Making a Play Page 17

  “Is Maclay here?” I asked no one in particular.

  “No idea. But you need to keep your distance from the Maclays,” Nash said, his tone laced with dislike. He’d known as well as I had that Aurora’s dad hadn’t been happy about her being with me and why.

  “That’s not going to happen. You know I can’t stay away from her.”

  Nash sighed but said nothing. We both climbed into Tallulah’s car and remained silent most of the way to my house, which was only a mile away. I knew he wanted to give me advice, but I also knew he wasn’t stupid enough to. Because of this, there was nothing to say.

  When he parked in front of my house, I thought I was going to get out with a thanks, but he said something first.

  “Is she worth it?”

  I paused and then turned my head slowly in his direction. “Abso-fuckin’-lutely.”

  A grim smile touched his lips, and he gave me one small nod.

  I climbed out and closed the door without saying any more. My parents would be getting ready for bed and not expecting me home so soon. They’d have come straight home after the game and known I’d be at the field until late. Answering their questions about why I was here wasn’t something I wanted to do. I would face that later. Tomorrow. Not now.

  Instead I went to the cellar door that led into the basement. The den would be empty. Nahla never came down here at night. The lack of windows scared her. I had used it to sneak in and out of the house since I’d figured out how to get past the lock on it when I was twelve.

  Tonight it wasn’t locked. I didn’t remember unlocking it lately. I hadn’t been using it. I lifted one side of the metal door and climbed down the short ladder to the ground. It was like a small underground closet of sorts. The floor was cement, as were the walls. Only enough room to turn around. It wasn’t even large enough to spread my arms out straight on both sides.

  I reached for the wooden door that led into the basement den, turned the knob, and walked into the room, expecting darkness. But the gas fireplace was on, and my father was sitting in the recliner that faced the door I had opened. He wasn’t watching TV or reading. He was sitting there with his arms crossed over his chest and his right ankle propped on his left knee as if waiting for someone.

  It didn’t take me more than a split second to realize the someone he was waiting on was me. That explained the unlocked door. I stood there a moment and wondered if there was any possible way he knew about tonight. It had only just happened. Did he even know Aurora had been in the car with me on the way home? We hadn’t discussed it.

  “Hey,” I finally said, breaking the silence.

  “Have a seat, Son,” he replied.

  I closed the door, and then looked back at him. “How’d you know I’d be coming in this way?”

  He looked amused. “You’ve been sneaking in and out of that door for years. After tonight’s run-in with Maclay, I figured you’d come on home and not want us to know.”

  Damn. Word traveled at lightning speed around here. I knew it spread fast, but I figured it would at least be tomorrow morning before they knew. I walked over to the sofa and sank down onto it, realizing I wasn’t upset he was here waiting on me. Seeing him was a relief. I needed advice. I needed my dad. He had known that. He always seemed to know.

  “It sucked,” I said honestly, feeling the tightness in my chest at the image of Aurora walking away from me and my trying to stop her dad. Telling him we’d done nothing wrong. That I respected her and would never do anything to harm her. He’d told me to stay away from his daughter and left.

  “I heard he was a jackass,” my dad replied.

  “How did you hear about this so soon? It literally just happened.”

  Dad tilted his head to the side. “Did you honestly think I let you throw parties at a field with a bunch of teens and not have eyes and ears there? Just like this escape door you use to sneak in and out of? It’s my house. To keep the people inside of it safe, I know who comes and goes in this house. Just like I know what goes on out there at that field. I protect what is mine.”

  Eyes and ears at the field? Who the hell was that? For a moment my mind was taken off the situation with Aurora, but that was a brief moment only. I would figure out my dad’s secrets another time. It really wasn’t important right now.

  “You had parties out there as a teen,” I pointed out. Wondering if my grandpop had also had surveillance and shared it with his sons once they had sons of their own.

