Page 24 of Defensive Indifference

Katie’s apartment, though, cannot be ignored when we finally arrive. “What is that awful smell?” I gag and drop her bag just inside the living room.

“Oh, dear heavens.” Katie covers her nose with her shirt and heads to the kitchen, hoists a carton of milk in the air, and squints. “I found the culprit.”

“That’s awful. Open the windows and turn on the ceiling fans, then go change. You can come to the game with me, and maybe this place will be tolerable later tonight.”

Katie is more than willing to follow my suggestion, even giddily, leaving me no choice but to confirm that my little sister is falling for our childhood friend. There are definitely worse men she could get involved with. At least I know where Spencer stands in regard to relationships, and I know he adores Katie. The question is, will either of them admit these newfound feelings or will I have to suffer for months or years before someone makes the first move?

“Okay, all set. I pulled this shirt out of my bag. Spencer liked it, and I think it’s clean enough.” Katie’s cheeks flame at the mention of Spencer, but I’m not about to call her on it. I have my own problems, and I think about them all the way to the game.

And during the first few innings, where my distraction does not help me with my game. I don’t see Evalina or Dustin in the stands, at least not in the seats I gave them tickets for, and it bothers me. Maybe it’s a little narcissistic to expect them to show up to my game just because I gave them free tickets, but I had hoped.

The guys try to keep their frustration at bay, probably considering everything that has happened to me in the past few days, but I have to pick up. Everything is working out. Katie has her horse back. I have my stuff.

Stuff.

How can I even think about cars and boats and things of such material nature when Evalina is struggling to keep food on the table?

“Strike!”

For crying out loud, I didn’t even swing. I forgot I was holding a bat. I shake my head and step away from plate, determined to get it together. “Come on, Koa.” My little pep talk isn’t lost on the other team’s catcher, who smirks and adjusts behind the plate.

After a few practice swings, I step back up, letting my gaze drift one last time to the front row just behind our dugout. Dustin stands in the aisle with a hot dog in one hand and a drink in the other, while Evalina stares at the tickets, seemingly unsure which are their seats. Shaking my head again, I bite back my smile and focus on the game.

The game. The one we’re going to lose if I don’t get it together. The pitch comes in so hot I can almost feel it radiating from the ball, but this time, I’m ready. My swing comes down hard and connects with the ball in a crack that probably echoes through the park. The guys on base hustle while I bolt to first, but the ball sails over the fence.

My team cheers behind me as my home run pulls us ahead for the first time in the whole game.

“Finally. We’ve been wondering where our star hitter went,” Marco teases while Spencer warms up.

I offer a half-hearted glare and chuckle. Before I take my seat, I peer up at the stands. Evalina and her son are seated, and Dustin animatedly points toward the opposite side of the park where the ball disappeared. Evalina nods, her smile bright and wide. They saw it, which, admittedly, makes my chest swell more than it should.

The rest of the game is a lesson in the art of the comeback for the Sharks, but my mind is, once again, elsewhere. I try to hurry through my shower after Coach’s postgame rundown, but I’m caught by Eleanor on my way out to meet Evalina and Dustin. don’t have time for this. I promised the kid a tour.

“That was an impressive game, Keaton. I’m glad things are looking up for you.” She beams and tucks her portfolio under her arm.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” My gaze bounces behind her at the trail of people heading toward the parking lot.

“That said, Quade thinks I’m good to head back to the Arctic headquarters, but I’m only on the other side of town if you need anything. Think you can stay out of trouble?” Her teasing nature comes through, and not for the first time I think about how badly this could have gone.

“I’m truly grateful for everything the Dawson family has done for me. So thankful, and if there’s anything I can ever do to repay you, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Eleanor laughs and brushes her hair from her face. “Just keep playing like you did those last few innings, and that’s payment enough. It’s been nice getting to know you, Koa. Remind Katie she and I have a coffee meeting next week.”

She pivots and merges into the crowd, leaving me wondering how close she and my sister could have grown while she was babysitting me. My attention shifts back to finding Evalina and Dustin, but it’s almost impossible to pinpoint anyone in the crowd. I have no desire to get stopped a million times by fans asking questions, especially since Eleanor is officially off of the Koa Keaton Babysitter Clock. Instead of braving the stands, I head back down to the dugout to see if I can catch them still in their seats. Doubtful, but it’s possible.

I almost make it out the door when Spencer stops me.

“Koa! Hang on, I need to…uh…can I talk to you?” Spencer brushes his wet hair from his face and motions toward the door.

Since I was headed that way anyway, I push through it and head onto the field. Much to my displeasure, Evalina and Dustin are already gone. I have zero hopes I will find them at this point, so I swallow my disappointment and give Spencer my full attention.

“What did you want to talk about?”

“Katie,” he whispers. “And um…whether you’d punch me if I admitted I have feelings for her?”

Despite suspecting his feelings for my sister, I’m still caught off guard due to my own distractions. Why is Evalina Renn taking up so much of my thought processes that I forget where I am?

“Koa…” Spencer almost chokes on my name. “I would completely understand if she’s off limits, but I sort of hoped…you know, since you’ve known me almost my whole life, that you’d trust me.”