Page 21 of Play the Field

Were they thinking the same thing I was?

“Like you care.”

I whipped my head around to glare at them. “What is that supposed to mean? Of course, I care.”

Scoffing, Cleo crossed their arms. I watched the lean muscle of their arms tense as they tried to keep to themself. Despite having quit pro softball nearly a decade ago, they were still in amazing shape. Clearly, the rec league was far more serious than I had anticipated.

They took a minute to dial back their attitude. “I just assumed this was about you.” Meeting my eyes, Cleo bit the inside of their cheek.

“I mean part of it is.” I let my right hand leave my pocket to rub the back of my neck. “But we were best friends before…”

“Right.” Cleo nodded.

The same silence took back over the forest as we trekked uphill, toward the cliffside. This time, it wasn’t nearly as comfortable. Instead, all of the unspoken endings lingered in the air like a leaf that refused to fall.

Making their own attempt to squish the awkwardness, Cleo shrugged. “So what is this plan of yours? You went on a crazy bender for two years post-injury and suddenly, you’re ready to get back out there?”

“Something like that.” I took my other hand out of my pockets, wiping the clammy sweat onto my sweatpants.

The trees started to thin out as the path turned into large, flat rocks.

I shrugged. “I got tired of living in a pit of despair. And the last time I felt like I had direction was here.” Hesitating, I swallowed the lump in my throat. “With you.”

Maybe it was just the hike, but Cleo’s chest rose and fell rapidly. “Because I was such a good co-star and coach?”

“Right.” I put my head down as I watched my step.

Before I could say anything else, the tree line stopped completely and opened instead to a stone clearing that overlooked a steep cliffside and a sprawling valley.

“Wow,” I muttered, awestruck by the view.

Raising an eyebrow at me, Cleo laughed. “It’s been that long since you’ve seen a view like this? I assumed you’d done plenty of traveling as a pro.”

My shoulders dropped as I looked out. “I saw the inside of more luxury hotels than stunning views.” Peeking over at them, I tried to pretend like I was taking in the sights. But really, I just wanted an excuse to take them in.

I didn’t get a good look at them when I was chasing them down in the store. But here, the warm sun lit up their face. The slightly yellow leaves cast a gorgeous golden hue through their deep brown hair.

In light like this, it was obvious that their hair wasn’t black. But the dark locks looked almost jet black in any other lighting.

“Luxury hotels sound nice.” Their voice shook me from my trance, forcing me back to my aching body. The cold wind sent an ache through my shoulder.

Looking away, I walked a few feet from the cliff's edge. As I approached the steep drop, my chest tightened.

Cleo watched from a few feet away. “You know, if I do this, I’m not going to take it easy on you.”

A smirk took over my face as I met their green eyes. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“And you know that it isn’t going to just be about the practices right?”

My forehead wrinkled, my stomach dropping into my ass. “What do you mean?”

15

CLEO

I rolled my eyes.“Your shoulder isn’t the only problem with your game.”

“Yeah, right.” She quipped, immediately annoyed.

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