by Toni Aleo
She doesn’t know that, but maybe I can show her.
“Ready?” she calls out to me, her eyes dark and tantalizing.
I step up to the bag and nod. She steps back, swings her arm around, and then the ball is coming toward me. It isn’t even that fast; I don’t even know what Devin is talking about. I swing, hard, and when I make contact, I want to holler in victory, but then the ball is caught.
Right in front of Delaney’s face.
She lowers her glove, her face filling with heat, and my hands come up, palms facing her. I did not mean to do that. “Oh shit, I’m so sorry.”
But she looks away, her brow furrowed as her team walks with her, asking if she’s okay. She doesn’t spare me a glance, nor does anyone else, for that matter. Their only concern is her, and she’s mine too, though no one will answer me.
When I get to the dugout, Devin shakes his head. “I said Moe, not Delaney.”
“I caught the ball wrong.”
He continues to shake his head as Holden comes up beside me, his eyes wide. “You’re fucked.”
“What, why?”
“You know she thinks you did it on purpose.”
I shake my head violently, almost giving myself a headache. “I did not!”
“Well, she doesn’t know that, and she isn’t going to be nice to you.”
I try not to think too much about it. But Holden wasn’t even kidding.
They score six runs on us, mostly because Delaney hit a home run. When she was running the bases, I tried to say sorry once more when she ran past second, but she didn’t even look at me. When it was my turn to bat, she switched hands and struck me out.
Four times.
It was easy to say that McElroy’s Distillery lost.
By a lot. Zero to six, to be exact.
I stand behind Devin as we go through the line, wishing the other team good game. I can hear Delaney’s voice travel down the row.
“Good game, good game, good game,” she continues, but then her hand grabs mine. “Fuck you.”
I pause, not letting her hand go, and she glares up at me. “What did you say?”
“I said, fuck you,” she says, turning her body to me, her eyes full of fire. “You tried to kill me.”
“I did not. I caught the ball wrong. I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“Oh, whatever. You just feel bad, and you’re probably shocked I caught it.”
“But I’m not. You’ve always been good. I honestly didn’t mean to do it.”
Her brow furrows more, and her eyes are dark and threatening as she yells up at me, “Lies. You’ve been Douchey McDouche since you came back.”
“Douchey McDouche? What the hell?” I scrunch up my face as I press my hand to my chest. “I have not.”
“You have too. I don’t get it. I’ve always been a good friend to you, and you come back treating me like I’m the shit on your shoe.”
“Hide the bats!” someone yells, and laughter moves around us. We don’t move, though, and our gazes stay locked. Her breathing is heavy, and mine is the same. I feel a tingle up my arm, and my heart is knocking hard in my chest. What I wouldn’t do to cover her pissed-off mouth with mine.
I may want to kiss her. Okay, I want to a lot, but I don’t know where she is getting off. One thing is for sure. It’s pissing me off. I narrow my gaze as I shake my head. “That’s not true at all. I haven’t even said anything to you. I’ve been working on me.”
Her gaze widens, her other hand flying up and moving between us. “Exactly. And treating me like everyone else in this town. I didn’t do anything to you. I’ve always been good to you. But man, Reed, if you’re wondering why no one likes you, look in a mirror, you assfuck.”
“Delaney!”
“Oh, shut it, Sister Engelmann!” she yells, and you would have thought she cussed out the Lord himself. Everyone cries out in horror, Sister Engelmann’s eyes are about to fall out of her head, but Delaney is looking at me like she wants to claw out my eyes.
I want to kiss her.
I glance down to where we are still holding hands. When I look back up and meet her gaze, her glare deepens. She yanks her hand from mine and stomps off the other way, ignoring everyone. I watch her, my lips pressed together, and I realize something. I hadn’t realized I had been treating her wrong, and I sure as hell don’t want her to be like everyone else in this town.
No, I want Delaney Kate to like me.
Chapter Eleven
Delaney
“He makes me spittin’ mad!”
