Page 86 of Wild Card

And he sighed, shaking his head, eyes on the sky. But he let it go.

For now.

I was able to lock in for the rest of the game, even if it was half-assed—at least until the last inning. Thank God we were batting and I wasn’t up because what little focus I’d mustered went to shit as I inched closer to spending what was left of the night with Jessa.

As soon as we won, I snagged all my shit and was calling goodbye over my shoulder as I made my way to the gate where the crowd exited the stands. I got a few accolades for a good game, but not nearly as many as usual. They weren’t wrong to deny me. I’d played a shit game and gotten lucky a few times. And why? For a girl I barely knew?

That girl I barely knew caught sight of me and beamed like the goddamn sun itself, running in my direction as soon as she could get through the crowd.

I caught her when she jumped, kissed her the second her lips were in reach, grateful Hank was around so we could get away with it without sending Cass into a fit of hysteria. That, and I loved rubbing his blue-blooded nose in the fact that she was mine, and he’d missed his shot.

He was mad again, even with Annie at his side. I decided then that he definitely was a shitbag.

Jessa laughed as I set her down.

“Well, Cass and Davis have a date, so it seems she can’t hang out tonight after all,” she said.

I had to admit, I was disappointed. I missed her. Hell, even when I was around her, I missed her. She was so stressed out, I barely recognized her anymore.

“Bully for her, I guess.”

“It’s a good thing,” she assured me. “They needed a day just the two of them. But the good news is, now I have you all to myself. What shall we do?” she asked.

“In that case, I want to show you something.”

“Oh, I love it when you say that.”

As I tucked her into my side, I realized just how true it was. I wanted to show her everything in the hopes that if I did, she might find a reason to stay. I wanted to show her things she’d never seen just so I could be the one to witness it. I wanted to show her I might not have money or power or status, but I had fireflies and strawberry pie and an insatiable need for her.

I just didn’t know if it was enough.

By the time Cass and the gang finally made it to us, we stood waiting patiently, my arm around her shoulders, hers circling my waist, her face against my chest.

Cass was suspicious. Davis was concerned. Hank was pissed. And poor Annie just looked left out.

I wanted to give him a piece of my mind. And maybe a piece of my fist. But instead, I smiled.

Cass rolled her eyes. Davis narrowed his. Hank huffed. And poor Annie just sighed.

“You played like shit,” Cass said with a wink in a singsong voice, kissing me on the cheek as she passed.

“Love you too, Squirt.”

Davis eyed me. Hank opened his mouth to say something, but Davis gave him a little nudge in Cass’s direction.

Poor Annie just gave me a sad smile and followed the rest to the parking lot.

“Goodie, they’re gone,” Jessa said. “Now, where will you take me tonight?”

“You’ll see.” I kissed the top of her head and we headed for the Scout.

“Another surprise? I love your surprises.”

I hmm’d happily.

“Will there be pie?”

A laugh bubbled out of me. “No pie. You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”

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