Page 57

It landed in his mitt with a sting.

“Now that was at least seventy-five.”

Silas grinned. “Coach said I might be able to start in the regionals.”

“He’d be an idiot not to let you.”

“That one was mean, Trevan. Twenty dollars!”

Elena bustled over, little feet hitting the grass, and held out her tiny hand.

His chest tightened, though he ruffled his fingers through her hair. “Sorry, Lena. I don’t have a twenty, either. I’ll hit you later.”

That was if his mom didn’t keep sniffing out his secret stash.

Elena frowned. “I don’t want you to hit me.”

He laughed again, but it was softer as he knelt in front of her. His voice turned low with emphasis. “I would never hit you, Lena. Would never hurt you. I promise.”

She swayed, and her little shoulders went up to her ears. “I know. You’re the nicest.”

Probably not, but he was trying to be better. He didn’t want to be sad and angry like his mom seemed to be all the time.

“We done? I’m starving,” Silas hollered as he came jogging in their direction.

“What, did I go too hard on you?” Trevan razzed.

Silas gave him a light slug on the shoulder. “You wish. It was me going easy on you.”

“Pssh. You haven’t seen me giving it my all yet.”

“Well, how about you show it when we go to the championships?” Silas teased with a laugh.

“You asked for it.” Trevan grinned as they all started down the field at the park that was about three blocks from their houses.

They’d barely made it to the first street when Elena cried, “But I’m so tired.”

“Come on, Elena, we don’t have that much farther to go. You wanted to come, remember? That means you gotta keep up,” Silas told her.

“But I can’t.” She whined it so dramatically she might as well have been on one of those soap operas that Meems loved to watch.

Elena added a little extra flair by dropping onto her butt.

Silas groaned and Trevan chuckled.

“Come on, Lena. Hop on my back.” Trevan leaned down so she could scramble on.

She giggled as she curled her arms around his neck.

Silas arched a brow. “You know she just does that so you’ll carry her, right?”

“I don’t mind all that much. You’re as light as a feather, aren’t you, Lena?”

“A feather. No way.”

“Yes, you are. Watch, you give me wings. Hold on tight!”

Holding on to Elena’s legs and making sure she was secure, Trevan began to run.