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Joel climbs out the window and Aaron stares at me.
“I know it’s all awkward and dumb, but will you let me know how it goes?”
He smiles brightly. “Of course. You’ll be at Joel’s for the bonfire tonight, right?”
I nod. “Of course.”
“Good. I’ll meet you before and let you know, okay?”
“Sounds good. Have a good meeting. Later, Ace.”
“Later, Rae.”
Rae?
How many times did I call himAce? Why can’t he call me by my nickname? Give me something? Anything?
Once the window is shut, I grab the pillow, pull it over my face, and scream as loud as I can.
When are we going to move forward?
Aaron
“You gonna tell me what was happening with you and Rae this morning?” Joel asks as he pulls onto the road that leads up to our old high school. It’s been less than a year since we graduated, but so much has changed since then. It feels like another lifetime.
“We were… talking.”
He grins at me. “That what we’re calling it?”
I sigh loudly. “When that’s what we’re awkwardly attempting to do, yes.”
“It’s that bad?” He pulls into a parking spot and shuts the car off, turning to look at me.
I run a hand through my hair. “Oh yeah. We’re trying to be friends, but things are more up in the air than ever between us. Oh, and we’re still horny as fuck for each other. So, yeah, awkward.”
He laughs out loud.
“It’s not funny,” I grump.
“Maybe not for you guys. What do you want from here? You’ve changed and grown a lot since everything happened. How much space do you still want or need?”
I shake my head, looking out the window at the parking lot. I flash back to the night I kissed her on the hood of my truck after the ballgame. I think of when I did it again the morning of prom. How I told her we’d have sex there one day. How much everything has changed since then. I don’t want to go back, but I want to find that ease until we can move forward.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “But I think I’m closer than I’ve been in a long time.”
His eyes bore into me. A few months ago, he’d have given me a snarky comment about this. He nods softly and smacks my chest. “Trust yourself, A. You’re the only one who knows the truth inside you.”
I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Thanks, Joel.”
“Always. Now, come on. Let’s do this.”
We head into the school, stopping to say hello to a few teachers and friends we pass on the way to Coach’s office. He smiles widely when he sees us.
“Wilkinson and Cooper. Good to have you back. Take a seat boys.”
I can’t help but smile as I plop down across the desk from him. The last time I was here, I was a wreck. Now? I’m proud as hell of where I am.
“I’ve been following what you boys have been up to. Aaron, you’ve been doing a damn fine job as a coach. It’s always been your skill set, and I’m glad to see you putting it to good use. Joel, you’re already playing like a seasoned college player. I’ll chalk that up to my coaching skills in high school already having you ready for college.” He winks at us. “Anyway, what I’m about to tell you is on the down low until after practice today. We’re gonna be running a baseball camp here this summer. Players from any local school are welcome to attend… for a fee, of course. It’s not officially school sanctioned, but we’ve worked out an agreement with them to use the fields and equipment. It’s been a process, but everything is lined up and our team gets first chance at a slot. I’d like for the two of you to join me as assistant coaches. Aaron, you’d be working one-on-one with the pitchers to find problem areas and fine-tune their game. Joel, you’ll be working with players on speed and conditioning as well as mentoring them on what college ball is like. That is, of course, if you’re interested.
