Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2)(120)

“Good.”

Difference between me and the Risks? I have no problems      discussing elephants. “How is Beth’s mother?”

“She’s alive.”

I pause. “How’s Beth?”

Scott shakes his head. Silence falls between us, but we both      jerk our heads toward the room when we hear a muffled sob. Beth is breaking my      heart and from the pain tearing across Scott’s face, she’s doing the same to      his. More silence between us. A sniff comes from the room and my fingers itch to      hold Beth and somehow right her world. I won’t let her use this as an excuse to      run. I’ll talk to her and make her realize that now is the time to involve      Scott.

“Elisabeth says that you’re trying to decide between college      and pro,” he says.

I nod. The choice is harder now that I’ve won the      competition.

“Can I give you some unsolicited advice?” he asks.

I tilt my head up. “I’d love your advice.”

“Decide what baseball means to you, because if you’re playing      to make money, then you’ll be sadly disappointed. Only a small percent of      drafted players ever play a day in the majors and you’d make more working at      McDonald’s than you will playing in the minors.”

A nurse passes between us and I let the back of my head hit the      wall. “You went pro.”

“When I was eighteen, baseball was my only option. From what      Elisabeth says you have several options. If baseball is what you want more than      anything, then it will be worth the sacrifice. If going pro is a means to an      end, I’m telling you the odds are against you.”

Then Scott gets that crazy gleam in his eye. The gleam I      understand. “If baseball is what you live by, breathe in, and die for, I’m      telling you that you’ll need the rush of running out onto that field. I’ve never      experienced anything else like it.”

“Thanks,” I tell him. His comments are well received, but not      helpful. I’m nowhere closer to making a decision. Out of the corner of my eye I      peek into the room. Beth’s eyes meet mine.

“Spend time with her,” says Scott. “But Elisabeth goes home      with me.”





Chapter 62

Beth

SCOTT’S HAND ON MY       BACK urges me forward as I watch my aunt Shirley drive away with my      mom. It’s late, I guess. The sun has set. Stars twinkle in the sky. Ryan has      come and gone, though I could tell he didn’t want to leave. He loves me. I know      that. I somehow wonder if his love is the only thing that’s kept me from losing      my mind.

“Let’s go home,” Scott says.

Home. My room with my clothes and my box of Lucky Charms in      the pantry. Home. It can be my home if Scott will help my mom. The red      taillights of Shirley’s car disappear as she turns left onto the main      street.

I exhale all the air out of my body and turn to Scott. “We      need to talk.”

He nods in agreement as he hooks an arm around my shoulder.      Three months ago, I would have decked him for touching me. Now, I welcome the      embrace. With exhaustion weakening my knees, I lean into my uncle.

“We’ll talk tomorrow.” Scott continues to lead me to his      car. “You’re dead on your feet.”

We’re halfway to his car when a moment of déjà vu hits me.      Like I’m seeing something that I’ve seen before—a memory in slow motion. I jerk      my head to the right and realize that it’s not a memory, but reality.

I flinch to a stop and Scott halts along with me. “What’s      wrong?”

“Isaiah,” I say not to Scott, but to myself. My best friend      is here.

Leaning against the hood of his black Mustang, Isaiah      watches Scott and me from a distance. He dips his head when he spots me looking      at him. I step toward him and Scott grabs my arm. “No, Elisabeth.”

My head whips. “Just for a second. Just one second.      Please.”

His grip loosens at the word please. When he finally releases me, I sway. I’m      worn out—physically, emotionally, but I dig for strength. I have to talk to      Isaiah.

Isaiah stays where he is, not even bothering to meet me      halfway, and speaks before I reach him. “Shirley told me about your mom. Are you      okay?”