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“And if you’re nice to me, I’ll even get you Gatorade.”
“The good kind? Not that melon crap.”
“Sure.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled in a smile. “Sounds good.” He began to walk away, but paused and then turned slowly back to face the fence. “Just so we’re clear, how do you feel about laundry? I mean, Ashton used to wash the uniforms and stuff each week for the team, but if that’s beneath you...”
My entire face flushed with what I imagined looked like a bad sunburn. I couldn’t help but envision a massive pile of dirt-stained uniforms in front of me, topped with a collection of white athletic supporters.
Nope. No, thank you. Not happening.
“I think it might be better for the guys to handle their own uniforms,” I said, pressing the backs of my hands to my cheeks to cool them down. “At least until Ashton comes back.”
“Right.” His eyes twinkled and his jaw twitched as if he were holding back a laugh.
I snatched the clipboard off the bench and tromped away, in search of the water coolers. At least I’d accomplished my mission for our first practice together. The guys knew where I stood. I wasn’t here to be pushed around. I’d do my job and I’d do it well. Stats, water, anything Coach Morgan needed. But no one was going to make me lose control.
Not even Jayden.
I had three weeks ahead of me. That included two home games and one away. There was no doubt that by the end of this, I’d be sick of Gatorade and the smell of leather and the sound of the metal bat hitting a baseball. But this was only temporary.
Soon enough, I would be back on that track.
And then no one could stop me.
Chapter Eight
It was only the second day of my stint as team manager, but I clung to the four-foot-tall fence surrounding the baseball diamond, the sight of my best friends and their boyfriends walking towards me as welcome as a shimmering oasis in the desert.
“We come bearing gifts,” Trina said, a smile stretching across her gorgeous face.
In her hands she held a cherry Icee with the clear, round lid on top and a bright red plastic straw. She handed it to me over the fence and then sipped on her own Icee as I took a huge gulp and closed my eyes to savor the sugary sensation.
“Ahhh, heaven tastes like an unnatural cherry flavor,” I said with a happy sigh.
“I still don’t understand how you guys can drink those things.” Mason Finnick came in to hug Trina from behind, his messy, dark hair falling onto his forehead as his blue eyes darted to me. “They’re pure sugar.”
Trina giggled and pulled his arms tighter around her waist. Mason played point guard for our basketball team. He was tall, muscular, and usually carried a stern expression on his face, but it softened whenever he gazed at my best friend. It was too cute for words.
“It’s
the only vice Mandy will allow herself,” Audrey replied, shooting me a smile as she came up beside them. “And besides, it’s tradition.”
Her boyfriend, Rock Valley High’s quarterback Collin Preston, held tight to her hand. He had short brown hair, broad shoulders, and a bit of a bad-boy attitude. But he also had the ability to create beautiful music. He and Audrey had found each other through their mutual love of music and they were so sweet together.
I liked both of their boyfriends a lot, which was saying something. I wouldn’t have approved of any guys less deserving for my besties.
“You have no idea how much I needed this.” I leaned against the fence, allowing myself to give in to the exhaustion I’d been fighting all day. “Coach Morgan asked me to clean out the announcer’s booth before the first game tomorrow. It’s a rat’s nest up there. I think the last time it was cleaned was in the seventies, because I found an old Talking Heads ticket stub in one of the corners when I was sweeping.”
“Oh hey, if you find a retainer, it’s mine,” Collin said with a hint of a teasing grin. “I’m pretty sure I lost it in there when I announced a game.”
Audrey pulled back from her boyfriend and made a disgusted grimace. “First of all, ew. Don’t ever put that thing back in your mouth if you expect me to kiss you again. And secondly, when was this?”
“Last year.” His eyes danced with humor. “Me and my friend Nick gave it a shot when the last announcer quit. Let’s just say, we weren’t asked to do it again. Guess you can’t get away with hassling the opposite team in the announcer’s booth, no matter how strong your school pride.”
“Seriously? How did we miss that?” Trina leaned her head back on Mason’s chest. “I’d pay anything to go back in time just to hear you guys announce a game.”
I folded my lips in and held back a smile. I could only imagine how horrible Collin had been at announcing a baseball game. It was too bad I’d missed it, but every Friday last year I’d been competing at a track meet, earning first place medals for my heats. Just like I should’ve been doing tomorrow. The bitter reminder of what I was missing out on stung, so I tried to push it out of my mind.
