Page 3 of Sometimes You Fall

I hold up my cup. “Hey, I’m having a beer, okay?”

She plants her hands on her hips. “Well, until you do a keg stand for longer than I just did, I’m not going to pretend that I’m impressed.”

My friends move toward the other side of the yard where more commotion has started, leaving the two of us alone. “I’m happy to let you keep the keg stand champion title.”

She smiles, a hint of challenge in her voice. “Wuss.”

I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to me, and begin walking to a more secluded area across the yard. There’s a tire swing attached to a huge oak tree, and Scottie slides her legs through the tire while I set my beer on the ground so I can pushher.

“You ready for what comes next?” she asks, tilting her head all the way back and gazing at the sky through the leaves as she swings back and forth.

“California?”

“Yeah.”

“As ready as I can be.”

“Have you thrown up yet?”

Laughing, I say, “Nope. And I think if anyone is going to throw up tonight, it’s going to be you.”

She giggles. “You’re probably right.”

“You don’t usually drink, Scottie. Everything okay?”

She twists her head to the side so our eyes can meet as her entire body continues to lie flat while she swings. “Just trying to have a little fun, Reynolds. You should try it sometime. Life doesn’t always have to be serious.”

“I know how to have fun.”

She scoffs. “Okay…”

“You don’t think I can have fun?”

“I think you’re afraid to have fun.” She grows quiet for a moment, and then speaks again. “Promise me we’ll keep in touch.”

My chest aches instantly. “Of course, Scottie.”

“I’m serious. I’ll be cheering you on, Grady. I know you’re going to make it to the major leagues.”

“You’re going to make it too, Scottie.”

“Duh,” she says, making us both laugh.

“It’s going to be tough getting there.”

“Nothing we can’t handle though, right?” She smirks back at me. “I mean, we’re both kinda the shit in our respective sports.”

“Yeah, I think we’re definitely top-tier talent.”

“I can’t wait to watch you on TV,” she says, dragging her feet on the ground as if she wants to slow down. When she swings back toward me, I grab the tire and pull her to a stop. Our eyes meet and everything around us grows quiet. Offering her my hand, I help her out of the tire, and she falls into my chest, her body off-balance from the alcohol and the swing. I wrap my arm around her back, holding her against me.

“You promise you’ll be watching?”

Her lips spread in a huge smile as her eyes bounce back and forth between mine. “Hell yeah.”

I smile back at that beautiful face and drag a finger down her cheek, making her breath hitch. For a moment, I wonder if I should kiss her, taste her since I know I’ll probably never get the chance again. She’s headed to the University of Georgia to play softball, and I’m headed to the opposite side of the country.

It’s only one kiss, one that I might regret not taking while I have this chance.