Page 102 of Spotlight
Me
Knox?
Knox
I’ll think about it.
We get back to Lake City Wednesday afternoon after our games in Chicago. I go straight to the stadium for a pitchers’ meeting and then treatment. By the time I’m free, I’m so amped up to see Olivia and Greer that I’m waiting on their doorstep when they get home.
“Hi!” Olivia’s face lights up when she spots me, and she comes forward to hug me. “What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t wait to see you.” I tear my gaze from her to Greer. “How’s my favorite munchkin?”
She stares down at her feet, which shuffle almost nervously.
Olivia nudges her. Something is up, but I can’t guess what.
Greer finally glances at me but doesn’t meet my eyes. “Hi, Hotshot.”
Olivia unlocks the door, and her daughter slips by her into the apartment without another word.
“Is she alright?” I ask of the usually bubbly six-year-old.
“She’s been like this for two days.” Olivia’s mouth pulls into an unconvincing half smile. “Come in. I’m so glad you’re here.”
I follow her into the apartment.
Greer is in her bedroom. The light streams out into the hallway from her open door, but unlike the other times I’ve been here, she’s quiet. I follow Olivia to the kitchen, where she drops her purse on the counter and sighs.
“How was Chicago?” she asks. “I caught part of the game, but I fell asleep once I was certain you were going to win.”
I love that she watches the games. “Terrible.”
She smirks and lets out a small laugh.
“It was cold and windy, and you weren’t there.”
“I missed you too,” she says as I step into her space.
I drop my mouth to hers, savoring her soft, slow kisses.
“What’s for dinner?” At the question from Greer, I pull back and Olivia turns to face her daughter.
“I don’t know yet. What do you want?”
“Pizza.”
“We don’t have time for pizza. I need to be at work in an hour.”
“Fine! Whatever.” The words come out in a haughty tone I didn’t think Greer was capable of.
Before Olivia can respond, her daughter stomps back to her room and closes the door.
The shock pulsing through me must be written all over my face because Olivia nods and says, “I know. It’s awful.”
“And you don’t know why?”
“She won’t tell me. I’ve tried a dozen times. I asked if something happened with a friend at school or if someone hurt her and she says no, but she won’t say much else. I called her teacher, but she didn’t know either. She said Greer had been playing by herself more the last couple days, but she hadn’t witnessed anyone treating her poorly.”
