by Sally Henson
Mr. Dade planted one hand on his hip and pointed down the hall with the other. “You best be on your way, then,” he said.
A smirk spread across Styles’ face as he gave the vice vrincipal a two-fingered salute. London looped her arm around Styles as they strode down the hall toward the cafeteria.
“And what are you three doing?” Mr. Dade asked. His eyebrows arched high on his forehead while he waited for an answer. He was a man of few words, or so I’d heard.
It was hard to miss that Mr. Dade worked out. He always wore the standard suit pants, shirt, and tie, but they didn’t quite fit him right. It made him seem more intense. But I understood having a body that was hard to find clothes for.
“On our way to lunch.” Roan’s words pulled me out of my assessment.
“Yup,” James agreed, shoving his thumb in the opposite direction he was facing. “Lunch.”
“You’re too close to playoffs to be getting in trouble, gentlemen. You too, Miss Jenkins,” Mr. Dade warned.
I nodded like a bobble head, but words wouldn’t come out. Getting in trouble was never my thing. Not a good idea to start now.
The guys both answered in unison. “Yes, sir.”
Roan hooked his arm over my shoulders and put us in motion toward the cafeteria. It wasn’t a boyfriend kind of move because he’d been doing it all my life. At least since I’ve known him. Even that year when I was taller than him.
He whispered, “Freaking Styles. You okay?”
I nodded. If I ever had the thought my prom humiliation would end, Styles and London proved otherwise.
James fell in step beside Roan.
Why didn’t James mind his own business? He made it worse. He never cared about anyone making fun of me before.
“I can take care of Styles myself,” Roan grumbled.
“Yeah, I know,” James said.
The tension surrounding us was so thick. If my muscles tightened any more, they’d have to place me in traction. I could feel Roan’s muscles at attention around the back of my neck too.
The mood didn’t change until we’d gotten our food, and James finally split off to sit with Logan. I could finally exhale all the way.
With my food in tow, I headed toward the outside doors when Roan said, “Let’s sit with Gabe and Summer today.”
I stopped. The thought of leaving the safety of my secluded table outside had my stomach twisting. Okay, it wasn’t totally secluded, but there were only a few tables and they were a lot farther apart than the ones in the cafeteria. And after what just happened, I didn’t want to hear the whispers.
“Come on,” he said. “It’ll be a practice run for tonight.”
There was no way I was sitting by myself. I stared longingly at the table outside. If Cayla didn’t have her art project, Roan could sit with whoever he wanted. But he was probably right about getting practice. I looked back to him.
Roan grinned and said, “No one’s going to mess with you.” He led the way, and I followed close behind, noticing Summer’s friends, Bailey Garber and Harper Tisdale, were with her too.
Jett Bryant and Bentley Neilson, Bailey and Harper’s boyfriends, took the seats we were going for. They were both on the hot guys list Cayla and Madi hounded me to make when the whole tutoring idea came about.
I nudged Roan's back and hissed, “There’s not enough room.”
Summer glanced up with a smile as Roan drug two extra seats to the table. “Hey, Tommie,” she said. “Great game last night.”
It was a good game. Not only did we get hits every inning, I pitched good.
“Yeah,” Harper said. “Congrats on the win.”
I smiled and sat down. “Thanks. Couldn’t have done it without my catcher.” My gaze shot to Summer.
“Thanks, girl.” She gave me a wink and said, “Catchers are like football linemen. We don’t get the hype or glory, but without us, where would the team be?”
Roan reached over and bumped fists with her. “Absolutely,” he said with his face beaming.
The other girls snickered.
Gabe pulled Summer to his body and kissed her cheek. She fit into him like a broken-in glove. “That’s my girl.”
It was so sweet, I almost sighed out loud. I looked at Roan, but he was too busy stuffing his face to be aware of me or their affection. I scanned the table and noticed how the guys paid attention to their girlfriends. A touch, a whisper—it was obvious they were together.
Roan wasn’t like that with me in public where there were people we knew. My gaze roamed the cafeteria, watching the couples interact. When I came across James, two tables away, I caught him staring right at me. It wasn’t a passing glance, and he didn’t blink away. I did though.
I shot my gaze down to my food. Why was James staring at me?
