The Relationship Pact(78)

My voice breaks at the end.

I sniffle and try to keep myself under control.

No texts.

“I had a hard start in life. But the men and women who gave their time—many of them selflessly and without pay—kept me from being a statistic. They literally changed my life. And that’s how I Caught-A-Care,” I say, using the tagline for the nonprofit.

The audience breaks out into applause again.

I blow out a breath and grab both sides of the podium.

“I don’t have any more notes,” I say. “Yet my speech feels incomplete … and I know why. Because my story isn’t over.”

I clear my throat again.

No texts.

Really, Larissa. Please …

“I was sitting by the ocean this morning and wondering what the rest of my life looks like now that football is over. And I realized that, for some reason, I’d assumed that I was on my own now. That just because I’m an adult by every indicator meant that no one cares. But that’s not true.”

I press my thumb on Judy’s name.

“I would like to go on record and say that, while many of us here remember to support children—myself included, there are many adults who need support too. And when a Care is passed our way, we need to … scoop it up and do our part.”

My voice breaks again, and I kick myself.

I slide my hands down my pants, my heart thundering in my chest.

“So, in addition to the many families and coaches that helped raise me, I’d like to thank the handful of people who helped teach this young man about family and love recently.” I smile sadly. “They welcomed me into their homes and their lives and showed me what it was like to truly be accepted, flaws and traumas and all. Not because someone told them they had to or because I can catch a ball reasonably well … most of the time.”

The crowd chuckles again, making me smile.

“But they chose to … maybe love me,” I say, having to bow my head to make my throat stop constricting so hard. I clear my throat. “So, to my new grandma Judy, thank you. Your love means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

I look up into the crowd to find her.

“And to a family that will probably never speak to me again, but will forever be … a part …”

I lean forward as if that will help me see better.

What the …?

Judy sits on the end in her blue and white dress. She gives me a bright smile and points to her right.

Sitting next to her is, I think, Larissa’s aunt, Siggy.

My gaze keeps moving down the line.

Boone waves when my eyes land on him.

Then sits Bellamy. She gives me the biggest, silliest wink.

And then, next to her, with tears streaming down her face, is Larissa.

My body lunges to the side before I catch myself.

“Where is your phone?” I ask before I can stop myself.

The crowd laughs.

She holds her hands out like she doesn’t know.

Blood pumps through my veins and, while I’m incredibly thankful to the Landrys for being here, I want nothing more than to not be.

I fiddle with the paper, not able to take my eyes off Riss.

“I …” I laugh and look into the crowd.

And for the first time ever, there are people here … for me. With me.

Whatever I thought it might feel like to look into a crowd and see someone there for you—I had no fucking clue, but it’s better. It’s so much better.

“Thank you to the Catching-A-Cares Foundation,” I say. “Thank you so much.”

When I turn around, Lincoln is walking my way. He winks.

“Go get her,” he whispers.

I laugh. “I’m on it.”

I jog down the stairs and along the side of the room.

Lincoln thanks everyone for coming and instructs them on where to donate, but I’m not registering any of it. I walk as quickly as I can across the back of the room and see Larissa and her family exiting the row.

“Riss,” I say, jogging up to her.

Her eyes are clouded with tears. “Hollis, I—”

I grab her face and kiss her with everything I have.

“Let’s try to keep this PG-13,” Bellamy says as she walks by. “People are watching.”

I pull back and rest my forehead on Larissa’s.

“Let ’em watch,” I say, looking into her pretty eyes. “I was calling you. And texting you. Where’s your phone?”

“I turned it off, and now I can’t find it,” she says.

“I’m sorry. I was stupid and—”

“I know.”

Siggy stands beside us. “Hollis, we are so proud of you.”

“Yes, honey, we are,” Judy says, standing beside Siggy.

I release Larissa’s face but grab her hand instead and pull her into my side.

“Thank you all for coming. I mean, I guess you are here to see me.” My stomach drops. “But you might not be. I—”

“Of course, we’re here for you,” Siggy says. “I think you’re family now. Right, Riss?”

I look down to see her smiling up at me.

“Well, he can try not to be, but I’ll just have to keep pestering him with questions until he gets tired of me and agrees.”