  Dad smirked. “And you think your grandpop didn’t have his hand on that? Shit, boy, we’d have been arrested a dozen times if we hadn’t known Daddy knew it all. We kept it clean.”

  Shaking my head, I would have smiled if I wasn’t so damn tore up about Aurora.

  “You just met the girl Monday. I’ve pointed that out already. I agree she’s a beauty and seems sweet. Didn’t get to really know her. But you are now faced with the reality you knew was there waiting on you. She’s a white girl with a father who doesn’t want her with a black man. It’s typical around here. Don’t seem to matter that I make more money than he does or that my ancestors were some of the first to settle in this town. Not as slaves, either. As free men and women. You got to decide if she’s worth this fight.”

  I didn’t wait for him to say more. “She is. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I didn’t think it was possible. But I’d give up anything to be with her. To see her smile. She’s everything I want to be. She makes me want to be a better person . . . just being near her makes me wish I’d never been the guy I was before.”

  He looked somewhat disappointed by that. “You’re headed to State. You know good and well the way the two of you play together on the field will be the main factor in winning State. You’re gambling a state championship for a girl you will have to leave this summer.”

  Talking about leaving Aurora was the last fucking thing I wanted to do right now. “Hunter doesn’t agree with his father.”

  Dad frowned as he was thinking that through. “He’s a smart kid. I already knew that. But his dad controls him. The boy is so under that man’s thumb it’s sad. Not sure he’s going to stand against his dad on this.”

  I ran my hand over my head and sighed in frustration. “Why does this have to be so hard? I respect her. Hell, I love her. I think I did the moment I saw her. It was a crazy-ass pull the first time I looked at her—I can’t explain. But I don’t want to lose her over her dad being a fucking racist.”

  The firm line of my dad’s mouth tightened. “I had this same damn talk with your uncle years ago. I was so mad at him for giving up everything for a girl, I didn’t speak to him for months. We had our futures planned. We’d worked toward them, and all he had to do was give her up. But he didn’t. He said his heart was where she was, not on the field. Her daddy thought he could end them by taking her away. Moving her. But your uncle gave it all up and followed her. Just about broke your grandpop’s heart in the process. He had farmed this land and worked hard to give us a life he didn’t have. That was the son who would go all the way. The one with the talent to play in the NFL. And one white girl with a racist father determined to keep them apart changed it all.” Dad paused. I knew this story well. Nash and I had heard the way his father had given up everything to chase his mother across the country and win her back. But right now I realized it made sense, and I needed any wisdom I could get, so I shut up and let Dad talk.

  “Your uncle made the right decision. She is his one and only love, and they’ve had a good life. They’re still happy. The NFL would have been a sweet life too, I imagine, but if he’d chosen it over her, I think he’d have ended up empty and sad in the end. Money and fame can’t buy happiness. Not the long-term kind. I’m telling you all this, although I know it’s a story you’re familiar with, because I’m afraid it’s what you’re weighing your decisions on. Their past and what they have today.” Dad dropped the foot he had propped up onto the floor and leaned toward me. His expression serious. “Your uncle loved your aunt from
the time they were kids. He didn’t meet her and make a decision on his future after only one week. He knew what it was like to have her and what it was like not to have her. His decision was one with history behind it. You have no history with Aurora, Son. You can’t be in love after only a handful of days. Love doesn’t work like that. It takes time. It takes really knowing someone. It isn’t a pretty white smile, and freckles on pale skin, and fiery red hair. It’s deeper than all that.”

  My first reaction was to jump up and argue that I loved Aurora and he didn’t understand, but I didn’t do it. I sat there and let his words sink in. I didn’t agree with him about love, though. I wasn’t in love with Aurora’s appearance, although she was nice to look at. I knew telling him that wasn’t going to get through to him. He was a firm believer I wasn’t in love with her this soon.

  “Choosing to be with Aurora isn’t giving up my future. I’m not going to let it affect my performance on the field next week. Truth is, losing her would affect it more than anything. I still plan on going off to college, playing football, and doing all those things I planned. But I can do that and still be with Aurora. I can achieve all of that with her in my life.”

