Page 125 of The Third Baseman

Me and Marnie had not been one of the subjects on my list. In fact, of all the things in my life, Marnie seemed to be one they approved of, almost more so than baseball.

“Okay…” I began as it dawned on me that maybe they knew what we did during ‘study’ time. “We’re being careful if that’s what this is about. We haven’t been having sex long, but we’re being careful.”

He waved his hand, a grimace flashing across his face. “No, no that’s not what this is about, but I’m glad you’re being careful.”

I sighed in relief, especially as my mom chose that moment to walk in.

“Hey, sweetie.” She kissed my cheek then sat next to my dad, and I realized they were both here to talk.

This wasn’t good.

“You’re in on this too? What’s going on?” I snapped. My agitation was beginning to fester. I might have been a little more relaxed if Emerson had waited another five fucking minutes, but on top of having to deal with this, I still had a latent tingling in my balls.

“There’s nothing going on, there’s nothing to be in on. We just want to make sure you’re okay, that’s all. We have some concerns.”

I looked at my dad. “If this isn’t about sex, what is it about?”

My mom leaned across the table like my dad had, her fingers steepling together. “Jupiter, sweetheart, we like Marnie, she’s a nice girl, she’s been great for you.”

“Yeah, I know…”

They glanced at each other, and I knew I was about to be hit with nothing I wanted to be hit with. “Noah Matthews came over to see us last night. He said Marnie’s requested to stay in school. She asked him to sign her note rescinding her acceptance to M.I.T. She’s decided she wants to go to CalTech instead.”

My brows dropped down so low, a headache almost instantly appeared. “What? No way, that’s not possible.”

My dad cleared his throat. “You didn’t know about this? Noah seemed to think this could be coming from you, which is why we wanted to have a talk.”

“What? No! Marnie wouldn’t do this without telling me, and she wouldn’t do it, period, he’s lying. Marnie and I made a pact for when she goes to college and I’m drafted.”

Mom rolled her lips together, and I could tell she wasn’t convinced. “He seemed pretty sure. He said she’d told him the courses were better at CalTech. He wasn’t happy; she’s his little girl and he thinks she’s throwing her future away.”

“Guys, I’m telling you, Marnie wouldn’t do this.” My jaw ground hard. “I wouldn’t let her either, that’s why we made a pact. She’s going to Boston, and we’ll see each other as often as we can.”

But they carried on as though I hadn’t spoken. “The draft is in a few days, Jupiter, and it’s going to be full-on. You’ll barely have time to come home, let alone travel to Boston. We’ll support you either way, but it’s not just your life we’re talking about. Marnie’s not seventeen yet.”

“Mom, she’s seventeen in a few weeks,” I snapped. “We’ll figure it out. But I’m telling you, Noah Matthews is full of shit. Marnie is going to M.I.T.”

“Okay, we just wanted to check,” she conceded, and then she smiled. “Let’s grill tonight, ask Marnie over.”

I stood up, needing to move; needing to think. Needing to get away from this conversation, I thumbed behind me. “You guys done? I’m going to my room.”

I took off before they could reply, sprinting up the stairs two at a time, and slammed my door behind me.

What the fuck?

We’d talked about a pact.

I walked over to the window, then fell onto the bed.

Where had this come from?

When we first got together she would talk about M.I.T. all the time; her courses, what the campus was like, the library… but if I really thought about it, she hadn’t mentioned it for a few weeks. Not since that brief conversation we’d had about CalTech.

And the last time I’d talked about visiting Boston, she’d changed the subject.

A dull gnawing started up in my belly. Ten minutes ago, I’d been so certain Noah Matthews was lying, but it was possible there was a shred of truth.

I jumped up from my bed; lying down wasn’t doing it. Thinking would be easier if I was standing.

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