Page 64 of Curveball

“Then why are you jogging?”

“It helps me think. I’ve got a lot going on right now, Q.”

“I know you do. I’m sorry. What are you and Rip up to tonight? Do you want to hang out?”

“Honestly, I just want to take a long bath and go to bed. Ripley has a date. She’s not around.”

I grind my molars and try to sound calm. “Who with?”

“I don’t know. She wouldn’t give me any details, but she was excited about it. She bought a new dress and looked gorgeous in it.”

Calm. Stay calm. “Any clue where they went?”

“I think she said Zahav. Whoever it is must have money.”

Zahav is one of the nicest restaurants in Philly. It sounds like this sleazeball wants to get into her pants.

“Cool. Are you okay from yesterday? Everything with Whittaker?”

“I’ve been watching GIFs of him getting laid out by Layton all day. It was pretty fucking awesome.”

I smile. “It was. Layton was brilliant. It was all his idea.”

“I know. Thanks, Q. Love you, stinky pants.”

“Love you too, Z. Have a good night.”

“You too.”

I pull up the Uber app on my phone. Where to? Zahav.

RIPLEY

This date is going really well. The best I’ve had in a long time.

Brandon is sweet and attentive. And so cute, with thick brown hair and a sexy beard. He’s asking me a lot of questions and seems genuinely interested. We’ve been texting on and off for a few weeks. Yesterday with Quincy was the push I needed to finally say yes to Brandon about having dinner. He was thrilled and asked to do so immediately.

I’m glad I did this. I need it to move on from the hold Quincy has over me.

My date is the opposite of Quincy, being so mellow and easy-going. Though Quincy is outwardly like that with others. Just not always with me.

Brandon has a job in finance but was a former college football player. An offensive lineman. I need a big man, and he more than fits the bill.

“How was it playing football in college?”

“A huge time commitment. You know all about that though.” He smiles. “I googled you. Wow. You’re incredible. A few national championships, player of the year finalist, and you’re considered a shoo-in for the 2028 Olympic team.”

I bat my eyelashes. “Not bad for the awkward, chunky kid, right?”

He picks up my hand and kisses it. “I think you’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.”

He pulls his hand away and sits up straight. “Sorry. I don’t mean to come on so strong.”

I smile softly. “It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

“I was trying to learn the differences between softball and baseball. I know it’s a bigger ball and a smaller field. What about pitching? Are there differences there too?”

“The biggest difference in pitching is our motion. In baseball, they pitch overhand from a raised mound. In softball, we pitch underhand from a flat surface.”

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