Page 48 of His Team

He looks like he’s going to say something, but he clamps his mouth shut and shakes his head. So much has changed this evening. I think I have a friend for life.

I look down at the time on my phone. “Cam?”

“Yeah?”

“Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Mina,” he says and kisses my cheek.

CHAPTER 17

Games & Tempers

Cameron

Caleb wasn’t going to make it back for the game, for which my father got us a box for Christmas, so I texted Maribel to ask her to come along with me. I was afraid she would say no at first. Kay didn’t want to come when I asked her after Daddy first gifted us the box.

It made sense for him to get us a box when the gift was for me and Caleb. I would have felt dumb going all on my own. Maribel was all for it.

I’m glad I asked her. This has been so much fun. I haven’t laughed this much in I don’t know how long. I’m enjoying myself so much I’ve been trying not to excuse myself to go to the bathroom.

However, if she makes me laugh one more time, I’m going to pee myself. That would be so fucking embarrassing. Not wanting to totally ruin the night by wetting myself like a toddler, I give in.

“I’ll be right back. I need to use the bathroom,” I say and stand up.

“Dude, I’ve had to go for the last twenty minutes,” she laughs.

“Thank God there are two in here. You better handle your business.”

“Okay, let’s go. Break,” she says and claps her hands before she takes off for the restroom.

I run for the other one and make it just in time. I find myself smiling as I relieve myself. We have to do something like this again.

I wonder who this guy is she’s supposed to marry. I get the feeling he’s not some ordinary guy. My dad has connections, but I don’t think he has the kind Maribel needs to get free of this guy she’s supposed to marry.

“There has to be a way,” I muse.

I don’t just want to help her because I want her. She’s my friend and that shit is terrible. Kay and I will never get married if something doesn’t change.

I shiver at the thought. I couldn’t stomach being married to a version of my mama. Kay isn’t as bad, but was my mama the way she is now when my daddy married her? I doubt it.

I feel bad sometimes because I don’t think Daddy would still be with her if she didn’t have me and Cal. It’s not that he doesn’t love her. I’ve seen when he looks at her and the love is there.

I’ve also seen when she’s pissed him off and he looks like he wants to toss her overboard and tell everyone she slipped and there was nothing he could do. However, the days of wanting to toss her seem to have become more frequent than any.

I don’t want to live my life like that. I’ve been thinking a lot about all the things I do want. I’m starting to realize that while I love playing baseball, I’m not sure if I want to play in the majors.

I’ll do it for Cam, but if he doesn’t go, I don’t think I plan to try. I also don’t know if I ever want to get married. Not as soon as my Mama and Kay have planned for me.

I don’t know that I’ve experienced anything that I should have before jumping into all that. I’ve watched a hell of a lot of porn, but I’ve only ever been with one girl. Sure, I know what I like, but I don’t know if there are things I would like more or things I wouldn’t like at all.

At eighteen, I know I haven’t lived. I couldn’t imagine being married off to some stranger. Maribel is so strong for trying to deal with all of this on her own.

“Kay’s not a stranger, but aren’t you dealing with the same thing?” I mutter as I go to walk out of the bathroom.

When I step out, I freeze. My blood begins to boil. I don’t even think, I react.

My fists are flying before I can check myself. I start knocking motherfuckers out; I might ask questions later. What I’m not expecting is for my friend, who I think I’m protecting, to jump in.

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