The team stiffened.
Rose planted her clipboard on the bench, stood, and walked forward.“Itisn’t a hobby.It’sa team.Andwe work harder than you’d know.”
“Oh,Iknow.”Briana’ssmile didn’t waver.“Iwas on a team once, remember?Backwhen summers meant something more than—what?Grownwomen sweating out here in the dirt?”
“That’s enough,”Acensaid, stepping forward, his voice low but firm.
Briana’s gaze flicked to him.“Oh,Acen.Alwaysplaying protector.Somethings never change.”
Rose’s blood ran hot.“Whyare you here,Briana?”
Briana tilted her head.“MaybeImissed home.MaybeImissed old friends.”Shelet the pause hang, her eyes glinting.“OrmaybeIjust wanted to see how much dust could settle on the past before somebody finally stirred it back up.”
Rose felt the team’s eyes dart between them like it was a tennis match.
She wanted to scream, to demand answers, to drag every lieBrianahad spun out into the open.Buther women didn’t need to see her unravel.Nothere.Noton this field.
So she took a breath, steadied her voice, and said, “Practiceis over.Y’allhead on home.”
The team hesitated, reluctant to leave the show, untilTashaclapped her hands.“C’mon, ladies.Let’sclear out.”
One by one, they filed past, throwing curious looks over their shoulders, until it was justRose,Acen, andBrianaleft on the diamond.
The cicadas were loud again.Thesky was bleeding pink and gold.AndRose’schest felt like it might split.
“You had no right to show up here,” she said finally.
“And you had no right to act likeIdon’t exist,”Brianashot back, her sweetness gone now.“Wehave history too,Rose.Youdon’t get to erase that.”
Rose stepped closer.“Historydoesn’t meanIowe you anything.Notafter what you pulled.”
Briana’s lips curved.“Stillbitter after all these years.Ialmost admire it.”
“Stop,”Acencut in, his voice rough.“Thisisn’t the place?—”
“Isn’t it?”Brianaturned to him, her eyes sharp.“Youchose her then.You’llchoose her now.Andlook how far that’s gotten you—back inPickwickBend, chasing ghosts.”
Acen didn’t flinch.“I’mnot chasing ghosts.”Helooked atRose, steady.“I’mtrying to make things right.”
Rose’s heart thudded.
For once,Brianalooked caught off guard.Justfor a flicker.Thenshe smiled, slow and knowing.“We’llsee.”
And with that, she turned and walked off, heels clicking against the gravel until the sound faded.
Silence pressed in.
Rose exhaled, long and shaky, and wrapped her arms around herself.“Well.Thatwent about howIfigured.AndIsure didn’t need her showing up and ruining the last practice before the game.”
Acen stepped closer.“Youokay?”
She gave a short laugh.“Defineokay.”
“Breathing.Standing.Stillready to fight.”
She looked at him, tired and raw, but a smile tugged at her lips despite everything.“GuessI’mokay then.”
“Don’t let this rattle you.Youand the team are ready to take the championship this year for sure.”
