After Goodbye

Chapter 5

Brady's POV

"Dude! C'mon head in the game. We can't have you keep zoning out. Michaelson is getting the shit beaten out of him." Rich smacks my helmet as they head back into the huddle.

"Sorry." I know as soon as I start moving that I'm running the wrong route and Michaelson throws the ball to where I'm supposed to be.

"Cook!" It's been like this for almost a week. This distracted nonsense that is ruining my game. I stomp over to coach.

"I know-"

"If you know you're messing up then why do you keep doing it? You've been playng like shit all week, Cook. I don't know what the problem is, but you need to fix it. Go home and clear your head, you're benched." I pull my helmet off, thread my fingers through the face mask, and wipe the sweat from my newly buzzed hair. Being benched sucks. It's spring workouts, only practice time for those who are playing ball in college, but I need every play I can get.

I walk alone into the school, shower, and change before anyone even notices I'm gone. I'm walking to my car in senior parking and still nobody seem to notice I'm not playing. I guess the Tigers will make it through one game without Brady Cook.

I drive around town for a while, making three full loops around. There isn't much to see. South Carolina sucks. I come to terms with the inevitable sooner than I normally do and I pull my Jeep into my driveway.

"Brade? Why're you home?"

"Coach sent me. Says I'm benched for the night." My dad's recliner snaps closed and he rushes into the foyer where I'm chucking my stuff in the closet.

"Benched? What did you do?" I take a step back from him. He still tries to be the bigger man even though I've been stronger since eighth grade.

"I'm just distracted is all."

"You better fix it." My mom has started to pull him away from me, her hand trailing down his chest. I know better than to try and yell back.

"I will." I duck out of their presences jogging up the stairs to be alone. Her face hits me as soon as I open the door and it still knocks the breath out of my lungs.

I miss her so much it hurts.

I grab her picture off of my bedside table and my blanket and crawl out the window to the roof. Like every other night I lay the blanket out and spread myself across it on my stomach, putting her picture beside me.

It's here that every night for a week I flash back to the same thing. My favorite night that I've lived yet.

"Brady what are you doing here?" I smile up at her sleepy face. Her hair is pointing out at odd angles and I can't help, but take a mental picture of her. She's so beautiful.

"Climb down."

"Are you crazy? It's the middle of the night!" I silently cheer. She didn't directly say no.

"Please?" She sighs, puts her head back in her room for a moment then sticks it back out again, leaning on her arms.

"How?" My smile widens.

"Climb out the window then jump. I'll catch you." She goes along with the plan, her fluffy pink slipper stepping out onto the roof. She hesitates at the edge.

"Are you sure?"

"Trust me. I won't let you fall." She squeezes her eyes closed, letting out a little squeal, and drops into my arms. I'm about to place her on her feet when she tightens her limbs around my neck.