Page 41 of Strike Zone

“She’s also a big softie deep down. She just needed someone to bring out that side of her. You know, tell her to not take everything so seriously,” Charlie adds. I turn to Wren. Her eyes are focused on the bowl of popcorn.

“Good thing you have me, huh?” I say it low enough that only she can hear me.

“Yeah. Good thing. Not sure how I would carry on through life without you.” Her eyes slant behind her glasses and her lips pinch.

“I was thinking the same thing,” I joke back, dipping my hand in the popcorn for another handful and tossing it at her.

Wren collects all the little pieces and drops them back in the bowl. “Shouldn’t you be spending more time wooing?” She gestures towards Charlie.

“I’m going to. One cannot simply woo on demand.” I admit, the whole plan slipped my mind when the movie came on. “Are you going to…” I make a shooing motion. She nods in response.

“Don’t worry. I have an exit strategy.”

A few minutes later, cool liquid splatters across my right arm and chest. What the hell?

“Damn, it. I’m so clumsy. It just slipped out of my hands,” Wren says. Her acting is atrocious. Don’t quit your day job. She stands up, wiping water off her face. Her sweater is drenched and droplets of water are covering her glasses.

“Are you okay?” Charlie asks.

“Just embarrassed. I’m going to change. I’ll be back.”

“Do you want me to pause the movie?” Charlie reaches for the remote.

“Oh no.” Wren waves her hands in front of her. “You can fill me in when I get back. Don’t wait for me. I’ll only be a few minutes.”

Wren’s eyes catch mine one last time. There is a trace of melancholy to them. I’m not sure why but whatever it was, it didn’t last long. She brings her empty glass to the kitchen and walks down the hall toward her room.

It’s just me and Charlie. Exactly what I wanted. I clear my throat. She glances up at me. Is this my chance? Do I kiss her now? Should I say something first? Do I ask her if she wants to make out? Do I want to make out with her?

I cross my arms over my chest and pay attention to the movie. But I can’t focus. Margaret is running around the backyard with Kevin the dog. It’s one of my favorite parts, but all I can think about is how I don’t want to be sitting here anymore.

I want to know what Wren is doing. I want to be where Wren is.

“I’ll be right back,” I tell Charlie. “Keep watching the movie. Quick bathroom break.” Except I don’t go towards the bathroom. I trace Wren’s steps back to her room.

Knocking lightly a few times, I wait for the door to crack open. “Did you screw up already?” she asks, still wearing her wet clothes.

“I wanted to check on you. You okay?” I step into her room. No surprise it’s pristine down to the perfectly fluffed pillows. Her bedding is a mix of creams and whites. This should also surprise absolutely no one.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” She fiddles with the sleeves of her sweater.

Because you are beginning to question this whole scheme like I am?

Because the idea of me hooking up with someone else bothers you a little?

Because everything about this feels wrong and it would be nice if you were on the same page.

“I don’t know,” I say instead, picking up a picture of Wren and her parents sitting on her dresser. Wren is the spitting image of her dad except she has her mama’s eyes. “Cute.” I place the photo back down. I fully expect Wren to straighten it once I leave.

“That was my first day at Newhouse.” Wren moves toward her closet. “You should go back out there. Charlie’s going to get bored. She probably left already.” Wren picks out a new shirt and lays it out on her bed.

I shrug. I was a little bored myself without Wren out there with me.

“If you blow your chance, don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she says. As much as Charlie’s voice haunts me at night, I’m not sure she’s who I want anymore.

“Consider me warned,” I joke. Wren shrugs then rips her sweater and tank top off in one go.

My eyes about fall out of the sockets. It’s not like I’ve never seen a girl naked before. I never thought I would be lucky enough to see Wren. “Damn, birdie. You've got to let a guy know before you flash the high beams.”

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