Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Reagon

Walking up the steps, I look up and see Cole glaring at me. Jacoby is on cloud-nine and instead of giving his son a high-five for getting his favorite players autograph as soon as we walk by, he’d rather focus his energy on me. If looks could kill, I’d be dead right now.

I try my best to avoid his stare but it doesn’t do any good. I really don’t understand why he continues to act this way. My son’s day is made and that’s all the matters right now.

I grab us a bag of boiled peanuts and a large drink from one of the concession booths, then allow an usher to walk us down to our seats. They aren’t the greatest—the far left corner in the outfield—but Jacoby is convinced it’s the perfect spot to catch a fly ball.

While we wait for the game to begin, Jacoby asks if he can visit with a few of his friends two rows in front of us.

“Sure, but if someone comes up and says you’re in their seat, you’ll need to move and come back up here.” I pull out my phone and scroll through the pictures of Jacoby and Dawson. Flipping from one photo to another, I think I’m as much in awe as my son was earlier.

I stop to look at the one of the three of us and zoom in to get a close-up look. Without a doubt, Dawson’s even more attractive in real life than on television. I’m almost embarrassed at the goosebumps on my arms from simply admiring a photo.

Dawson leads off the bottom of the second inning and the crowd goes wild as soon as he steps up to the plate. The music blaring through the speakers vibrates the seats—it’s that loud and intense. With a full count, he swings at the next pitch. Even from our seats, the sound of his bat making contact with the ball echoes throughout the stadium. The boys all leap to their feet—hopeful the ball is headed this way—but the center fielder is already backing up to the wall, his opened glove high in the air. Dawson lowers his head halfway down the first base line then circles back to the dugout. So close, but not close enough to leave the field.

The game remains scoreless at the middle of the sixth inning and I stand up to stretch my legs. It really has been exciting and I hope the Sunrays are able to pull off a win. I walk to the end of the row then point to the concession area when Jacoby spots me. I hold up a finger, indicating I’ll be right back.

“Reagon, hey.”

I look up as I’m walking out of the restroom and see Daphne Montgomery standing with a few of the other moms. Despite being a bit sweaty, I lean in and give her a hug. “It’s good to see you.”

“Wilkes sent me for something to drink and as you can see, I haven’t made it back yet. The kids are enjoying this so much. It’s the ideal place to have a party, isn’t it?” she says.

Not that I want to take away from Winston’s special day, but I feel jealous because I’d been the one planning it first. And thanks to Cole, that plan had fallen through.

“Yes, it’s perfect.” I hope my fake smile doesn’t reveal differently.

A sudden commotion over by the breezeway distracts us from our conversation. “I wonder what’s going on?” she asks.

I look up at the overhead television monitors broadcasting the game and whatever it is has halted further play. I feel a twinge of nervousness in my belly and excuse myself so I can return to our seats. “I’ll catch up with you in a bit. I need to check on Jacoby.”

I push through the crowd of onlookers and eventually make my way to the area we’re sitting in. I quickly learn that a fly ball was hit this direction and unfortunately, someone wasn’t able to get out of the way in time. The individual had taken a direct hit to the head and had immediately gone down.

I continue to scan the seats for Jacoby, but with everyone on their feet and security trying their best to keep everyone away from the injured person, it’s impossible to spot him. I knew I should’ve made him come back to our seats, instead of letting him sit elsewhere.

Suddenly, someone grabs hold of my arm and snatches me around. “Where the hell have you been?” Cole sneers through clenched teeth.

“Stop it.” I pull my arm away, the sting of his grip working its way up to my shoulder. “I had to go to the bathroom. Have you seen Jacoby?”

“I thought he was with you.” Cole’s breath is warm against my face and I detect the hint of alcohol.

“Reagon Woods? Is there someone named Reagon close by?”

Panic suddenly washes over me and I raise my hand in the air. “That’s me. I’m Reagon.”

I rush to Jacoby’s side and immediately lean down to caress the side of his face. “Jacoby, oh, my God!” Tears begin to stream down my face.

Seeing my baby on the ground between the rows of seats is gut-wrenching. Medical personnel is assisting until an ambulance can get here and transport him to a hospital.

“Ma’am, he’s going to be okay,” a voice to the left of me says.

“Mom, I almost caught the ball.” Jacoby blinks his eyes, his little voice almost too soft to hear.

“Oh, baby.” I push my hair away from my face. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”

I ride with Jacoby in the back of the ambulance to the hospital, rubbing my thumb over the top of his hand the entire way. By the time we make it there, the goose egg on the side of his head is almost as big as a golf ball and the brightest red I’ve seen. Although he’s talking almost normal now, he is complaining about his head hurting and that concerns me more than anything.

His father shows up a couple hours later and it takes everything I have not to punch him in the face. “Seriously, Cole? It takes you how long to get here to check on your son? Let me guess, you had to finish watching the game so you’d know who won? Or did you finish the booze you were drinking earlier?”

“That’s not true and you know it,” he belts loudly.

“Whatever, Cole.” I walk out of the room so my breathing can return to normal. A few minutes later, I see him leave Jacoby’s room and head towards the exit. Some father…