Page 18 of The Perfect Game

After a few minutes, I found a match and brought them out to her. When she tried to walk with them, her eyes lit up.

“So much better! Thank you.” She moved in the direction of the receptionist, giving me a quick wave as she stopped for a quick break.

“Bye,” I said.

She nodded and grinned. “Thanks for all your help, Ben.”

That smile got me through the next half-hour of cleaning and sanitizing the tables and machines throughout the clinic. We were assigned to do it periodically throughout the day to maintain cleanliness as the patients came in and out.

Once I finished, I poked my head into John’s office and said, “I’m heading out. I’ll see you Thursday.”

“Yeah, man. Of course. If I’m not here when you leave, good luck at the tourney. You’ve got a lot of people cheering you on. Are you starting any of the games?”

It was hard to believe he cared. I knew I would forever have the support of my mom and Daniel, but most of the crowd at my baseball games was for the rest of my teammates.

“It’s a possibility. I’ll just have to see what Coach says. Going up against Monmouth would be fun since we smoked them last time. But they didn’t have their best player at the time. I’ve always wanted to see what I could do against him.”

John stood and rested his hand on my shoulder. “I bet you’d get him. Get out of here. Go cause a little trouble this summer. Just don’t tell your mom I said that.” He pointed at me and chuckled.

I turned to go, but his voice pulled me back. “And when it comes to Serena, I think you should go for it.”

I paused, my heart thundering in my ears. “What?”

“Her dad isn’t the best example of a father, and from today, it sounds like she can be a bit sarcastic, but from everything I’ve heard about her, she’s a good kid.”

“I-I-I don’t like her like that,” I said, raising my hands in defense. The lie was bitter on my tongue.

John gave me a knowing smile. “Whatever. I’ll see you later.”

I said goodbye and headed out the door, replaying Serena’s session to see what clues I’d given to John that I had a crush on Serena. Pulling my keys out of my pants pocket, I fiddled with them and grabbed the one that would start my truck.

Sobbing to my left caused me to turn my head, and I saw a familiar form sitting on the curb, crutches lying on the cement sidewalk next to her.

“Serena? Are you all right? What are you still doing here?” I stalked over and squatted down in front of her.

Wiping away the tears, she took in a deep breath. “I’m so sorry. I don’t usually get so emotional.”

“Did you call someone to come get you?” I searched her eyes, but she wouldn’t meet mine.

“Yes, I’ve called and texted my parents several times.” She blinked rapidly, wiping the remaining tears away. “I just—it’s just so frustrating that I always seem to be forgotten or the very last person they think of. One more reason I need this ankle to heal, so I can drive myself.”

I stood, reaching out both hands. “Let’s go.”

She started and glanced at my outstretched hands. “Go where?”

“I can take you home. Or we can go on a drive or something.” I shrugged. I hadn’t thought it all out just yet. I could show up later to Nate’s house. It wasn’t like we had a set plan for what we were doing.

A few more seconds of hesitation passed before she reached up, her small hands grasping mine as she stood. It felt like a shockwave passed through the nerves in my hands, and I liked it.

I leaned down and picked up the crutches, holding them with my left hand while I supported her with my right. “Just take it easy here. I’m that truck over there.”

Serena looked in the direction I motioned with my head and giggled. “Wait, that’s your truck?”

A wave of embarrassment passed through me. “Yep. That would be mine.”

“I saw it the other day at the park, but didn’t pay attention to how small it was. How do you fit in there?” She looked between me and the truck, surprised.

“That’s a great question. I can’t tell you how many bruises I’ve gotten on my knees from hitting the dashboard when I get in.”

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