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Willow

Thanks for a fun lunch. It more than made up for the manhandling.

A breath puffs out of my lips. She had fun? Not because of me. But Willow could probably have a delightful time dining with a salt shaker.

Willow

You owe me $12.36 for the sandwich. Friends ride free.

Her third text is a link to her profile on a popular e-payment app.

I click on it, send Willow five thousand dollars, and then delete her text messages. A hand feels like it’s pressing down on the back of my neck, but I ignore it. Just like I ignore the rapid-fire messages coming from my teammates in the stupid group chat.

When I catch my haggard expression in my bathroom mirror, I stare straight into my eyes. “You don’t need anything but baseball.”

There’s a sharp pinch in the center of my chest, but I ignore it too.

Waves Group Chat

Colton

Did anyone else see that viral video of a man, who looks suspiciously like Shane, hauling a barista out of a coffee shop?

Rhett

I saw it. Might not be him, though.

Colton

If not Shane? Why Shane-shaped?

Trevor

You guys know better than to buy into online drama. Most of the time, it’s completely made up. And if that was Shane, I’m sure he had a good reason.

Colton

For lugging that poor woman around like a caveman?

Rhett

Shane, set them straight. Was that you?

Tenny

Hellllllooooo, Shane.

Rhett

Maybe he doesn’t have his phone on him.

Tenny

Yeah, right. More like he’s ignoring us like usual.

Colton

Maybe he got arrested.