Page 66 of Bad Ball Hitter

I laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “What can I say? I wanted to give you a plot twist worthy of a Netflix binge.”

“You better have more juicy details, or I’ll cancel our friendship subscription. No refunds.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” I smirk. “There’s plenty more drama to keep you entertained.”

Like the team’s losing streak. Don’t get me wrong, one player doesn’t make the team, but Drake’s poor performance this week makes me wonder if the sudden changes are too much.

“I have to know how the hell you scored moving into Drake Gunner’s apartment?”

“Okay, moving in with him just kind of happened. I had little choice. But I don’t know. Do you think it’s too soon?”

“Admittedly, it’s soon.” She shrugs.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, causing my whole body to sag in defeat. It’s not as if I hadn’t suspected this, but hearing it confirmed by someone else stings even more.

“You’re taking what I said wrong.” She leans closer to me. “Now, hear me out. It’s not as if you had much of a choice. Getting away from Miranda was the best move. Trust me. I never cared for her anyway, but screw societal norms. Have some fun with this.”

“When you say, ‘have some fun,’ what exactly are you suggesting?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at her. Chenille has always been one for bold ideas.

“Listen, Lila,” she starts, putting down her grooming kit and turning to face me fully. “You’re living in the same apartment as Drake Gunner, a guy the tabloids would kill for a moment alone with. One who happens to be your ex-boyfriend. The way I see it,” she pauses, her eyes sparkling with mischief, “you’ve got an opportunity that most girls would kill for. Use it.”

Heat rises on my cheeks, and I avert my gaze. Chenille gasps.

“Oh my God, you already used it, didn’t you? I was kidding earlier, but you fucked him already, didn’t you?”

“Chenille!” I hiss, glancing around the shop to ensure no one has overheard her. She doesn’t need to be any louder.

“What?!” she throws her hands up in mock surrender. “It’s not a crime, Lila.”

“No … but it’s complicated,” I reply, scratching at the back of my neck. Damn, Drake Gunner and his chocolate brown eyes that look too much like good coffee in the morning. Damn his tousled hair that never seems to behave just like him.

“And how is it complicated?” Chenille asks, feigning innocence as she clips the Chihuahua’s nails again.

I sigh heavily and nestle into the chair, tucking stray hair strands behind my ears.

“It’s complicated because … because it’s Drake,” I admit, my voice barely a whisper. “And he’s not just any ex. We were … serious.”

How do I explain how close we were? We were more than kids dating in high school. We were soulmates. Our love was the kind of love that was meant to last a lifetime, and yet here we are, broken pieces trying to fit together again.

“Serious, huh?” Chenille murmurs, and I can see her fighting a smile. “Geez, Lila. This isn’t just another Netflix binge; this is like … premium cable drama.”

I groan and throw my hands up in exasperation. “You’re not helping.”

Chenille halts her work, her gaze softening as she looks at me. “Drake Gunner, the prodigal bad boy, moves to town. And you, Lila Hayes, are in the middle of his chaos.”

I grimace at her summary. It does sound like a bad soap opera when she says it like that. But for all the drama and angst, there are moments with Drake that feel right. Like coming home.

“And you think you’re falling in love again,” Chenille observes more than asks, her eyes on mine.

“No!” I protest too quickly and then backtrack when she raises her eyebrow. “I mean, I’m not sure.”

“So you’re falling in love again, or”—she snaps her fingers—“you never fell out of love to begin with. Ah-ha! That’s why you never enjoyed talking about baseball.”

I open my mouth to deny it again, but nothing comes out because I am unsure what will happen next and where this path with Drake is leading me.

“Ah,” she drags out. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I mean it,” she insists, looking at me with genuine warmth. “This is the kind of love story people always dream about. The high school sweethearts, the messy breakup, and the unexpected second chance.”

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