Page 106 of My Best Bet

I didn’t care. I was going to her.

“I’m not letting you leave.” His eyes widened. “Think about how she’ll react when she hears you blew it here? She’ll be mad at you. She’ll be mad at me.”

I shoved him to move aside.

He shoved back.

I flung him to the side and tore out of the room.

But just as I was clearing the threshold of the locker room door, he grabbed my shirt and yanked me back inside. It happened in a flash– he reeled back his fist and popped me in the eye, making me stumble back.

“Ow, you fucker.” I held my face.

“Calm down. Think,” he yelled at me, the veins in his throat bulging. “I’m sorry, but Mer would want you to stay. Go out there and play for her. You won’t even be able to see her ‘til later. Play this game, then I will personally drive you to the fucking airport, okay? I promise.”

“She’s alone!” I yelled at him desperately. Her parents were saving for the Olympic flights– it was basically a solid bet that her and Andy would medal– so they were watching from their TV in Michigan. Would they go to her now? I fucking hoped so. Andy and her coaches couldn’t be trusted with her medical care.

Kappy’s shoulders fell. “Shit.”

Ignoring him, I called her number about five times.

“Where’s JP?” I grunted, growing more irritated each time I reached her voicemail.

“He’s in Minnesota.”

Fuck. He wouldn’t make it there any faster than I would. My mind reeled.

“My mom.”

Kappy paused. “I don’t know, dude.”

“She could get there for me,” I said, shooting off a text to her.

“Just play this one game then go to her yourself, alright?” Kappy asked.

Dropping my phone, I nodded.

______

I played that game for her.

All three periods passed by in what felt like a minute. I couldn’t process any of it. I was just so angry. I went out to hit. To hurt. I needed to do something with all the raging anger coursing through my body.

How could that happen to her?

Why would that happen to her?

When the game ended, my teammates all celebrated, but I couldn’t muster any words.

Management loved my playing style. They were keeping me up for the rest of the road trip, which should’ve been great news, but as soon as I heard from Mer, I was leaving. I just wanted to be with her.

When I finally got to the hotel room that night, I called my mom.

“Honey, she’s really out of it right now.”

“You’re with her though? She’s okay?” I asked quickly.

She hesitated. “Yes, I’m here. I think they have her on a lot of medications. I don’t think she wants to talk to anyone.”

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