  Dad stared at me a moment. I knew he disagreed. He didn’t have to say it; I could see it in his expression. “What if she doesn’t want to fight to be with you? What if standing up to her father isn’t worth it to her? How will you handle that?”

  This was something I hadn’t thought of, because I didn’t even think it was a possibility. I opened my mouth to say so when my phone dinged in my pocket. I quickly pulled it out, wanting it to be her. Now more than anything needing to hear from her. Know she was okay.

  I’m so sorry about tonight. My dad was awful and I can’t apologize enough for him. I left only because I wanted him to stop making a scene. It was your night to celebrate with the team and he was ruining it.

  I read the words three times before lifting my head to meet my father’s gaze. I was smiling and hadn’t realized it. She wasn’t running from me or shutting me out. Even letting the doubt creep in made me feel guilty. I knew her better than my dad understood.

  “That her?” he finally asked when I said nothing.

  I nodded.

  He waited. I made him wait. Just to make a point, I guess, or because a part of me was pissed with him for making me doubt her feelings for me. That was a head game I wasn’t sure he even knew he was playing. Or maybe he did.

  “She’s sorry about her dad. She’s embarrassed and said she left so he’d stop making a scene and ruining my night to celebrate with the team.” As I told him what she’d texted, I didn’t look away from him; I held his steady, firm gaze.

  He sat up, then slowly stood. I thought it was over, and he was done. I was wrong. “She’s a sweet girl, like I said. But she’s only now getting a taste of the fight ahead of her. You can’t be sure she’ll survive it or want to even try. You. Just. Met. Her.” He said the last four words slowly and with a hardness in his voice, as if he couldn’t get me to comprehend that one fact.

  “I. Love. Her,” I responded.

  What Are You Doing Right Now?

  CHAPTER 36

  AURORA

  I understood why you left with him but I have no desire to celebrate without you. I left right after you. I’m at my house. Are you okay?

  His text made me sink onto the bed with relief. Why him leaving the field made me feel better I didn’t want to think about too much, because it made me selfish to feel that way. He should have gotten to celebrate. I shouldn’t have ruined it. But the fact he left after me also made me smile. Maybe because it was late, or because my dad had acted so awful, my emotions were all over the place, and I felt tears sting my eyes.

  I’m okay. He didn’t say much more. I just hate he messed up our night. Especially yours.

  I sent it and then wiped at the tears rolling down my face. I wasn’t even sure why I was crying. There was so much going on right now I didn’t know what had upset me the most. I had almost texted my mother, but I hadn’t. I would tomorrow. See if she had advice or if she even cared.

  He ended my night earlier than I wanted but he didn’t ruin it. The ride home with you was perfect. It was all the celebrating I needed. Just getting to hold you was amazing.

  My tear-streaked face flushed pink as I read his words, and my sadness was instantly transformed to joy. That easily. Was this the way love was? Did it mean you could be snapped from one emotion to another with simple words? It felt like I was on a roller coaster, and not knowing what was coming next was exhilarating, even when it was scary.

  I thought I might have messed up the ride home. I didn’t mean to embarrass you in front of Nash and Tallulah. I should have been more thoughtful of their being in the car.

  I erased and rewrote that text three times before sending it. I had to address this now, or I’d stay up thinking about it and worrying that I’d done something wrong.

  You didn’t embarrass me, Aurora. You had me so damn worked up I wasn’t sure if I should tell them to park the car and get out or thank my lucky stars for whatever I’d done to have you in my lap. I stopped you because I was afraid if we kept going I’d go too far. I wanted to. So very bad.

  My heart raced as I read his words, and I squeezed my thighs together from an unexpected tingle there. Much like the one in the car when I’d managed to twist and straddle his leg. I had been so desperate to get closer to him, I hadn’t meant to do that exactly, but it had happened in the cramped confines of the backseat. Then the way it had felt had been so wonderful I forgot everything around us and was lost in the moment.

