The Best Mistake

by O'Gorman, Cookie

  Jeez, was this what I sounded like when I tried to deny my feelings? No wonder Charlie hadn’t believed me. As the players came in from warm-up and walked past us in the stands, Baylor looked up and threw June a wink. She smiled and bit her lip.

  “June seriously, don’t encourage him,” Emmy said, sitting down beside her. She was carrying a bottle of water and a towel. I noticed then that, for the most part, we were all dressed the same—jeans and t-shirt—and gave a sigh of relief. Thank you, Charlie. “You know he’s a player,” Emmy went on. “Plus, you’re my best friend. He knows better than to try something with you.”

  June rolled her eyes. “As if I’d be interested.”

  “Do you know how many friends I’ve lost because they went behind my back and screwed him? Not to mention how many have tried to befriend me to hook up with my brothers? Too many to count.”

  “Nothing to worry about, Em,” June said. “It’s not like he’d ever notice me anyway.”

  Emmy shot her a look that said yeah-right before switching her gaze to me. “And how are things with you and Archer?”

  “We decided to just be friends,” I said.

  “Who decided? You or him?”

  “Well, I came up with the idea, but—”

  “Ah,” she said. “I see.”

  June sat forward. “So, you’re going to try and be friends? With Archer?”

  “Yeah,” I said slowly as the two of the exchanged a significant look. “Is there something wrong with that?”

  “Oh no,” June said at the same time Emmy said, “Not really.”

  I waited, knowing there was more to it.

  Emmy sighed after a moment then added, “Arch isn’t really a just-friends type of guy. I don’t remember him ever having a friend who was a girl. Do you, June?”

  “Nope,” June said. “Can’t say I do. The others yes, but not Archer.”

  I laughed but stopped just as quickly, noting the looks on their faces.

  “You’re serious?” I said.

  They nodded.

  “But I’m sure he’s had girlfriends, right?”

  Emmy nodded. “Yeah, about three.”

  My eyes widened. “Three? But he’s so wonderful and attractive and—”

  Emmy held up a hand, feigning sickness even as she smiled. “Please stop. I can’t take anymore.”

  I laughed. “Okay but come on. Only three girlfriends? All his life? Archer O’Brien? I don’t believe it.”

  “Hmm,” June said, “she’s right. I’m not sure if we should count Annabelle. That was like what? A few days during his freshman year? That wasn’t really a romantic relationship.”

  “That’s true,” Emmy said. “Annabelle shouldn’t count—plus, she was rude and only wanted him as arm candy.” She nodded at June then looked to me. “So yeah, two girlfriends.”

  I felt like all the wind had just gotten knocked out of me, my whole view of Archer trying to reconfigure itself. But it just didn’t make sense.

  “But how?” I asked unable to let it drop. “He had to have had girls who wanted him.”

  “Oh yeah,” Emmy said, “he’s dated. Don’t get me wrong. Girls definitely want him. Archer’s just really particular about who he wants back.”

  Well okay, then.

  As Emmy eyed me again, she added, “And he’s a natural protector, likes to take care of all of us. My brothers and I call him the momma bear—behind his back, of course. That might be another reason.”

  It still didn’t add up, but what did I know? The fact that girls had thrown themselves at Archer, but he hadn’t just basked in their attention like some guys…it made me like him even better. As if I needed that.

  June patted my hand. “I think it’s a good thing that you two are trying to be friends.”

  Emmy just grinned. “Yeah, good luck with that.”

  The game started shortly after, and I was grateful. Curiosity had always been one of my greatest downfalls. But I hadn’t meant to ask about Archer’s past girlfriends or girls who were his friends—or the lack thereof. I’d probably think about it way too much later, but right now, I welcomed the distraction the game provided.

  And boy was it a great game.

  Of course, I had nothing to compare it to, but from the first pitch, our guys were on fire.

