Page 54 of Curveball

What’s worse is that I see her looking over at him every now and then. Something either has or is about to happen between them. It’s driving me nuts. I don’t want to see her get hurt again.

We’re now a few innings into the game, and Ripley is throwing a no-hitter. She’s so fucking good. So dominant in her sport. I’m mesmerized watching her play.

At some point I see Cheetah looking Ripley up and down. He leans over and mutters, “I wonder if she’s a real redhead. Do you think the carpet matches the drapes?”

Without thinking, I picture her naked body, smile, and say, “It does.”

Shit.

He stares at me with his mouth wide open. I quickly look around to see if anyone else heard me. Layton’s gazing at my sister like a lost puppy. He didn’t hear me. I don’t think Ezra did either, though I catch Blanche trying to hide her smile. That old bat has bat ears.

Cheetah grabs my arm. “Q, why don’t you and I go get a beer?”

He practically drags me up to the concourse. “Are you sneaky linking Ripley?”

“No, I’m not.”

He crosses his arms and smirks. “How do you know about her carpet?”

“I’ve…umm…known her since she was a kid. She’s always had red hair. I was simply stating that it’s not fake.”

I can physically see him thinking and then I see the moment it hits him. “Ho-lee-fuck. She’s why you like bigger chicks. You want Ripley, so you find women who have similar figures to hers.” His face lights up. “Now it all makes sense.”

I roll my eyes. “That’s not true. I’ve always been into bigger women.”

“And you’ve always known Ripley.”

“Unrelated.”

“You’re clapping cheeks with her, aren’t you?”

“Nope.”

“You two are playing hide the sausage, aren’t you?”

“No.”

“I know you’re shaking the sheets with her.”

“Stop it.”

“Does Arizona know? Maybe I should chat with her about it.”

I put my finger in his face. “Don’t you fucking dare. She doesn’t know anything.”

He smiles. “Ah, but there’s something there. I know I’m right. She’s smokin’ hot. What’s the big deal?”

I blow out a breath. “I need you to keep this between us.” I fix my hat and run my fingers through my hair nervously. “We used to hook up. It was casual. Always on the down-low. When she caught feelings, we ended things. It’s been a long time since we were together. We’ve agreed to remain friends. That’s the truth.”

“Dude, a blind man can see that you’re hung up on her. Have you hooked up with random chicks since she came to town?”

I reluctantly shake my head.

“You’re still into her.” He doesn’t ask it as a question. He says it as a statement. “Is she still into you?”

“She used to be. She says she’s over me.”

“She’s not. She’s always staring at you when you’re not looking. Same way you do with her. Why aren’t you together? She’s an awesome chick.”

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