Page 84 of Redemption
Chapter 26
Hayes
19 years old
“Come on, man, we are going to be late.”
Langston and I are back in Benton Falls for Thanksgiving break. My mom and dad went out of town to visit family, but I couldn’t go because we have to be back for practices right after the holiday. We are going to the championship, and there’s no way Coach will tolerate any of us missing those practices. So I hung back, and Langston invited me to spend the holiday with his family.
I agreed. But it also means I have to face MJ for the first time since our fight a month ago. We haven’t spoken since then, but I figure this is as good of an opportunity as any since she can’t rip my head off with other people around.
“HAYES,” Langston yells from the living room. “You know how my mom feels about people who are late. Let’s go.”
He’s right, I’m stalling, and Abigail Harrison will have my head for it.
Grabbing my phone and wallet off my dresser, I shove them in my pocket and walk out of my room. Langston is in the living room, and when I walk in, I find him sitting on the couch, flipping through highlight reels of this season.
The guy never quits. He doesn’t know what it’s like to sit and relax, but at least his eyes are clear today.
I’ve been worried about him.
At first, when the partying started, I thought it was a way of spreading his wings—a little defiance. But lately, his eyes have been glazed more often than not. He’s showing up to practices hungover, and sooner or later, it’s going to catch up to him.
“Let’s go,” I say, smacking him on the back of the head and walking to the door.
With a grunt, he shoves himself off the couch and follows me to my truck.
The drive to his house is silent. I imagine he has his own worries about this dinner, and the silence gives me time to think about what I will say to MJ.
Despite the silence, I’m still no closer to knowing by the time I reach the Harrison mansion.
As I cut the engine to my truck, my stomach roils in protest. Langston must notice because his brows crease.
“Are you alright? You look a little green.”
“Fine,” I say, shoving open my door and slamming it behind me.
I’m not, though.
With each step I take closer to the front door, my stomach tightens.
Langston walks beside me, his face becoming more morose until we both stand on the front porch, looking at each other. His lips quirk up in a half smile, and I wonder when he truly smiled last—not for a while.
“It’s not too late to leave and order pizza at your house.” The smile stays on his lips, but his eyes tell me he’s serious.
And if MJ weren’t standing somewhere on the other side of this door, I’d take him up on the offer—get him out of his own personal nightmare—but if I don’t fix things with MJ now, I never will, so I shake my head and raise my hand to knock against the wood.
Sure, Langston could walk right in. It’s his family home, but this way, it gives him time to get himself together. Besides, more than likely, one of the many Harrison employees will be the one to answer. But as I bring my hand down, it meets air. The door is slung open to reveal MJ standing there. Her red hair is in a messy bun. Her hands are braced on her hips, and there’s a look of annoyance on her face when she glances over her shoulder to make sure no one’s behind her.
“You’re late. Mom’s having a conniption fit.”
Langston pushes past me, dropping a kiss on his little sister’s head as he walks by. “Probably because of that outfit you’re wearing.”
She smacks him away, and he laughs, dodging it.
I watch the interaction while I’m still standing on the porch, my hands shoved in the pockets of my slacks.
Thanksgiving with Abigail Harrison is no casual affair, and Langston’s right—their mom is probably going crazy over Mallorie Jade’s choice of attire.
