Page 77 of The One I Stood Beside

I fight my smirk because I’ve never enjoyed lunch more than this week. “Stay out of my business.”

I grab my clipboard to write down the lineup for today. Usually, it’d already be done, but I’ve been in Sadieville lately.

“I saw the T-shirt.” Ben crosses his arms. “I want one for Gillian.”

I shrug. “Sorry, last one they had.” I concentrate on the lineup.

“Bullshit. If you don’t get me one of those with Ben’s Girl on the back, I’m going to strike out at every bat.”

He’s such an asshole, using his athletic ability as leverage. He pretty much hits a home run at every fucking game.

“I’ll see what I can do.” I turn away.

One by one, my cousins arrive, each one dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. The other team arrives and warms up in the field area. They’re new to our softball league, but I know some of them. They’re good people, taking in racehorses after they’ve retired. Finding them non-racing families to take care of them. But if we’re going to beat our nemesis, Wild Bull Ranch, and shove it up Walker Matthews’s ass, we have to beat Horses Haven.

“I’m not sure any of them can catch.” Ben watches them with me, and he’s right. Their throws aren’t great, and their catches are worse.

“Should be a piece of cake,” Emmett says, tossing a ball in the air and catching it. Sometimes I wonder when he’ll grow up. He throws it up for the tenth time.

Female laughter rings out from the stands, and Emmett looks over. The ball hits him in the forehead.

“I might not need you today, but I’m gonna need you to beat Wild Bull,” I say.

Emmett looks at the bleachers again and bends over to pick up the ball before rushing over to us. “Who’s that blonde?”

“My wife,” I say. “She’s hot, right? Comes to all the games, so keep your fucking hands to yourself.”

He rolls his eyes. “If I wanted Sadie, I would’ve stolen her right from under your nose. You know, when you were in the dark about your feelings for her?”

I push him with my hand.

“It’s Briar,” Ben says.

“Briar who?” Emmett asks, forehead wrinkled. Ben pushes Emmett’s chest, and Emmett exaggerates his reaction, stumbling back. “You’re always picking on me.”

“Gillian’s half sister. How many Briars do you know?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “That’s not her.”

I step out and wave to Sadie as though I’m checking in. Sure enough, Briar, Gillian’s younger half sister, is sitting in the stands with all the women. “That’s her.”

“I drove her here, so I’m pretty sure it’s her.” Ben shakes his head, grabbing his bat.

Ben steps out, winks at Gillian, and takes practice swings. The man is so competitive. I guess we all are, but he takes it to the next level. Maybe it’s the professional sports thing.

“What’s up, boys?” Our friend Brooks walks up sporting a blinding pair of short white pants with socks and a belt that matches our shirt.

“FYI, the MLB didn’t call,” Lottie sneers at him.

“Are you trying to be recruited by the Wild Bull Ranch?” Romy asks, looking him over.

“You have to look the part.” Brooks puffs out his chest.

“Okay, then.” I shake my head at him.

“It’s a good thing Lottie’s wearing sweats tonight, so you won’t ruin your brand-new pants.” Ben stops swinging and pats Brooks on the shoulder.

“Coaches!” the ump calls.

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