Page 35 of Bad Ball Hitter

I shrug, not knowing what to say. “It’s just … you’re important to me. I couldn’t leave you like this.”

A soft sound escapes her throat, something between a sigh and a laugh. “You’re different now, though. Less wild.”

My lips twitch. “I’m trying the grown-up thing.”

“And you want to do that with Miranda?”

Our gaze meets, and my body awakens. I feel myself leaning closer. I’ve never been as aware of my heartbeat as I am now. I lick my lips before answering, “I did.”

“And now?” Her voice is soft and uncertain.

“I’m trying,” I say, my voice straining at the truth.

Her mouth parts at my admission. She looks like she wants to say a lot more, and I want to demand the words from her, but what right do I have? I’m still confused whether these feelings stem from nostalgia or reality. Then there’s the ugliness of our breakup and the fallout. And the need to know what happened, why she did what she did, burns deep. Before I can stop myself, I blurt out,

“What happened between you and Roy?”

After learning she had gotten with my best friend, I stayed away, but she has yet to mention him.

“Roy Flint?” She scrunches her nose. “How would I know?”

Her answer confuses me. Her best friend Darci had said they were dating. It made sense, considering what I witnessed after we broke up. Something had to have happened since he wasn’t in the picture. But they had been together. I might have been the one to end things back then, but she made damn sure that we had remained dead.

So, what is up with this evasiveness?

“What do you mean?” My tone comes out harsher than intended.

She looks startled. “Exactly what I asked. How would I know? I haven’t talked to him since our first year in college.”

“No. Darci said you two were dating. She said you two were…” I pause. The surprise on her face is evident. She is clueless about what I’m talking about. Did Darci play me? Both times? I’m unsure if Lila’s still close to her, so I must tread carefully here. I don’t want to wreck their friendship. But, I need to explain where my eighteen-year-old mindset was during that time. “Together. She said you were together.”

“With Roy? Why would she say that? We were never together.”

My jaw clenches. I know why, but there’s no chance in hell I’m bringing that up now.

“Do you want to know the real reason I broke up with you?”

She shifts to get comfortable, but coldness replaces the warmth in her eyes.

I take a deep breath and begin. “I had told you it was, but the truth is, I felt like I needed to protect you.”

“Protect me? From what?”

“Me.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Drake

HIGH SCHOOL

Senior Year

“Hey, Drake. Wait up.” My best friend Roy’s voice carried across the field as he jogged to catch up. A small groan escaped, but I paused my steps and waited. I didn’t want to talk to him right now. With only a few weeks left before heading off to college, I wanted to spend every second I could with my girlfriend.

“Hey, man. What’s up?” I asked as he approached, ignoring the sweat trickling down my back. I needed a shower before picking Lila up and, frankly, didn’t want another delay.

I shuffle forward. If Roy wanted to talk, he could do it while I headed home.