Page 27 of Pitcher Us
Her hand drops from my arm as she stares at me sheepishly, waiting for me to say something.
Hell, I’m waiting for me to say something. What should I say?Oh, good because I find myself wanting to touch youimpulsively, but in a caring way so that makes it better.I can’t fucking say that.
The silence is deafening. I should just say thank you, right? There’s nothing misguided in that. But as I open my mouth, and her eyes gleam in anticipation, I see her brother coming up the stairs.
“What are you guys still doing out here? I thought Callie was going to freeze to death.” Adam slings his arm around his sister. “What a horrible way to go—and on your birthday, nonetheless.”
With one more look my way, Callie turns to her brother, letting all her sass come back to her voice. “I just wanted to wait on you. If Will’s actual plan is to kill us on Christmas, I’d rather not go alone.”
“I don’t plan on killing you on your birthday, Callie,” I deadpan. Christmas has been an afterthought for most of the day honestly.
The smirk that crosses her face melts away all the tension in my body. It shouldn’t, but it does. It’s short-lived as the front door swings open.
“Why are you all just standing out here?” my sister Reagan says. The little shit starter has probably been looking through the peephole the entire time. She motions for Callie and Adam to come in first and gives me a shit-eating grin as they pass by.
“Adam forgot his phone in the car,” I mumble.
She hums quietly. “How nice of you to wait on him.”
I don’t remind my sister of the friend status I’ve practically beaten over her and Lucie’s heads already.
“Yay! You’re here!” Lucie cheers, greeting everyone with an involuntary hug. “Hi, I’m Lucie.”
Sliding in front of both of my sisters, I step closer to Callie for introductions. My sisters exchange a smile that sits with me the wrong way causing me to immediately retract my step. “Theseare my sisters, Reagan and Lucie. Reagan, Lucie, this is Adam, and his sister, Callie.”
“We’re so excited you all came! You know, Will’s never brought any of his teammates to visit before.” Reagan’s eating this up. She turns to look at Callie again. “Or a friend, for that matter.”
“That part still may be true,” Lucie snickers under her breath.
“Okay, is lunch ready?” I ask, eager to get this party going, but then my mom comes strolling in.
“Oh, you made it!” She clasps her hands together and sighs in relief. “I’m so happy you all came.” Stepping forward she goes to Callie first for a quick hug then to Adam. “Hi, I’m Catherine. Will’s mom.”
“Thank you for having us, Ms. Anderson.” Adam nods and shakes Callie’s shoulder. “I’m sure my sister is especially grateful that she doesn’t have to endure my cooking or slave over her own birthday meal.”
“First, please call me Catherine,” my mother chastises as sweetly as she can. “And yes, Callie! Will said it was your birthday! Happy birthday, we are all excited to finally meet some of the people Will works with.”
“And potentially loves,” Lucie whispers to Reagan.
Thankfully I don’t think anyone else hears it, but just to irritate her I undo her claw clip and drop it on the rug.
Doing Lucie’s version of cursing, she hits my shoulder and whisper-shouts, “Wi?—”
Cutting her off and stepping in front of her, I play it off by greeting my mom with a hug. “So, is lunch ready?”
“Yes, it’s ready.” My mom gestures down the hall. “Reagan, Lucie, why don’t you guys lead the way.”
Great, here we go. My sisters start and Adam and Callie follow behind them, but when I go, my mom holds me back.I knew it.
“She’s really pretty,” she whispers with a smile.
“I’m not doing this with you too.” I sigh. “We’re friends. Her brother is my teammate.”
My mom nods her head, but her facial expression tells me she doesn’t believe me at all.
“I’m serious, Mom,” I huff.
“Mm-hmm, I believe that you believe that. She might even believe it too.” She pats my shoulder with a smile. “I don’t believe that.”
