And for the first time in a long time…I don’t mind the burn.
“So what time’s your game tonight?”
“Night game. I report at three.”
“Cool. Well…try not to distract the other players with yourjawline.”
“I don’t know if any of them swing that way. But I make no promises.”
“Of course not.” She rolls her eyes, but she’s still smiling. “I’m gonna hit a coffee shop. Explore a little.”
“Well…how about a run first?”
“A run.”
“Yeah, you know. Cardio. Not the fun kind.”
She rolls her eyes. “Not today.”
“So…maybe some other day?”
“Maybe.”
I give myself an invisible high five.
I’m making progress.
It’s early. Quiet. That kind of calm that only exists before the world’s had its first cup of coffee.
Jackson and I are jogging side by side through the neighborhood, feet hitting pavement in a steady rhythm. The morning air is cool, crisp, and I kind of love it—feels like a clean slate.
He breaks the silence first. “You starting tonight?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Third base. First home game of the season.”
He nods. “Nice. You looked solid during practice. According to my sources.”
“Appreciate it.”
We jog another block. I can feel him watching me from the corner of his eye. Then he broaches the subject I was hoping he wouldn’t.
“So…you and Cassie?”
My lungs tighten a little, but I keep my breath steady.
“What about us?”
“You met at a bookstore.”
“Oh, yeah. Yeah, we did.” I stop myself from offering details, trying to keep things as vague as possible.
“Interesting.” He shrugs like it’s casual, but I know better. “Just wondering how it’s going, having her as a roommate. She’s not exactly low-maintenance.”
I laugh. “She’s been great, honestly. Keeps to herself. Makes good coffee.”
“Huh.”
We hit a hill, and for a moment we’re both too breathless to talk. But as we crest it, he starts again.
