by Amanda Kay
“Good evening, everyone,” the head of the athletics department began. “We’ve had an incredible season this spring. Our boys’ varsity baseball team went to the district finals and even though they suffered a heartbreaking loss, there were some major triumphs for them and the rest of our spring teams.”
“Great,” Bryson muttered, and I took his hand, knowing that he hated the mention of the mishap that occurred. The mishap, he felt, was his fault, even though he had told the team they could’ve done more.
“Coach Lewis, would you like to start?”
Bryson squeezed my hand as the coach stood and walked to the podium. “We’re losing one of our catchers this year, and even though he was more of a sideline guy this season, I’ll be sorry to see him go. Kenedy, you have a bright future.” The crowd applauded, but I could see them looking around for Kenedy, and he wasn’t there.
“He’s already at the race. I should get ready or he’ll crush me,” I whispered to Bryson.
He shook his head and tightened his grip further. “I need you here.”
“I’m here, but I can’t stay all night; we talked about this,” I reminded him.
BRYSON
No matter how much he protested me, there was no way in hell I was letting him race. Not tonight. Not ever. I couldn’t go through that again. “We’ve had another great season and that is because we’ve got a great team, but more importantly...” I focused back on the stage, my hand still laced with Caiden’s.
“Most of our success, and the team agrees with me, is due to our backstop, Bryson Trevino. The first sophomore to ever make the varsity roster. He was a triple away from the cycle. He threw runners out at second and third, on top of picking a runner off at first, and it is my great honor to offer him the captain’s chair for next season.”
My eyes widened as the entire baseball team stood and clapped. This was a joint decision every year, and I was really upset when I was asked to not be a part of the discussions for it. I felt as though my place on the team would be on the line again.
“Speech! Speech! Speech!” the room began to chant, and Caiden elbowed me.
“Get up there,” he shouted through his laughter. I had been frozen. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
“Come on, Trevino,” Coach Lewis laughed into the microphone, snapping me back to reality. I stood and made my way to the podium. What would I say?
“Hello,” I squeaked, so I cleared my throat. “Wow, this is a complete surprise,” I admitted, and the crowd settled down into theirs seats. “This year has been a rocky one, and there was a time when I thought my place on the team was on the line. I was so scared, even when my place was cemented, that when talks began about the new team captain, and I found myself excluded, I worried I hadn’t done enough to prove my worth to the team. I was afraid I would be ousted because of who I was. I might be wrong and maybe I just haven’t come across it yet, but I don’t know if there are any openly gay professional baseball players, and I’m terrified that being gay could one day hurt my chances. I asked the team to accept me for me and allow my talent to speak for itself, and they did, after a much-needed break for all of us.” The crowd laughed. “They gave me that chance. Guys, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I let you down. I’m sorry I blew that last at bat. There was so much happening in my life at that time and even though I drowned most of it out, the pressure finally got to me. Sam told me that maybe if my head wasn’t so far up my ass, I would’ve hit the ball, and he was right.”
“No, I wasn’t, Trevino,” he hollered.
“Yes, you were. See, the truth is, I did get distracted. I got distracted by the future, my future, and the present slipped away from me. I was trying to fall back into the past. Back to a time where my best friend hadn’t died, and at that same time, my future was lurking in the shadows. The present slipped away from me as my past and future began to collide. I thank each one of you for your belief in me, and I won’t let you down again. My feet are firmly planted on the ground, and I know where I stand now. Thank you.”
As my speech ended, I left the stage to a standing ovation. Making my way back to the table, I grabbed Caiden’s face in my hands and kissed him hard. I heard the whistles from my teammates as I kissed the guy who was everything to me. My broken, lost soul. My present, and my future. Caiden Kamry.
CAIDEN
His show had left me kind of speechless. “Hey, be right back,” I whispered as we swayed to music on the dance floor. He didn’t release me. “Bathroom,” I said, and he let go.
“I’m going to go outside for a minute. Get some air,” he said, and I nodded.
“Okay,” I said as I walked toward the bathroom. I took a deep breath and splashed water on my face. I could do this after the race; I could tell him. I walked toward the exit and braced myself for telling him I was going to the race, but I froze when I saw Corbin standing with him. No, not yet. This is my story to tell. How dare you.
BRYSON
I was still on cloud nine. I had taken a chance and claimed Caiden in front of everyone. Now, there was just one thing left to do to cement our future... “Corbin?” I stuttered, surprised to see him.
“Hey, Bry,” he frowned.
“Why are you frowning? I did it. I kept my promise. You were right, he is my future.” I didn’t understand why he looked so upset.
“You haven’t kept your promise yet, because you don’t know everything yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“I gave Caiden one month to tell you everything, but he still hasn’t.”
“What hasn’t he told me?” For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why he was keeping something from me. I knew he was. I wasn’t stupid, but I did everything I could to prove he could trust me, and it crushed me that he didn’t. Another parallel with Corbin.
“The race is the last stunt, but it isn’t all Mark is holding over him.” I swallowed. I was certain I didn’t want to hear this.
