Page 6 of Running Risk

CLAYTON: THEN

“Are you sure you’re ready? I mean, your driving isn’t the best,” Rylee says, watching me put on my shoes.

I’m nervous, but not enough to think I won’t pass my driving test. I’ve been chauffeuring my mom everywhere. She stopped watching and critiquing me a long time ago, and now she brings a book since she gets to sit back and enjoy the ride.

“What are you talking about?” I sit back in my chair.

“You almost drove off the road, and we would have plummeted to our deaths if your mom hadn’t said something.”

Rylee can think of worst-case scenarios and let her imagination run rampant. I blame it on the books she’s always reading. I lean back in my chair as I cross my arms over my chest, narrowing my eyes. “That was almost a year ago. You’ve driven with me since then.”

“Psh—” She waves me off as she looks out my window. “It was basically yesterday.”

I chuckle. “You know, once I get my license, I’ll be taking us to school every day.

” I would love to get more freedom to go places, but I mostly want to be able to drive so I can help my mom more.

I don’t want her to have to be my chauffeur to get me to my track practices or to school.

Once I’m able to go by myself, that will be one thing off her plate.

Peeking over her shoulder, she lifts an eyebrow. “That could be fun.”

Shaking my head, I get up and meet my mom in the living room.

“You ready, sweetie?” She cups the side of my face.

My mom has always been my biggest supporter and someone who’s always checking in to see how I’m doing.

“You don’t need to coddle him, Mae,” my dad says from the kitchen. “You are either ready or you’re not, but I’m only going to pay for this test once. If you flunk it, then you will be paying for the next one. I’m sure Mike will give you the money.” He scoffs.

I wince hearing my dad talk about Rylee’s dad with her right there. I don’t think he realizes she’s in the room, but I doubt it would have stopped him from saying it even if he did.

“I have no doubt my dad would pay for it,” Rylee crosses her arms, holding her head high as she looks toward my dad. It’s no secret that Rylee won’t hold her tongue, especially to defend her parents. She has a close relationship with them and thinks the world of them. Rightfully so.

I hate how little my dad cares about what he says around people.

He’s making it hard for me to want to bring Rylee over if he’s going to act this way.

Her parents have always been so kind, and I would never want her to not come over just to avoid him.

My heartbeat thunders in my ears as my hands ball in and out of fists.

My eyes jump around the room, needing an escape.

Dad looks over his shoulder. “Oh, hey, Rylee,” he says, flatly.

“Hello, Mr. Daniels,” she returns the less-than-thrilled greeting.

He doesn’t even care that she heard him.

My vision blurs in the corners, and I rub at my eyes, trying to get my sight back.

My ears ring as my breathing picks up. I jump when there’s a touch on my arm, and I run out the front door.

I keep running around the side of the house toward the back and into the woods.

My whole body is jittery, and I stop once I’m past a few trees.

Leaning against a thick one, I slump to the ground.

I hate feeling so out of control, but I can’t seem to get a deep breath to save my life.

My eyes are wide as I look all around without really seeing anything, the corners still blurred.

Bringing my knees to my chest, I wrap my arms around them with my hands balled tightly.

I need to calm down, but what if I can’t?

A stick snaps as footsteps get closer. “Clay?” Rylee’s voice is barely a whisper.

Slamming my eyes closed, I try to suck in air through my nose, but my heart thunders harder. I can’t get it to slow, only making me more anxious. My dad was so mean, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I can handle him doing it to me, he’s been doing it for years but not to her.

“Hey.” Her voice is just as soft. “I’m right here.”

I take in one normal breath. This is so embarrassing.

I hate that I’m doing this in front of her.

But instead of running away, sticks and leaves rustle as she sits across from me.

I slowly open my eyes, and her deep blue ones stare back at me in silent understanding like she will be here waiting, and there’s no judgement for however long that takes.

Her face softens as she gives me a small smile, and my heart rate slows.

I exhale a long breath as my hands ache while I carefully open them.

My muscles continue to spasm as I calm down, but through all of it, Rylee sits there.

She doesn’t pressure me or ask what’s wrong, like she knows just being here is enough.

I don’t think she’ll ever realize how much she means to me or just how much her patience helps me .

Reaching over, I grab her hand, and I don’t miss the slight surprise in her expression as her eyebrows raise. “Thank you—” I say and squeeze her hand. “For being my friend.”

I don’t wait for her reply before I release her hand and get to my feet, and Rylee follows my lead. We slowly walk toward the house, and my mom waits by the car.

“Well, we’d better get on the road. Don’t want you to be late,” my mom says, wanting to leave this awkward interaction.

“Go kill it.” Rylee gives me a side hug. “Pick me up after.”

I nod. I don’t know what I would do without her, but I have no desire to find out. Rylee has become someone in my life that I never want to live without.

After nailing my driver’s test, I pull into Rylee’s driveway. Laying my hand on the horn three times, I wait for her to come outside. Her squeals ring in my ears over the rumble of my engine. She barrels down the stairs, and I get out of the truck in time to catch her in my arms.

“You did it!” Her smile lights up her face as she shakes my shoulders.

“And you doubted me?” I really like making Rylee happy, and being with her has never made me anxious. Actually, it’s always the opposite when I’m with her.

She laughs. “Never. A healthy dose of fear is important in those types of situations, I think.” She squeals again. “Let’s go for a drive.”

I jerk my head toward my truck. I’ve been saving as much money as I can for over a year, working construction for Mr. Thompson.

I was able to buy a cheap truck about a week ago, and I couldn’t be more proud of myself.

“Also—” I hold up my new phone. My mom wanted to make sure I have a way to call for help in case of emergencies.

She shrieks, snatching it from my hand. “Nice! I’ll be right back.” She tosses me the phone and runs back into her house .

As soon as she closes the door, it opens again, and her parents walk outside with smiles on their faces. “We are proud of you,” Mrs. Thompson says, giving me a hug.

“That we are.” Mr. Thompson shakes my hand.

“Thank you,” I say, not able to express in words how much their support has always meant over the years.

Most of the time, it’s like they support and believe in me more than my own dad does, but every time I have that thought, I shake it out of my head.

I don’t like thinking badly about my dad, even if he doesn’t show me much support.

Rylee walks up, looping her arms over each of her parents’ shoulders. “We are going for a drive.”

They nod. “Have fun,” her mom says before walking back inside.

Her dad reaches for my hand again, putting money in my palm. “Go celebrate, on me.”

My hand grasps the money, and I nod. “Thank you.” Even though I’ve nearly seen this family every day for the last several years, it’s still foreign to me how much they are encouraging and supportive.

My mom is similar, but my dad is nothing like Mr. Thompson.

My dad believes in being hard on his son because he says he wants to make me into a better man.

Getting in the truck, I back up and go to the end of the driveway. “Where to?”

“McDonald's, of course.” She puts her feet on my dash and immediately turns on the radio.

I chuckle, turning left to get her a milkshake.