Page 12 of Karma's Kiss

“I thought maybe I’d just down a margarita,” I tease, but he frowns like he’s concerned I mean it.

“I don’t want you getting overheated. You’re the only one lookin’ alive out there.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Hunter exclaims when he overhears this.

“Means you could have made that double play at first and saved Madison a lot of trouble.”

Hunter grunts. “Aprofessionalcouldn’t have made that play. Didn’t you see me lunge for it? Think I pulled a muscle in my side. Madison, will you massage it for me?”

“Hunter, you’re crazy.” Charlotte giggles, coming up to join us. Her big unsuspecting eyes slide over to Sawyer, shining with adoration. “You looked great. I mean, youweregreat…at pitching.”

Oh lordy. Something tells me if Sawyer pulled a Hunter and asked Charlotte to massagehim, she’d start frantically searching for some oil.

I glance between them, trying to read between the lines. I wonder if they’ve dated or if Sawyer’s going to lead her on the way he did with Kendra and so many others back in high school. Heartsick girls littered the hallways of Oak Hill High, but he was never prosecuted for his crimes. Even the girls he’d offended and hurt the most would always inevitably go crawling back formore. Hell, for all I know, in the years I’ve been away, Sawyer has used this town as his playground, toying with women and discarding them as he sees fit. Is Charlotte his next target? She’s certainly naive enough to fall for him.

Somewhat disgusted by the whole thing, I shove Sawyer’s Yeti at him and decide to seek hydration elsewhere.

“Now don’t go stealing all my damn water!” David groans when I take his.

“What do you need it for? You were lazing around on third base, picking your nose, and doing jack squat.”

Lindsey laughs, and David scowls at her. “You think everything she says is funny.”

She just smiles, chipper as ever. “I just love listening to someone else put you in your place. In fact, Madison,pleasetell me you plan to make your move here permanent.”

I wink at her and my brother groans and tosses up his hands, opting to leave us before we roast him some more. I don’t let my opportunity with Lindsey go to waste, angling myself so I’m standing beside her as I nod over toward Sawyer and Charlotte.

“What’s the deal with them?”

As if on cue, Charlotte tosses a bubble braid over her left shoulder as she blushes shyly.

“You mean the way she’s obsessed with him?”

“Exactly.”

“I almost feel bad for the girl.”

My eyes widen with concern. “Why?”

She shrugs. “It’s clear Sawyer’s not into her the way she’s into him.”

I’m not surprised by her assessment of the situation. “But you don’t know that. He could be giving her mixed signals or something. Maybe he’s touchy-feely one minute and distant the next. Look at the way she’s hanging on his every word. You don’t think he might be encouraging her a little?”

My suggestion makes her waver. “I mean who really knows? Not like I follow along all that closely.”

“And you’re not with them behind closed doors,” I point out.

Her green eyes slice over to me and then narrow. “Why does it seem to bother you so much? You’re putting a dent in that water bottle.”

I loosen my grip and the plastic crinkles back to its original shape.

“I just don’t think it’s right. Charlotte seems innocent and sweet, I’d hate for Sawyer to ruin her.”

“Innocent and sweet?Ruin her?!” She laughs. “You’ve known the girl five minutes.”

“In some ways I’ve known her all my life,” I say ominously.

“Okay, weirdo.” She crosses her arms and turns to face me. “Are you high? Did David give you one of his gummies?”

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