I toss my glove across the living room while Mawmaw lowers herself into the chair. “And why is that?”
“He’s an asshole! You saw him try to take off my head.”
She sets me with a look that says otherwise. “I’ve known that boy since he was a baby, and he doesn’t have a violent bone in his body. He was just as scared as you were.”
I whip around, my eyes turning homicidal. “I wasn’t scared!”
“Oh no, of course not,” she says offhandedly and dripping with sarcasm.
There’s no point in arguing with her. But I wasn’t scared. I was just surprised. I know how Reed hits. He takes the ball to middle right when he’s just hitting, but when he’s placing it, he can put it anywhere. That’s why I’m so upset. He aimed right for me. What the fuck did I do to him? It doesn’t make any damn sense. He won’t talk to me, which makes work oh so much fun, and then he tried to kill me. I have always been good to him. But instead, Reed is real nice to Maren, the girl who slept with Devin the moment he left.
That makes loads of sense.
“He makes me crazy!”
“Is it because you have that crush on him?”
My eyes widen. “Mawmaw! What the hell? I don’t have a crush on him!”
She actually rolls her eyes, kicking the Lay-Z-Boy up and reaching for her beer. “No, that wasn’t you with the journal that read, ‘Mrs. Reed McElroy. Reed and Delaney forever. I love Reed.—’”
“Mawmaw!” I cry, and I’m met with her cackle. “The windows are open!”
She waves me off. “No one is listening, nor do they care.”
“Everyone cares.” I fall back onto the couch with a huff. “He’s nothing but a jackass, and I want him to leave.”
“Well, that’s a darn lie, and you know it,” she accuses.
I want to scream. I love this woman, she is my best friend, but right now, I want to take her knees out.
“He didn’t mean it, sweetheart. And like always, you let that damn temper of yours out, and now you’re gonna have to apologize to Sister Engelmann.”
I groan loudly, letting my head fall back. I close my eyes, and I want to rip off Reed’s thick, strong arm and beat him with the bloody end. He makes me crazy. I don’t hate him; I care for him, even now. But I can’t stand how he is treating me. The teasing, that’s fine. I can handle that. But the deliberate disrespect, I can’t deal with.
“Was this town really that bad to him? I mean, I get it. They weren’t as kind to him as they were to the other three, but it wasn’t like they threw rocks at him and called him an outsider.”
“Oh, my love, you know it’s because of that one Christmas.”
I lift my head, looking over at her. “What Christmas?”
“The one when Mickey Moore told Reed that Shirley wasn’t really his momma.”
I sit up, leaning on my knees, completely confused. “Huh? I assumed he always just knew.”
Mawmaw shakes her head, inhaling deeply and letting her breath out in a whoosh. “God bless that boy, no. Shirley and Timothy, they didn’t want him knowing. It didn’t matter because his momma had passed and all that. They thought they didn’t need to tell him, but then you know how this town talks.”
I do, but even knowing how this story ends, my heart is in my throat, and I feel for the little boy who had his world turned upside down.
“Reed was only ten, I think, and he had beat Mickey at a game of four square. Mickey, the little jackass
that he is, told Reed he wasn’t even a McElroy, that his mama had died. Reed was so confused and upset. Shirley and Timothy had no choice but to tell him the truth. Broke his little heart, and I think, ever since then, he wasn’t the same. Always a chip on his shoulder, bless him.”
I can’t imagine. I always knew my mom didn’t want me. She was shit, and no one knew who my dad was. I only had Mawmaw, but no one ever threw that in my face. I would’ve had a chip on my shoulder too if I was constantly reminded Mawmaw wasn’t mine. I get that how Reed found out was shitty, and no kid deserves that, but I wasn’t mean to Reed. No one really was; they just talked a lot. I was his friend, though. I might have been the annoying little tagalong, but I was theirs, and we looked out for each other. His anger toward the town may be warranted, especially where Mickey Moore is concerned, but it sure as hell ain’t justified toward me. If that were the case, then he should be a dick to Theo and Holden too.
