Chapter 25

Iwoke up Sunday morning on the plush couch in our attic. There was no way I was having my little sister or girlfriend sleep up here in a room without a door. Not that they wouldn't be safe, but it still gave me peace of mind knowing they weren't sleeping out in the open.

There was also no way I was sharing a bed with my little sister. When we were younger, no big deal, but not today. Plus, she snores, and I need my beauty rest.

Coach canceled all practices and workouts for today, and I couldn't be more thankful. I think the whole team could use a lazy Sunday after we've had weeks of endless baseball.

Making my way down the stairs, I take in the calmness of the house. It's completely different from the chaos that surrounded the house when I went to bed sometime around two this morning. Leah and Chloe went to bed around midnight, both of them heavily intoxicated. Chloe isn't a big drinker, so it didn't take her long to reach her limit, and my sister surprised me with how much she could put away. It seems that she's been living quite the double life back home.

The house is trashed, plastic cups and cans litter the floor and counters. Furniture is still piled in corners, but it doesn't matter. It can all be cleaned. Yesterday I pitched the best game of my career, and nothing, and I mean nothing, was stopping me from celebrating.

Not even a text from my dad who told me I shouldn't have let Daniels get a hit off.

His texts are getting easier to just swipe to delete, especially since Leah was under my roof and not his. Only a few more months, and I'll be able to get her out of there for good. She hasn't talked to me much about her plans post-high school, but whatever they are, I'm ready to move her into the house until the fall. And then it's time to cut all contact with my parents. I hate this for my mom, but what has she done to stop my dad's lashings for me and Leah?

Reaching for the coffee grounds, I go to open the coffee maker and find that a pot of coffee awaits. Turning on my heels, I spot a lone figure sitting at the dining room table, her dark hair—the same shade as mine—gathered in a messy bun on the top of her head. Her head rests on her arms which are resting on her bent knees. Leah looks so much like the little girl I grew up with.

"Morning, Big Bro."

Smiling, I finish pouring myself a cup of coffee and head to the empty seat next to her. "Morning, Bug. How'd you sleep?"

"Did you know your girlfriend is a cuddler?"

I chuckle because of course I know that, but also because Chloe is the clingiest sleeper. It's like she's slept alone for so long that now that I'm finally in her bed, she refuses to let me go again.

"She cling to you all night?"

"Oh my gosh, all freaking night. It was super cute but also super gross because I'm not you. She's a good one, brother."

"She really is." Bringing my mug to my lips, I let the rich, nutty coffee slide down my throat. There really is nothing better than coffee when hungover.

"You're an idiot for what you did that summer. But I get why you did it."

"How are things at home?" I watch as she starts to spin the wheels in her head to make the truth sound better than it actually is. "The truth, Bug."

An exasperated chuckle leaves her lips as she shakes her head. "It's always the same, Cody. He's miserable. I swear Mom stays medicated so she doesn't have to deal with him. It makes her complacent—she does whatever he asks. I've been staying with friends more than normal and blaming it on senior year exams. They seem to buy it. There's only a few more months to go, and I can get out of there."

"Speaking of getting out of there. I want you to come and stay with me for the summer. We can get you packed and moved out after graduation. I've talked to the guys, and they all agree we'll give you the attic as your own space. I just need you out of there, Bug. I don't know how much more of Dad's wrath I can take."

Leah reaches over, wrapping her hand around mine and squeezes. "Thank you."

My brows furrow as I stare at my sister. "What for?"

"For everything, Cody. For taking the brunt of Dad's abuse, for showing me how to be brave, and for offering me a place to stay after graduation."

"Leah, I would do anything for you."

"I know that. I also think you should know that I've applied to some colleges that are further away."

"How far away? Did you not hear back from CTU?"

I watch as Leah avoids my eyes as she stares holes into the wood table. I have a feeling I'm not going to like what she's about to say, but no matter the news, I'll find a way to be happy for her. She deserves the opportunity to go out on her own and live her own life.

"I heard from CTU and I got in—" She stops me mid-breath from congratulating her. "But I'm waiting to hear back from the University of Washington."

