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Thankfully, it hasn’t inundated the headlines, it’s only stirred up the die-hard fans. Avery had a difficult time with the last week of school with a few reporters who waited for her in the parking lot, but she did wonderful. Keeping her cool, she avoided the issue. Thankfully, it was the final week of the school year, so she’ll be at the feed store for the summer. I don’t worry about anyone hounding her there because I know her dad will make sure to keep the vultures prying for a juicy story away. Though, I’d told her to speak to them if she wanted to. It happened to me, but I’d also brought her into it, so if she feels the need to say something, I’ll support her decision because I know it’ll be made with our best interest at heart.
With tomorrow being my first start in weeks, I was on edge, but when she agreed to come to the game, a weight was lifted. Cash used her to get to me because he knew she must be special, and I allowed him to make me question someone I care for deeply. It won’t happen again.
As Dundee walks off toward the bullpen door, I call his name. “Coach. Thank you.”
He steps back to me, tilting his head to give me an appraising look. “The way you do that is to be on this team next year.”
“Yes, sir.” That’s why he rode my ass so much when I screwed up. Those few innings weren’t what he was worried about, it was my career as a whole.
Warm-ups come and go, and when the game begins, I park my ass on the bench. All I think about is Avery straddling me on it. Maybe that’s the secret. I need her in every part of this damn place to replace the old memories with new ones.
* * *
I’m just about to leave the stadium, lingering longer than normal in hopes of outlasting any persistent reporters waiting to get their shot at me. The coast is clear, though, even on the public side of the fence as I make my way to my truck and hop in the driver’s seat.
My phone rings, the screen lighting up to show E.J. calling. Avery’s student doesn’t call often, but when he does, it’s a nice relief and usually entertaining to chat with him.
Only today, he doesn’t sound like his usual self as he asks, “Do you remember when you said I could call you if I ever needed anything?”
“Yep. Whatcha got?” I attempt to sound casual, but dread fills me as I predict this has something to do with the concern I saw on Avery’s face as she’d watched her sleeping student in her classroom. The same look that prompted me to give E.J. my number to begin with.
“I need a lawyer.”
“A lawyer? I’m going to need you to elaborate a bit more on that.”
“I’ll pay you back. I almost have all the money; I just can’t wait any longer.”
“E.J., it’s not about the money. I’ll pay whatever, but I need to know why you need one.”
“I need to be emancipated.”
I fear the answer but ask anyway. “Why?”
“Because my dad is a punk-ass bitch too.”
That’s how he saw through the Cash Barlowe Show. He knows a monster just like him. “Are you safe? Did something happen?”
“Nothing new. I’m good now. He’s passed out.” There’re a few seconds of silence. “He went after my little brother. I can take care of myself, he can’t.”
Every muscle in my body constricts as my fingers squeeze the steering wheel. “Tell me your address.” I crank up my truck’s ignition and drive out to the edge of the parking lot.
“It’ll make it worse. He’s drunk and passed out and won’t remember a thing in the morning. He’ll think he fell or something. I just need to figure out how to get out of here permanently… and I need to bring my brother with me.”
“How old is he?”
“Twelve.”
“And your mother? Is she there?”
“No. My mother died seven years ago. It’s just me and my brother. You can’t tell anyone. They’ll take Patrick and put him in a foster home. I promised him I wouldn’t let that happen. If I’m on my own, and they can see that I’m capable, he can come with me.”
The words twist at my chest as I picture the two young boys there with a carbon copy of my father. “E.J., it’s not that simple.”
“I know. But you know how this feels. I don’t need simple. I need the fuck out of this house, and I need my brother with me.”
“I’ll see what our options are. But I need you to call me if something else happens. If he tries anything, get out of there and call me.” It doesn’t feel like enough. I want to get both of them someplace safenow.
“I will.”