“I don’t know, Mawmaw.” I run my hands down my face, my head falling back on the couch again. “I shouldn’t care. He’ll be gone in a matter of weeks…”
“But you do.”
“I do.” I look back at her. “Is it because I’m a pleaser?”
She takes a long drink of her beer. “That, and you like him.”
“I don’t—”
“All these lies. You better repent this Sunday.”
A grin pulls at my lips as I wave her off. “Whatever.”
“You know what I think?”
“What?”
“I think you should accept his apology and then see what happens.”
I shake my head. “Nothing will happen.”
Her lips curve up in one hell of a sinister grin. One I’ve seen her give Pastor Ryman, and it makes me want to gag. “You never know. You sure are gorgeous, and he is mighty fine, Delaney Kate. A good boy, just a rough exterior to him. I see the way you two look at each other. So…you never know.”
I may not know a lot, but Reed McElroy wanting me?
Please.
I don’t believe that for a second. But she’s right, he wouldn’t hurt me.
Which means I should accept his apology.
And I gotta apologize to Sister Engelmann.
Damn it.
Reed is sitting with his momma, four pews up from me.
I’m sitting in the back with Gen after sliding in so that no one saw me. I may be a tad bit embarrassed with how I acted on Thursday night. I didn’t go anywhere the past two days, except to work. And thankfully, Reed didn’t come in on Friday. I don’t want to face anyone, but just in case, I came to church in my best. I’m wearing a chambray shirt that I’ve tucked into a rose gold tulle skirt, my hair is down in curls, and my rose heels are sky-high. I’m already a tall girl, but I love the extra height the heels bring me. Plus, I feel like they give me a don’t mess with me look, and I really need that after my temper tantrum.
I’m trying to pay attention to Pastor Ryman, but it’s hard when I want to fix the hair that isn’t tucked behind Reed’s ear. It’s all out of place, unruly and, fucking hell, sexy. His jaw is covered in dark hair, and the nice button-up he wears is tight on those massive shoulders of his. His momma and Ambrosia are tucked in tight against him, while Devin and Bryce sit at the end of the pew.
When we were younger, all us kids sat in the back, sharing candy and finding who we were through God. Sometimes, Theo and Reed would cause a disruption, but then their moms would get up in the middle of the sermon and smack them. So they didn’t do it often. We mainly listened, played tic-tac-toe, and suffered together.
Good times.
A small little grin comes over my lips as Gen leans into me. “Are you going talk to him?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
“Theo says he feels terrible.”
“Good.” She leans away, and I’m thankful. I don’t want to talk about this, and I sure as hell don’t want anything giving me a reason to stare at Reed.
Though, I’m noticing I don’t need one.
When church is over, I try to slip out the back, but of course, Mawmaw blocks me from doing just that. She makes me apologize to Sister Engelmann, and it’s so painful. Thankfully, the good sister accepts my apology but not without giving me an earful. I stand there listening as she gives it to me, but then I notice that Reed is walking toward me. His dark gaze is on me, his lips pressed together, and I know for a fact he is coming for me.
For Pete’s sake, I gotta get out of here!
“I understand you get upset, sweetheart, but you gotta figure out a way to keep in that anger. Maybe we should pray more?”
I nod quickly, already taking a step back. “Yes, that’s a wonderful idea. I’m gonna go.”
“Delaney Kate! This is serious,” Sister Engelmann complains, and Reed is getting closer. “I think there is a bible study we can do.”
I press my hand to her wrist. “And I will be there. You tell me when, and I promise I will, but now, I’ve gotta go.”
Without giving her or Mawmaw time to stop me, I rush down the aisle. But of course, and because the good Lord above wants a belly laugh, my heel catches a worn part in the rug, and I go down in a crashing heap.
Really, God? Really?
