Page 122 of Unleashed

I stop, but before I can speak, Greg bends and kisses my neck as his hands go to my hips and then slide to my ass. Oh, my God. He drags his lips to my ear, his breaths giving me goosebumps until he whispers, “Your dad is back.” I don’t care.

When he lifts his head, before considering the fallout, I grab his jaw and kiss his cheek, close to his lips, quick, fast, and all for show. Surprising me, Greg kisses my lips, but I don’t move mine. I pull away and go to his ear. To everyone else, it may look like I’m whispering sweet nothings to him. Instead, I say, “I may be your temporary cocksucker, but don’t fucking kiss me again.”

It’s his turn to inhale like I punched him in the gut. Good. It’s what he did to me.

I pat his cheek and go around him and walk over to my brother, who says, “Damn. Even I believed that performance.” I once did too.

I shrug. “What do you want, Finn?”

“If you’re feeling better, take your turn at bat after Betsy.”

Greg storms past me and goes to the mound, and I tell Finn, “After that, I’m leaving.”

Sighing, Finn nods and returns to the fence to watch Greg throwing practice pitches to Amos. Before I grab a helmet, an arm goes around my shoulders. “How are you doing, dear heart?”

I smile at Val, but tears sting my eyes. I try to lie but say, “I don’t know what I’m doing, Val.”

She nods toward the dugout. “Let’s get some water.”

Betsy leaves the dugout with a cup of water. The baseball helmet hides her hair and makes her look like an alien. She says, “Rod actually kissed you. I can’t decide if it was real or not.” She laughs, and I want to punch her in the face.

“Now, Betsy. Be happy for them,” Val says as she guides me to the dugout.

Betsy laughs as she walks. “I still can’t believe Simone will have kids with him. What a shame.”

I stomp after Betsy, but Val pulls me back. She blocks the dugout entrance and says, “She needs an audience. Don’t buy a ticket.” Val wipes a tear from my cheek. “Hadley filled me in on what you and Greg are doing. I don’t understand why either of you would put yourself through this after everything. I love both of you, and it breaks my heart to see you trying so hard to pretend to be together and not be, but wish you were.”

I sigh. “I don’t want him.” She nods as if going along with my lie, but I whisper, “He hates me and thinks I hate him. I don’t. I wish I did.”

“I know, but he doesn’t hate you. He just kissed you in front of everyone.”

“It was for show,” I whisper.

Val laughs. “Oh, no. Gregory is a kind-hearted soul and excels at hiding things. However, he doesn’t do well at hiding how much he cares about you.”

“I want what we had before... But we can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because we’re no good for each other. We argue all the time. Still...” She nods with me, filling in the blanks.

“Simone, I know this sounds counterintuitive, but you and Greg—”

A throat clears. “Is everything all right, Simone?” I look at my father and back away from Val to get water.

I sniff but laugh as I pick up a cup and keep my back to him so I can wipe my cheeks. “I have a stomachache. I want to leave after I bat.”

“Mr. Rodwell keeps watching you instead of pitching. Maybe he shouldn’t be in that position if he can’t do it well.”

I turn toward my father as Val stays silent. “Greg is an awesome pitcher. The best.” I glance at the fence, where Crick is waiting his turn to bat. I hope he didn’t hear me. He’s excellent, but he’s not my Greg. Anymore.

I see Ricky looking at me as Sylvie returns to talk to him. Flustered, I say, “Dad, go sit down. You’re making me nervous, and it’s only practice. Please.”

He shakes his head, but fuck me. He listens and heads back to his seat. Val stands with me until Finn says, “Simone, you’re up.”

I put on a helmet, pick up the bat Greg uses, and head to the plate. Amos says, “Hi, Simone. I hope you’re feeling better.”

I nod and force a smile. I face Greg, whose frown doesn’t wane. He usually frowns when concentrating, but this one is only mine.

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