When I came home from practice, a new outfit was laid across my bed. “Madi,” I called, staring at the cream and black pinstriped shorts with a drawstring tie and a black V-neck blouse. It looked sophisticated but sporty at the same time.
“You like?” Madi asked.
I turned to see her with a big smile across her face, leaning against my door frame.
I was sure my grin matched hers. “Yeah,” I said, holding the shorts against my waist to see if they would fit. “Did you get this?”
She crossed the room and draped her arm on my shoulder. “Isn’t it great? I’ve been doing online research and found some great sites with prices we can afford. Mom’s treat.”
“Wow. You didn’t have to do that, but thank you.” I reached around her waist and gave her a side hug.
“I enjoy it. Like, a lot. I think I might do something with clothing for my career.” She leaned over and smoothed the blouse out. “So I guess it’s me and Brendan for supper tonight?”
“Yeah. Sorry I can’t make dinner,” I said.
She shrugged. “Big bro’s ordering pizza. You need to get in the shower. Your beau turns into a bear when he has to wait too long.”
I didn’t know what had gotten into Madison the last couple of months, but I liked not having to be on guard with her. “Thanks for the outfit.”
She shooed me into the bathroom. “Hurry so I can do your hair and makeup.”
After I showered, Madi blow-dried my hair, parting it on the side and pulling it back.
“You have pretty hazel eyes. Let’s bring out the green and show them off.” She put a layer of nude color and then pink on my lids. And then she lined the top in a dark brown with matching mascara.
“Is this what you use?” I asked, looking in the mirror. It was still me, only better. It looked natural, as if I didn’t have makeup on.
“Yep. Pretty girls don’t need a ton of makeup. Just enough to highlight your goods.” She tittered a laugh. “I sound like I know what I’m talking about.”
“I think you do,” I said, in awe of what she had done. “Because look at me.”
She pressed her lips together and stared at my reflection. “Are you trying to make me cry?” she sniffed.
Crying wasn’t my intention. If she cried, I would probably cry too and ruin her masterpiece. I let out an evil cackle and said in a wicked witch voice, “No, you hateful witch. Now let me out of here.”
It worked because she giggled and said, “That’s better. Don’t forget lip gloss.” She held the tube up. “Should you surprise Cayla or send her a pic?”
“Surprise,” I answered, slipping the tube out of her fingers and applying it to my lips.
“Toms, you ready? We’re going to be late,” Roan called from the hallway.
We stepped out of the bathroom and he stopped dead in his tracks.
His eyes trailed down my outfit a time or two before he closed the distance between us, wearing a toothy grin. He didn’t even say a word, just pressed his lips to mine. And after a few seconds I had forgotten Madi was even standing there.
Roan finally pulled away and whispered, “We should go.”
“Have fun, kids,” Madi said with a wave.
>
I wasn’t sure, but I thought I caught a hint of red on Roan’s cheeks. It was hard to tell with his tanned complexion. He laced his fingers with mine and we descended the stairs.
Brendan crossed the house from the kitchen, eating from a cup of yogurt. “Where are you going?” he asked and glanced at our hands.
Roan slipped his fingers from mine and shoved his hands in his pockets.
“We have a barbecue for baseball and softball tonight,” I said. “Last-minute thing.”
Brendan nodded once and took another bite. He eyed us both with a puzzled look on his face.
“See you later,” I said. He didn’t say another word. It wasn’t like him not to make small talk with Roan, but maybe he could tell we were in a hurry.
Roan opened the door and stepped out. I followed, closing the door behind me.
“You didn’t have to dress up,” Roan mumbled as he opened the passenger door to his truck.
“Madi found a new outfit. She said it looked good on me. You don’t like it?” I asked, climbing in and doubt following me. I closed the door as he headed to the driver’s side.
I sent Cayla a quick message we were on our way and turned my gaze toward the row of houses on my side of the street. Maybe I should go change.
Roan got in and sighed. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he said. “It’s fine.”
I turned back to see his smile, but it wasn’t his big relaxed, life-is-good smile. More like the forced, “I’m uncomfortable” kind.
I was about to ask what “fine” meant, but he leaned over and kissed me. “You look real pretty, Tommie Sue.”
My muscles loosened. Did I get the signals wrong again?
He started the truck and eased from the curb.