  Chase threw strike after strike, not allowing any hits. He’d nod after Archer signaled him, and it was like clockwork. I was in awe as I watched the ball zoom past the plate, almost faster than my eyes could track. The guys from Young Harris swung, but they didn’t stand a chance. Up and down, I thought with a smile, remembering what Archer had told me at practice. Before I knew it, our team was up to bat.

  Dex was first in the lineup. He hit a foul ball to left field on the first pitch. The second was called a strike, which Emmy didn’t seem to agree with at all, saying any idiot could see it was high. Before the third pitch, Dex stepped out of the box to loosen his neck then crowded the plate like he owned it.

  “Why’s he standing so close?” I said. “Isn’t he afraid of getting hit with the ball?”

  Emmy made a face. “Dex? Heck no, he’s not afraid of anything. Dex only gets hit if he wants to get hit—and I’m talking more in fights than baseball. But no matter what, he’s going to get on base.”

  “That’s why he’s the lead-off batter,” June put in, like I should know what that meant.

  Seeing my confusion, Emmy said, “It means Dex bats first because he’s reliable and amazing. Now, watch my brother get a hit off of this guy.”

  It was like she’d known what would happen.

  The next pitch was clean down the middle, and Dex hit a pretty line drive that got him all the way to second base.

  “Yeah, double,” Emmy shouted. “Let’s go, D!”

  I quickly scribbled a few of the terms I’d heard so far into my notebook. My “Baseball Notes” sheet was already half-full. I knew I’d need more space before this was over, but at least I had a quick reference guide.

  Our second batter struck out, but the third guy got a hit. It was a single, which meant there were players on first and third base when it was Baylor’s turn to bat. He walked by right as Archer stepped out to do a few practice swings, so honestly, I wasn’t paying much attention.

  Unlike everyone else in the stands.

  They clapped louder than ever when Baylor was announced. He ate it up, show-boated a bit, blowing the entire audience a kiss, and I noticed he had his own little cheering section, who just happened to be sitting right behind us. It was mostly female.

  One girl said, “Baseball has been so good to that family.”

  “I know. Just look at that ass,” said another, and they both giggled.

  As Baylor got into his stance, I felt June tense beside me, but she didn’t say anything.

  He let the first pitch go by, a good thing since it was a ball.

  “And those arms.” A third voice sighed as he got ready again. “Do you think they’d let me be a water girl for the team or something? I’d do just about anything for a shot with him.”

  “I hear he’s not picky. My friend Marla was with him last year, and she’s not half as pretty as you. You’ve got a shot.”

  “You think?”

  At that point, Emmy turned around. “Excuse me, could you please shut up? I’m trying to watch the game here.”

  The three girls stared back at her with thinly veiled disdain. Looking at them for the first time, I noticed they all had that sun-kissed look, hair down and flowing, a lot of makeup, but you wouldn’t know it unless you were really close to them like we were now. They had on t-shirts, too, but they all matched: royal blue with two white stripes on the sleeves and black letters on the front that said Baseball Babe.

  “We weren’t even talking to you,” one of them said.

  The sound of a bat connecting was heard, and we all looked to the field. It was called foul at the last second, and Emmy turned to them once again.

  “I know you weren’t tal
king to me, but I can still hear you,” Emmy said sweetly.

  “Why don’t you just mind your own business?” said the one who I thought had wanted to be the water girl. It sounded like her voice.

  “That’s my brother,” she said, tipping her chin in Baylor’s direction. “So he is my business. Stop talking about him like he’s a piece of meat, and we won’t have a problem.”

  Wow, way to go, Emmy.

  That certainly shut them up.

  I’d be lying if I said their conversation didn’t make me feel bad about how I’d wanted to use Baylor to lose my V-card. But it hadn’t happened, thank goodness. Because I’d ended up in bed with Archer instead. A little shiver went through me as he took another practice swing.

  A second later, Baylor got a hit to deep left field, bringing both Dex and the other runner in and landing himself on third. Just like that, it was 2-0. The crowd cheered; Emmy and June fist-bumped, and then it was Archer’s turn.

