Page 7 of Praising the Pitcher

He stares at me in disbelief before he finally shakes his head. “No, no, no, Smoke. You can’t go with the choice everyone else does. Not when there are so many better options.”

Throwing an arm over my shoulders, he directs us toward the Slush Puppie station. He’s close enough that I get a whiff of how good he smells, and suddenly, my knees feel weak.

This is why I don’t talk to guys …

Since I met Haven, I’ve been in awe with how she carries herself. She’s so strong and confident. That’s probably why every guy falls all over himself in her presence. She’s just … charismatic. Something I will never be. I’m awkward around guys anyway, but given I’ve had a crush on Noah since the first time I met him, I’m insufferable when he’s around.

He stops at the machines, looking from the different flavors to me. “If this was really your first Slush Puppie experience, you gotta try them all.” Grabbing a cup, he hands it to me. “And then, you have to mix some together too.”

He puts some of the slushy substance in a cup and points to the first pump—blue raspberry. “Well, seeing as you already tried this one, let’s skip to the next.”

The next is cherry, and he pumps some of the flavoring in before sticking a straw into it and handing the cup to me. “This one is overrated too, but go on. It may be your thing.”

I take a sip and then another. “I mean … it’s okay?” I shrug. “I guess I don’t see what all the fuss is about.”

“Because when it’s summertime and you’re twelve years old after a long day in the sun, it’s the best,” he says, stopping. “I can’t believe you’ve never experienced that.”

My eyes lock with his for a moment before I clear my throat, dumping the last bit of cherry out and pointing to the pumps. “What’s next?”

“Watermelon Wave.” He grins. “A.K.A. … the best flavor there is.”

He fixes me a sample of it, and with his eyes on my lips, I bring the straw to my mouth and suck. This one is more mild than the other two. More subtle. It’s not bad, but once again, I’m not blown away. It’s just kind of … meh.

“It’s … good?” I shrug. “It’s not terrible, but the blue and red ones are definitely better.”

“Okay, so I’m sensing you’re into more sour than you are sweet.” He winks. “Good to know, Smoke. Good to know.”

My eyes widen because I’m not sure if he’s flirting, or if we’re really talking about fruit-flavored syrups right now. Either way, when he mixes the next one together, also putting some sort of clear liquid in, I shake it off and tell myself he’s just being nice to me.

He takes a sip from it and fights back a grimace. Holding it out, he nods. “Try this one.”

“After the face you made, I’m not sure I want to,” I utter, looking at the cup in his hand but not taking it. “Are you tricking me?”

His gaze is on mine, and he flashes me a grin. A grin that sets a fire inside my body. A fire that spreads so wide it sweeps from my chest to every limb in my body.

“Trust me?” he murmurs, and I think I forget to breathe for a second.

This guy is too good. I mean, he’s treating me like I’m sure he does every woman he comes in contact with, yet I’m falling apart at the seams. Reluctantly, I take the cup and look down at the green ice.

I bring the straw between my lips and take a sip. The sourness catches me off guard, and my face scrunches up, but within seconds, I’m taking another pull. It’s tart and bold, but for some reason … I like it.

“Green apple?” I ask.

“And a sour shot,” he says proudly. “Watcha think?”

Taking one more sip just to confirm, I smile shyly. “I think we have a winner.”

“Told you that you had to try them all to know what you like,” he drawls slowly, and once again, my heart races. Everything he says somehow sounds like he’s talking dirty.

My phone vibrates in my pocket a few times, giving me a valid reason to tear my eyes from the delicious man in front of me. When I pull it out, looking at the message from my dad, I frown.

Dad: You should be home in bed. You have a full schedule tomorrow.

I don’t reply, but before I even get the chance, another one comes through.

Dad: The arcade probably isn’t the best place to spend your time, G.

“Everything okay?” Noah’s deep voice startles me, but I nod.