Page 50 of Rival Summer

I shook my head, fighting a half-smile as I helped him into my truck.

My phone vibrated in my pocket just as I started the engine. I fished it out as Parker mumbled something incoherent beside me.

Chandler

Thanks again for taking care of Parker

Me

Always

Chandler

Was hoping we’d get to hang a little more

Me

Tomorrow after the game?

Chandler

Okay, doing what?

Me

Me taking you on a date…

Chandler

And where would we be going?

Me

Just be ready pretty girl

The next day was a blur of adrenaline and sweat. We’d just barely won the game, and Coach was pissed—and pissed might’ve been an understatement.

"Ten runs!" Coach roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "We should've been up by at least ten runs! This slacking off ends now, or we can kiss the tournament goodbye!"

He grabbed his clipboard and hurled it against a locker with a resounding crash. We all fell silent, waiting to see what he would do next.

"Get it together," he snapped before walking off, leaving us in silence.

Steam from the showers mingled with exhaustion as I twisted open my locker. The cold metal door swung open, and I began to stash my gear away, my mind replaying the shit show of a game. The clank of the closing door revealed Reese, leaning casually against the locker next to mine, a look on his face that told me he was contemplating something.

"That game wasn't pretty, huh?" he said, breaking the silence.

I shook my head, tossing my damp towel into the laundry hamper nearby. "Nah, but we'll pull through this weekend."

He paused, shifting his weight. "Saw she was at the game tonight."

I knew that “she” meant my mom—our mom. "Yeah, she’s trying to make it to more games," I replied, attempting to play it off. I secretly hated when she missed any games at all.

"Feels too little too late," Reese muttered, almost to himself.

"Maybe hear her out?" I suggested. "Decide for yourself, instead of believing only what your dad says."

His jaw clenched, disbelief flashing in his eyes. I braced for some comment, a low blow, but instead, he sighed. "All in due time, I guess." Pushing off from the locker, he slung his bag over his shoulder.

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