Page 52 of Curveball

The whole table erupts in laughter. While they’re distracted, Quincy gently tugs on my arm. “Come to the bar with me to grab drinks?”

I reluctantly nod. This will be our first time alone together since I’ve moved here. Actually, it’s our first time alone together in nearly two years.

We walk up to the bar. He places our large order before turning his head to me and touching my arm. My heart races at his touch. I thought I was past this. Why does this man affect me so much?

He squeezes me. “I’m truly sorry for how things ended between us in Houston. I handled myself poorly, and I regret it. You deserved better. And then it only got worse with the wedding debacle. I had a lot of anger during that time period. My head was a mess, and my heart was breaking for my sister. I should have spoken to you about everything that happened.”

I do my best to play it cool. Like what happened isn’t a big deal. Like it didn’t take me over a year to even consider letting another man touch me.

I straighten my back. “Our relationship, or whatever it was, ran its course. It was time for us both to let go. I see that now. Please don’t feel guilty. The clean break was good for me. As for the wedding time period, we were all hurting for her, meincluded. She’s better off without him, even if she’s damaged from how it went down.”

He blows out a breath like this has been weighing on him. “Thank you for being so gracious. I don’t deserve it.”

His fingers run through his hair. He unwittingly does that when he gets nervous. I bite my lip. I miss running my fingers through his hair. It was my favorite thing to do.

He briefly stares at my lips before continuing, “And she’sdefinitelybetter off without him, but I agree, she hasn’t been herself. What do you make of this whole Lancaster PR relationship thing? I’m not a fool. I know he was her teen crush. I remember the posters.”

“She’s adamant that it’s all business. She doesn’t want it to be anything more.”

I don’t think I’ll share with him that I think her words are hollow.

He nods. “I’m glad to hear that. I really do love the guy. He immediately took me in when I arrived and made me feel more at home in just a few days than any of my teammates ever made me feel in Houston. He’s my best friend, but he’s also the biggest womanizer I’ve ever met. A different woman each night. I don’t want her to start catching feelings only to be crushed again.”

“Neither do I. I’m hoping this move will heal her.”

“Good. We’re on the same page. I need you to keep an eye on her. She’d never share anything with me, only you.”

“I’ll always have her back, Quincy. You know that.”

He mumbles, “I do,” as he aimlessly tucks a stray curl of mine behind my ear. I quickly glance over at the table to see if anyone is looking at us. They’re not.

Realization hits and he quickly pulls his hand back. “Sorry. Habit.” He briefly squeezes his eyes shut. “I…I miss you, Shortcake.” He gives me his crooked smile. “I miss my wife.”

I shake my head and do my best to hold off from cracking. “Don’t call me that.” I nervously chew on my bottom lip before admitting, “I miss you too, but we’re truly better off this way. Can we return to what we always were, Quincy? Friends. I miss our friendship.”

He visibly swallows. “Is that what you want?”

“Yes. I think it’s for the best. I can’t constantly fall into your bed and expect to find someone who wants the same things as me. I’m twenty-eight. I want to fall in love, get married, for real, and have kids one day. I know you want none of those things.” I briefly pause before admitting, “You have this hold over me, Quincy. I’ve loved you from the shadows my whole life. I need someone who lets me love them in the light. Someone who wants to love me in that same light. Please, if you care about me, let me go.”

He pinches his lips together. “I hate the thought of you with other men. Kissing you, touching you, being inside you.”

I hold up my hand. “Stop. You know it happens, just as I know that you’re with other women.A lotof other women. You haven’t been celibate the past two years and neither have I. It took me a while to get there, a long while, but I did. I know sex is purely physical for you, and that’s all you want, but I want and need more.”

He looks like he wants to say something but then thinks better of it and simply nods.

I rub his arm. “Be my friend and help me get there. My citizenship is secure. We can get our divorce and put this crazy chapter of our lives behind us for good.”

His eyes widen. “No rush. We can wait until you meet someone. I’ll do my best to support you. You deserve to have what you want.” He hangs his head. “We both know I’m not the man to give it to you.”

I rub his arm. “Thank you.” I give him a small smile. “Nowlet’s talk about the season you’re having. I’ve never seen you throw this hard or with this many spins on your pitches. And the team is good.Reallygood.”

He smiles. It’s the type of carefree smile from him that I’ve missed seeing. “I know. I can’t explain it. This team and this organization are incredible. I’ve never felt stronger or healthier in my career. Maybe it’s the fact that we’re contenders that has my juices flowing.”

“Whatever it is, it’s definitely working for you. I love watching you throw. I always have, but you’re in a zone right now I’ve never seen before.”

“Thank you. You seem on top of your game too, though you always are.”

“The Anacondas’ games are the first you’ve seen me throw since we were kids.”

---