Page 22 of We Met Like This
“Unlike you? I need balance?”
“Rude,” I said, shoving her arm. “But probably fair. I swear, I’m working on minimizing the drama.”
“Just in time for our quarterly brunch this weekend? The women are going to be so disappointed.”
“I don’t think I’m going to that. As another part of my penance for kissing Rob I have to go to my nephews’ T-ball game.”
“How does that make any sense?”
“Believe me, it does.”
“Well, try not to let your sister take over your life.”
“I think at this point, I’d be better off handing it over to her.”
CHAPTER 8
“Excuse me. Sorry,” I said, stepping in between a couple on the bleachers as I tried to make my way up to my family on the top row.
“Go Kaylie!” a man yelled to my right as I worked my way past another group. “Run! Run! No, other way!”
“You made it!” Mom said as I sat down next to her. She squeezed me into a side hug.
I leaned forward and waved at my sister, her husband, Chase, and my dad at the very end of our group. Audrey reached across my mom and squeezed my hand.
“Sorry I’m late. There was an accident on the 101,” I said as I settled back into place.
That was sort of true. There had been an accident, but it was already moved off to the side of the freeway. People still liked to gawk, though, so it slowed things more than I was expecting. The full truth was, I’d gotten up later than I intended.
This week had not been my favorite. Facing Rob after the kissing session had been just as awful as I’d expected it wouldbe. He asked me if I was okay and apologized for “letting his feelings get the best of him.” After what Sloane had implied about his intentions being less than honorable, I hadn’t told him everything was fine, like I normally did. I had said something that felt like it made sense in the moment, but the more I analyzed it, the more I realized it made zero sense. I had said, sitting at my desk, hair pulled up in a messy bun and lack-of-sleep circles under my eyes: “We’re just on a merry-go-round, and I’m going to have to either puke or get off.”
It wasn’t:Give me a promotion or I’m going to need to look at other job opportunities.It wasn’t:Read Kari’s damn book, Rob. She’s writing it with or without you.
Thinking about what I’d actually said again now, surrounded by happy parents watching their kids play T-ball, made my stomach flip.
“I wish you lived closer so you weren’t always the one having to travel so far,” Mom said, pulling me back into the moment.
“Then I’d have to commute to work every day.”
“True.” Her eyes went to my empty hands. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring a book today.”
“I only did that theonetime.” I had been twenty pages from the end when I had to leave. And I only read it during the slow times of the game.
Mom examined my face. Her expression turned to one of concern. “I’m worried about you.”
I smiled. “I know, I know, I look terrible.” When I’d rolled out of bed that morning, I pulled on a wrinkly T-shirt, some ratty jeans, and a baseball cap. It was a kids’ T-ball game; I figured I’d be fine. But my sister was wearing a flowy patterned blouse, dark jeans, and a pair of ankle boots. We did not look like we belonged at the same event.
But both me and my sister were my mom’s daughters. It was like she had split herself in half and given Audrey all the best parts—her impeccable sense of style, her mind for business, her follow-through. I got the leftovers—her loud laugh, her impulsiveness, her messy nature.
“No, you look nice,” Mom said. “But…” She didn’t finish. She was obviously talking about my face, not my clothes.
“I’m fine. Just tired.” I turned my attention to the field and searched for my nephews. “Have they been up to bat yet?”
“No.” She pointed to the outfield, where I could see Jack and Samuel standing shoulder to shoulder, looking at something in Jack’s hand. A dandelion, maybe?Somesort of flower or weed. In the midst of their inspection, a ball came rolling between them and Jack dropped the weed and chased after it, Samuel close behind.
I cupped my hands around my mouth and yelled, “Go, Jack and Sammy!”
Chase let out a holler as well.
