Page 71 of Lucky Hit

THIRTY-ONE

OAKLEY

To say my mom is surprised to see me on her front step with my head in my hands would be an understatement.

"Oakley? What on earth are you doing here?" she yelps in surprise.

I rush off of the steps to take the grocery bags she is carrying from her and lead the way into the house, not speaking. I carry the bags to the kitchen and set them on the countertop.

"I needed to talk to you and I didn't want to do it over the phone."

She gestures for me to take a seat at the kitchen table, and I collapse into the chair gratefully. She sits opposite me and takes my hands in hers, her lips pursed.

"Oh dear, those aren't words I like to hear." Her eyes fill with worry. "You're not in trouble, right?"

She always assumes the worst.

“No, I'm not in trouble, Ma. Not yet, at least,” I chuckle and she relaxes in her chair.

“What do you mean not yet? Did you get into another fight? Oh God, you did!” she adds in a shout and I hold my hands up in surrender.

“No, Mom. Calm down or I won't tell you,” I threaten, and she just rolls her eyes. "My agent called me today,"

Her face lights up. “That's good news, isn't it? Is it really happening? This is so exciting!” Her excitement only makes me feel worse. When I don't respond, her face falls. “Why aren't you happy? You've been waiting for this your whole life.”

"I'm projected fourth, Mom," I mumble, resting my head in my hands.

"I'm confused. Fourth is amazing. It's nothing to be ashamed of, honey," she says gently and takes my hands away from my face.

"I'm not ashamed of fourth. I’m fucking hyped about it."

"Then why did you come all the way here so upset? What's going on?" she asks, her tone gentle but still firm.

It takes me a few seconds to come up with the right response. I never thought I would be drafted in the top ten. Just being drafted in itself is my dream, let alone so high. I just wish I was as excited as I should be. Instead, I'm confused and conflicted.

"Do you know the teams who have the most chance of picking in the top five?" I don't wait for a response. "All American teams. Not a single Canadian team. Will said I'm most likely going somewhere on the West Coast."

Mom sighs and squeezes my hands. "We always knew it was a possibility, sweetheart. You've always been ready for this. You said you were ready for this. Gosh, you used to go on and on about it," she adds with a smile.

I nod my head reluctantly.

I have always been ready. I prepared for years for this exact moment, yet it feels like I'm making a mistake. Since the minute I got off the phone with Will yesterday I've felt sick to my stomach. I didn't even tell anyone I was coming here. I've been ignoring Ava's texts and since I didn't show up to practice, Matthew's too. Even Morgan's texted me. I just don't know what to say to them; I don't even know what to think. How can I explain it to them?

"This is about Ava, isn't it?" Mom murmurs.

Is it about Ava? Everything was planned perfectly before I met her. I never had a doubt in my mind about what I wanted for my life. Then I fell in love with her.

Fuck. It is about her. "What am I supposed to do?"

"You need to tell her. If it's meant to be, it will be, baby. You know that."

For once, her words of wisdom do little to make me feel better.

"Can I stay here for a little while? I'm not ready to go back yet," I confess and heave a sigh.

"You don't have to ask, sweetheart. You're always welcome here.” She stands up with a small smile. "I'm just going to start dinner and put these groceries away. Your sister should be home soon, relax."

"Thanks, Mom," I reply before getting up, pushing my chair in and heading to my room.

---