Pain radiates along my knees and palms as I slowly lift my head, seeing a pair of black loafers that probably belong to Reed. I look up, and he looks down at me with concern swimming in those green depths. He’s trying not to laugh. I can see it all over his handsome face.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Can I help you?”
“No,” I say, getting up, brushing off my clothes, and fixing my shirt since my boob decided it wanted to leave its designated seat.
“I didn’t think so.”
Once I’m erect, I shoot him a dark look. “How’d you get over here? You were behind me.”
His brow rises. “Running from me?”
“No,” I say insistently. “But just saying.”
“I saw you running, so I figured I’d cut you off at the front door.”
“I wasn’t running, but good plan. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Actually—”
I don’t give him time to finish. I move past him, but then he is holding my elbow. I look at his hand, feeling the unwanted heat running up my arm before I look right into his gaze. I’m his height in these heels, and being this close is dangerous. “Excuse me.”
He lets me go, reluctantly. I want to question that, but then in a low and dangerous tone, he says, “I wanted to speak to you.”
I shake my head. “Well, I gotta go.”
“You can spare two seconds.”
“Or I can leave,” I say, hooking a thumb to the exit.
His eyes burn into mine, and my body explodes with heat. “I’d really appreciate if you’d give me five minutes.”
I should say no. I shouldn’t care. “Fine.”
He turns, holding his hand in front of him for me to go. So I do, and I hate that he is following behind me. My ass does not look good in this skirt, and I know he isn’t looking at my amazing calves. Why am I self-conscious? Screw him. I am gorgeous!
I hate myself for hoping he thinks so.
Once outside, I go over toward where no one is gathered, at the side of the church. When I turn, he’s coming up behind me, his hand rubbing his neck as he looks anywhere but at me.
His face looks troubled, as if he is struggling to get his words out. “So, I wanted to apologize for the game. I seriously wasn’t trying to hit you. I wouldn’t do that. I caught the ball wrong… And yeah, Delaney, I’m real sorry.”
He won’t look at me, and it bothers me so much. “Okay.”
He glances at me for a second and then down at the ground. “Okay, so we’re good?”
That irate feeling is back, and I know I should just leave it be. Say yes, walk away. But then, that isn’t who I am. “No.” His eyes meet mine, and I know my face is turning red. “You can’t even look me in the
eye when you apologize. And do you plan to keep treating me like shit?”
“I didn’t realize I was.”
My stare is unconvinced. “Yes, you have.”
“Just because I’m not up your ass like everyone else doesn’t mean I’m being a dick to you.”
I throw my hands up. “No one is up my ass!”
“Del, be real. This whole town lives to be up that fine ass of yours.”
I blink. “They are not. You won’t even talk to me. We used to spend hours talking and hanging out. Now, it’s like I don’t even exist in your eyes. You make fun of my weight—”
His gaze narrows, and Jesus, he is so imposing. “I would never make fun of your weight. I was teasing you. Something we have done since we were kids. I didn’t mean it then, and I sure as hell don’t mean it now. When I said nothing changed, it’s because I don’t see you any differently from how I did then.”
“Wow. Thanks.” I roll my eyes. “Are we done?”
“Jesus, Del, I didn’t know you got so sensitive in your adult years.”
“I’m not even the least bit sensitive, but there is a difference in teasing like we did when we were younger and what you’re doing now. Now, you’re just being mean.”
“I don’t think I am,” he says, shaking his head, and then I notice him take a step toward me. My breath catches as he leans in, his eyes burning into mine. “I wouldn’t go out of my way to be mean to you. I tease you, you tease me, and that’s it.”
“Fine, but unlike when we were kids, you don’t talk to me anymore. Since you’ve come to town, you’ve talked to everyone but me. You blow me off.”
He takes another step, his eyes burning into mine. My body is on fire, my breathing is out of control, and holy shit, he is too fine. He swipes his tongue along his lips. “Because I don’t want to talk.”