Page 2 of Play the Field

The doorbell would ding with a customer who would greet both of us. I wouldn’t be a stranger but instead a friendly face.

But my phone buzzed with a text from my brother.

Just checking on you. We’d love to have you visit. Miss you.

I turned it over, letting the screen face the counter.

As I bit my cheek, I looked across my living room to the framed jersey above my couch. The light green lettering of my name and number lay on top of the black fabric: Collins 23.There was still a sand and clay stain from the Championship game visible through the glass.

The daydream of Cleo’s shop was nice, a comfort on my darkest days.

But my jaw clenched.It isn’t the life I chose.

They would never want to see my face again, not after the way I left them. And now, I would live with that for the rest of my life.

Taking a swig from my beer, I let the bitter taste fill my mouth. I needed to get back on the field, it was the only way to make losing Cleo worth it.

2

CLEO

“Thanks for coming, everybody.”I waved to the strange collection of book club members as I grabbed the paper plates from around the center of the shop.

Stacking plastic cups, Daryl walked around the circle of chairs. “Did you read the book this time?”

Once I heard the front door close, watching an eight-month-pregnant Zoey waddle out onto the curb, I shook my head. “I didn’t have the time. We got a shipment of new releases that needed to be put out.”

Daryl shrugged. “Fair enough. So I guess that means you didn’t have time to go on that date with Leah’s friend?”

Turning away from her, I rolled my eyes. She’d been desperate to set me up ever since she got all booed up with Leah last summer. But if I didn’t have time to read the book club novel, I certainly didn’t have time for a date.

“Sadly, no. Although she sounds great. I just don’t know if I have time right now.” I shrugged.

Daryl tossed the dirty cups in the garbage and leaned against the counter. “Cleo, you’re in your thirties and have your own business. When do you expect to find time?”

Raising an eyebrow, I eyed her. “Like you’re one to talk. You didn’t find someone until you were fifty.”

With a sigh, Daryl groaned. “You are very irritating.”

“You think everyone is irritating.” I winked.

Clicking her tongue, Daryl stood up straight. “Look, it’s your life. I just think you want a partner in all of this and you’re too wonderful of a person to not get that.”

I almost laughed at her sincerity, it was wildly unlike Daryl to actually care but maybe Leah was having an impact.

After saying her goodbyes, Daryl walked herself out and the shop fell silent. I let out a sigh as I looked around. Everything was in order, at least as close to order as Cleo’s Shelf ever was.

Checking my phone, I realized I needed to start closing up if I had any hope of meeting Bri for drinks on time. I grabbed my keys and started to shut off the lights as I meandered through the store. Once I made it to the front, I scanned the store before walking outside and locking the glass door.

Cricket’s was only a ten-minute walk from my shop on Main Street. It wasn’t a walk most people would love at night but I’d grown up in New Winford so it was more relaxing than terrifying.

I put in my headphones, letting them blare into my ears with sapphic indie pop. My prairie skirt flowed in the late July air as I walked down a steep hill toward the bar. Cricket’s, one of New Winford’s only bars, was located just on the edge of a horse farm. Off of Main Street, the bar was basically in the woods.

It only took about three songs before I was walking up to the front door, my feet making the old wood steps creak.

“Did you seriously walk again?” Bri called through the lot, shaking her head.

Turning to look at my friend, I shrugged. “It's barely even evening.” The crickets would have disagreed with me, but the sun was still setting over the mountain as it neared 8 pm.

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