His mouth curves into a grin, and he slides over, making room for me, patting the mattress next to him.
“Whatever you say, Jay. You’ve been in love with that girl half of your life. Good for you, is all I’m saying. Hit that while it’s in its prime,” he says through more chuckling.
I fling my body onto the bed and press a palm against his chest while I form a fist with my other hand and ready myself to nail him in the jaw.
“Whoa, hey!” His expression is still amused, but his wide eyes seem to say he gets that I’m not fucking around.
He peels my hand from his chest and then pushes me to my side. I glare at him as he holds up both palms, then crosses his heart with his index finger.
“Swear to God, baby brother. I won’t say a fucking word.”
My nostrils flex, my heavy breaths not slowing as my eyes remain locked on him. This is my worst nightmare. It’sdefinitelyColby’s worst fear come to life.
Flopping to my side, I sink into the pillow and bury my eyes under my folded arms.
“I’m serious, Adriel. This isn’t some game I’m playing. Colby is?—”
“Important. Dude, I swear. I understand.” There’s something in his tone that makes me sense he’s being honest. I exhale and peel one arm away so I can give him a hard sideways look. He holds out a pinky finger, and I slap it away before hiding my eyes again.
“Okay, you’re pissed. But I swear, Jay. My lips are sealed. Besides, I need her if I’m going to get my ass a free agent offer that ain’t worth shit.” The bed dips with his weight, and I move my arms when I sense he’s gotten up.
Thank God. Maybe he’s leaving.
He sits in the chair by the small table, and my chest tightens again. At least he’s less comfortable in my space.
Adriel leans to his side, pulling out a small Ziplock bag with a few tiny white pills inside. He holds it up to me, and I blow out a sharp laugh.
“Are you fucking serious? What is that?”
“Adderall. I think,” he says with a smirk, undoing the baggie and pulling out one of the pills. He pinches it and holds it up to the light before shrugging and popping it in his mouth.
“You’re a fucking idiot.”
He chuckles, then puts the bag back into his pocket.
“Relax. It’s a small dose. And it’s my prescription,” he boasts.
I roll my head to my left to get eyes on the time.
“It’s fucking one forty in the morning, jackass. I’m pretty sure you shouldn’t be taking your meds right now.” I shift to my other side again and prop my head on my palm. Might as well get comfortable. I think Adriel is my responsibility for the night. So much for my own damn sleep and self-care.
“I can’t sleep. I might as well be alert,” he says, shrugging it off again.
I open my mouth to lecture him, but it won’t do any good. And bringing up how disappointed our mom would be only leads to a fight. I’ve been down that road with us.
“She’s really good at what she does,” I say instead.
His eyes flicker to mine, his brow pulled in.
“Colby. She’s a good coach. If you’re having trouble at the plate, even if it’s just the bullshit of pressure, she can help.”
My brother isn’t the most coachable, but I mean it. Colby could help him get his swing on track, even if it’s just a matter of tweaking his mental game.
Adriel snickers, leaning back in the chair and slipping his phone from his pocket, probably to flip through social media posts.
“I don’t need her to help my swing, man. I just need her to tell Coach I’m ready, and get my ass back to Texas before the Pittsburgh series. I’ve got shit to do.”
He rubs his arm, and I zero in on our matching dove tattoo. His has a red eye, like a crow. I’ve always found it fitting.
