Songs for Cricket by Laine, E. (best books to read in your 20s TXT) 📗

foot like I’d been taught, connected with the ball, and sent it high into the air. One defensive guy leaped up and nearly knocked the ball out of the air, but he missed. The crowd roared when it sailed through the uprights.

My team practically lifted me in the air. But it wasn’t over. There were still ninety seconds left. Plenty of time for the other team to score and win.

Coach wanted me to skip the ball down the field for the next kickoff, but I wasn’t confident in that. I did my best, and the low kick flew by several hands and was surrounded by our team near the goal line. That left the other team to fight their way back almost the length of the field.

When time ran out and their wide receiver bobbled and dropped a deep ball, our team stormed the field along with half the crowd from the stands. It was a reminder of the scrimmage game we’d played––us Farrows and a few others against the starters. Billy and I were lifted into the air. It felt glorious.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d been held in the air before I was finally put down. It was long enough that I spotted my parents off to the side. I made my way over as dozens of people gave me their well-wishes.

Mom was there decked out in school colors and went to hug me first. “Honey, you were great.” Dad hadn’t glanced my way yet. I heard him congratulate August. Mom did too. “Do you have something to say to our daughter?” she asked.

Dad finally looked at me. “You were good out there.”

His words were flat, lacking that proud parental enthusiasm I’d seen him give August when he did something great, but at least it was something.

But August wouldn’t let it go. “She wasn’t good, she was great. Every ball right down the center.”

I saw the bigger picture and tugged Cooper from behind me. “I couldn’t have done it without Coop. He was fantastic out there. He helped me keep it together. He’s going to be amazing when he gets his shot to start.”

Dad licked his lips. “You all were great. I’m proud of all of you.”

Still, he ruffled August’s hair. Rome wasn’t built in a day, I thought as I heard Mom sigh. She hugged Cooper, and that’s when I noticed Shepard off to the side.

I ran over and practically tackled him.

He smoothed a hand over my hair. “Cricket, you smashed it.”

I looked up at him and lifted my head to kiss him when he said, “Mr. Farrow.”

I closed my eyes, dropped to my feet, and turned to face my dad. Shepard’s hand was still twined with mine. We had to hide it from so many others, I wouldn’t from my family.

“Dad, Shepard and I are together.”

It was a good thing the crowd was still chattering. It was unlikely anyone had overheard our conversation tucked near the sideline benches.

Dad’s gaze dropped to our hands. “And how long were you disrespecting me in my house?”

“August,” Mom said like a reprimand.

August stepped in between as Shepard said, “I didn’t. I wasn’t—”

“Dad,” August said. “This is new. They weren’t together when we were home. I can promise that.”

Dad wasn’t listening to anyone. There was hate in his glare aimed at Shep.

“So now what? Considering you didn’t play today, what can you offer my daughter but a bad family name and a music teacher’s salary?”

I gasped, and Shepard let go of my hand. I had no time to yell at my father or at Shepard for letting me go with a news crew suddenly in my face and a mic aimed inches from my mouth.

“Tell me, Ms. Farrow, what was it like, your first time on the field?”

My first thought was for Tori. She’d guided me before. Classes had started, and I hadn’t seen much of her. I longed for her advice but drew in a breath and remembered what she told me before, knowing the sound bite could be replayed over and over again.

“It was an amazing experience, especially out there with a great group of guys.”

“It was your final kick that won the game for your team. What was it like to have to kick the ball a second time? Were you confident that you’d make it again?”

I didn’t want to sound egotistical, so I thought before I spoke. “I’ve been consistent in practice, so I was confident that I could do it again.”

The camera shifted to my parents. Mom smiled prettily, but I could tell she was gun-shy from all the attention. Dad’s eyes briefly met mine before he answered what it was like to have all three of his triplets playing on the same team.

I turned around, but Shepard was gone. I was not only disappointed but a little angry, too. The bus wasn’t going back to the hotel. We’d taken all our things. So I wouldn’t see him until we got home.

34

shepard

There had been many reasons why I disappeared into the crowd when I spotted the cameras heading Finley’s way. I’d thought about them during the six-hour drive back to Oklahoma as her dad’s words also replayed over and over.

He said all the right things to make me question my selfish reasons for keeping her and not letting her go. I parked the car in the lot by the football complex, but I didn’t stay. I walked home and hoped Finley wouldn’t hate me.

She found me in my room sitting at the end of the bed staring out into the night when she had arrived home. Her steps were silent as she approached. When her feet came into view, I folded my hands behind my neck and finally looked up.

“I’m—”

She didn’t give me a chance to apologize.

“Why did you leave?” she snapped. “You think I would actually care what my dad thought?”

I let my hands fall. “And you think that’s why I left?”

There might’ve been a little annoyance in my tone, but I wasn’t