Page 75 of The Third Baseman

“Yes, me. And you. You and me.”

“Jupiter, there is no you and me. There’s you, who brought me to New York, and me who is trying to figure my life out. And this,” I flicked my hand back and forth, “this isn’t helping. You aren’t helping. You can’t just say that we’re together because you decreed it.”

He blinked slowly, then stared as he realized what I was saying, “Hang on, have you said yes to this chump?”

“He’s not a chump!”

When Beulah said Jupiter would get riled up, she had no idea. The vein on his neck bulged, his eyes narrowed, then his voice dropped to an eerie calm. “Have you?”

I couldn’t move back any further, I was already pressed hard against the wall. “No, but even if I had, you have no say in the matter. I’m free to date whomever I want.”

One big hand pressed to the wall above me. “And what’s this guy got that I haven’t?”

I swallowed thickly, determined to hold my ground and prayed he didn’t get any closer. “Manners. He asked me if I would like to go for coffee. He didn’t manipulate me into moving two thousand miles, he didn’t break into my hotel room wearing only pajama pants, he doesn’t make jokes about me wanting his body.” I dropped my head and whispered, “And he hasn’t already broken my heart.”

He moved away, his fingers running through his hair just like I used to do for him. I could see a hefty dose of hurt framing his eyes as they roamed my face, and I wanted to feel remorse – but I didn’t. It was nothing compared to the hurt he’d caused me. I waited. I thought he might leave, but I was wrong.

He crossed his arms over his chest, just like me. Except when he did it, his tattoos stretched out as his muscles flexed, and he looked like he’d belonged in a biker gang. He looked like the menacing guy on the posters around the city, and I was doing an excellent job at not crumbling under his intimidation tactics.

He spoke, finally. “Okay, Star, I’ll play along.”

My eyes shot up to catch his glinting.

“You’ll play along?” I spat.

“It’s cute that you think you’ll find someone better than me, but sure… you need to get something out of your system, go for it. Go on a date with this guy, try and prove me wrong.” He failed to notice that the tick under my eye was going double time as my jaw clenched. “But tell me this… is there anyone else?

“Anyone else?” I breathed out, trying to stay as calm as possible, but inside I was burning red-hot. My throat was thickening with scalding tears I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing. Tears he didn’t deserve.

His head tilted. “Yes. Is it just this coffee douche? Or are there others?”

“No, there aren’t others!”

What did he think I was doing? Lining people up around the city?

“Good.” He nodded slowly, casually, though he was anything but, “Just checking if there are any more barriers in my way that I need to deal with. But make no mistake, I am getting you back.”

“You are so fucking arrogant! You’re an ass. An actual ass!”

His grin was only missing a cutlass and a gold tooth. “You always said you loved my ass.”

“You know what? I take it back. And I take my offer of friendship back too,” I choked, but it was too late to stop him from witnessing the tears. I pushed open the door to my office and slammed it behind me as they poured hot and angry down my cheeks.

I hit the lock, not wanting him to follow me.

Drawing the back of my hand across my sniveling nose, I snatched up my phone. If Jupiter Reeves wanted me to go on a date, then that’s exactly what I was going to do. Just as I realized I didn’t take Barney’s number, my cell buzzed.

Barney:When are we taking you for your first lesson in proper coffee?

Marnie:As soon as possible.

I hit send, and sobbed harder.

Maybe I could sob some sense into myself… or at least until I figured out what I was doing.

11

JUPITER

---