I crossed my arms. “Tell me,” I demanded.
“Mark is sexually abusing him.”
I felt everything inside of me burst. “What?”
“How dare you!” I turned at his voice to find Caiden behind us, seething. “You gave me a month. I still have a few hours.” Gave him a month? They had a deal.
I looked back and forth between the two guys who meant everything to me. My past and my future colliding once again, and this time, I feared the fallout wouldn’t be something I could recover from.
“Your time is up, Caiden. He needed to know. He deserved to know. He’s put everything on the line for you, and you couldn’t do the same,” Corbin snapped, and I saw red. He wasn’t going to do this. He was far from perfect.
“Wait one damn minute, Corbin! I thought you wanted me with Caiden?”
“I do.”
“Then why do this? Why tell me something that wasn’t yours to tell?” My heart broke for Caiden. This should’ve been his choice, and Corbin had taken that from him, and while I was hurt that Caiden couldn’t trust me with it, that didn’t mean it was Corbin’s secret to tell.
“You needed to know. He wasn’t being fair to you.”
“Right, like you never kept anything from me!” I hissed and as I continued my spat with Corbin, I failed to see Caiden leave until Corbin spoke up. Could he be any more of a hypocrite?
“Damn it! He’s gone.”
I looked around. I shouted his name. “Caiden!”
“He’s gone, Bry. Go save him. I know you love him, so go. Go save him.”
He vanished and I didn’t waste a moment; I knew what I had to do. I had to do what I couldn’t do that night with Corbin. I had to stop the race. I needed Caiden to know I wouldn’t survive without him.
“Great speech, bro.”
“I need a ride to the race.”
“What?”
“Not now, Ben. I need to get to Caiden.”
“I thought you were keeping him with you?”
“Long story. He has my spare key. He
took my car. Come now,” I snapped, hanging up.
CAIDEN
I had to do this. I wasn’t sure what Bryson thought about what Corbin had said, but he was clearly upset that Corbin had ratted me out. When I got out of the car, Kenedy approached me. “You don’t have to do this, man.”
I looked over my shoulder; Mark was with the film crew. “Yes, I do.”
“Look, I overheard them. They want me to run you off the track.”
“I know.” Mark has told me this. He convinced the company that it would make a great ending to the series. He sneered as he told me, Will you live or die? It’s a perfect ending.
“Caiden, Bryson would never forgive me. I would never forgive myself if you got hurt.”
“I’ll make sure it only looks like you ran me off the road.” I had to do this. Is this how Corbin felt the night of his race? Like there was no way out.
“Don’t do this to, Bryson. He loves you. I’m sure he does.”
I shook my head. “Knowing what he knows now, he could never love me.”
His eyes flicked over my shoulder. “Are you sure about that?” I looked over my shoulder as a car came to a stop and Bryson got out.
“Caiden,” he said as he came to me, “please don’t do this.”
“What happens if I do?” I challenged.
“I don’t understand.” In that moment, I had his answer. He didn’t get why I didn’t have a choice.
“That’s my point.” I got in the car they wanted me to race. Bryson’s car was tucked safely into a spot.
“Caiden!” he screamed, banging on the window. I shook my head. He knew the truth; he needed to walk away now. I was racing, nothing could stop that. When it was over, I’d continue to allow Mark to torture me. I was out of options now.
BRYSON
“Trevino,” Kenedy said, trying to get my attention.
“Not now.” I had to think. I had to find a way to reach Caiden. I wouldn’t listen to whatever bullshit Kenedy had to say. I decked him once and I’d do it again if I had to.
“They want me to run him off the track.”
I snapped my gaze his way. “Come again.”
“Caiden said he’d find a way to make sure it only looks like I did. I have a bad feeling, though.” My heart stuttered and then stopped. He wasn’t racing. I wouldn’t let him. I had to reach him. I closed my eyes, and it all came into focus.
I walked over to the passenger side and prayed it was open. I climbed in. “Please don’t try to stop me.”
“Caiden, I love you.” I meant those words, and I needed him to hear them.
His eyes flashed my way. “What?”
“I love you, and I don’t want to lose you. I’d die if I lost you,” I admitted. My heart was shattered when I lost Corbin, and I missed him, but I knew in my heart that nothing would heal the brokenness I would feel if something happened to Caiden.
“How can you still love me?”
“Caiden, Mark is evil, and I don’t blame you for what happened.” I didn’t. I didn’t like what he had done, but I also understood why he felt he needed to.
“I let him, though,” he admitted.
“To protect your mom. That’s a guy with honor. That’s a guy who is worthy of love.” I grabbed his hand. “A guy worthy of my love.”
“I’m scared.”
“I know, but we can do this. Together.”
“How?”
“We get in my car. We go home. We tell my mom and your mom, and then, we call the cops.” If he didn’t press charges, he’d never escape.
“I don’t think it will help.”
“Maybe not, but at least we’ll have each other. I’m not going anywhere.”
