“No, I didn’t mean…” He tries to backtrack.
“Hey, Eric,” Jackson booms, since he overheard the whole thing. “What’s the deal, man?”
“No deal.”
“Maybe you should go take a walk, man.”
Eric looks at me, then him. Jackson’s face is stone cold.
“You’re serious?”
“‘Fraid so, bud. No one talks to my sister like that.”
There’s a tension in the air now, our entire group silent.
Jackson nods. “I think I see some open seats in the outfield bleachers. Maybe they’d be interested in talking to a Harvard professor?”
He scoffs, muttering something unintelligible, and heads off.
“And find a new ride home, too,” Jackson adds, as he starts to walk up the stairs to the landing. Jackson puts a hand on my shoulder. “Sorry, sis. Didn’t know that guy was such a douche.”
He’s the epitome of “nice on the surface, insecure on the inside,” I think.
“It’s not a big deal. Thanks, though.”
“Itisa big deal. Relax and enjoy the game.”
“Thanks, big bro.”
Jackson’s the oldest of my three brothers. And definitely the most protective of me. And I don’t hate it on a day like today.
A few minutes later, a salt-and-pepper-haired man in a polo and sunglasses makes his way down toward our section.
Jackson straightens slightly. “Oh—hey. George! Didn’t know you were joining us.”
“Just saying hi.” The guy smiles, extending a hand. “You must be the crew I’ve been hearing about.”
Introductions happen quickly.
And then his eyes land on me.
“Hey, this is the owner of the team,” Jackson says. “George, this is my sister?—”
“You’re Cassie, right?” he says before Jackson can finish.
I blink. “Yeah?”
“I saw that post you did for the coffee shop,” he says. “The video with our players. Really well done.”
“Oh—thank you.”
“I actually stopped by this week,” he continues. “Place was packed. Coffee is damn good, too. June’s a hoot.”
I grin. “Yeah, it’s been kind of crazy lately. I was just worried they were going out of business. And it’s important to keep local places going. Adds character to the town.”
“Exactly!” He nods, glancing around the stadium. “Hey, you ever thought about doing something like that for a team like this?”
I hesitate.
