Page 34 of The Night We Met

And when I see her getting closer to me and fighting her way through the boisterous crowd my body settles.

“You did it, baby!” Kam says as she launches herself into me.

She lathes kisses on my sweaty face. Not caring for the sweat that’s transferring to her clothes or how bad I smell. I bask in the only person whose attention and accolades mean to me. Having her here on a celebratory game melds together with us in the future.

One thing is for certain. I need to do everything in my power to keep this girl with me for the rest of time.

Kamryn

January 2011

“So you and Mason survived Winter break not attached at the hip?” Sarah teases as she blows on her still drying nails.

She texted me a couple days before returning to campus for second semester that we’re due a roommate pamper session. I missed my best friend, so I agreed instantly.

“Hey, you set us up. I just want you to remember that.” The smile on my face is evident and I focus back on painting my toenails.

“Yeah, yeah. Invite me to the wedding and make me a godparent.”

A blush covers my entire face. “Winter break was hard. We texted non-stop and called each other on Christmas and New Years. I think my parents were glad when it was time for me to head back here.”

“You love sick girl,” Sarah’s laughter follows but dies down when she sees my face. “Really?”

“It’s getting there. I’m so…” My voice trails off as the thoughts that come to me when I think about Mason and I’s relationship. “I still get butterflies around him. He constantly makes me feel safe and protected. When I’m not with him, I’m always waiting for the next time Icanbe with him. I didn’t know relationships could be this easy.”

Sarah leans her head on my shoulder. “I’m happy for you bestie.”

“Thank you.”

It’s been a few days since my realization that I more than like Mason. Every time I’m with him the words threaten to come out like word vomit. But I hold them back because I know it’s not the right time.

I’m walking from the library when I see Liam walking out of the athletics building. “Hey, stranger.”

“Hey, Rynny. How are you?” Liam’s hug warms me from the unexpected chill in the south.

I feel like a bad friend. Liam and I haven’t been the friends we were since our arrangement and then when Mason and I started dating, our friendship took a backseat. That was the last thing I wanted. But flaunting my relationship around Liam didn’t seem fair.

“I’m good. Ready for this semester to get busy. Are you ready for baseball?”

“I’m so ready. You’re coming to the home opener, right?” The light in his eyes when seeing him talk about baseball warms me to my core.

I was always there at the first home game of every season.

“You still want me there?”

His eyes widen almost comically at my question. “Are you kidding? Of course I do. Whatever gave you the idea that I wouldn’t?”

“Well, for one we haven’t been the friends we were before everything happened. Two, we haven’t really talked in months. And three, I’m dating someone.” Those are the three biggest reasons.

“It would mean a lot to have you both in the stands,” Liam informs me with no hint of humor, just plain honesty.

“Okay. We’ll be there,” I start to walk away but move back, “It was good to see you, Liam.”

A soft smile plays on his face, “You, too Kamryn.”

February 2011

It’s been five months since Mason and I started seeing each other. It hasn’t been as easy as we wanted though. We both knew what to expect.

---