Both parents paused a beat. Michael put his hand on Lisa’s knee as if holding her back from saying what she was thinking. Lisa leveled him with a look only a longtime wife could accomplish. He patted her leg and chuckled. “I’d like something to drink too, if you wouldn’t mind, sweetheart?”
“Then go get it.” Lisa folded her arms.
“I would, but my knee is bothering me.” He smiled amiably.
She gathered herself and stood. “Knee, my foot,” she grumbled as she inched past the two men and their knees. Brock turned to the side to let her through. He had the feeling that he’d gotten off easy just having Michael around.
They sat for a few minutes in silence. Juan laughed into the mic as the first act left the stage. “Man, that was legit! Did you all see that?”
The roar of the crowd was his answer.
“Listen,” Brock started when the silence was too heavy to be comfortable. “I’m sorry, but I’m not into Kelly. She’s a lovely person and I’d like to be her friend.”
“Well.” Michael shifted in his seat, kicking one leg out. “That’s the thing with Kelly. She sets her heart on something and she won’t be dissuaded.”
“Was that how she was about Sheila going to med school?” Pieces were falling into place. Sheila’s backing out when she thought he was seeing both her and Kelly. Why would she risk her relationship with her sister over some guy? Especially if Kelly was a pit bull. Sheila was determined and aggressive, but she knew when to back off—probably because she’d been doing it her whole life to keep the peace in the family. It made him mad. Why should Sheila have to go without because Kelly was a bully?
Michael rubbed his nose. “She was. It was awful—almost split the family when Sheila decided to follow a different path.”
Brock bounced his knee. He had a whole lot to say on that subject. “It’s a good thing she did. I don’t think the Redrocks would be what they are today if it wasn’t for Sheila.”
“We’re proud of her.”
“Have you told her?”
Michael cleared his throat in a that’s-none-of-your-business way.
“I’m just saying. Sheila had a right to follow her heart, and if someone threw a fit about that, it’s not her fault. I wouldn’t have wanted to live with a sibling who wanted to run my life. As far as I’m concerned, Sheila is the better person. She had every right to walk away from Kelly, and she didn’t.”
Michael lifted his chin and stared off at the red rock cliffs in right field. “Things seemed to have worked out.”
“Yeah, as long as Sheila doesn’t make waves.” Brock shook his head. He couldn’t believe he was sticking his nose in this mess. He had the perfect out from this bizarre family, and instead he lifted his bat and leaned forward on his toes, begging the pitcher to throw a strike low and outside. “Sorry. I’m calling it like I see it.”
“Maybe you’re seeing it more clearly than I have,” Michael conceded. “A man doesn’t like to choose between his daughters. When they fight, it rips his heart in two. Peace is easier. I guess it comes with a cost.”
“One Sheila shouldn’t have to pay.”
Michael nodded. “What about you? Kelly’s got her eye set on you.”
Brock blew out his lips. “The truth is, I’m kind of seeing someone else.”
“You’re what?”
Brock closed his eyes briefly before turning to find Kelly standing behind him, holding two cups of soda. The straws were in place, but the tops of the wrappers were still there—like she was afraid it would get covered in germs on the walk from the concession stand. Her mom was on the stair above, glaring down at him. Great, now he’d ticked off Sheila’s mom.
Brock managed to keep his smile in place as he got to his feet. “I think what you do for children is amazing. I just … don’t think we’re compatible.” Brock rubbed the back of his neck, wondering when his life had fallen down the crazy hole. Here he was, breaking up with a girl he didn’t want to date in the first place, while the woman he wanted to be with didn’t even know he was here.
Kelly glanced around at the people sitting nearby, who were trying to act like they weren’t paying attention.
Brock kicked himself for not finding a quiet spot to tell her all this. Geez. He came off like a jagweed. “Here, let me help you.” He reached for the sodas, but Kelly yanked them out of his reach.
“I’m fine.”
He mentally screamed at the word. Anything butfine. Didfinerun in the family?
She moved to scoot into the row, and he went down two steps to give her room. Lisa lifted an eyebrow at him.
“I’m sorry.” He was at a loss for words. What was he supposed to do? To say? He didn’t think he’d led Kelly on. But he wasn’t going to argue the point. Not here. “I’ll see you around,” he said to the group.
