Page 94 of Make Me Bleed
I exchange a worried glance with Elise, but she gives me a small smile as Peris is back in the game. He plays hard, running back and forth, never letting the other team take the ball if he can help it, but I can see the way he’s shaking. His hands are trembling, and he can barely hold onto the ball. His concentration is broken, and his eyes aren’t focused—they keep straying off the court, but to where, I don’t fucking know. I keep trying to follow his gaze, but I can’t see what he’s looking at.
Elise doesn’t seem to be worried any longer, so I try not to let it bother me, but there’s a heat furrowing in my gut that won’t subside. It’s gnawing and aching and building with every minute that passes.
And if there’s one thing I learned being a fucked-up foster kid, it’s trusting my gut.
The game passes slowly, and the clock moves just the same, and my eyes never leave my baby boy. He’s sweating profuselyand shaking uncontrollably, and the ball has slipped from his hands twice now.
His coach has screamed at him loud enough for us to hear, and I wince. That cannot be good for anyone but especially him. I know he’s just beating himself up right now.
He drops his head in shame as he slinks back across the court and lines himself up with his team. I watch him take a couple deep breaths, each one drawing his head closer and closer to its original positioning until—finally—his back is straight, and he’s staring ahead, looking confident.
I glance over at Elise with a small smile. “There he is,” I murmur, finally feeling a little boost of confidence. I’ve been waiting for this, and I finally see a little spark ofPerisin his eyes. He looks determined and like he’s about to fuckingfight.
They’re losing now—fifty-four to thirty-three with fifteen minutes left in the game. The cheerleaders are cheering loudly, and I glance over at them in envy. Their cute outfits and their pom poms, hair and makeup done so prettily…
I miss those days.
It all seemed so much easier…yet so much harder.
Man, it was all so fucking complicated.
The game is fast paced, and I almost feel dizzy watching both teams run back and forth across the court. Peris jumps to block a shot, and I nearly whoop as the ball misses, but then, when he comes back down, I watch in slow motion as his foot slips on the ground, and he falls.
His head collides with the floor just as the rest of his body makes impact, and I swear I can hear the sickening thud echo out because everyone goes fucking silent.
Whistles blow and resounding “awe’s” echo out. I jump to my feet, a scream caught in my throat as everyone on his team scrambles to help him, and I’m stuck surrounded by all these people. Elise reaches for my arm and squeezes tightly. I grab herback as we watch them surround Peris on the court. He’s awake, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.
“Can we go down there?”
“We’re not supposed to…” she murmurs, and I want to scream. Truly. I can feel it bubbling in my chest and burning its way through my esophagus, dying to be released.
I need to know that he’s okay.
Seeing him down there, lying on the ground with his arms crossed over his face… I can’t stand it. It reminds of back when I left and he broke his hand because of what I did. How I wasn’t there when I should’ve been.
I’m here now.
I can support him now. Take care of him now.
With arms of his teammates wrapped around him, Peris is helped off the court and taken to the sidelines, where the medic is looking him over. I peer over people, trying to get the best view I can, but I can’t see what’s going on, other than lips moving as they talk, and Peris’s face pinched in a grimace.
Fuck, this isn’t good.
The game continues as if nothing happened, and while I know that’s how it works, I can’t help but feel a little peeved off.
It takes a while, but eventually, they start to move Peris, and that’s when the panic sets in.
“Where are they taking him?” I ask as he’s wheeled into the back, where I can no longer see him.
“I’m assuming they’re taking him to the back to further look him over to see if he needs to go to the hospital, honey.”
“The hospital?” I choke out, feeling my throat constricting. I can’t stand this.
I need to see him.
“How are you so calm right now?” I ask, and I know I sound accusatory, but I can’t help it. Elise gives me a small smile but takes it in stride.
“I’m not. I’m freaking out, the same as you. But I know he’s in good hands. And I know he’ll call if or when he needs us.”
