Page 39 of Convincing the Catcher

“It’s okay,” I say when he pulls back. “Parties aren’t really my scene anyway.”

His mouth opens, but I can feel my phone vibrating inside my purse. I could ignore it and listen to whatever Cane is about to say, but considering everything going on with my dad, I quickly pull it out, and my heart drops when I see that it’s my mom because we talked not that long ago, and she knew I was going to a party. Right away, I know something’s wrong.

I slide my thumb across the screen to accept it and bring the phone to my ear before quickly darting through the crowd, barging outside onto the porch.

“Mom?” The word comes from my mouth in a clear panic as I start down the stairs. “What’s wrong?”

“Baby,” she sobs. “The last thing I want to do is pull you from school and the team because I know that’s not what Dad would want. But …” She stops when her voice cracks. “His body is shutting down. They don’t know if he’ll make it twenty-four hours.”

I need to be strong for her—I know that. I need to hold it together like I always do in stressful situations, only … I can’t.

And when I reach the bottom step, my legs give out on me, and I fall to my knees on the grass as everything starts to spin.

My dad is going to die. He’s going to die, and I might not even be there to say goodbye.

CANE

The second she takes her phone from her purse, I know something is wrong. Her face pales, and without another word, she pushes past me, weaves through the crowd of people dressed up for Halloween, and runs outside.

Maybe she wants privacy, but I don’t care. So, I follow right behind her.

And when she takes those few steps, her hand falling to the side of her body, and she drops to her knees, the phone landing on the grass, I know something is wrong.

Harley begins to cry, and after grabbing her phone from the grass, I lift her into my arms and bring it to my ear.

“Harley?” a female voice screams. “Harley? Are you there?! Answer me!”

“Mrs. Meadows?” I say, guessing it’s her mother.

“Who are you?” she sobs. “Where is Harley?”

I feel her shake against my chest, and she buries her face against my hoodie.

“She’s okay,” I reassure her. “I’m going to take her home. I’m her friend, and I promise she’s safe.”

“Please … put the phone to her ear,” she continues to cry. “Please.”

“All right,” I whisper, continuing to walk before we reach her yard.

Bringing the phone to her ear, I can’t hear what her mom says, but Harley begins to shake harder against me.

“How will I get home to say goodbye?” Harley’s voice practically squeaks through her tears. “Okay.” She sniffles. “I love you, Mom. Please … please tell them to do everything to keep Dad alive so that I can say goodbye.”

My heart sinks, and right away, I feel sick. See … by the sounds of it, her father is dying. And the Dead Parent Club? It’s a club I wish I didn’t have to be part of. No one tells you how hard it is to be a member, and soon … Harley will know exactly how that feels.

Once the call ends, I walk up the steps and sit down on the bench, keeping her body against mine.

“My dad …” she barely whispers. “He has cancer, and he’s not going to get better.”

Her shoulders shake, and I rub my palm up and down her back, just to let her know I’m here.

“I’m so sorry, Harland,” I whisper, kissing the top of her head. “I am so, so sorry. I had no idea.”

It hits me—the reason she suddenly can’t afford her medication is likely the same reason why she asked her mom how she was going to get home. I peel my phone from my pocket, searching for flights.

“Wh-what are you doing?” she asks when she notices what I’m looking up.

“Getting you home to say goodbye,” I murmur. “This one leaves in two and a half hours. We can be in Montana just before six in the morning tomorrow.”