What is Home

Chapter Fifty-Three

I joined my parents back in the stands with a drink in hand. In hopes that a single drink taking that long would hold everyone's thoughts at bay. If they were even thinking thoughts to begin with. With the group we had formed though, the teens would always be thinking.

"Is he okay?" My mom leaned over to whisper in my ear. I turned around handing her the drink I grabbed, not wanting it at all.

"No, but he's still going to go out and play like he is." I quietly responded back to her before turning around to focus on the game that was now close to half time.

I focused on the boy who sat on the bench cheering on his team from the sidelines. A boy who couldn't help but focus on the girl who was just feet away from him. A girl that would be the one helping him in front of the world.

After having enough of seeing the two of them, I scanned the crowd again for Casey. I spotted her worried face but when I caught her attention I gave her a sly thumbs up letting her know all was okay, at least for now.

The rest of the game seemed to fly by in a back and forth fight for the win. The moment Pierce stepped back out on the field, I found myself staring more at the back of the heads of the people in front of us than the field. I couldn't watch the constant hits he continued to take until the final buzzer sounded.

We won in a close 21-20 affair. I watched as Ally ran to wrap her arms around the boy who wouldn't be able to bear the pain she'd bring with a tight hug. I instantly pulled my eyes off the field and directed my attention to the people leaving the stands.

"Charlee girl!" I heard Grayson's voice from the field and I took the few steps to meet his eyes from the edge of the bleachers. "Come." His arms reached up to help me get over the railing blocking me from doing exactly what he was asking me to do.

"Gray I can't. I'll just see you out there." I pointed up the stairs.

"Charlee who just won the state championship game?"

"You did but- "

"But nothing. Get your ass onto this field." I sighed lifting my leg over the railing and sliding down into his arms. "Thank you for supporting me." His fingers brushed hair from my face, tucking the loose strands behind my ear.

"It's my honor. You played great out there." I rested my head against the hard surface of his shoulder pads as he wrapped his arms around me. "I'm really proud of you Gray."

His arms slowly slipped away from me and he pulled his shoulder pads off his body. I looked at the tight shirt clenched to his body in sweat. The toned muscles of his chest evident and nearly a sight to drool over.

"Sis!" Reece broke my stare from Grayson as he ran over, pushing his sweaty body against mine in a hug.

"Congrats Reece, you deserve this." I embraced the sweat I'd have to smell for the next few hours. "I hope you finally get the sex you deserve for this one." I pushed him lightly towards Harlow who was still preoccupied with her parents who were talking to her over the same railing I had just scaled down. He took off in her direction leaving me once again alone with Grayson, but only for a few seconds. Ally and Pierce made their way over to join us.

"Congrats Pierce." I said completely ignoring the girl that was draped under his arm. "How are you feeling?" I glanced quickly down at his ribs knowing he didn't open up to anyone about the extremely pain stabbing in his side.

"I'll be okay. Nothing time can't heal." He smiled as he looked down at his girlfriend. The only thought that crossed my mind was the words he said in her kitchen just weeks ago. Once football is over you're mine.

"They wouldn't even let me near him when it happened. What kind of bullshit is that?" It's not bullshit. He didn't want you, he wanted me. Right?

"I don't know." I shrugged trying to be as nice as I could. "Well I hope you heal well. Be careful." I looked away from the two people who were driving me mad. "Gray can I go?" I looked around trying to find where exactly I had to exit.

"Actually Charlee can I talk to you alone?" Pierce said stunning the Coleman siblings. "It's about Reece and Harlow." He covered.

With the second statement from Pierce, Ally and Grayson walked off in conversation.

"You're playing with fire." I said softly making sure no one around us was watching.

"I'm sorry for doing that in front of you. I love you Charlee."

"I know." I said directing my attention away from him.

"Hey." His hand grabbed my arm causing my focus to jump back him. "Charlee please don't do this."

"You still want and need her around. It was evident in the locker room. So go." I motioned towards Ally. "I'll see you tonight at Harlow's."

"This conversation isn't over."

"I know, we'll talk later." I was short with him not wanting any suspicion to be caught between the two of us.

"Say it back to me please." He was practically begging to hear the words he had said to me.

"I love you Pierce, now go." I motioned again to his girlfriend. His head dropped for just a few seconds before following my command.

I walked slowly behind the three people who were lost in their own conversation. I couldn't help but think back to the times before I arrived. This is what their life looked like. The three of them, the only person missing was my brother by their side. Everything so calm, peaceful, uncomplicated.

Grayson's head looked back at me breaking me from my thoughts with his perfectly shining smile. I shot a smile back keeping my distance despite his attempts to get me to join them. I should never fight him though, because he will always get his way.

His body turned quicker than it had on the field with his countless runs of the ball down the field. His arms reached around me and in one swift motion he had me thrown over his shoulder. "Grayson Tyler!" I screamed while kicking my feet for him to put me down.

His laugh broke through my pleads to be put down, followed by a laughter that I couldn't hold back. My feet lightly placed to the ground as we exited the field. "You're an ass!" I slapped his arm which echoed in the tunnel we were in.

Within a few seconds of walking we finally reached the families thatwere waiting for the team to exit the field. I walked away from Grayson to joinmy family. We waited for Reece to say our goodbyes before we had the longjourney back home. Which I knew would have my mind spiraling to places itshouldn't be going.