My jaw nearly hits the table because the state of Washington is far away. Like clear across the country. Her bottom lip starts to tremble, and at that sight, I'm up and dropping to my knees in front of her. Pulling her into me as she wraps her arms around my shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Cody. I know how bad you wanted me here with you, but it's just too close."

"Bug, you deserve this. I'm so fucking proud of you."

She sniffles in my neck as she mumbles, "You're not mad at me?"

"I could never be mad at you. This gives me a chance to visit. Hell, I might even try to have the Mariners come scout my games."

Leah pushes back and stares at me. "Dude, that'd be awesome."

We both smile, and everything is right in the world.

"Am I interrupting? Baby Jacobs, he better not be making you cry," Hudson says as he makes his way over to the coffeemaker.

The smile she gives to Hudson has me quirking a brow. Does my little sister have a crush on my best friend?

Clearing my throat, I watch her eyes widen and a nervous look replaces the love-struck expression on her face. I ask her a silent question with a look, and she shakes her head, but her worrying at her bottom lip doesn't ease my mind.

My best friend and sister? Nope, not even going to touch on that today.

"So what's for lunch?" Hudson asks. "Am I ordering Cousin Jimmy's?"

"Lunch? It's—" Pulling out my phone I check the screen and see that it's 12:45 in the afternoon. "Oh shit, we slept the whole morning away."

Hudson sits in the empty seat across from me, which happens to be the other empty beside Leah. "I think I crashed around three."

"Was there anyone left?"

"Just a few people. Niko was manning the house."

"Of course he was."

"Did you enjoy your first CTU party?"

Leah perks up and turns her full attention to Hudson. I watch both of them to make sure there aren't any hidden messages behind their words. I love Hudson like a brother, but he better not have let his lips touch my sister. "It was fun. I think the parties back home are wilder, but I had a good time."

"Last night was tame since we are in season. You'll have to come for a football game, well, you'll get the chance next fall if you get into CTU."

"I'm actually waiting to hear back from the University of Washington."

Hud's eyes widen, and he glances over at me. "Well, shit, little sis, I hear the parties out there are crazy. You'll get in, there's no doubt."

"Thanks, Hudson. It'll be your turn to come visit me."

The sound of soft feet padding against the floor interrupts our conversation, and I look over my shoulder to find my Wildflower—looking like an absolute hot mess. Her blond hair is all over the place, creases mar her forehead where she's squinting from the light, and her body sags as if she's in pain.

"Good morning, princess," Hudson greets Chloe with a chuckle.

"You look like shit," Leah adds.

Chloe tosses her middle finger over her shoulder as she beelines straight to the coffee. Getting up from my chair, I follow her.

Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her to my front and trail soft kisses down her neck. "Morning, beautiful."

She groans at my greeting, and I chuckle. Chloe Mariano is not a drinker, and she definitely doesn't do hangovers. Stepping out of my embrace, she makes her way over to the table, plops in a chair, and rests her head on the table. Hudson and Leah both laugh at her pain.

"What time is your flight?" I ask my sister as I take my seat again.

"Four. I have an Uber scheduled to pick me up at two."

"I can take you."

She shakes her head. "Nope, I've got this. We can say our awkward goodbye here and not at the airport. Plus, you can't even go back with me."

I nod, resigned to the fact that she's right.

"I'm going to go grab a shower in your room," she says, standing and patting me on the shoulder as she heads past me. She stops and kisses Chloe on her head. "Feel better, my cuddle bug."

My heart warms at the gesture and the words that come out of her mouth. Those are the same words I would whisper to my sister when she wasn't feeling good.

I don't think there's anything better in the world than seeing your sister and girlfriend get along so seamlessly.

Chloe and I have been wrapped up under the covers in my bed for over an hour since my sister left. She's dozed on and off since taking pain relievers and electrolyte drinks while I've watched highlights on ESPN.

I've been checking my phone sporadically as I wait for my sister's text letting me know she's boarding her flight.

Fingers trace my stomach causing a chill to spread through my body. Glancing down, I meet Chloe's gaze as she stares up at me.

"I can't believe you're mine again," I murmur against the top of her head as her lips find my side.

