Behind the Pitch, a novella: Seeking Serenity 1.5 Read Free

change the fact that he turned his back on his family, both his families. How can you defend him?”
    “How can you not? He raised you. He loves you.”
    Autumn is a brilliant woman. She is intelligent, clever, but in that moment, I never realized how naive she could be. Joe had her blinded, forgetful of the secrets he’d kept from us both. I could only stare at her shaking my head, utterly amazed.
    When I stepped back and turned toward the lobby door, she followed. “Where are you going? Declan, wait.” She tried to reach for me, I even felt the pull of her small fingers on my sleeve, but my need to touch her was gone. I was too disappointed in her, too angry to let myself seek her comfort.
    I was angry at Joe, and at Autumn, for believing in him so blindly. I didn’t mean to push her away, but I couldn’t stop myself. My anger and my pride were too damned raw.
    “Just leave me be, Autumn.”
     
    I had no clue how closely she’d take my words to heart. Which is why I was now sitting in a police holding area after being decked by my best mate.
    “Think they’ll keep us here overnight?” Donovan slumps in the seat next to me, his earlier embarrassment over my teasing seemingly forgotten.
    I only shrug in reply. The melted water from the impromptu ice pack has collected on my fingertips, dripping coldly down into my palm and I chuck the whole lot in the bin to my right. I don’t care if the cops make us stay all night. It’s not like I have anywhere to go. Autumn refuses to speak to me, especially after tonight’s asinine debacle, and I still haven’t spoken to Joe since I punched him.
    Rubbing my wet hands on my jeans, I sit next to Donovan, slouching down to get as comfortable as possible in these plastic, broken seats.
    “Do you think coach will find out?”
    “No, mate. Not in a town this massive .” I ignore Donovan’s small frown. Guess he doesn’t appreciate sarcasm. “Of course he’ll find out.”
    Cavanagh is tiny, likely the smallest place I’ve ever lived. I hate it. The mountains are too high. The trees, too tall. There is country music on every bloody radio station piping down from Nashville, just a few hours from here, and because it was founded by Irish settlers, the influence of my homeland is in each shamrock in every stained glass window, in the foods served in restaurants and the architecture of every building. You’d think I’d feel comfortable here. I don’t. It only mocks me that I’m far away from home. It feels like a cheap imitation of the home I knew as a kid. The only thing that gives me any comfort in this fecking town is Autumn and playing rugby. Only one of those two comforts currently remains.
    “Maybe Layla can—” Donovan begins.
    “Layla’s got enough to sort out on her own. Didn’t you see that look Autumn gave us tonight?”
    “She was just trying to help.” I hear the hesitance in Donovan’s voice. It teeters on annoyance and I know he’s trying not to sound like he’s worried about her. Stupid sod.
    The electric bell dings when the front door opens and I sit up straight when I hear Coach Mullens speak to the lady cop at the front desk. My best mate and I both release heavy sighs. This won’t be pleasant. Coach has a temper. Donovan knocks his shoulder to mine and we both stand as the coach approaches.
    He narrows his eyes first over Donovan’s spotless face then straight to the large swell on my cheek.
    “Some team captain you are, Fraser.”
    “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, sir.” The coach is a good four inches shorter than me, but he’s an intimidating son of a bitch nonetheless. It was utterly daft to start a bar fight when I’m meant to be the responsible, level-headed captain of our rugby squad.
    “Both of you. Outside. Now. You made bail.”
    “Coach, thank you,” Donovan says.
    “Don’t thank me, I didn’t post it.”
    I stop before we exit the building. “Who was it then? Was it Joe?”
    Coach doesn’t answer and the look he gives has