“Well, one of us technically already has. I’ll just be the first to have a big, gay wedding.”
Not long after graduation, Jill got pregnant with the surprise she deemed her national championship baby, conceived the night after they raised the trophy. Rather than wait, she and Dylan legalized their union at the courthouse, wearing flower crowns in front of two random witnesses. They welcomed the newest member of the ferocious fivesome seven months later. A fire-haired Juniper Faye Farrelly.
“So, what’s next? What do you need me to do?” Kate asked.
“Well, I think Haley already has half of it planned. We’ll probably set the date for next spring. But I’m getting the band back together for this one.” Mick laughed nervously, and Kate stiffened. “I need all of you up there with me. You, my sister, Shupe, T.K…. and uh, Cruz.”
“Right.” Kate squeezed her eyes shut at the name. “Of course. Just let me know what you need. We’re here for you, Mick, and I’m so honored.”
“Oh, don’t be honored. I just need you to make sure that the bachelorette is a full-blown, near-death experience.”
“I’ll talk to T.K.”
“This is why I love you,” Mick said.
“Love you too.”
“Okay, I got to go. Cruz is calling me back.”
Kate hissed as the line went dead. She couldn’t blame Mick for wanting Abby in her wedding. They were friends. Of course, that’s what stung. While Kate hadn’t heard from Abby, everyone else had.
Four years ago, when her letter didn’t prompt a reply, Kate considered sending another or asking Isla for a new address. She pathetically believed Abby wasn’t responding because she hadn’t received it. But then a few months later, Mick let it slip that she’d heard from her over Christmas. She provided sparse details, like Kate might snap or jump on the next plane if she revealed too much.
Kate feigned indifference, but the small updates hurt. Abby called and visited Mick regularly, flew in for Juniper’s first birthday when Kate couldn’t, and partied with T.K. in Los Angeles. It infuriated her. Abby only appeared whenever Kate was too busy, ensuring they never crossed paths.
For that first year, as Abby returned to everyone except her, Kate held out hope. Maybe she hadn’t gotten the letter. Maybe she thought Kate wanted nothing to do with her. She didn’t follow her on social media and didn’t get her new phone number from Mick or Jill. But she also didn’t let herself move on.
She didn’t date her first two years at Berkeley. She buried herself inschool, determined to join the law review, to get the best internships, using every test and assignment to block Abby out.
Until she met Ryan.
She’d never noticed him in their class of three hundred, not that she truly noticed anyone. A few cute girls maybe, a desire she was too scared to pursue again, but no one of the opposite sex. She laughably decided if being an attorney didn’t work out, she’d join a nunnery.
They met at the law school welcome-back BBQ to start their third year. The gathering was one of Kate’s favorites since it included an annual slow pitch softball tournament. After her performance the first year and word spreading of her national championship ring, teams fought over her. The Bad News Barristers drafted her first, while Ryan got picked last by the Master Debaters.
Kate noticed him because he wore a glove that must have been twenty years old, fidgeted uneasily at second base, and had a weak arm during warm-ups. So, on the first pitch, she drilled a shot at him on purpose. It hit him square in the face and he dropped like a sack of bricks.
She didn’t bother to run to first, and instead sprinted straight for him, as everyone gasped in horror. Ryan held his nose while Kate hovered above. “I’m so sorry,” she said.
“They put me at second base because no one was supposed to hit it that hard at me.” His blood-stained hand stifled a chuckle.
“Sorry. You were an easy target.”
“And I thought you were brutal in mock court, Kate Hutchins.” He accepted her hand, and she helped him up. Kate cringed at not knowing his name. His hazel eyes sparkled with amusement despite his likely broken nose. “This will be a funny story to tell our kids at least.”
Kate laughed. “Wow, this is when you decide to make your move?”
“You’re right. I’m definitely concussed.” He grinned and Kate smiled back. “I’m Ryan Eckhardt. We’re in like every class together.”
“Yeah, right, I know you.”
Ryan grinned again, unbothered despite the blood on his lips,inspiring a lightness that Kate missed. While he left the field, their classmates fussing over him, Kate returned to playing. He cheered for her from the stands, an ice pack held to his face, and when the game ended, she brought him a beer.
“A peace offering?” Ryan asked.
“I just don’t want you to sue me,” Kate said. “Not that you’d have much of a case with assumption of risk.”
“Ah, but I think this might fall under intentional acts,” Ryan said. “What with you going after the weak kid and all.”