"Why didn't you ever tell me about your dad?" My body freezes at his mention because I've wanted to keep her away from thoughts of him. He hasn't earned the right to meet this sweet, caring, incredible girl.

"And before you panic," Chloe continues, "Leah filled me in on how problematic he is. Cody, he verbally abuses you and threatens you with our future. Is that why you never answered my texts?"

Leah and her big mouth, but in her defense, these are conversations I should've been having with Chloe. I just didn't want her to feel guilty.

"Yes, he's part of the reason." Sitting up, I lean my back against my headboard as Chloe shifts so that we are both facing each other. "I honestly thought we'd never see each other again, but while he was in the hospital he saw my phone and your name flash. He used you to twist things in my head telling me that I'd never amount to anything, that I'd always let you be a distraction, that I couldn't have you and have a future in baseball.

"Was it absolutely bullshit to listen to a word he said? Abso-fucking-lutely, but I was eighteen years old and thought he was still looking out for me. I thought that if I chose you, I couldn't have baseball. But it was just his way of twisting the truth in his form of fun. He loves playing mind games, and once he feels he's planted an inkling of doubt, he uses it and manipulates the situation."

Taking a breath, I find her watching me. She doesn't say anything, and I'm afraid I'm losing her all over again. "I realized what he was doing halfway through my freshman year here when the texts started rolling in after every game. I could pitch the best game, but he'd always find a way to criticize me. Things as little as how I chose the wrong pitch. One time he called to recite statistics of opposing hitters, just so he could get in my head by psyching me out on how good the batters I would be facing were. It was then I realized he wanted me to fail. He couldn't make it so he didn't want me to make it. I'm his son, and he's jealous of me. He wants me to fail like he did."

"I'm sorry, Cody. I'm sorry you've had to live with this." She leans forward and flings her arms around me as she crawls into my lap. "But it's time to let him go. You are incredible. You are going to do great things. The pros are looking at you, and that's something to be proud of. You did it. He had nothing to do with where you are today."

"I just need to keep taking it until Leah is out."

"I'm really glad I got to meet her," Chloe says, a smile spreading across her face.

Leaning forward, I gently brush my lips against hers. "I'm glad you two got to meet. I loved having both of my girls in the stands watching me play."

Chloe slides off my lap, and I fight the groan that wants to escape. "Speaking of baseball," she starts, and I can sense her energy change. "What's your-um-your future look like with baseball?"

Her question lands like a punch to the gut, knocking the air out of me. What does my future look like? I just got my girl back, am I about to have to leave her again? Baseball right now is so up in the air that I don't know what direction I want to take.

There's a part of me that wants to stick around for my last year at CTU to finish my degree and play one last time under Coach Weber.

On the other hand, I'm nervous that I could be missing a chance to further my career if I turn down any offers.

"I honestly have no idea." My head hits the headboard as I run my fingers through my hair. "Ideally, I stick around for senior year and get drafted, but who knows? Weber has been handling a lot of the communication for me."

She nods her head as her phone vibrates on the table. I watch as she reads the message, her body language stiffening before she hops off the bed.

"I need to go home."

Chloe gathers the pink material of the dress she wore last night. "Here," I start, jumping off the bed and heading for a drawer. "I picked up a couple of things for you."

Reaching into the drawer, I pull out a pair of black leggings, panties, and a sports bra before opening another drawer and grabbing one of my T-shirts.

"You bought me clothes?" she asks, taking the items from my outstretched hand and dropping the blanket she's been wrapped up in most of the day. Last night she slept in an old tee and a pair of my boxers, but since we've been lounging around all day she opted for naked cuddles.

"It's no biggie, just wanted to make sure you were taken care of." She tosses her arms around me for a quick hug before she backs away and slides the clothes on.

While she's getting dressed, I grab my phone, wallet, and keys. "I'll drive you."

"You don't have to. I can grab an Uber."

Squinting my eyes, I just stare at her before she relents. "Fine."

The two of us make our way to my car that's parked in the driveway and a few minutes later I'm pulling into her parking lot. I've barely shifted the car to park when Chloe's jumping out of the passenger side. Turning off the ignition, I'm right on her heels.

"Wildflower—" I start, but when I glance up, I see why she was in such a hurry to get to the house.