Gemotions

The car ride home was excruciating. Liam drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, the insistent tapping a maddening accompaniment to the quiet hum of the engine. His stomach churned. He’d known, of course. The slow decline in playing time, the sideways glances from the other players. He felt a hot flush in his cheeks.

He gripped the wheel tighter, knuckles white. The road stretched endlessly before him, each mile a reminder of the season's impending end. He found himself speeding, pushing the car faster and faster, but the acceleration did nothing to ease the pressure building inside him. The scenery blurred.

He turned into the driveway of his home, switched off the engine, but sat there for a long moment, staring at the darkened house. He pictured the conversation with his mom, the questions, the disappointment. He couldn’t face it yet. He leaned back, closed his eyes, and took a long breath.