Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
I need to feel useful again.
After saying bye to the guys, I make my way out of the locker room and into the main tunnel to the parking lot. Just as I’m about to step into the sunlight, a blue BMW slams to a stop. The window rolls down, and there’s who’s becoming my favorite feisty friend. Would she call me a friend? Shit no. But that’s just because she can’t admit that she’s drawn to me in some way, or she wouldn’t keep ending up in my orbit.
Resting her elbow through the open window, she has sunglasses covering her eyes, and she smirks. “You’re lucky it’s not raining. But when it is, revenge is going to taste so sweet.”
“What are we talking about?” She rolls the window back up and drives away, leaving me wondering what she means. Should I be concerned? It wouldn’t be a first with her, considering I barely scraped by with my life when she stalked me the past few days. I need to stay on my toes with that one. She sounded way too smug about that sweet revenge she mentioned.
Revenge for what exactly?
She’s a complete mystery, which is a first for me. I know what women want. I’m not here to make their dreams come true, so if they want the white picket fence, a husband, or to settle down and start a family, I say more power to you. That’s not what I’m interested in. I’m here for the entertainment, the good time, and I always leave them satisfied. But I don’t think Cricket wants anything from me other than this so-called revenge.
Is this about me leaving after our night of fun? It was morning. I was starving and wanted to get back to my rental to shower and get some sleep. Now I’m the bad guy when she didn’t think it was necessary to share so much as her first name?
She wants control back. She wants to be the one who leaves me this time. I laugh. Good fucking luck with that, sweetheart. I walk to my truck, too tired to be riffling through the riddle that’s Ms. Dover.
I track down a rusted can of metal lubricant in the barn and return to the front porch. Spraying the hinges, I test until all three no longer squeak when opened.
It’s the simplest job, but it feels good to get it done. When I return the can to the barn, gravel crunches outside. The roar of a diesel engine pulls in behind me. I step through the large open doors as Tagger climbs out of his truck. “Hey, Griff, how’s it going?” he asks, shutting the door.
“Good.” I wipe my hands on a rag I found tossed on a shelf. “What’s going on?”
“Keeping busy.” He joins my side, and we walk back into the barn. “How’s practice?”
“It’s fine. I’m already having to ice my shoulder in the evenings.” I chuckle.
He chuckles as well and stops just inside the doors. Looking over at me, he crosses his arms over his chest. The brim of his hat shadows his eyes, his boots are scuffed, and his jeans are worn in. Farm life isn’t pristine, and I’m not sure when I convinced myself that this life wasn’t worth my time. I almost miss the gritty feeling of dirt and sweat from a hard day’s work. He asks, “What happens after the game tomorrow?”
“What do you mean?”
“You coming back or taking off? Just think your sister should be prepared if she’s not going to see you on Friday.”
I shift, looking at this guy who was always my brother’s best friend, but now stands strong at my sister’s side as her husband. “I can appreciate that you’re protecting Chris, but I haven’t packed my bag yet.”
He stares at me a good long while. “A heads-up is all we’re asking for this time.”
“I can do that.”
His guard seems to lower when his arms return to his side. “It’s only been a few days, but it’s good to have you around.”
“You’ll get sick of me soon enough.” I laugh, but it’s lost its humor. “I can’t sit around this place. You got any odd jobs that need to get done come Friday?”
Nodding, he grabs an old wrench from the tool table. “I can find something for you, but until then, get to icing.” Reaching out, he offers his hand. “Tomorrow, we need you to show your nieces and nephew how great a player their uncle is.”
When my hand clasps his, I reply, “I can do that.”
He gets what he needs from this barn, then drives toward the equipment barn. Not a lot was said, but what was said feels bigger than the moment we gave it. Don’t go running off too fast and show everyone how it’s done in the majors even though it’s only a fundraising game.