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I’m watching this whole thing transpire, and so many questions are running through my head, but I can’t form the words to speak. “Beck …”

He looks at me with a sneer. “Why are you with her, Charlie?”

“I … I just met her. We were both standing at the gate to come down to the field, and she saw your number on my jersey. She said she was your mom and that she was here to surprise you. I … didn’t know!” I’m starting to feel panicked because the anger radiating off of Beck is palpable.

He turns to his mom, Stevie, and points at her. “You have about five seconds to turn around and leave before I have security escort you out of here.”

Just as he says that, Ryan and Brooke approach from the side.

“Beck! What’s going on? Stevie? What the hell? You’re not supposed to be here.”

I look at Stevie, and she has tears running down her face, her hands covering her mouth.

She’s looking at Brooke. “Brookie? Oh my God, you’re so beautiful.”

Brooke is standing there, similar to the way Beck is. She’s locked in place, and the look on her face is stone. She hasn’t said a word, but I see Beck come to stand next to her when Ryan walks toward Stevie.

He reaches out to her, but doesn’t touch her. “Let’s go, Stevie. Don’t ruin this celebration by embarrassing him like this right now.” Ryan turns to Beck. “I got this, Beck. Go celebrate with your team.” He turns back to Brooke. “Brooke, you stay with Charlie, and we’ll meet you in the waiting area.” Then he turns back to Stevie. “Start walking.”

“Ryan, I just wanted to see him for a minute. I haven’t seen him or Brooke in two years! Just give me five minutes. If they don’t want to speak with me, I’ll go.” She starts to walk toward Beck and Brooke, and Ryan takes her arm this time.

“Nope. Not happening. You will not lay a single finger on my kids again.” Ryan is trying to stay calm, but his face is starting to turn red.

“Ry—” she starts.

“NO! I said, no. If you don’t start walking, I’m going to call your parole officer. You aren’t supposed to be within ten feet of the kids. Ever.” He’s leaning down into her face now, trying to stay quiet, but those of us near them can hear what he’s saying. Then they turn and start walking off the field in the opposite direction of the locker room.

I’m still so confused about what’s going on. Why don’t they want her here? Why can’t she be near them? Clearly, I did something wrong by bringing her out onto the field with me.

“Beck—” I walk over to where he is standing with Brooke and reach for him.

“Not now, Charlie. Not here. I’ll speak with you later.” He leans down to whisper something to Brooke, pulls her in for a hug, then turns to walk off the field toward the locker room.

Casey has moved beside me and places his arm around my shoulders. “Char, let’s give him a minute, okay? I don’t know a lot about this situation, but I do know it’s not good. I’ll make sure he’s okay. You take Brooke back toward the waiting area, and we’ll meet you there.”

Brooke is standing there, still in a state of … shock? Anger? I can’t really tell.

I shrug off Casey’s arm and reach for Brooke. “I’m so sorry, Brooke. I have no idea what’s happening, but I’m so, so sorry.”

Brooke looks at me and nods.

“Let’s go wait for your dad with my parents.”

“Right, yeah. Okay, let’s do that. Umm … where do we go?” She trembles a little.

I turn back to Casey. He’s shaking someone’s hand, but looking at me.

He mouths,Go, and points to the area where we can leave the field.

Taking Brooke’s hand in mine, I lead us to the exit.

Neither of us says anything as we walk toward the family waiting area. Ryan is already standing with my parents. His back is to us, but his arms are spread out to his sides, and he’s shaking his head. My parents are facing us, and my dad is nodding while my mom’s mouth hangs slightly open.

As we get closer, I catch the end of what he’s saying.

“I’ll talk to him and tell him he needs to explain all of this to Charlie. I’m sorry about this. I had no idea she was coming.”

My mom spots us and moves toward me. “Charlie, are you okay?” She pulls me in for a hug and squeezes me. Her face is over my shoulder, but I feel her reach out to Brooke while I’m in her embrace. “Brooke, honey, are you okay?”