Page 129 of Off Season

Oh my god. “Oh, Bails. I’m so fucking sorry.”

She’s practically hyperventilating in tears. “I…I thought he loved me too.”

She can barely stand. She’s so brokenhearted. I knew she couldn’t be casual with him. It goes against her grain. I rub her back. “I know you’re hurting, but didn’t he tell you from the beginning that you guys weren’t long-term? That he didn’t want marriage and more kids?”

Just like I said to Cheetah before I went and fell for him.

She nods and sobs, “Yes, but the way he acts with me didn’t match those words. Other things he’s said to me don’t line up with that. No man has ever treated me with more love, compassion, and tenderness. Everything he did told me he was falling the same way I was.”

She’s not wrong. I’ve seen them together. He was at the funeral acting like the doting boyfriend. And every time since, I watch him watch her. I was starting to think he was falling in lovewith her too, and I’ve only been around them together a small handful of times. She’s with him nearly every day.

Suddenly I’m realizing that I’m like Tanner in this situation. I told Cheetah we were nothing, but we became something, and I knew it. Then I tossed him away like Tanner is doing to my sister.

I nod. “You’re right. Want me to burn down his house? I’ll do it and not think twice about it.”

She manages a small laugh. “No, but thanks for offering.”

“I’d do anything for you.Anything.”

She knows I mean it. I would burn down the world for my sister. In some ways, I have.

She leans her head on my shoulder. “Right now, I need to spend a weekend crying and figuring out my life.”

“You don’t need to figure out your life this weekend, but we can eat gallons of ice cream and watchTitanicon repeat if you’d like.”

Fuck, I have a big test tonight, but she needs me. I can’t abandon my sister in her time of need. I’ll email my professor. Hopefully she’ll be understanding.

After a long weekend of crying,my strong sister wipes the theoretical dust from her shoulders and tells me that she has to go coach Harper’s softball team. I beg her to quit her job with Tanner, but because she’s the best human being I know, she refuses, saying she intends to honor her commitments.

There’s not a fucking chance of me letting her coach without me during her time of need. Even though the thought of working with twelve eight-year-old girls terrifies the living shit out of me, I tell her that I’ll be her assistant coach. Apparently, the season runs for about two more months. I can handle two months of sticky, whiny kids. Hell, I like Harper. She’s like a mini adult.

Admittedly, the girls’ eyes when we both arrive at practice arepriceless. Sometimes I forget that little girls look up to us as role models. Me, a role model. What a joke.

We’re huddled up as I’m introduced, and Bailey encourages me to say a few words. “Hey, bitches.” They all giggle, and Bailey elbows me to remind me not to curse in front of them. Fat chance of that happening.

I continue. “I’m Kamryn Hart. You can call me Kam or Queen Kam, whichever you prefer.”

Bailey interrupts. “You can call her Coach Kam.”

I roll my eyes. “Or that. Unlike my sister, I’m shit at working with kids, so I’m going to treat you like adults. Hell, Harper is smarter than most fucking adults I know.”

The girls all laugh, and Harper’s face lights up. Harper Montgomery is a pretty little girl with light brown hair and unique blue eyes that stand out. She’s always happy and thinks the world revolves around my sister, which means she has excellent taste.

“I recognize a few of you from Harper’s birthday and our games.” I tap my lip as I study their faces carefully. “You, with the dark curly hair. You’re Andie, right?”

She smiles and nods. Her father is one of the team owners of the Anacondas. She’s always at our home games. I think she’s Harper’s best friend.

I narrow my eyes at her. “I see you wearing an Abbott jersey all the time. Where’s the love for me?”

Her eyes widen in fear, but my sister simply shakes her head. “She’s just kidding, Andie. Wear whoever’s jersey you want. We appreciate the support. Why don’t each of you say your name and position? My sister has a very good memory. You only need to say it once.”

The girls all give me their names and positions. The shortstop is a little girl named Sapphire. I mumble to Bailey, “Did her parents put a pole in her crib when they gave her that name?”

She simply shakes her head at me as practice begins. The girls aren’t bad. Harper is by far the best player on the team. Sheapparently moved from shortstop to second base to be like Bailey, but she should be the shortstop. She’s got an amazing arm, and her softball IQ is off the charts.

Sapphire, the future exotic dancer, plays shortstop. She’s not good enough. I whisper to Bailey. “We should move Andie from third to short. The stripper can’t handle it.”

She scrunches her face. “At this age, I’m trying to let them play where they want to. Andie likes third. They should move around some anyway. We’ll rotate them as the season progresses. It’s all about them learning.”

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