Page 8 of Curveball

We finally start to throw the ball around. They know a ton of fun games we can play without a full team.

While I’m definitely not fast like Arizona is, I have a great arm and the boys are in shock. It takes all of two minutes for me to blend in with them. I’m having the best time. I can’t believe they do this every day.

When we’re walking home, Arizona stops to tie her shoe, and Diamond waits by her side, leaving Quincy and me alone for the first time. “Thanks for inviting me. It was fun.”

He shrugs. “You’re a good ballplayer. Despite your lunchbox, Shortcake, I knew you’d be able to hang if my sister said so. She’s never allowed another girl to come with us to the park before.Ever.”

I smile, feeling so proud right now.

“You have a pretty smile. It makes your eyes look extra blue.”

“Thank you.” I think that was a compliment. “Today is the first time a boy has ever stuck up for me. It’s the first time I’ve ever played ball with boys.”

He smiles. It’s lopsided and cute. His blue eyes sparkle. “First time, huh?”

I nod. “Yep.”

He throws his arm around me. I’m in heaven. “I think I’ll take all your firsts, Shortcake. Okay?”

I don’t know what that means, but he can have them. Whatever they are, they’re his. “Okay.”

“Are you going to the picnic on Saturday?”

I hang my head. “I can’t. I don’t have a dad.”

“Oh, he doesn’t live with you?”

“I…umm…I’ve never met him before.”

Quincy slowly nods, like he’s thinking about something. “Well, our dad never comes to stuff for Z. I have to be her dad sometimes. I can be yours too. We can all go to the picnic together.”

I smile. “Really?”

“Sure thing, Shortcake.”

That picnic was the first of many events Quincy attended with me when I didn’t have anyone else. It was rarely discussed. It was just assumed he would take me to father-daughter picnics, dances, and other school events.

We spent years going to the park after school and playing ball with the older boys. Even when new boys complained about Arizona and me tagging along, Quincy always stood up for us. As soon as they saw us play, they usually shut up pretty quickly.

I’ll never forget that first day though. It’s the day that I met my best friend, Arizona Abbott, and the day I think I fell in love with Quincy Abbott. The day I promised him all my firsts.

CHAPTER TWO

QUINCY – AGE 21 {RIPLEY – AGE 16}

Caleb bro hugs me. “Good luck, buddy. Bring some of that West Coast fun to the pros.”

I chuckle. “Thanks, man. Let’s hope it actually happens. If not, I’ll be back sharing a bathroom with your smelly ass.”

“Nah, man, you’re the real deal. This is happening for you. Today is the day dreams are made of. Live it for all of us.”

I slap his back. “Your time will come. Thanks for waking up so early to say goodbye. Wherever I end up, you’ll come visit, right?”

“You know it. Now put on a fucking shirt and get out of here. You know you have to wear a shirt to play pro ball, right? There are no topless leagues.”

I wink. If I’m not playing ball, I’m usually shirtless. I’m always so hot. The guys make fun of me for it, butI’m more comfortable that way, and now I do it half the time just to get a rise out of them.

After slipping on my T-shirt, I get in my car, which is packed to the gills, and pull out for the last time.I hope.

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