Page 23 of His Team

“Just talking, right?”

He nods. “You have my word. We’ll just talk.”

“Okay, there’s this cool spot out back. We can sit out there if no one is occupying it.”

He laces his fingers with mine. I look up into his eyes and smile. His gaze drops to my lips and then back to my eyes.

He gives my hand a gentle squeeze and winks at me. I relax and allow him to lead me through the crowd to get out back. I’m bummed out as we find the area fully occupied.

“Do you live in the area around the Chinese place and supermarket?”

“Yeah, well, I stay over there. I’m supposed to be living in the dorms.”

“Cool, my place is nearby there too. Let me walk you home. We can talk on the way,” he offers.

“I didn’t come alone. My friends are still partying. Besides, how do I know I can trust you with where I live?”

He snorts. “I’m the guy you call to take out the trash, baby. Never the trash that needs taking out.”

“Okay, Cam. I felt that. I have to warn you though. I’m no stranger to street fighting. These hands are nice.”

He laughs. “I’ll keep that in mind. I’m going to text my friend to let him know I’m leaving. You should do the same. You can tell them I’m walking you home.”

I think his words over. I don’t think I want to tell Taylor or Joelle that Camron Perry is walking me home. Thoughts of how they were tripping on the way here about the potential ofbaseball and swim team guys attending the party comes to mind and I know I’m not going to tell them.

Instead, I take my phone out and text them that I need to go home because I’m not feeling well. Taylor replies immediately telling me to wait so she can leave with me. I tell her not to worry about it; I’ll see her when she gets in.

“All set,” I say and look up at Cam.

He takes my hand, and we start in the direction of our neighborhood. I regret the decision to walk home about two blocks in. I pull to a stop and do a little foot-to-foot dance, trying to relieve the pain.

“Those shoes killing your feet?”

“Yeah, just give me a sec. You were saying you’ve been playing baseball all your life.”

“Pretty much,” he says as he bends down and starts to unlace his boots.

I look at him curiously. He straightens as he toes them off. He then turns them to face me.

I yelp as he lifts me from my feet. My heels fall off and he lowers me into his boots. With a smile on his lips, he kneels to tie the boots to my ankles. Picking up my heels, he laces our fingers together again.

“What are you supposed to wear?” I ask.

“I have on socks. I’ll throw them out when I get home.”

“Cam, you could hurt yourself. You have to start practice next week. Please take your shoes back.”

He leans to kiss my forehead. “I’m good. So, where were we? No siblings?” he asks and winks at me.

“No, I’m an only child.”

“Where are you from? I still haven’t placed the accent. I know it’s from up North, but not sure where,” he says.

“New Jersey by way of New York. You’re hearing the New Yorker in me. I haven’t lived in New Jersey as long. Is your brother your only sibling?”

“Yup. Just me and Cal, but my cousin Dakota is pretty much like a sister.”

“That must have been fun, growing up with a twin.”

---