Page 80 of Leave It On The Field (Grand Slam 3)
ChapterTwenty-Five
SOPHIE
November 3, 2022
When I walk out of the room, Maisie’s standing in the hallway talking to my parents.
“Hey,” she says. “We just got back from the game. I was coming to see you, but your parents said you’re headed back to Miami. Do you want me to come with you?”
“I told you, Maisie,” Mom says, taking my hand and pulling me toward the elevators. “Just our family right now. We’ll see you when you get back.”
Maisie runs in front of me and pushes on my shoulders to get me to stop. “Stop, Soph. Hold on. Are you sure you want to go home? Maybe chill out for a few hours with Raine and me, and then talk to Seb about all of this.”
“I just talked to him.” I nod my head back toward the room. “I don’t have anything more to say about it to anyone. I just need space to think.”
“No you don’t. Too much thinking is dangerous,” Maisie says. “You need to fight back.”
“Who should I fight?” I look at her as my eyes start to well up again. “I don’t even know who most of the trolls are who are coming after me.”
Dad punches the elevator button. “She can’t fight who she can’t see.”
“Yes, you can, Sophie,” Maisie says. “I know you’re tired, but you can’t run away. You need to talk to Seb and fight this together.”
Mom points at her. “She doesn’t have anything more to say to Seb or anyone else—including you.”
Mom tries to block Maisie from getting into the elevator. Maisie ducks under her arm and snakes her way through the suitcases until she’s against the back wall.
“You don’t have anything to say to Seb now,” Maisie says, somehow ignoring Mom’s searing stare, “but you will within an hour. You know you will. Don’t leave. Stay with me tonight. We can talk it out.”
The elevator door opens in the lobby. Dad pulls the suitcases out and heads toward the door.
“Maisie,” Mom says, trying to smile. “You know I love you like a daughter, but Sophie’s leaving. You need to back off.”
“No,” Maisie says, trying to stretch her five-foot-four body up to meet Mom’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Deb, but you need to back off. You’re wrong about this.”
“Wrong about what?” Raine walks over with Millie two steps behind her. She looks at the suitcases, and then up at me. “What’s happening? Are you leaving?”
Mom says, “Yes,” just as Maisie says, “No.” They continue glaring at each other.
“I’m going back to Miami,” I say to Raine. “It’s all gotten to be too much for me.”
“Uh.” Raine looks between Mom and Maisie who look like they’re seconds away from throwing down. “Millie and I need to talk to you before you leave.”
“No!” Mom says, pointing at Raine. Raine squeals and jumps back from her. “Enough. We’ll be late for our flight. Come on, Sophie. We’re leaving.”
“Mrs. Banks,” Millie says, pulling Raine behind her. “We need to talk to Sophie before you leave. Why don’t you wait in the car?”
“Excuse me?” Mom’s head tilts slightly to the side like it does before she’s about to lose it on someone.
Millie takes a step toward her and looks directly into her eyes. I hear Raine whimpering behind us.
“You’ll be more comfortable waiting in the car,” Millie says, her voice suddenly becoming deep and terrifying. “If you’ll excuse us, this is a private conversation.”
“Mom,” I say, stepping between them. “Go. I’ll be right out.”
Mom tries to back Millie down with one more withering look. When Millie doesn’t budge, she whips around toward the exit door. “Two minutes, Sophie. That’s it.”
“Is she gone?” Raine peeks around Millie. “I’ve only seen Deb lose it once. I don’t want to see it again.”