  The other team’s pitcher looked like he was trying to shake off that last play as Archer approached the plate. I knew I was biased. But there was something in the way Archer moved that set him apart. He was all loose grace and confidence as he assumed his batter’s stance. There was nothing questioning, no hesitancy.

  The first pitch he watched go by.

  Strike one.

  The second pitch, same thing.

  Strike two.

  “What’s he waiting for?” I asked, getting nervous.

  “His pitch,” June said.

  “Yeah,” Emmy agreed as Archer stepped out of the box. “The ump isn’t calling them, but those pitches were high. Archer’s patient. He’s really good about waiting.”

  That gave me pause, made me realize I knew that about him already—even in the short time we’d shared together, he’d been nothing but patient with me. But then why had he given up so quickly on dating me if he was so good at waiting?—but as Archer got back into position, I found myself holding my breath.

  It happened on the third pitch.

  The pitcher released the ball, and Archer finally swung. His bat connected, and a crack rent the air as the ball sailed into left field, back and back, until finally it left the field altogether. The Wolves fans jumped to their feet, and I was right there with them. Homerun! At his first at bat. That had been freaking spectacular.

  “Holy crap,” I said as Archer rounded the bases, and Baylor whooped as he ran home to score another run. “That was amazing!”

  Emmy smiled. “First game of the season,” she said as if it explained everything.

  A sneaking suspicion hit me.

  “What do you mean by that?” I asked.

  “Oh nothing, it was just something our parents ingrained in us.” She shrugged. “Start strong. Finish stronger. I meant they haven’t lost the first game of the season in a long time.”

  I hadn’t forgotten about the wager I’d made with Archer. I’d promised to go out and celebrate later with the team if they won, and so far, he was definitely winning. I watched as he got congratulations from his team, saw him glance up at the stands as he walked to the dugout. Archer caught my gaze, and though his signature frown was still in place, his eyes were smiling like they did sometimes. That look paired with Emmy’s words only made me more certain my theory was correct.

  “Define a long time,” I said.

  “Well…I don’t think my brothers have ever lost the first game of the season,” she said. “Not even when they were in t-ball, and there were no official ‘winners.’”

  “Ugh.”

  “What’s up?”

  As I relayed all the details of our bet, Emmy and June’s smiles got wider. It wasn’t like I wanted the Wolves to lose but come on. Never? Since they were playing t-ball? At the end of my short rant, Emmy reached across to pat me on the hand.

  “Sorry girl,” she said on a laugh. “You’ve been had.”

  “It’ll be great, though,” June said. “We always go back to the Omega Beta house after the games to hang out. It’s pretty fun.”

  I nodded, but my throat was a bit tight, as I watched the Wolves dominate the rest of the game. The team played like they were out for blood. And if the goal was to start out strong and get even stronger, I pitied the other teams down the line. Everything I’d read or heard about the team and the O’Brien brothers was confirmed. That baseball game was brilliant—but honestly? From that point on, my mind was focused on only one thing.

  The fact that my “friend” Archer had made a bet that would result in me having to go back to the Omega Beta house. The place where we’d met. The place where we’d had our perfect first kiss—which had then turned into a very passionate/sizzling/memorable make-out session.

  The place where I’d mistakenly ended up in his bed.

  At least now, I knew which brother was which, I reassured myself. There definitely wouldn’t be any mix-ups tonight on that front. Plus, there wouldn’t be any beds or kissing involved period. Archer and I were friends. Just like me and Charlie, or me and Rose. And it’s not like I wanted to kiss him again anyway.

  Maybe if I kept telling myself that, I’d actually believe it.

  I was still pumped after the game. My team had come through in a big way. It was my senior year, and we’d just won the first game of the season. I couldn’t have been prouder. Now it was time to celebrate.

  And I knew exactly who I wanted to do that with.

  Fresh out of the shower, I walked over to my clothes, dressing in record time. Emmy had just texted to let me know they were out there, and I didn’t want to keep Honor waiting.

  “Hey, Declan,” I said, lacing up my shoes. “That was a great catch in the third.”

