Page 81 of Run Home

“I think that today is a really hard day for you, and I accidentally scared you. That’s what I think,” I state.

She looks over at me, eyes still filled with panic. “But I’m . . . you . . . you must . . .” She chokes down a sob and finally says, “I grew! I promised I got better! I promised everyone. But now you—”

I’m still scared to move too suddenly, but I can’t let her continue down this thought path. Gently placing my thumb and forefinger under her chin, I say, “You have grown. But that’s not even what matters. What matters is that I like you. I liked you a year ago, I liked you last week, and I like you right now. I’m not going anywhere, cielo.”

Her face crumples again at the nickname, and she leans against my shoulder as she cries. I scratch her back but don’t say anything.

Suddenly, she sits up straight. “You’re going to be late to warm-ups if you don’t leave. I’m not going to make you late.” She sniffs hard, wiping her cheeks with the sleeve of her T-shirt.

“Don’t worry about that,” I assure her. “I’ll get there when I get there.”

“I’m fine. It’s fine. Drop me off real quick and then get over to the stadium,” she says, her voice oddly strong as she clicks her seat belt.

“Why don’t I take you over to Griffin’s house?” I suggest.

She shakes her head. “No. That will take you too long. Their house is way out of the way to the stadium from here. Just take me to my apartment. I want to take a shower anyway.”

I run a hand over my face, my goatee, then look back over at her again. “Are you sure?”

Her face softens as she says, “I’m sure. I don’t want them to take you out of the starting lineup because you were late to warm-ups. I’ll be fine. A hot shower always helps.”

Warning bells fire from every corner of my brain, sending me into a tailspin of uncertainty. Ultimately, I decide to trust what she’s telling me and drive her home. I insist on walking her to her door, despite her protests that I’ll be late.

Sam struggles to unlock her apartment door, her trembling fingers not lining up the key correctly. I slowly reach out and take the key from her, turning it in the lock. “Cielo, let me take you to Griffin’s. Or I’ll call Coach and tell him an emergency came up. I’ll stay here with you today.”

“No!” Sam states emphatically. “Do not miss a game. Don’t mess up your season for this. It’s not worth it.”

“Sam, that’s not—”

“I’m fine,” her tone pleads. She looks up at me and changes tactics. “I promise I’ll call Griffin if I need him. Please go to the game. Please don’t be late because of me.”

Once again, I don’t know whether to listen to what she’s saying or not saying. “Sam, this doesn’t feel right. Please tell me what you need from me. I want to help you today.”

She swallows and says, “I need you to go to the game. I need to not feel guilty that I made you late with this mess.”

“This is not a mess,” I counter. “This is you and me figuring out our relationship. Me figuring out how to be there for you. Let me figure that out.”

Sam looks down, biting the inside of her cheek. “We can figure it out. But not now. I will be upset with myself forever if you get pulled from the game today because of me. Please go, Adrian.”

Watching her clench her fists to still the shaking, I sigh. “Okay. But I’m coming back over right after the game. Unless you go to Griffin’s. Text me if you do, and I’ll meet you there.”

I slowly raise one arm to wrap around her shoulders, pulling her into a light hug. Gently kissing her temple, I release her and let her go inside, closing the door.

I speed to the stadium, thoughts racing along with my truck. I run into the locker room, barely making it in a couple of minutes past our report time. Before I change into warm-up gear, I shoot a quick text to Griffin.

ME

I saw Sam this morning. I understand what you meant. Things went ok until they didn’t. It’s a long story that I don’t have time to tell you right now. But please check on her sometime today.

WEST

I’ll call her.

Chapter thirty-one

Sam

Peeking between two blinds on the front window, I watch until Adrian’s truck pulls out of the lot. As soon as I’m satisfied that he really drove away, I grab my phone and car keys.