AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Emma:Steven’s found a house.
Me:Wow, so fast.
Emma:Yeah, it’s pretty exciting.
I ran my fingers through my hair and forced myself to keep breathing. Okay, so she was just reaching out for a bit of a chat. No big deal.
Emma:Anyway, you might be interested in this next bit of news.
Jake:Oh, would I now?
Emma:Mmm hmm.
That made me grin.
Jake:You thinking of sharing it with me any time soon?
Emma:Funny. Anyway, because Steven won’t be living in NYC anymore it’s Dad’s last chance to go there with him. So that’s what they’re doing. Packing Dad’s car up as we speak, leaving tomorrow.
My pulse leapt. The only reason she’d be telling me this was because she wanted to see me.
Jake:What time are they looking to leave?
Emma:Aiming for ten am, breaking the trip overnight in DC, driving the rest of the way on Friday.
Jake:I’ll expect you here at one minute past ten.
Three dots appeared, disappeared.
Emma:I was hoping you’d say something like that.
Oh my god. Did she miss me as much as I missed her? Or was she just horny? Either way—
Me:I’ll see you tomorrow.
I dropped my phone on the couch, thinking that tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.
* * *
Just like old times.Not that I’d ever say that out loud. I glanced over at Emma, zipping her coat up against the evening chill, the tip of her nose already pink. Fucking adorable. “Maybe we should have stayed home.”Home. Don’t do that, asshole.
“Nah, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She looked around: at the bleachers already filling up, the players practicing on the diamond, the lights almost blindingly bright. “And it’s for such a good cause.”
We started walking and without thinking about it, I took her hand in mine. My gut tightened when I felt her tense, and I almost pulled away. Then she let out a soft sigh and her fingers curled around mine. The fact that such a simple gesture from her had my heart squeezing meant I really should let go, but I didn’t have the strength for that. So there we were, walking onto the diamond hand in hand. Really, just like old times.
“Speak of the devil. There’s the Masons.”
I looked across to where Emma gestured. “Man, they look at the end of their rope.”
“Seriously. I can’t imagine losing absolutely everything I own in a house fire, can you? Especially this time of year. Still, we’ve got an amazing turnout, so hopefully we can raise enough money to get them through for a little while, at least.”
“Yeah.”
She hip bumped me. “Hopefully you’re not too worn out to perform. On the field, I mean.”
“Sure you do. And if Iamtoo worn out to bat, whose fault is that?”
Her eyes twinkled at me, making me smile. “All mine. Sorry not sorry. Like, really not sorry.”