  He was right that I’d have been embarrassed later. I just hadn’t cared at that time. He was protecting me even when he wanted more. My smile was so wide now my cheeks hurt.

  I thought I had gone too far. It just happened. I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t really want to think, to be honest. Things felt too good and I wanted to feel more.

  That was by far the most racy thing I’d ever said or texted. I battled sending it, but I figured I’d straddled his thigh tonight and put his hand up my shirt; this wasn’t worse than those things had been. I sent it. Then waited anxiously. Not sure how he would respond, but knowing it would make me miss him and wish I hadn’t been forced to leave tonight.

  It was probably a good thing I never got you to the barn tonight. You deserve more than a barn and I want you to feel respected and cherished. The way you’re talking I’m not sure I’d have been able to keep being noble once I had you alone.

  I was squeezing my legs together again. My breaths were quick and a bit erratic. My imagination went to being alone with him in a barn. No one to see us. I wondered what all the other things would feel like. Did it get even better than the little I had experienced in the car?

  Sex was never something I’d thought about. I’d never imagined it with anyone. Until now. Was this normal? Did Tallulah and Nash have sex? My mother never talked to me about it, and all I knew was it had gotten a girl pregnant back at my old school, and she’d left to go raise her baby without help from the guy who had gotten her pregnant. I always thought there must have been some trauma in her life to make her want to have sex with a guy so carelessly.

  I had judged too soon. Maybe she’d loved him.

  We may need supervision until the State game is over. Right now all I can think about is, never mind. I won’t say that. Just knowing you want me too is making this harder than I ever imagined.

  His text once again had me giddy and silly. As if this night hadn’t been awful just an hour earlier. I kicked off my shoes and slid out of my jeans, took off my sweater and bra, grabbed a T-shirt from beside my bed to put on, then slid under the covers before texting him back.

  What are you doing right now? Other than texting me?

  I sent it knowing that was safe and would get us on a less naughty topic.

  It took only seconds before he responded.

  Lying back on the sofa in the den watching the flames
in the fireplace and thinking about how just talking to you fixes everything. This is better than the field.

  I could picture him there, lying on the sofa I had sat with him on just last night.

  I wish we had made it to the field. I wanted to celebrate your win with you there.

  Getting to experience something that was that big of a deal to him was important to me. Hunter wasn’t here, so he must be there. Which was unfair. Ryker won that game just as much as Hunter had.

  We wouldn’t have made it to the field, Aurora. I think I’d have kept you in the barn kissing those sweet lips all night.

  That answer made me wish that had happened. I sighed and thought of how good it felt to kiss him.

  It was after two when my eyes finally closed with my phone still in my hand. I dreamed of Ryker, the backseat of a car, and other things.

  We Were Wrong

  CHAPTER 37

  RYKER

  The last text I got from her was at two fifteen a.m. Her silence had meant she’d fallen asleep. I’d finally put my phone down after ten minutes and done the same. I was exhausted. When I’d woken up around eleven the next morning, I expected to have a text from her. But there was nothing. I waited until after twelve to send her a “Good morning, beautiful” text, although it was afternoon at this point.

  No response. I stopped staring at my phone and went to the kitchen to fix a grilled cheese sandwich and sat down with a bag of Doritos while waiting for her response. When my phone finally lit up, it was Nash, and I was annoyed when I picked it up to read his text. Not because I had an issue with him, but because he wasn’t Aurora.

  Taking Tallulah to see the Christmas lighting tonight in town. You and Aurora want to come with us?

  Thanksgiving was next Thursday. The town of Lawton always lit up the streets downtown with Christmas lights the Saturday night before Thanksgiving. I’d forgotten about it, because I hadn’t been to the lighting event since I was a kid. However, Aurora would enjoy it, and I’d enjoy doing anything with her.