Free Home Run: A Novel by Travis Thrasher Page B

their coach?” Mr. Don’t-Drive-Drunk roving reporter asked.
    Cory had no idea what to say. First Helene got him roped into taking some twelve-step program, and now he was coaching Little League?
    Next I’m going to be working in a soup kitchen and sewing clothes for the homeless.
    “Does this mean you’re moving to Okmulgee?” another journalist asked.
    The others were scrambling, trying to get more details and sending others off to try to interview more people for this big story in sports.
    The questions began to assault them, and Cory couldn’t answer a single one because he had enough questions of his own.
    “Mr. Brand’s had a long day, guys,” Helene said, waving the white flag with her hand. “We’ll release another statement tomorrow when he attends his first practice with the Bulldogs. Thank you very much.”
    I’ve gone from batting cleanup with the Grizzlies to chasing ten-year-olds on the Bulldogs. Wonderful.
    Helene tugged at him to follow her back into the hospital. He gave his routine smile even as more questions came.
    “Is the Bulldog venue big enough to handle the anticipated crowds?”
    That was a good question, but he didn’t have the answer. The lights of the cameras went off as reporters and photographers knew this was their last opportunity to capture a moment.
    Out of the entryway to the hospital and standing alone in the hallway where they could still be seen, Cory looked happy and calm on the surface, but inside he wanted to tear into his agent.
    “You’re way out of line this time,” he said.
    “No, you are. And I’m fixing it.” Helene raised her eyebrows and grinned as she glanced at the crowd. “Man, I’m good.”
    “I’m not doing it.”
    “Oh, that ship has sailed. It’s online by now. Next conversation.”
    Cory glanced down the hallway leading to the room where Clay lay.
    “Go see your poor brother one more time before I take you to your new home sweet home.”
    Before he could tell her no or ask her another question, Helene was moving, on her way to fix things. That was her job.
    He headed inside to see his brother. Not that he particularly wanted to, but he knew that was the only place he could go right now.

“It’s okay, Cory.”
    “No. I’m not—I don’t know.”
    “It’s fine. We’re all alone.”
    “I know. It’s just—”
    “Just what?”
    “I’m just not sure.”
    “Don’t tell me you’re afraid.”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “Then what are you saying?”
    “It’s just—I don’t know.”
    “Cory Brand.”
    “What?”
    “Why are you the one being shy?”
    “I’m not being shy. You know—you know how I—Emma, you know.”
    “I know. So come here.”
    “I just—”
    “Suddenly you want to be a gentleman after we’ve known each other four years?”
    “Don’t make fun of me.”
    “Then what is it?”
    “I just—”
    “You already said that.”
    “I don’t want you to feel like this has to happen.”
    “I want this to happen. Are you saying you don’t?”
    “Em—”
    “Well …?”
    “You make me—I can’t stop—all I have ever—you just don’t get it—”
    “Cory? Just hush and come over here.”

Chapter Ten
    Brushback
    Some things get buried not because they’re too painful to remember but because they’re too precious to forget.
    Emma Hargrove had discovered this the hard way.
    She sat quietly in the shadows in her truck, breathing in and out and trying to get control of her emotions. That face from the past was the last thing she’d expected to see as she walked into the hospital with the Bulldogs. With Tyler. And while the reporters had thankfully broken up a possible reunion, Emma still had excused herself to go to the truck and freak out.
    She wasn’t sad or happy or angry or shocked. Those emotions had withered up in the dry heat of exasperation long ago. Cory had left this town and everybody in it for bigger and better things. And Emma had moved on and gotten over him.
    So why am I hiding