Page 86 of Redemption
Leaning forward, I let my beard scrape across her jaw, placing a kiss on her cheek. She sucks in a breath, holding it while I linger near her. “Let’s go eat, Little Harrison. But make no mistake, we will be having this conversation.”
When I pull back, her mouth is hanging slack. I drop my smile to a smirk, then leave her standing there before I do something stupid.
______________________
Dinner was a somber affair.
No one spoke beyond the questions Dr. Harrison kept drilling Langston and me with about the upcoming game and the barbs that Abigail kept throwing MJ about her outfit.
I’ve always known that the Harrison household was not like my own. My parents showered me with love. They didn’t smother me with their expectations. It makes me sad for both Langston and MJ, and it helps me understand what Langston is going through a little more.
Heck, I’d be drinking, too, if my dad made it all but clear I would be a screw-up if I lost our upcoming game.
Langston’s dealing—not healthily—but he’s dealing.
We’ll figure it out after the season—when things calm down and I can get things settled with MJ. Once we are on the same team again, we can tackle this mounting problem together.
Dishes were cleared from the table an hour ago, yet Langston and I are still here, his dad going over every play we had this year. MJ bailed as soon as dinner was over, and I thought about it too. But the more his dad spoke, the lower Langston’s shoulders sank. I wasn’t leaving him here to fend for himself.
“You missed the man that was wide open? Right there. Did you see it?” Dr Harrison has pulled up one of our first games from the season on his phone.
One more hour of this, and I might pull my hair out.
“But he completed the pass, Dr. H.”
The older man’s attention slices to mine, making it clear I’m not welcome in this conversation.
“Yes, but if he’d hit this open man, your team would have scored a touchdown.”
I open my mouth to tell him we did just that on the next play, but Langston shakes his head. I clamp my mouth back shut, grinding my teeth.
After five more minutes, I make up a reason to leave.
“Hey, L. I just remembered I told my parents I would visit our neighbors today since they are elderly and their kids are out of town. Your truck’s at my place. Are you ready to go?”
The look he throws me is full of gratitude.
“Yeah. Let me go tell Mom bye.”
I nod.
“I’ll meet you outside.”
He turns toward the kitchen, his dad following him, and I wait until they are gone before I sprint to find MJ.
I should have known she wouldn’t make it easy on me, though, because after searching every inch of this monstrosity of a house, I realize she isn’t here.
She must have left right after dinner.
The little sneak.
Langston is waiting for me in the foyer.
“Where have you been?”
“I had to run to the restroom. Look, I know I said that back there to help you get out of any more football talk with your dad, but I really do have some errands to run. Are you okay if I drop you off at my house for a little bit?”
He shrugs, “Sure.”