  “Really?” he said like he didn’t totally believe it.

  “Yeah.” I nodded, gave his shoulder a pat. “You keep playing like that, we’ll definitely make it to the championship. Well done.”

  The kid smiled. “Thanks, Captain.”

  “No problem,” I said, pulling my cap on. “You did a great job.”

  As I was leaving, Baylor caught up to me.

  “Great job?” Baylor scoffed, softly so no one else would hear, not that anyone was standing near us anyway. “I’ve been making catches like that since middle school. It was easy. The ball came right to him.”

  I shrugged. “He’s a freshman who needs some encouragement. And he did make the play,” I pointed out. “Improvement from practice.”

  “Ah,” he said, “you’re building him up.”

  “Just acknowledging that he did something good.” I nudged his side with my elbow. “Nice hit in the sixth by the way. I think they heard that grand slam in the next county over.”

  Baylor threw me a grin. “No use pulling your inspirational mumbo jumbo on me, brother. It’s unnecessary.”

  “Didn’t say it because it’s necessary. I said it because it’s true.”

  “Keep saying things like that, and my head will get even bigger.”

  “Wasn’t aware that was possible.”

  “Oh ha ha,” he said, and we walked outside together. “What’s got you in such a good mood? It can’t be the win. You knew we’d take this first game.”

  “Nothing.”

  Looking over all the students and fans still milling outside, I spotted Honor and felt my shoulders relax. She was standing with Emmy, June—and was that Mom she was talking to? Anyway, it was a relief to see her. Part of me had thought maybe she wouldn’t stay or would go back on our bet.

  “Nothing, huh,” Baylor repeated. “Does nothing happen to be five-foot-five with brown hair, brown eyes and have a name that rhymes with ‘goner’?”

  “Shut it,” I muttered as we got closer.

  “Because that’s what you’re going to be if you’re not careful.”

  I scowled at him, but Baylor laughed.

  “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He ran the last few steps to the girls and Mom. “You see that grand slam, Junior? Was it masterful or what?”

&nbs
p; June smiled. “You know it was.”

  “Yeah, but I like to hear you say it.”

  “Why don’t you go ask your fangirls over there,” Emmy said, tipping her chin at three girls who were standing a ways away. I thought I recognized them from our games. “They went crazy when it happened.”

  “They did, huh?” Baylor eyed the girls speculatively, lifting his chin at them, which set them off giggling. “Good to know.”

  Emmy groaned after a second, and Baylor looked at her.

  “What? I can’t help it if they like what they see,” he said.

  “You were a little slow off the bag,” June said, startling everyone. The expression on her face was dead serious while Baylor looked shocked. “And let’s be honest, you could’ve probably made that play on the first strike he threw.”

  “Maybe I was trying to tire him out,” Baylor argued. “Make him throw more pitches.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe,” she said. “But you were still slow off the bag. Scouts could be watching at any time. Wouldn’t hurt you to show a little hustle.”

  Baylor glanced at me then Emmy, Honor and finally Mom, but when none of us contradicted her, he looked back to June.

  “Hustle,” he repeated, stepping closer to June as she took a step back. “I’ll show you hustle. Better start running, Junebug.”

  June tried to run. I’ll give her that. But Baylor caught her seconds later, scooping her up and spinning her around in his arms as she gasped. If I was a goner, well, at least I knew it. Baylor was in deep (or at least he was going to be if he ever confronted his feelings), and he didn’t seem to be aware of a thing. Looking back at Honor, I caught her staring and felt my chest fill.

  “Nice game,” she said while pushing a hand into her pocket.

  I nodded. “Thanks,” I said, thinking damn, she looked good in that white tee and jeans. “Glad you could make it out.”

  “Me, too.”

  June screeched again, and Emmy rolled her eyes. “As fun as this is to watch, I need to go check on my best friend. I’ll see you guys later. Great playing, Archer—as always.”

  She gave my arm a squeeze as she walked away, which left me there with Honor and Mom.