He nodded. “I love you, Bryson Trevino.” I smiled and kissed him. Banging on the window broke our moment. We looked up and saw a furious Mark. I had locked the doors when I got in the car. I wanted Caiden to know he couldn’t run from me. He needed to know how I felt.
CAIDEN
I knew he’d see the look of terror on my face, but I needed him to come through for me. “What now?” I whispered.
“We get out on my side. We don’t look at him. Bennett, Kenedy, and the others here for the race will block us.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I told Bennett on the way over here what was going on.”
My eyes widened. “I didn’t go that far, Caiden.” I sighed with relief.
“He has our back, and I’ll owe him later. It’s sort of how our relationship works.”
I nodded as Mark started screaming. “Ready?”
“Yes.” Bryson hit the locks and threw open the door. As he climbed out, he turned and reached for me to help me across the seats.
Before I could completely climb over to the passenger seat and out the door, Mark tore open the driver side, grabbing my foot.
“Bryson!” I screamed.
He gripped my wrists and pulled me toward him. “I got you,” he said, holding my gaze as I fought to break Mark’s hold.
“Let him go!” I heard a voice I recognized as Bennett’s. It caused Mark to be distracted just enough for his hold to slip so I could break away.
Bryson grabbed my hand and we bolted to his car. Mark’s path was completely blocked as he had predicted. “Can we go now?” I asked, hoping I was truly free.
“Yes.”
Once we were on the way home, I chanced a question. “Do you really love me?” His eyes briefly flashed my way.
“Why do you doubt me?”
“It’s just that, what Corbin told you, it’s so severe. It’s why I was afraid to say anything. I basically cheated on you. How could you love me after that?” This was where my fear lied. We hadn’t been a couple, but we snuck in our moments. We kissed. We held hands, but we were content not rushing into a label.
He stopped the car, which worried me. It was a long walk back to the house. I hoped I wasn’t being kicked out. I hoped he hadn’t come to his senses and realized I was right. I was unlovable now.
“You didn’t cheat on me. We weren’t technically a couple, and even if we were, it wouldn’t change my feelings. It’s not like you were dating him. He was blackmailing you. Hurting you. You didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t like what you did but can appreciate why you felt you needed to do it.”
I certainly felt as though I had done everything wrong, but listening to him lay it out like that, I was mad at myself for not telling him after that first night. He wouldn’t have judged me.
“Okay,” I whispered.
“Caiden Kamry...” My eyes flashed to him, “I wanted a better setting for this. I had plans tonight while we were at the dance, but will you be my boyfriend?” I swallowed and nodded, afraid to speak.
“Yes, I will,” I finally said.
He squeezed my hand and pulled the car back onto the road. “You have to tell them everything.”
“I know.”
“I’ll be there. I won’t leave your side.”
“I believe that.”
“Your mine. I’m yours. We’re in this together. From this moment on, we only move forward together.”
“Together,” I said, finding some confidence. His hand gave mine an affectionate squeeze, and I knew everything was going to be okay.
I had Bryson Trevino in my corner, and there was no one better than him. Corbin had been right. And I owed him and my grandfather my life right now. My life with Bryson. I couldn’t change the past. Bryson couldn’t change the past. The only thing we both could do was move forward, and I felt extremely lucky that we were moving forward together. The past was the past. The present was a gift. And the future was bright.
Chapter 30
Caiden and Corbin’s Birthday
BRYSON
Everything had to be perfect tonight. Caiden deserved nothing less than the absolute best after what he had been through. Nothing could taint what I had planned tonight.
“You need to tell him, Bry.” I sighed at Corbin’s voice. I didn
’t need this right now. I didn’t need the reminder that I was leaving out a very important fact about today.
“No, he deserves a special day,” I argued.
“And he’ll get it.”
“He gets us, now, Corbin, but he’s still fragile. I don’t want him thinking I planned this because of you.”
“Did you?” I shook my head at his question. I knew it would sting. I knew it would likely hurt Corbin for me to admit that, but it was the truth. I did this with only Caiden on my mind. Corbin told me Caiden was my future, and he had been right. I wanted to embrace that with every fiber of my being.
“I’m sorry, Corbin, but it’s the truth. I did this for Caiden. I miss you every day, but my heart is his.”
“I know it is, Bry. I’m not upset. I wish I had been able to get over my baseless fears, but in truth, I think everything happens for a reason and it’s that reason that I was taken from you.”
I sighed because, deep down, I knew Corbin was right about that and I wanted to agree with him, but he continued speaking. “We weren’t meant to be, but if things had been different, we might have chosen to put blinders on, and you would’ve missed out on your soulmate.”
“We can’t change the past,” I echoed a familiar phrase that had defined so much of the last year of my life.
“No, we can’t, and I wouldn’t even if I wanted to. You’re happy, that’s all that matters to me, but he deserves your honesty, just as you deserved his.” I nodded because Corbin was right, but I just didn’t want to give Caiden the wrong message.
CAIDEN