by Sara Daniell
I shoved Dane when he tried to step in front of me.
“Hales,” he said in quiet, apologetic tone, but I kept walking
How dare he say my dad was abusive. He didn’t know my family like that.
WHEN I GOT home, I texted Zach to let him know I was getting in the shower, and he could come over whenever. I ignored his reply asking why practice was over so early.
I got out of the shower, dressed, and went to the kitchen. I grabbed a bag of frozen veggies and put it on my shoulder then headed to the living room. I heard a knock at the door.
I opened the door and smiled a little at Zach. “Hey.” I moved out of the way so he could come in. He came in carrying bags of stuff. I noticed his hands were bandaged a bit, and he had bruises on his arms.
“Why’d you tell your brother about my arm?” I grabbed some of the bags and showed him where the kitchen was.
“I wrote it down in the coaching log just like I do for all the players. When he asked me about what I wrote, I told him.” He put the stuff on the counter. “It’s what I have to do, Hales.”
“He was going to make me sit out of practice.”
He started pulling out all kinds of junk food. He sighed and looked at me. “I’m sorry. He doesn’t want to lose his best pitcher.”
“I was pitching with my other arm, and it wasn’t going so well. Dane pissed me off too, so I just left. That’s why practice was over early. Well, over early for me anyway.”
He kissed my head. “That doesn’t sound like my girl. Quitting something isn’t you, but you probably just need some time to unwind. And plenty of junk food.” He smiled at me. I looked at the junk food and smiled.
“What do you want to do tonight? And why are you and Dane fighting?” He asked as he moved behind me and wrapped his arms around me.
I grabbed the box of Twinkies. “Pig out on these and watch a movie in my room?” I tilted my head back to look up at him. “I’ll explain the whole Dane problem once we get upstairs.”
“Sounds good to me.” He kissed my head again and started grabbing stuff up.
I headed upstairs, and he followed behind. “And no making fun of my room.”
He chuckled. “I will do my best.”
We came into my room, and Zach put everything down on my desk. “Now why would I make fun of your room?” He smiled and pulled me to him. I set the box of Twinkies down.
“Because... I don’t know.” I laughed. “Is it weird being with a girl who still lives with her parents?”
“Sweetheart, I bounce between my run-down cabin and my brother’s house. A house that has my brother, niece, Quinn, Brink, and now Dane living in it.” He smiled. “Your house has fewer people in it than mine.”
“Yeah, but are you sure me being young doesn’t bother you?”
He shook his head. “You’re more mature than most girls my age.” His eyebrows scrunched. “Do you have a problem with my age?” He moved back a little, looking unsure for the first time since I met him.
I shook my head. “I admit, it’s kind of intimidating sometimes. But I don’t have a problem with it.”
He smiled. “Good.”
I laughed and wiggled free from his hold. I grabbed the Twinkies and jumped into my bed. I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
“Coming?” I asked with a smile.
He chuckled and sat down on the bed next to me. “So what’s going on with you and your best friend?”
I hit play on the remote when the movie went to the menu. “Dane said something about my dad that really hurt.”
“Well he’s not a big fan of dads at the moment. Do you want me to talk to him?”
“No. But he called my dad abusive, Zach. You saw Dane’s back and arm. That’s abuse. My dad is not abusive. He cares about me and just wants what is best.”
Zach looked like he was lost in his thoughts. “There are different forms of abuse, but your dad does care about you. Just give Dane time. I’m sure he’ll apologize eventually.” Zach looked at me. “I think your dad hates me even more now.”
I digested every word he said, focused on the fact that he said there are different forms of abuse. “Wait, back up a second. Why did you say there are different forms of abuse?”
He looked at me, and I could tell he really didn’t want to answer that question.
“A person does not have to inflict the pain for it to be abuse, Hales. My dad was a huge baseball fan and pushed us to be the best we could be, but he never made us run until our feet bled. And now you’re about to yell at me.”
I sat up and moved away from him. I narrowed my eyes. “Are you fucking kidding me right now? You agree with Dane? My dad teaches me to work through pain. He is making me work through shit, so I don’t become some big, whiney baby! Do you know how hard it is to be a girl who is going to try out for an all-guys, pro team? I have to be able to prove myself!”
Zach let me rant without saying anything. “Hales, I don’t know how hard it is. I know how one injury can ruin a career though. And what ruining that career can cause. I don’t know your father like you do. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything against your father.”
I was fuming. I got out of bed and went to the closet to find my running shoes. I found them, slipped my feet in, and laced them up.
“I’m going for a run. You can see yourself out.”
I walked out of the room, down the stairs, and slammed the front door on my way out. I put my earbuds in and ran until I worked off some anger.
Dad was not abusive.
He cared.
He taught me to be driven and self-motivated.
He taught me not to back down.
He taught me to be tough as nails.
He had my best interest in mind.
That’s not abuse. That’s a father teaching his daughter dedication and how to be a hard-worker despite adversity and pain. My parents wanted me to be independent. They wanted me to go after what I wanted without letting anything stand in my way. They loved me, and everything they did or pushed me to do was for that single and important reason.
