Page 94 of Curveball

Mom leans over to Kam while staring at Cheetah. “You’ve tapped that, right?”

Kam smiles. “I sure have.”

“Good girl.”

Yep, June St. James is in the house.

CHAPTER TWENTY

QUINCY

I’m so amped up over my performance tonight. I appreciate everyone wanting to celebrate, but all I really want to do is get lost in Ripley’s body. I tried to proposition her, but she reminded me that we’ve already had our finale and that her mom is staying with her.

It’s nearly one in the morning when everyone leaves to go home. After an hour of tossing and turning, I head over to Ripley’s. I know Arizona is staying at Layton’s so June can use her bedroom. There’s no risk of her being there.

I have a spare key and quietly let myself in. I tiptoe into her bedroom and see her fast asleep, spread out on top of her blankets. The best part? She’s wearing my jersey. My heart just about explodes seeing her like that.

As I get closer, I see a file and a bunch of papers laid out over her like she was reading them before falling asleep. I start to clean them up for her when my eyecatches a few key phrases.Dissolution of Marriagebeing the biggest and boldest at the top. Looking closer, I realize they’re divorce papers with both our names on them.

Why does it fucking hurt so much? I shouldn’t care, but I do. On some level, I always knew this was inevitable.

I initially gather the papers and place them on her night table. Then I jam them under several magazines, hoping she’ll forget about them. After a few seconds of thought, I decide it’s best to rip them up and place the evidence in my pocket for disposal. Yep, that should do the trick.

I then look back at Ripley with her bare, long legs on display. Her perfect profile. Her porcelain skin. A sense of sadness runs through me realizing that one day I’m going to have to watch her walk down the aisle to another man. I look at her covered stomach. One day another man’s child will grow inside her. The pain of both of those thoughts is almost too much to bear.

Time is running out for us. She’s going to leave town and be out of my life again. This time, I know it will be for good.

For the briefest of moments, I let my mind travel to somewhere I’ve never once let it go. Could I ever be the man she deserves? Could I ever give her what she needs?

I immediately flashback to my own childhood. The feelings of abandonment. Feeling like I didn’t matter. Never seeing a parent in the audience of a school assembly. Never having a parent come to a school art show. Never having a parent at my games. The soul-crushing feeling of loneliness. I vowed to do my best as a brother so Arizona would never feel half of what I felt. I know I succeeded. She wantsnormalthings in life. Herpain doesn’t run deep like mine. If I’ve done nothing else good, shielding and practically raising Arizona is the one thing I’ve done right.

The only thing I know for sure right now is that I need to cherish every moment with Ripley, for each one could be our last. I know I’m on borrowed time with her.

I strip down to my boxers and slip into the bed. I can’t help but stare at her beauty. Her hair is wild, and her cherry-red lips seem kiss swollen. I have a moment of panic and look around, but I know no one is here. That’s how they get in her sleep. I’ve never been more familiar with a woman’s body than I am with hers.

Not able to help myself, I lean over and start to kiss her. My tongue moves into her mouth before she begins to stir.

Her body stiffens in shock until she realizes what’s happening. Once she does, she relaxes, threads her fingers through my hair, and moans into my mouth as she kisses me back.

I pull her body flush to mine and grab her leg over my hip. We kiss and kiss with no sense of urgency. Our familiar tastes and tongues weave in practiced unison. I crave this connection with her. We’re two pieces of a puzzle that fit so perfectly together. Physically. Emotionally, I’m the broken round knob on one of those pieces, meaning I’ll never fit in with the rest.

After a few minutes, she breaks the kiss and breathlessly whispers, “Hi.”

I whisper back, “Hi. I’m sorry, but I needed to be with you tonight. My mind is on overdrive, and I need to feel you.”

“We can’t—"

“It’s not about that. I won’t lie and say I don’t wantit, I do, but what I want more right now is to be with you after the best night of my life. To share it with you.” I sink my nose into her neck. “Let me breathe you in. For one night, let me be close to you. Let me hold you. I promise to behave.”

I see her internal battle. Her heart and head want two different things. Eventually she nods. “You have to leave early.”

“I know. My alarm is set.”

“And you need to keep it in your pants.”

“I know.”

She lets out a breath as she relaxes into me. Our bodies are still pressed together. I see a small smile form on her lips. “Tonight was incredible.Youwere incredible. I’m so proud of you.”

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