Page 46 of The Perfect Game

The moment the game ended, I pulled out my phone and sent her a text.

Happy Birthday! I’m so sorry I didn’t make it for the surprise party. I’m driving home now.

After the coach’s closing remarks, I took off my cleats and ran inside to get my bag, knowing I needed to hurry back to Pecan Flatts. My stomach was tied up in a ball of anxiety about how I would find Serena. I just hoped she’d be able to forgive me for missing her party.

Twenty-Nine

Serena

A text came through from Ben, but his words did nothing to comfort me. I was in a bad mood and had locked myself in one of the bedrooms in the basement of Kate’s house. I could still hear most of what was going on, but I needed a few minutes where I didn’t have to fake being happy.

Ben had told me the camp ended in the afternoon. So why wasn’t he here? And why hadn’t he sent me a message earlier? I guess I had to be grateful nothing major had happened to him since I talked to him the other day, but that still didn’t take away the pain of betrayal running through me.

Hot tears ran down my cheeks, and I was sure my heart was breaking.

The hopeful side of me pulled up scenario after scenario of what could have happened to him, that he’d stayed longer because he was getting some kind of scholarship offer. But my rational side told me he’d forgotten about me, just like my parents had. The only messages I’d gotten all day were from Penny, Brynn, and Kate, and it hurt that the three who were supposed to support me the most, my parents and my boyfriend, hadn’t said a thing. Until this message from Ben anyway.

I dried my eyes, knowing I needed to be grateful for the friends who were there no matter what, the ones who’d thrown me a surprise party. Walking out of the bedroom, I tipped my head back, trying to fake a smile. It was hard, but I would socialize because I was thankful for all they’d done.

The party wasn’t huge, and I was glad of that. People played videogames on the nearly floor-to-ceiling television, danced to music, or just stood by the food table and ate.

“What do you think?” Kate asked, grinning at me.

I reached over and gave her a hug, holding a moment longer than normal. Hugs weren’t usually my thing, but it was more refreshing than ever, and I needed to draw some strength to make it through the rest of the night.

“It’s awesome, Kate. Thank you,” I said, taking a step back.

She gave me a pout. “I’m so sorry about Ben. Penny called to tell him about the party on Tuesday. Do you think he forgot?”

I shook my head, lifting my phone in the air. “No, I got a text from him a few minutes ago. He was at baseball camp still.”

“Really? I thought the camp ended this afternoon.”

“You and me both.” I tasted the bitterness and scrunched my nose, trying to hold back another wave of tears. Crying in front of the whole room of people here for my birthday wasn’t something I wanted to dwell on for the next several years.

Kate placed a hand on her hip and tilted her head to the side, searching my face for something. “What are you going to do?”

I threw my hands up in the air. “I’m not sure yet. He’s been so weird the last couple of weeks, and I’m just not sure I can keep putting myself through this. I mean, I’ve already put up with at least ten years of my parents forgetting me and all the little events in my life. I don’t think I can do that for a third person.”

Kate drew me back in with another hug and whispered, “You’ll figure it out. Just listen to his side of the story before you decide anything.”

I nodded, wiping at my nose with the back of my hand. What I would’ve given to hit a volleyball right then.

Thirty

Ben

It was nearly midnight when I got back to town, and I drove over to Serena’s house, hoping I could at least talk to her and make up for not being at the party. I’d stopped at a store right before closing and grabbed some flowers and a few of the snacks I knew she liked. They weren’t great, but I hoped it would buy me enough time to set up a makeup birthday dinner for tomorrow.

The house was dark, and I looked for any signs of the family being home. I wasn’t sure if Serena parked in the garage or not, but I needed to try.

Are you home? I’m outside.

I hoped the emoji would help my cause. My heart beat in my ears as I stared at the screen.

Just before it turned black, a message from her popped up.It’s late.

What did that mean? Like, go away? Or that I was too late to say I was sorry?

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