The Hart Game

Chapter Eleven

LUKE

Friday night, game night. The rest of the week coach was on my ass for not showing up to Wednesday practice, even when I told him that I had tutoring. It was non-stop torture. And if practice wasn't bad enough, home had to be worst. Scott and Brady figured out that the reason no one knew where I was, was because I was still at the school-alone-with Cassie. And now it's non-stop teasing about Cassie, mostly from Brady. Sometimes I wonder how he even graduated High School.

Tonight we have an away game in San Diego. And tomorrow night there's a party at Jordan and Maddie Hansen's house. Brady is especially excited for that. Something about High School parties having more drama.

Scott and Brady go back to Minnesota on Sunday, and I'm dreading the day they go back. This week has been amazing, despite Brady going on and on about me hooking up with Cassie. But I'm just glad that they get to see me play football.

Scott and Brady have been getting close to Cameron, just as I was. They told him that he would always have a home in Minnesota, and I'm grateful that they show him the caring that Cameron deserves.

"Have everything packed?" I turn to see my dad standing at the doorway, still in his scrubs. We are still working on the Corvette but we've gotten a lot farther since the twins have been here. Right now I'm packing my football gear and overnight bag, making sure that I have everything for today and tomorrow.

"Yeah. I'm just making sure I have everything. You and Mom are going to be at the game tonight right?" I ask, hopeful that he can make it. I know my mom will be there, lately he's been working nonstop and this is the second time I've actually seen him since last weeks game.

"Your Mom is definitely going. I'll try my best to get off work tonight." He says walking towards me and sitting on my bed. "How've you been? Are you sleeping well?"

I look towards him and he looks as if he's trying to be careful as to what to say. Which means my mother has told him about my nightmares returning. Lately my nightmares have returned but they are not as bad as the ones I had after the accident. After the accident the nightmares I had were ones that I would wake up screaming and thrashing around. They were so bad sometimes I would have panic attacks. These ones though, they only leave me drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, like I was running for miles nonstop.

"Mom talked to you?" I say as I put the rest of my stuff in a small duffle and sit down on my bed.

"Yeah. So, how are you?" He said in a tone that I should tell him the truth. I look to him and after a moment I decide to answer him.

"They aren't as bad as before. But I still can't get them out of my head." I say playing with my letterman that is in front of me. Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve to wear this. It just doesn't feel right. "I don't know-I feel like-they only started when I started to play football again. Like, Kyle-He's trying to tell me something."

I haven't told my mother this, cause I know that it would lead to a breakdown that she didn't need. But I wasn't ready for the one question I never thought my dad would ask, ever again.

"Are you fighting again?" I looked up towards him. I haven't been fighting in about six months. Underground fighting was like a drug to me. It was an escape from the world where Kyle isn't here. It was numbing.

"What? No! I haven't been fighting again. I think you would've noticed if I was fighting again." I say defensively.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. It's just-I'm sorry." He apologizes for his accusations. "I know the nightmares gives you a hard time and stresses you out. I'm just trying to help you, son. I'm trying to be here for you."