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Her eyes drop to my chest as her hand raises, and I realize her fingers are clasping my necklace as she says, “M for Maddie.”
“It’s M for Morgan.”
She studies the necklace for a few seconds before saying. “It could be for Maddie too. Or Mississippi. Or Max.”
“Who’s Max?” I ask.
“My dog,” she says the information like it’s something I should’ve known as she releases the necklace.
When I stand upright, I unfasten the chain and step closer to her. “Sounds like the M has more of a place with Maddie and Max in Mississippi.”
Her face lights up as I quickly hook it on her, and she looks down at it then surges forward. “Thank you.” She latches her arms around my waist and gives me a quick hug before running off.
I stand watching as she shows another kid near the swing her necklace.
“Morgan,” Wendy says softly as I look to her, “you can come by anytime.”
I don’t like anything about how thrilled I am about how happy she is. But I know I can walk away and never come back. This kid will be better off without any Kings in her life. “I won’t be back.”
33
CADE
The week has gone by in a blur and the game does the same. I register that I’m simply going through the motions because that’s all I can manage. And when Neil drops on the bench beside me, I wait for him to ask the dreaded question, but he doesn’t and just says, “You played awesome tonight.”
“Thanks.” My vision stays on the field that’s cleared out in the last hour. I should go back to the locker room and shower, but I don’t want to. The longer I wait, the fewer people and questions I’ll have to deal with.
“I’m about to head home. Are you gonna make it to the party tonight? You know you can stay at my place afterwards if you want. I’ve missed having you around.”
“I can’t.” It’s taken all I’ve had to tolerate this week without losing my cool, so a night involving alcohol isn’t a good idea right now. Especially since Morgan will more than likely be there.
She’s shockingly kept her distance, avoiding me as much as I have her. I’d expected to walk into a trap at school or something at the pep rally or game, but nothing materialized. Though I’m not going to let my guard down, maybe she’s finally gotten the hint. I’m done. With all the bullshit. She wanted me to leave her alone. That’s what I’m doing. Sleeping at the marina might not be ideal, but it seemed like the best option since it’s Morgan-free, my dad’s not there, and I don’t have to explain to Neil what’s going on with me. The thing I’m not sure of is how I’m going to do this for the rest of the season, much less the school year.
Neil sits quiet for a few minutes before he tells me, “It’s something with your dad. I know it is. But I don’t know why you won’t talk to me about it.”
Damn it. I feel guilty as fuck, but I don’t feel like sharing my feelings and shit right now. I just want to be left the fuck alone. And unfortunately for Neil, he’s in that category when he shouldn’t be. But he’s a constant reminder of my hero complex and need to save everyone. Do what I’m told. Let them pull my strings, just like Morgan accuses me of.
“There’s nothing to talk about. Same shit. Different day.” Talking won’t change anything. Walking away will. But I can’t. Because at the end of the day, I’m still playing the hero, doing as Coach asks so he doesn’t go to the police about Lenny’s disappearance.
“All right. Well, I guess I’ll see you later.” Even after Neil walks away, I regret being an ass. But I regret a lot more than that.
I wait about an hour more before I enter the locker room to shower and change. Heading to Neil’s isn’t any more tempting now than it had been earlier, though I consider it for a millisecond before I talk sense into myself. Going back to Dustin’s isn’t appealing. I’ve endured enough of his sermons during the school week. And while he claimed Dad signed up for some gambling rehab or support program, I don’t buy it. I won’t believe shit until I see it. And even then, I probably won’t be fully convinced.
So, the best option is to go to the marina. Otis hasn’t figured out I’ve been sleeping there, and I’m hoping he doesn’t anytime soon. I’m already riding a fine line with keeping my job. Me sleeping onsite won’t demonstrate that I’m handling my shit well at all.
Luckily, I get a few hours of sleep before the sun rises and I get to work. I knew that I loved this job, I just didn’t realize exactly how much I missed it until I came back. But there’s no point in getting too attached. I’m sure Morgan or some other King-related catastrophe will come by soon enough to snatch it away.
34
MORGAN
“How’s it hanging, Glenda?” The battle-ax ignores me completely as I walk past her desk and into Thatcher’s office. It only took her one day of trying to stop me before she realized it was easier to let me pass without complaint. She’s a quick learner for sure.
I push the door open to Thatcher’s office, he startles a bit, looking up to me from his phone. “Morgan, shouldn’t you be in class?”
Thatcher is a slow learner and needs constant reminders. “Do you plan on punishing me, Thatchy?” I ask timidly as I hop on the corner of his desk, cross my legs, and lean back.
“Mr. Thatcher, that uniform vendor is here again—” Glenda stops at the door, her eyes wide with shock at our current, inappropriate-appearing situation.
