Page 21 of Bad Ball Hitter
“Keeping an eye on it.”
“So you’re the guardsmen?”
He pulled me closer and kissed the tip of my nose. “I do like to watch you.”
Tingles ignited my body as the reminiscence of what we did the other night flashed in my mind. My cheeks heated.
“God, you’re cute.” He nudged his head toward the pool. “Come on.”
I didn’t know why I protested because that guy could talk me into walking off a cliff for him. We swam that night in the darkness, and it became one of my favorite memories. But afterward, when we sat on the towel, and he handed me a wrapped box, that sentiment took the prize.
“Thank you for always being there for me.”
I studied his face, noticing the sincerity in his expression. He had skipped so much school and was on the verge of driving his grade point average to the ground, thus ruining his chance at a baseball scholarship. He was on a self-destructive path until I stepped in without making it obvious. Date nights turned into study sessions. My spare time was spent keeping him away from Roy and his shenanigans.
But how he stared at me, as if I made his entire world, made it worth it.
“I’m going off to college, and I would’ve blown my chance if it hadn’t been for you.”
“Drake, I?—”
“Shh, let me finish.” He swallowed hard, barely able to speak. “This has been the worst year of my life. I’ve blown off a lot of things. I would’ve lost my scholarship if you hadn’t kept me on course.”
My chest clenched. “I’ll always be here for you. You know that.”
“You’re my someone to go the distance with. My forever girl.” He pushed the box closer. “Open it.”
My fingers worked the wrapping off, and I lifted the top of the box. Lying in a bed of white satin was a silver chain with a heart pendant. I grabbed it, tears stinging my eyes. “It’s beautiful.”
“Read the back.”
I blinked away the tears and turned the pendant over. “To my Forever Girl.”
A sound between a gasp and a whimper escaped as I drew Drake in for a hug. “I love it.”
I raised my hair so he could place it on me.
“I don’t know what the future has for us, but I love you, Lila Hayes. You’re it for me.”
I blink away the thought. No, I never thought we’d get back together. I gave up the dream of us and assumed our paths would never cross again. But having a front seat to him and Miranda’s budding relationship was never on my radar. I’m not sure how much of this I can take.
“Your turn.” Drake holds the Frisbee out to me, eyebrows raised in challenge.
A laugh escapes as I shake my head. “You’ve seen my throw.”
“Come on,” he coaxes, stepping closer. “I’ll teach you.”
“Yeah, Mama Lila. Join us.” It must not have taken Jake long to get the hang of it and Miranda long to join them. Either that, or I’ve been lost in my thoughts for too long.
“Yeah, Mama Lila.” Drake extends the Frisbee to me, that smirk in place. “Join us.”
My heart skips as I take the Frisbee from him, our fingers brushing. The touch is electric, lingering like the afterimage of a camera flash. I position my hand as he showed me once, years ago, and give it a shot. The damn thing wobbles in the air before plummeting to the ground.
Jake laughs. Drake chuckles. Miranda huffs.
“Almost,” Drake says, his voice a low rumble. I catch the glint of amusement in his eyes, which stirs memories that need to stay suppressed.
“Let me show you.” He comes up behind me, reaching around to adjust my grip. I’m hyper-aware of his body so close to mine, the heat emanating from his chest, the scent of him—clean sweat mixed with grass.