“Yeah,” she replies, reaching out to take one of my hands, bringing it to her lap. “Are you okay? I sort of got the feeling you were a little uncomfortable at first. I’m guessing you’re not used to the whole meet-the-parents thing.”
I squeeze her hand gently. “Can’t say I’ve ever done it, seeing as you’re the first girl I’ve ever wanted to be with for more than a few hours of fun.”
She makes a happy sound at that statement, and my lips turn up in a smile. “But your parents are great. You’re lucky to have them.”
“Will you tell me about your parents?”
My jaw clenches tight. “That’s not exactly a pleasant conversation. Let’s not ruin tonight with it.”
I’m hoping like fuck she’ll drop it. And thankfully, after a long few seconds of silence where I can feel her gaze on me, she does.
If I had it my way, I’d never let Sadie know the full depths of the shit I went through as a child.
Her light doesn’t need to touch that darkness.
Which means I need to deal with Eli, and soon. Before he becomes a problem — and not just a secret — between me and Sadie.
Chapter twenty-six
Maverick
I’m out on the turf, shagging balls with some guys in the outfield during a low-key practice the team is having on a rare day off between games. With the season drawing to an end, and playoffs in sight, they’re all tired.
Not me. I’m ready to fucking go. The sun is shining, my shoulder feels good, and I made Sadie come three times in a row last night.
For once, I feel like shit is going my way.
“What’s this? You comin’ for my position, Mav?” Darling shouts as he ambles up to the group of us in the outfield. The guy I was tossing back and forth with jogs over, slapping Darling’s held-up hand as he passes by to take his place at batting practice. “Maybe I’ll try taking over the hot corner and let you handle all the shit that gets by you infielders for a change.”
Rhett’s smiling, and his tone is obviously teasing. And instead of scowling like I normally would, my good mood has me firing back at him.
“Sure. Consider this my tryout. I mean, how hard can it fucking be when you shitheads have all the time in the world to make a catch out here.”
Darling throws his head back and laughs. “Damn, man. Don’t hold back!”
I smirk and whip the ball at him. “I won’t.”
We fall into an easy rhythm, increasing the distance between us every few throws. Until he throws one that looks like it’s going to veer left and I lunge to make the catch. The ball hits the tip of my glove, bouncing right back out. And momentum carries me forward and down, making me land on my bad shoulder with a loudoomph.
“Mav!” Rhett’s shout registers as I roll onto my back, cradling my arm.
Fuck. White-hot pain lashes my shoulder as I struggle to contain my rage and agony. One stupid move. One fucking idiotic moment of needing to prove myself, and I’ve just fucked everything up.
My teammates reach me and try to help me get up, but I push them away with a growl. Staggering to my feet, I see Coach and Lark hurrying over.
“What the hell happened?” Coach barks.
Darling answers for me as Lark takes my arm and supports it gently, probing her way up my bicep.
“My throw went wide; he went for it but landed wrong.”
“Jesus Christ, Mav. Go with Lark and get everything looked at.” Coach pulls his hat off his bald head, then shoves it back on. I don’t want to see the pity in his eyes, but he can’t hide it. He thinks I’m done for.
I shrug off Lark’s touch. “Fine.” I abandon my glove and hat that fell off at some point and storm off the field, every step shooting daggers of pain through my body. I can’t fucking believe this is happening.
I hit the dugout, ignoring everyone’s concerned questions about what happened and go into the locker room where I start to pace. I know I’m meant to go straight to the trainer’s area for an assessment, Doc might even be waiting for me if Lark’s texted him. But I can’t face them. Not yet.
“Fuck!” I shout. “Goddamn it!” I kick over the empty container waiting for all of our dirty practice gear. There’s a pounding in my ears as I move to the wall, lifting my good arm, ready to put a fucking hole in the cement.