Zach and Dane cared for me too. I couldn’t be angry with them for stating their opinions. Like my parents, they wanted what was best for me. They meant well. After I calmed down, I ran back to the house.
I went up to my room. I stopped in the doorway. Zach was asleep in my bed. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and kicked off my shoes. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out some clean clothes, planning to take a shower. I shut the top drawer a little too hard, and it woke Zach up.
I chewed on my bottom lip. “Sorry,” I whispered.
He stood and came over to me. “Me too.” His crooked smile showed up. “So, that was our first fight.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “You want to make up?”
I laughed and shoved his shoulder. “Go back to bed, you slut,” I teased. I walked to my door and stopped. I laughed when I saw him really going to my bed.
“Zach?”
“Yeah.”
“I was kidding.” I laughed some more. “I’m getting in the shower, and it’d be way more fun if you came in with me.”
He jumped up from the bed with that grin that made his dimple show. I loved it when I got to see that dimple.
“Yes, it would be.”
“Do me a favor and smile like that all the time. Your dimple is my favorite.”
I walked backward into the hall, stripping slowly as he followed me. I laughed when he started doing the same.
I woke up with a start when I heard my bedroom door open. I froze when I saw Mom standing there.
“You’re going to be late for school if you don’t hurry up,” she said with a smile.
I looked next to me and then around the room once Mom shut the door. The trash from the night before and Zach were both missing. I let out a relieved breath. I stood up and got ready in a hurry.
My phone dinged when I got to my car.
Zach: Have a good day, baby.
Me: You t
oo! No more hiring crazy bitches, okay? Oh, and when did you leave??
Zach: Lol I won’t. And I left out the window when I heard your parents pull in. I’m just making it to my truck now.
Me: Lol!!!
Zach: You laugh, but I swear I have twigs and branches in my shorts now.
When I got to school, I got out of the car and saw Dane talking to Gwen. He saw me and waved me over. I still hadn’t talked to him since our fight. I walked up to him and hugged him tightly.
“I’m sorry for yesterday. I know you mean well.”
He hugged me back. “I’m sorry too.”
As I pulled back, I noticed Gwen’s purse was slightly open and saw the same car paint that Cassidy had in her purse. She noticed my eyes on her purse and quickly zipped it then looked at Dane.
“Hey, Hailey.” She smiled like she was guilty and trying to play the innocent card. It wasn’t working at all.
I didn’t respond.
Dane sighed. “Hales, be nice.”
“I have to be honest, I’m struggling to be nice right now.”
“Can you try? For me.” Dane looked at me as he spoke.
As calmly as possible, I looked at Cassidy and said, “Open your purse.”
She held it against her. “And why would I do that?”
“Are you hiding something?”
Her face turned red. “Dane, tell her to stop.”
“No, Dane, don’t you dare. Open the damn purse, Gwen.” I took a step toward her.
She looked at Dane and then at me. She slowly opened it, revealing the car paint.
“It was a joke! None of us meant any harm, Hailey!”
I clenched my fist, getting ready to punch her right in her pretty little mouth. Dane touched my bad shoulder, making me hiss.
“Wow, Dane! She’s just grand! What a fucking joke! I seriously question your judgment.” I stormed past them both.
I texted Zach on my way into the school.
Me: Dane’s new girlfriend is so close to death right now.
Zach: Oh no. What happened?
Me: Can you just fuck me and maybe post a video online so everyone will stop labeling me?
Okay, so I probably went way too far, but damn. I didn’t have to put up with this shit back home. This was bullshit. My phone rang. It was Zach. I hesitantly answered.
“Okay, what’s going on?”
“Nothing. I’m just so horny,” I said sarcastically as I walked to my locker. It was loud enough that a few bitches near me would hear.
“Hales,” he said a little firmly.
“What!” I snapped.
“Baby, what happened?”
The principal came walking over. “Well great,” I said quietly into the phone.
“What?”
“Gotta go.” I hung up.
“Hailey, come to my office,” principal George said, and I followed. I sat down in his office.
“Hailey, this is just your first week. Is there a reason why you felt the need to blurt out something so inappropriate?”
I just stared at him. This wasn’t me. I didn’t even know I had a bitch bone in me. I was usually nice and dedicated. I never had to deal with this kind of bullying before.
“Hailey?”
I kept my eyes on his desk. “Sorry not sorry. And you’re right this is just my first week, and it’s been hell.”
“I’m gonna set you up a time to speak with the counselor.”
“Why?”
He started typing on his computer. “Because coming to a new school is hard, and I can see that you are struggling. She can help.”
“I’m fine.”
He didn’t look at me. “Head to class, Miss Grayson.”
I stood and left his office.
I DIDN’T TELL Mom the full story about what happened at school. I gave her the fluff version, which was that I was missing my old school. It was true; I just left out the Gwen and me blurting out inappropriate things fiasco. Dad and she didn’t need to know that.
