Page 53 of Curveball

He gives me a guilty smile. “I came to a few games in Houston too.”

“I didn’t know that.” I’m surprised to hear it.

He shrugs. “When I could. I sat in the back with a hat, so I wasn’t noticed. I enjoy watching you pitch. Now it’s twice as exciting since I’ll get to watch both you and Z play.”

I smile. “I saw you in my jersey at our game.”

His gorgeous blue eyes sparkle. “I saw you in mine.”

I giggle. “Old habits die hard. I guess we’ll always be friends who cheer for each other.” Holding out my hand, I swallow down my feelings and offer, “Friends?”

He nods as he takes it in his. “Friends.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

QUINCY

I’m sitting at the Anacondas game with Layton, Ezra, Cheetah, and Blanche, who I invited to tag along. She and I have struck up a friendship. I walk Thor a few times a week, and she makes me a home-cooked meal a few times a month.

She likes to prod me about my love life. Assuming she’d never meet Ripley, I did confide in her about our time in Houston. I don’t know if she’s connected the dots just yet.

She and Cheetah are getting along well. He’s flirting with her, and she’s eating it up.

He winks at her. “Blanche, is it true that women only get better with age?”

She smiles. “There’s only one way to find out. Did I ever tell you that my husband was Latino?” She wiggles her eyebrows. “I’ve always had a thing for Latino men. Especially those who talk dirty in Spanish.”

“He sido un chico malo. Necesito una nalgada.”I’ve been a bad boy. I might need a spanking.

I have no idea what he just said, but Blanche lets out a loud laugh and says that she’s game for whatever he said.

She loops her arm through mine. “Your friends are fun. Thanks for bringing me.”

“I’m happy to. Stay away from Cheetah though. He’s trouble. I don’t want him breaking your heart.”

She smiles. “I could use a little trouble. My neighbor won’t put out.”

I chuckle. “Blanche, you have a one-track mind.”

“Umm hmm. That’s what my husband always said.” She leans over so the others can’t hear her. “I’m guessing that adorable redheaded pitcher is the woman you once mentioned to me.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Isn’t memory supposed to fade with age?”

“I have a memory like an elephant.”

I sigh. “Apparently. Yes, it’s her. We’ve agreed to be friends.”

“Is that what you want?”

I blow out a breath. “I can’t give her what she needs, so a friendship will have to do.”

She leans her head on my shoulder. “Things change. We’ll see.”

“Cotton-Eyed Joe” starts playing on the speakers between innings. Cheetah, who loves to make a spectacle of himself, pulls Blanche up by her hand and dances with her. She obliges with some impressive moves of her own. The cameras immediately find them, and they appear on the big screen, much to the delight of the fans.

I can’t help but smile. Cheetah is a jokester, but he’s agood guy underneath it all. He’s gone out of his way tonight to give Blanche a good time.

The Anacondas take the field and my eye catches Layton simply staring at my sister. He wants her. I can tell. He promised me he wouldn’t go there, but I know what a man in lust looks like.

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