caught the bus or is walking. Not knowing how far behind I am I follow the route the bus took the night before in my car.

I get to the restaurant in time to see her flying down the stairs and entering the backdoor of the diner. Moments later she and the big guy I now know is Mel rush back out to the alley. I crack my window.

“God damn it, Caitlyn. You need to report the bastard.” He pulls off his cap and runs his hand through his hair.

Her response is too soft and so are his next words. I watch as she swipes what appears to be tears from her face. He shakes his head then opens his arms embracing her in a hug.

Something in the pit of my stomach tightens. I want that to be me. I want to be the one to hold and comfort her. There are shadows in her eyes, and I want to know why.

A few moments later, she steps back. Mel shoves his hand in his pocket and pulls out a wad of cash, then his wallet and gives her more. How much is he giving her? She hugs him again and moves to go back into the restaurant. He shakes his head, says something and turns her to the stairs leading up to her room. After she’s safely inside he goes to the restaurant door but pauses, looking straight at my car before going inside.

What the hell is going on?

I text Clark.

Where are you?

Clark: Just getting home.

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