Coach told me I had to be at practice. His text was very specific, telling me I better not miss. When I pulled up, Dane got out of his truck and opened my door. I glared at him.
“Walk away, Dane.”
“Hales, please.”
“No! I just want to practice and leave.”
Dane didn’t argue. His shoulders slouched. I walked past him and went to the field. Coach looked at me oddly.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I started throwing to Trevor. I threw harder and faster.
Gabe walked over to me. “Coach said calm down with that arm.”
Dane touched my arm. “Hales.”
I moved away from him. “Go fuck yourself, Dane.”
“Would you let me say sorry?” Dane yelled, causing everyone to circle around us.
“It’s a little late for that, don’t ya think? You just stood there!”
Coach came over.
“What is going on?” he asked in a shout.
Dane and I both started yelling. Every time Coach tried to talk, we continued to yell at each other. The whistle blew, causing everyone to jump.
“Last I checked this was baseball practice! Yell at each other on your own time, not mine!”
“What the hell, you two? You’re best friends!” Trevor said, coming to stand next to Coach.
“That ship sailed, Trevor. Best friends don’t just stand there and watch some girl they want to fuck talk shit to their best friend!” I kicked dirt up at Dane and walked to the dugout.
Trevor hurried after me. “Hales, you’re leaving practice angry again. Come on, let’s just finish, then I will help you beat the shit out of Dane.”
“This team is bullshit! Fuck this, Trevor! If this is what this season is going to be like, I don’t want to be a part of it! I had zero problems at my old school.” I started packing up my things.
Trevor looked hurt. “All of us have tried to be your friend. We can’t help what everyone else does! And if you don’t like us, then to hell with you!” he snapped then walked off.
I closed my eyes and sighed heavily. He was right. I unpacked my things and headed back out on the field.
“Dane and Hailey, you two are going to throw to each other while you work out whatever the hell is going on!” Coach said, tossing Dane a ball.
I groaned and followed Dane out to the field.
Dane tossed the ball to me. “After you left, I chewed her crazy ass out and dumped her. For your fuckin’ information,” he said glaring at me.
“You avoided me all day! You could have told me that!” I threw the ball to him.
“I left after our second class, or didn’t you realize I wasn’t in any classes!”
“No, I was too busy watching my back, making sure no one else was stabbing me in my fucking back!”
He caught the ball and looked at me. “There’s no talking to you! No matter what I say to you I’m going to be wrong, and you’re going to be right! It’s all about you and what you’re going through! No one else has done anything to you since those bitches painted on your window.” He threw the ball down and walked toward the dugout.
I followed him. “Dane, wait up!”
“Why? Are you going to yell at me more? I’m not up for that anymore today. Catch me tomorrow.” He snapped out. His whole body was tense as he grabbed a bottle of water and took a drink.
I hated fighting with him. I hugged him. “We have to stop this. I hate fighting with you.”
Some of the tension left his body. “I hate fighting with you too.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I should’ve given you a chance to explain.”
He pulled back some and looked down at me. “If it makes you feel better, I made her cry. I was so mean.”
“Makes me feel a little better.” I smiled a little. “Let’s go finish up practice.”
I made my way out to the Owl Tree and saw Zach leaning against it. I wedged myself through the fence and made my way into his arms. I started crying
. Today was too much, and I was more homesick than ever.
“I hate it here. I miss my friends and team back home.”
He tensed a little, but instead of saying anything, he kissed the top of my head. I moved back to look up at him.
“I’m sorry for the phone call this morning. I found out Gwen was a part of the squad that wrote that shit on my car. I overreacted, and now I have a meeting with the school counselor next week.”
He shrugged. “It’s not the worst thing anyone has said to me before.”
“Dane broke up with her.” I smiled. “I can’t stay long tonight; I haven’t been sleeping that great so I’m going to try to get some tonight.”
He kissed my forehead. “I understand. I’m heading back to work once you head home.”
“You might as well move into that place.” I frowned. “Is it really that hard to keep employees?”
“I’m not the easiest person to be around, but tonight I’m cleaning and fixing what was messed up in the fire. I don’t want to be closed longer than I have to be.” He looked down at me. “Why are you frowning at me?”
“I just can tell how much you hate that place, and it sucks you have to be there so much. Is anyone helping you clean up the mess? Can’t your insurance pay people to do that?”
“They wouldn’t pay for it since my manager is the one who set the fire. That wasn’t in my policy.”
“Well, how about you have the team come and help? Coach mentioned something about us all needing to bond. It could be fun?” I scrunched my nose.
He laughed and kissed my nose. “I don’t think that’s what he has planned. Usually, it’s a hangout at the house. Kind of like a sleepover.” He smiled at me. “I’ll be fine. I’m more worried about you. You need to be getting sleep.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m just super exhausted today.” I hugged him tightly again. “I wish I could stay with you every night.”
He kept his arms wrapped around me and put his chin on the top of my head. “I wish you could too. Do you want me to walk you home?”
I nodded and moved out of his hold. I tangled my fingers with his and squeezed his hand a little.