Page 176 of Well Played

“If she’s not going to open her door, it’ll just go to waste. Better it’s eaten by someone, and I’m hungry. Josie reminded me of jello. Do we have any jello?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Pudding? Ice cream?”

“Can you stop talking about food for one minute? We’re here for Josie, not your stomach.” I almost giggle at their antics. They don’t sound angry at me. But can I trust them if I open my door? I trusted Laura wholeheartedly, and she fucked my boyfriend.

Parker and Lucas supported my relationship with Sam. They never tried to stop me from dating him. He said they gave him the big brother speech about what they would do if he hurt me. I’m still not sure what the sunflower seed threat entails, but it made Sam wince.

“I guess I’m going to talk to a wreath.” Lucas sighs loudly. “Josie. What Laura did was reprehensible. You’re family. That hasn’t changed. You didn’t betray Laura, but she did betray you. I’m sorry sweetheart. Please come out. We’re worried about you.”

“He’s a good guy babydoll. You deserve someone like him who will treat you right. I know he will or we’ll put itching powder in his jockstrap every day if he doesn’t.”

“And we’ll change his walk-up song to Shark Baby.”

“That’s backwards bro.”

“Okay. We’ll change it to Shark Baby played backwards.” I snort.

“That’s–” I cut off Parker’s reply by opening the door. Lucas yanks my arm and pulls me against him. He wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly like he always does. A sob escapes before I can stop it.

“You’re not going anywhere babydoll.” Parker whispers as he rubs circles on my back while Lucas hugs me. They let me cry for bit, not saying anything. When my tears dry up, I take a step back.

“Thank you.” My voice comes out rough from the crying. “What about Laura?”

“Dad is handling Laura. He’s livid. She called him and demanded he kick you out. He called me instead. Laura is the one who will be moving out.” Do I want that? I don’t want to come between the twins.

“He can’t. She’s your twin Lucas. It’s better if I move out.”

“I don’t want to live with her.” Parker grumbles.

“We’ll discuss this later. Right now, someone is in the living room you need to go talk to.”

Lucas doesn’t have to tell me who it is. My heart knows. Can I be with him, the man I’ve fallen in love with so quickly that it scares me? I know my answer. The real question is, do I have the strength left to follow through with that decision?

8

Sam

My world stillsas I see Josie walking into the room. Her arms are wrapped around her stomach. Her eyes and nose are red. My heart cracks knowing she’s hurting, and I am to blame. I jump from the couch desperate to wrap her in my arms and never let her go.

I’m pissed at Laura. I’ve blocked her and got her fired from the store. I couldn’t stomach being anywhere near her. Lucas said his father was going to take care of it. Apparently, their father was fed up with Laura’s bullshit and this was just icing on the cake. The guy loves Josie like a daughter. I’m glad she has him on her side.

I wanted to be there for her, help her through the hurt of Laura’s betrayal. She wouldn’t open the door. Being away from her the last couple days made me realize I never want to be away from her like that again. I’m in love with her and nothing is standing in our way now.

“I love you.” I blurt out. Smooth. Josie’s eyes widen, but she doesn’t say anything. She’s looks down at the ground. Uh oh.

“Sam–“ I interrupt before she can say what I hope she isn’t planning on saying.

“Wait, please, before you say anything you can’t take back. There is no reason why we can’t be together now. I’m not sorry Laura knows. I want everyone to know about us. But I am sorry she hurt you.” Josie looks up at me. Her eyes are glassy. I reach out to pull her into my arms, but she steps back out of my reach. Shit fuck.

“Sam.” She sighs. “What happens after this? What happens in a couple months when you graduate?”

“I’m entering the draft. I don’t know where I’ll be sent if I’m drafted. You’re heading to grad school after you graduate?” Where is she going with this? Wait. I think I know.

“Yes.”

“I need to stick with baseball for a couple years. By then you’ll be done with grad school. We’ll have to be long distance for a bit.” I know don’t have any right to ask this next part of her, but the idea of her moving on with anyone else, or myself being with anyone else, makes every muscle in my body revolt.

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