Page 92 of Curveball

She looks like she wants to say more but instead jumps up and runs into the bathroom sobbing loudly.

I would give anything to know about my father and one day maybe even meet him. To understand why he isn’t in my life. But this was a big first step for her. I don’t want to push. Perhaps I’ll gradually get more information one day soon.

“Fucking hell, the Cougars’coach is sexy as sin. Where have they been hiding him?”

My mother is practically drooling over Dutton Steel. I suppose she’s right. He’s sexy in an older man kind of way. He looks like Gabe Kapler but significantly more muscular and with much more hair.

Kam elbows Bailey. “He’s your type, Bails. He’s got old, saggy balls.”

Bailey rolls her eyes. “Cut it out. No matter how old, they’d never be as saggy as Cheetah’s, and he’s only like thirty-one. That guy fricking swallowed two beach balls and they settled just south of his giant ding dong.”

Mom raises an eyebrow and asks, “And you’ve all seen Cheetah’s balls?”

We all giggle and nod. I confirm, “We have. It’s a long story.”

Mom smirks. “I’ve got one for you, ladies. Why are gingers’ balls the most patriotic of them all?”

The four of us shrug.

“They’re red, white, and blue.”

We all burst out laughing, unable to control ourselves until the game begins and we start to get stares.

Quincy is on the mound for their first playoff game. I know this is his first career playoff start. His team in Houston never made it this far. Being the game-one starter is a big deal. A lotof faith is being put in him. He deserves this. It’s been a long time coming.

I swear Layton spends half the game looking at Arizona. It’s a good thing because Quincy has been doing his fair share of looking my way.

Mom notices. She leans over and whispers, “He doesn’t look like a man who isn’t interested. How long have you two been going at it?”

I mentally run the past few weeks in my mind until it occurs to me. We’ve had sex twice in the past month. Well, more than twice, but it was two occasions. The night he crashed my date was a few weeks before that. I haven’t gotten my period since before that date. Oh my god.

My freakout is momentarily puton hold by the fact that Quincy throws a no-hit shutout. It’s a rarity in the sport, especially in the playoffs. It’s a huge accomplishment.

We’re on the field after the game, and Quincy is beaming. I’m so happy to see him like this. All of the newscasters are interviewing him. It’s his moment in the sun. He deserves it.

He turns his head and notices me. Giving me a huge smile, he motions for me to come to him. I’m a little surprised, but I walk over.

He throws his arm around me. The newscaster looks a bit shocked. She nods toward me. “Ripley St. James. Did…umm…you enjoy the game?”

I smile. “Of course I did. Quincy threw the best game of his career. I’m so happy for him.”

“Oh, are you two…friends?”

Before I can answer, Quincy does. “She’s been Arizona’sbest friend since they were little kids. Of course we’re friends. She was like a second sister to me growing up.”

The newscaster nods in realization. I hold back the tears. That fucking hurt. For the briefest of moments, I foolishly thought he was going to admit to something more.

He continues, “I can’t wait for their playoffs to start tomorrow. Ripley is the best pitcher in the league. In the world. They’re going to win the whole thing. I’m stoked we’re off tomorrow so we can go to the game.”

I fake smile at the compliment before turning to see Layton pawing at Arizona, loving her publicly without any shame. My heart breaks just a little more knowing I’ll never have that with Quincy.

The reporter walks away, and he looks down at me. “Are you okay?”

I swallow back my tears and give a small smile. “I’m fine.”

He looks over my head and chuckles. “Your mom is flirting with Dutton Steel.”

I turn and see that he’s right. Oh hell.

---