“One ball, two strikes,” Brianna calls.
Oh, it’s fucking on now.
Darcy launches one last pitch. With a deep plastic thunk, I make perfect contact with the ball, making a show of watching it fly as I run. The toddler outfielders are helpless against the long-driving hit. The two runners ahead of me make it to home base. Darcy’s crabbing at her team to get the ball back as I round third and head for home. She catches it just as I cross home plate, but she needs to be put in her place.
I drag her off the plate by the waist as I run by.
“He’s out!” Brianna cheers.
“No way!” I object. “That was a third run.”
“You touched me and I had the ball,” Darcy argues.
“Aw. Come on, it was our run,” Maggie tries, coming in as our coach and captain.
“Think again, all-star. You were out, fair and square.”
I stand so Darcy and I are chest-to-chest, making myself as tall as I can to seem more intimidating. I lower my voice. “You sticking with that answer, Rossetti?”
I don’t recognize the demon in her eyes. It’s different than how she looks when she’s mad at me. This is some competitive beast I’ve never seen before. “You bet your ass I am,” she bites out, lunging at my face at the last part.
Oh, how badly I want to haul her over my shoulder and spank her sassy little butt. My eyes flick between hers, and she tips her chin up ever-so-slightly when I look at her lips.
“Okay, you two, this is a family event. Leave room for the Holy Ghost. Save that stuff for later,” Maggie says, sliding a hand between us.
She puts it up to a vote, and guess who wins? Me.
“They’re just being polite because you’re new,” Darcy spits.
“Keep telling yourself that,” I say.
“This game is rigged!” she shouts, narrowing her eyes at me. “I forfeit!”
But as she walks off the field, she’s still smiling.
I follow after her in the house. I’m wiped from the day’s heat and getting up early to go to the lab.
Darcy and her aunt Maggie’s voices echo from the kitchen. I slow because I’m nosy and I want to hear what they’re talking about. I’m softening her up today, but I know I’m not fully off her shit list yet.
“Why don’t you go catch a nap?” Maggie asks. “You haven’t had a break all summer.”
Darcy’s tired laugh sounds. “Everyone’s been telling me how exhausted I look. And anyway, you and Bill never have a break from the farm.”
“Right, but Bill and I share it. You’re doing it alone.”
Darcy hesitates. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without Jake.”
I still at the sound of my name and a beat of silence follows. My heart swells. She’s talking about me to her aunt? Her favorite family member?
“I mean, the team,” Darcy corrects. “Jake’s just here the most.”
“I heard what you said,” Maggie says. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without Bill either.”
A heavy sigh comes from Darcy. “Jake is not my Bill.”
I can’t lurk in the shadows any longer. I round the corner and find Darcy leaning her elbows on the counter while Maggie stands with one hand on it. “I’m not?” I ask.
“Oh god,” Darcy mutters.
