The game is underway. We’re two innings down and time couldn’t go slower if it tried.

I shouldn’t be here, sitting in the sun on this wooden bench.

But after Wednesday’s failed attempt at honesty, I didn’t see how the hell I could get out of this game. Dad’s been livid since Uncle Conrad split. He worked overtime the rest of this week, trying to find his elusive brother, but nothing so far.

He could have reached Mexico by now. Hell, he’s probably on some isolated beach sunbathing. While I’m stuck here.

I glance into the stands as Zane steps up to the plate. Dad’s sitting with that scout, chatting away like they’re best buds, no doubt trying to woo the guy.

I wish he wasn’t here.

“I wish I wasn’t here,” I mutter, thinking about Cairo.

He tried to speak to me at school but I couldn’t even face him. How was I supposed to admit that not only am I a coward, but that I’m a failure, too? I tried to tell the truth and I bombed. I’ve let him and Velocity down so badly.

I wish I was with them. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than at Escapar nervously waiting our turn to audition.

I check my watch again, my spirit shriveling as I think about how they’ll be setting up to play soon…or maybe they’ve already played. The auditions are running all afternoon, ending with a huge dance party tonight.

I should be there.

“Batter up!”

“Get ready, Max. You’re next,” Coach Keenan barks at me.

I rise on autopilot, unable to reciprocate Maddie’s encouraging smile. I turn my back on it, put my helmet on, and grab a bat.

Kingston bunts the ball and gets to first.

Zane’s on second.

Coach will want me to get them both home.

Everyone will.

Except me.

“Yeah, Maximus!” Dad shouts. I glance into the stands. He leans across to the scout, saying something that makes them both laugh.

Mom claps and grins at me.

I turn my back on her smile too.

Tapping my bat on home plate, I lift it into position and get ready to smash the ball.

But when it comes flying through the strike zone, I completely miss it.

“Strike one!”

“Come on, Maximus!” Dad claps. “You can do better than that!”

I close my eyes, wishing he’d shut the hell up, while resetting for the second pitch.

“Strike two!”

My arm goes slack, the bat hitting home plate with a sad thud.

“I shouldn’t be here,” I murmur.

“You got that right, sweet cheeks.” The catcher chuckles. “Hit the damn ball or go home.”

I glance down at him, making sure he sees my heated glare.

He snickers and shakes his head while setting up for the next throw.

Gripping the bat, I focus on the pitcher and find my zone. When the ball comes flying, I connect with a sharp snap that sends it flying over the wall.

Cheers rise up in a loud chorus as I sprint around the bases. All three of us get home and I manage a small smile as I high-five my teammates and head for the dugout.

“All right! That’s my girl!” Dad shouts behind me.

I press my lips together, refusing to turn back and acknowledge him.

I didn’t hit that homer for him.

I did it for me.

Because I want to end on a good note.

That was my last hit.

Determination pulses through me as I step into the dugout and start shedding my gear.

“What are you doing?” Chloe asks.

I glance over my shoulder to make sure Coach isn’t watching.

“I’ve got to go.”

“What?” Holden steps up, having heard my soft comment.

I glance at him, hoping a little of what I’m really feeling shows through. “I shouldn’t be here, and I should have been honest about that a long time ago.”

“But you’re so good,” he whispers.

“My heart’s not in it.” I blink as sudden tears try to burn me.

An arm snakes around my shoulders and I look right to find Maddie smiling at me. “It’s okay, sis. We’ve got you covered. Just go.”

“Yeah.” Chloe grins. “Go for it.”

“Thank you.” I kiss Maddie’s cheek before lurching forward and kissing Chloe.

She giggles and shunts me behind her, putting on an innocent smile when Coach turns around to see what we’re doing.

“Max just needs the bathroom.” She points at me and I sprint off before Coach can object.

My cleats echo on the concrete as I make a beeline for the locker room.

Yanking out my hair tie, I grab my bag of stuff and haul it over my shoulder.

I’ll get changed at the club. My plan was always to sneak there after the game to find out how Velocity went. They probably wouldn’t let me near them, but if I can make it in time for the audition, all will be forgiven, right?

Nerves slam inside my stomach like a painful game of pinball.

Sprinting for the parking lot, I start digging around for the keys and have to slow to a stop.

“Shit!” I yank out my clothes, dumping them on the ground as I scramble to find them.

When the bag’s empty and there’s still no sign of the keys, I finally concede that Maddie must have them.

Which means I have to try and sneak back down to find them, which will just delay everything and possibly get me caught.

Fighting the desperate frustration surging through me, I snatch my clothes and then jerk to a stop when someone calls my name.

“Hey, Max!”

I spin around and gasp. “Uncle Rad?”

“You okay?”

Letting out a surprised laugh, I bob my head and sprint over to him. “What are you doing here?”

He gives me a pained smile. “I couldn’t do it. I got all the way to the border and I just couldn’t cross.” He sighs, his broad shoulders slumping forward. “What kind of asshole steals from his family? I’ve done some shitty things in my life, but this is an all-time low. I just couldn’t get that look on your face out of my head.” His eyes glass over as he tries to give me another smile. “Out of all the people I know, you’ve always adored me the most, and to see that disappointment in your eyes… You thought I was a loser. And I am, but I gotta make things right with you before I take off.”

My lips rise of their own accord and I wrap my free hand around his shoulder, squeezing him to me in a brief hug.

“I know you’re in deep shit right now, but we’re gonna make it right, okay?”

He sniffs and nods.

Stepping back, I lightly pat his cheek and say. “And if you want me to keep adoring you, you’ll do me a huge favor right now.”

“Get you to that audition?”

“As fast as you can.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He salutes me and runs around to the driver’s door.

We fire out of the parking lot and I’m soon getting changed in the back seat while Uncle Conrad tells me about how bad the last few days have been for him. Sleepless nights. Constant torment.

“I felt like I couldn’t breathe properly. Not until I turned around and started heading back. If I don’t make a stand now, I’ll be running for the rest of my life. I can’t live a lie anymore, Max. And as scary as your daddy is, I’m gonna man up and ask him to help me.”

“Good plan.” I pull on my top, flick out my hair, and start working on my shoes. My fingers are shaking as I wrestle with the bootlaces.

I’m going to have to man up and face Dad too. Because when he finds out I ditched the game, he’s going to be foaming at the mouth.