Page 15 of Curveball

I nod. “I’ll be safe. I promise.”

She hugs me. “I’m so proud of you. I know you’re over high school ball and ready for life at UCLA, but winning four straight state championships is something to be proud of. It’s a rarity. You’re a once-in-a-generation talent, my love. You’re going to be in the Olympics one day. I just don’t want anything or anyone to stand in your way.”

I can’t help but smile at that thought. It’s all Arizona and I have talked about since we were little girls. “Do you really think I’m good enough to be on the Olympic team one day?”

She nods. “I know you are. You’re a chip off the old block. I’ll be there in the front row cheering for you.” She winks. “This Canadian might even consider wearing Team USA apparel.”

We giggle as she heads back to her bedroom, and I make my way out the front door.

I walk the short few blocks to Arizona’s house and letmyself in, as I’ve done for the past thirteen years. Per always, her parents don’t seem to be home. I don’t see her downstairs, so I make my way upstairs to her bedroom.

When I open the door to her bedroom and walk in, I see her lying in bed, dressed for the day. She’s staring at the poster of superstar baseball player, Layton Lancaster, on her ceiling.

I shake my head. “You need to stop drooling over him.”

She sighs. “Have you ever seen a hotter man in your life?”

Hmm, yes. Your brother, but I don’t think I’ll say that out loud. I lay down next to her, looking at Layton in his dark blue pinstriped Philly Cougars uniform. “He’s definitely a hottie.”

“I wish my brother was drafted by Philly instead of Houston. They’re close in age. I bet they’d be friends.” She tilts her head to the side. “I’ve been studying Layton’s face. His chin is so square that it almost looks fake. I wonder if it’s photoshopped.”

“Maybe one day you’ll find out by getting to sit on that square chin.”

She giggles. “A girl can dream. I think I now have a square chin fetish from staring at this poster every day for the past few years.”

I sigh. “I just met another Barney.” Barney is the universal name Arizona and I have given to the revolving door of men in my mother’s bed.

“Your mother gets more action than Layton Lancaster. Speaking of action, are you finally going to give it up to Jack? We graduate tomorrow. You said you didn’t want to finish high school a virgin.”

Jack and I have been dating for the past few months. We planned to have sex at prom last week, but something held me back.Someone.

I groan. “He’s so sweet, but I just don’t have this all-consuming need for him. He’s like a teddy bear. I want to cuddle with him, not fuck him. He’s too nice. It annoys me.”

She lets out a laugh. “Too nice? Most women would kill for a guy like Jack to dote on them the way he dotes on you. You gave yourself this deadline, not me. Do what feels right. You shouldn’t feel pressured by an arbitrary date.”

She sits up. “Oh, I have good news. My brother got permission from his coach to have today and tomorrow off. He’s on an airplane right now. He’ll be able to see the game tonight and our graduation tomorrow before flying back tomorrow night.”

“That’s great. I saw he wasn’t scheduled to pitch tonight or tomorrow night. I was hopeful.” After two seasons in the minor leagues, Quincy is now in the majors. It’s so exciting to see him play. I rarely miss a game he pitches on television. I love watching him. I secretly have his jersey and wear it to bed when I’m alone…and doing other things by myself. To myself.

Knowing Quincy could be under the same roof as me means I definitely won’t be having sex with Jack. My night in the hot tub with Quincy plays over and over in my head. I know what it’s like to want someone with every fiber of my being. That’s exactly how I felt with Quincy that night. I wish I had sex with him, but he was freaked out after our kiss and abruptly ended the evening. I’m thankful for what we did. Saving my first kiss and orgasm for him was worth it.

I haven’t seen him since. He only does daytrip visits for the holidays, never spending any real time here. Part of me thinks he’s avoiding me, but the other part knows he didn’t spend time here before that night. There’s another reason he doesn’t spend time at home. I don’t know what it is.

He and Arizona talk all the time though. He flies her to Houston as much as her schedule permits but never their parents. I envy their close sibling relationship. I wish I hadsiblings of my own, but Arizona is like a sister to me, and our friendship means everything.

We’reup two runs going into the last inning of the state championship. I haven’t given up two runs in a game throughout my entire high school career, let alone one inning. I think it’s safe to assume that we’re about to win another title.

I look over in the stands. Jack is cheering for me like a madman. Quincy is sitting with his mother, smiling politely as they chat. Their dad is nowhere to be found. He misses everything. At least they have a dad. He makes sporadic appearances, but they eat dinner as a family before he heads back to his woodshop. Still, I would kill to have that kind of family life.

Instead, I only have a mother who teaches at my school in tight tops and short skirts. The number of jokes I’ve had to endure throughout my high school life is mind-boggling. I’m more than happy to put it in the past.

Quincy arrived just after the game started. If possible, he’s gotten even more attractive. My heart still beats erratically when he’s nearby. It always has.

Part of me hopes that if I do have sex with Quincy Abbott, I can finally move past him. He occupies too many of my thoughts. I want to have a normal, physical relationship with someone without being consumed by this need to give Quincy my firsts.

Mom grabs my arm before I head out onto the field. “Stick with the rise and the curveball.”

I shake my head. “I can simply throw fastballs. These girls can’t catch up to my speed.”

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