We’re originally from a town two hours outside of Chicago, but Connor was scouted by Kansas City University and hoped to play Major League Baseball—and sure enough, he got his wish. He’s now one of the best pitchers in the league, playing for the Kansas City Royals. I’ve seen him a lot less than I hoped over the years, especially since Paul doesn’t like sports.
And even after all these years, baseball reminds me ofhim.
Selena waves her hand in front of my face. “Earth to Auds, where did you go? I asked if you wanted me toegg his car and you didn’t even blink.” That earns a smile from me, so Selena raises her hands in victory. “We ride at dawn!”
“You’re not egging his car … because it’smycar.”
“Ah, true. I can egg his bike or whatever taxi he frequents.” She rolls her eyes.
“Claws away, Selena. I’m probably just overthinking things …” I start, as my phone rings and Connor’s name along with a picture of him, my parents and I from Christmas, flashes across the screen.
“Ah, yuuusssss! Connor!” Selena beams, looking down at my phone screen.
Crap.
I click accept, knowing I can’t ignore his phone call in front of Selena. If I waited even ten seconds to answer it, she would do it for me or I’d earn more questions from her. It doesn’t help that I’ve already been dodging him for almost two weeks. “Were your ears burning?” I try to sound chipper.
“Oh,wow. Look at that, her phone does work. Should I have been calling you during work hours instead to hear from you, hm? I was about to send out a missing person alert!”
“Sorry,” I say quietly, staring down at my hands, a lump trying to work its way up my throat.
“I’m kidding, Auds. I know you’re a busy lady.”
If being busy means eating dinner alone and crying myself to sleep most nights, then he’s not wrong.Busy as a bee!
“Anyways, how are you and my bestie, Sel-Bell? Were you talking shit about me again or was she trying to get free baseball tickets?” he teases, with an easy laugh.
“How many times do I have to remind you that my first hour of work is always dedicated to bitching about you?” I retort, grateful to hear his voice, suddenly wishing he was here.
Suddenly wishing I’d been leaning on him for months.
“Damn, only an hour? I’m moving down in the world, I expected it to be at least two.”
“Ha,” I say, deadpan.
Connor lets out a long laugh. “But seriously, I have good news to share. I’m in town Thursday for a meeting. Will you and Paul be around for dinner? I want to see you. I leave first thing Friday morning and I doubt you feel like grabbing coffee at four in the morning.”
Definitely not.
“Uh, he’s been working late, so I’ll check.” I keep my voice even, while Selena rolls her eyes. “But you can count me in.”
“Are you fine if I bring Benson?”
My heart skips a beat at the mention of my brother's best friend—the one we often gloss over or avoid in conversations. My eyes dart towards the mason jar of twinkle lights that sits on my desk.
A small piece of him that I kept.
Is seeing him a good idea right now with everything going on?
I close my eyes, knowing in my heart of hearts that I miss him and no matter how rocky things are with Paul right now, there's no harm in seeing him after all this time.
Right?
“Ye-yeah, I guess.”
“Cool. I’ll make a reservation for four … or should I do six in case Selena wants to come along with Fiona and hear all about her favorite athlete?” Louder, he adds, “Hi, Selena!”
Selena snorts from beside me, motioning for me to hand her my phone, so I do. “Hi, sweet Connor … No, I still don’t give a shit about baseball. Why would I? … No, we’re having dinner with the in-laws … Yes, it’s important. It’s my father-in-law’s birthday … I don’t care that it’s you and Benson. I’ve never met this Benson guy …” Selena twiddles a pen in her fingers as they continue to give each other shit back and forth, while I count down the seconds until she connects the dots.
