Page 63 of Saving The Shortstop

In a booth at the local coffee shop, Isla, Gigi, Lilly, Harley, and I sit, tucked away in the corner, all sipping on our drinks. Isla’s the only one drinking something iced, while the rest of us are gripping our cups tightly because it’s the beginning of October, and the weather seems to have shifted overnight, making it damn cold outside today.

I’ve been in New England my whole life, and every single year is different when it comes to the changing of the seasons. Sometimes, it seems like summer drags on clear to the end of September, and when the first cold front moves through, it’s as appreciated as it is shocking. Others, it’s a gradual drop of the temperature each day—allowing our minds and bodies to get ready for what’s to come.

Never-ending winter.

This fall has been a lot of back and forth. In September, some days would be hot enough to wear shorts, while others I’d be in a hoodie and leggings with high socks on and I’d still be cold. But even though we’ve been having little tastes of the more frigid air, today feels like a shock.

Isla drinks her iced coffee unfazed, but she also just came from practice at a freezing hockey arena. She’s built differently than me.

Meanwhile, practice for us softballers was inside the dome today, where it’s temperature controlled, and I still can’t wait to take a nice hot bath. Definitely with lots of Epsom salt because my muscles are aching.

I glance across the table to find Harley watching me. Just one look at her expression and I know she’s about to ask me something.

“So …” she drawls, keeping her hands cupped around her coffee. “Rumor has it you were at the football game this weekend.”

I feel everyone at the table looking my way, but I know Harley isn’t trying to put me on the spot to be mean. She’s grinning now, and obviously she’s happy about whatever it is she’s been told.

“I go to most of the games,” I say, widening my eyes. “My dad is sort of the coach, ya know? And oh wait, who else? Oh, right … my brother is the wide receiver.”

She sits back slightly, relaxing in her seat like she’s about to go in for the kill.

“Yeah, but the thing is, we all heard you didn’t have the name King on your back.” She cocks her head to the side. “I heard it was a name that involves water.”

Rivers. I’m busted. I mean, it isn’t like I was keeping it a secret or anything like that. I just haven’t had a chance to talk to the girls. They know what happened to my car, but not because I was around to tell them. Cowardly, I had my brother deliver the news because I was embarrassed.

“Please tell me you were off this weekend, having hot, brothers-best-friend sex with Dallas Rivers,” Gigi squeals, letting her romance-book-obsessed self out to play. Her eyes are wide, and her grin is huge. I don’t want to give details about what we did—that’s disrespectful to Dallas. But I know he wouldn’t mind if I shared a little …

“You all are nosey bitches!” I scold them, trying to contain my smile. “You know I don’t kiss and tell.”

That makes them all stare at each other before they burst into laughter. They know that’s bullshit—I always kiss and tell. I’m an open book, but with Dallas, it feels different. I guess because for so long, it seemed forbidden, the feelings I had.

“Girl, get out of here with that!” Isla laughs. “You do realize it’s you we’re talking about here.” She nudges me. “Give us the deets.”

“Yeah, the dirty, dirty deets …” Gigi giggles, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Gigi Jacobs! You need to get laid,” I blurt out, grinning so much my face hurts. “And no, I’m not talking about your spicy books and your slutty little toys. I’m talking real, actual dick. Preferably a nice veiny one.”

She’s beet red now, but still giggling and almost falling over in her seat.

“Wait! Gigi reads spicy books?” Isla asks, her mouth hanging open.

“Gigi has slutty toys?!” Lilly adds in, covering her mouth. “Girl, I did not see that coming.”

Harley just looks around the table, probably unsure how the hell this conversation has taken such a hard turn. But eventually, she shakes her head and laughs, putting a hand over her mouth.

“Okay, I didn’t see that coming,” she utters. “Anyway, back to you and the hot, mysterious, slightly grumpy QB.” She takes a sip from her coffee, sighing thoughtfully. “Are you guys a couple, or …”

My eyes sweep the table, and my cheeks fill with heat even though a smile spreads across my lips with so much intensity that my cheeks hurt.

“Fine, you vultures,” I say, rolling my eyes. “We’re a thing. Whatever.”

Within seconds, our booth erupts into cheers, and if I was anyone else, I’d probably want to crawl under the table from embarrassment when I notice practically everyone staring at us. But it’s me, and I don’t give a shit. So instead, I wave.

“I had good sex. Everyone clap for me,” I say, nodding. “Go on.”

Instead of clapping, everyone eventually goes back to minding their own business and returns to their laptop or conversations. Not my table though—they continue to smile and giggle at me.

“You’ve been in love with him forever, so literally, this is the best news I’ve ever heard,” Harley gushes, widening her eyes. “Oooh, we can double date.”