Page 36 of Love Unwritten
“According to who?”
She gestures toward the kids playing in the field behind the dugouts. “Look at all those children who are excited about raising money for their new playground.”
“Do we really need to sell tickets for a game and ask for donations? Can’t Lorenzo just buy them a new one?”
“He could, but that’s not as impressive as bringing the town together for a fun game while helping raise funds to better the community, is it?”
I frown. “No, it’s not.”
She winks. “Glad we agree. Now, be a good sport and help me out please.”
“All right.” I stop dragging my feet and let her lead me toward the sign advertising today’s softball championship and how the proceeds will go to building a new park closer to the south side of town, where most people live.
I huff and puff as I follow her. “I hate organized sports.”
“Explains why you were the first person in Wisteria High history to flunk PE.”
“The teacher hated me.”
“You keep telling yourself that.”
I shoot her a look, but she only laughs it off.
“Listen. All you have to do is stand in the outfield and look pretty while Burt, Lorenzo, and my brothers do all the hard work.”
“Fine,” I say with a sigh.
“Great! You’re the best.” She pulls me into a quick hug.
I return hers with one of my own. Regardless of how I feel about sports, I’m not about to let Lorenzo forfeit the game because of one missing player after Willow went through a lot of trouble planning this event.
“Ellie!” Lily Muñoz runs across the softball field, looking like a sports magazine model with her long, toned legs, pink athletic outfit, and a bright smile that reaches her honey-colored eyes. While she isn’t as tall as me, she doesn’t have to tilt her head back to look me in the eyes, which is nice.
“I knew it was you!” Her smile widens as she throws her arms around me.
Although Lily and I were a year apart in school, a lot of our electives overlapped since neither of us was interested in sports or learning another language. Both of us were part of the band, worked on the yearbook, and ran the school’s morning show. Well, I ran the show while she hosted it because Lily has always been drop-dead gorgeous.
I pull away from the embrace first. “What are you doing here?”
“Julian bribed me to play since something came up with Dahlia’s filming schedule.”
“See? We’re not the only ones doing it.” Willow beams.
“What did they offer you to participate?” Lily asks me.
“A trip to Vegas.”
She laughs. “Hope it’s worth suffering through the next few hours in Rafa’s presence.”
“Rafael is here?” My head slowly swivels toward my best friend.
Her eyes bug out of her head before she pretends someone called her name and slips away before I have a chance to choke her.
“Willow!”
“Remember to stick to the outfield!” she shouts before taking off to the dugout, where Lorenzo sits and stares in our direction.
“How have you been?” Lily pulls my attention back with her question.