On the drive to Logan’s, he suggested we do some pitch and catch in the morning to get me ready for the first game of the playoffs. We talked strategy and focus and he held my hand the whole time.
We pulled onto Logan’s street and it already had vehicles lining the curbs. Big two-story homes dotted the large lawns three or four blocks long. It amazed me how nice the homes were in this part of Sweet Water.
“Doesn’t Wes Schultz live around here?” I asked, gawking at the manicured lawns and exteriors. Wes’ family had so much money, they had their own airplane. I had never even been on one.
“Yeah, he lives beachside.” Roan removed his hand from mine, pulled into a spot along the curb, and parked.
I opened my door and Roan met me before my foot hit the concrete. He shut the door as I smoothed the fabric of my outfit. The aroma of grilled meat hung in the humid air, causing my stomach to growl.
Roan chuckled and asked, “Hungry?”
“Sounds like it,” I popped off with a grin. The food at lunch lost its appeal after I noticed Roan didn’t act like the other guys at the table with their girlfriends. It was the same as it had always been. Friends only. At least in public.
He looped his arm around my shoulders and put us in motion. “Let’s get some grub.”
A few cars drove by as we walked toward Logan’s house. A truck parked on the opposite side of the street ahead of us. A guy stepped out and jogged across the road. The way his hair glowed in the sunlight, it had to be Shawn Nelson.
He and Roan had a special pitcher-catcher bond. Hm…kind of like me and Roan? Was that what we had? No, it had to be different. That kind of bond didn’t involve kissing.
By the time Shawn crossed the road, he was only a couple feet in front of us.
“Hey, Tommie. How’s it going, Roan?” Shawn asked.
Roan separated from me and reached for Shawn. “Great, man.” They did the bro hug thing. “You ready to put down some food?” Roan asked.
So the bond included hugging and patting his rump. Good thing I knew the ins and outs of baseball culture or I might have been jealous.
Shawn chuckled, rubbing his hands together. “I’m definitely putting a dent in the burgers tonight.”
By the time it was all said and done, Roan had Shawn on one side and me on the other. We both had his arms resting on our shoulders. Not romantically inclined in any way.
As we neared Logan’s house, chatter and laughter filled the air. I pulled my phone out to send Cayla a quick message asking where she was.
There was a sign on the front door that said, “Come on in.”
Shawn opened the door, pausing before he stepped in. “Ladies first,” he said before motioning for me to go ahead.
“Thanks,” I said and slipped from under Roan’s arm to step into the house. I didn’t want to break our connection, but I didn’t want to be rude either.
My teammates, Dylan and Bailey, stood by the archway above the open kitchen. I scanned the house and understood what my mom was going for with her do-it-yourself remodeling. Everything was light-colored from the ceiling to the floor. Different textures and colors but still light.
Roan’s hand grazed my back, and I turned to look at him by my side. Maybe tonight would be different. Tonight would be the night people would see I was girlfriend material.
20
This could be the last pitch of the game. A grin tugged at the corner of my mouth.
Summer gave me the sign that said, Give me everything you got.
I breathed in the heavy earth in the air, kept my form, and gave everything I had on the last pitch.
“Str-ike three!” Ump shouted.
Summer bounced to her feet, threw off her mask, and rushed toward me. The batter turned and moped toward her dugout.
Suddenly, I was bombarded with congrats on my shoulders and back from my teammates.
Summer jumped, wrapping her arms and legs around my body. “You did it! You did it!”
I wrapped my arms around her. “We did it!” I yelled back at her. My first no-hitter. The first game of playoffs was a W. My chest filled with so much pride and accomplishment. Tears began to stream down my face, and there was nothing I could do to stop them. All the pressure I’d carried for the last two days released.
Ice was back.
We bounced up and down. Me, Summer, Addison, Cayla, everyone, celebrating our win. Thanks to Cayla, I wasn’t the only one who had a few tears flowing. Even Summer had two streaks down her cheeks where tears had washed the dirt from her face.
When the jumping had calmed, Summer said, “I’ve got to go hug my man.” She took off for the dugout. Gabe and most of the guys were there, waiting along the fence.
“Girl, you were so amazing!” Cayla wrapped me up in a hug. “Summer’s hand has got to be on fire from that last pitch.”
Laughing, I said, “I don’t know about that.” I raised my hand for her to smack. “No-hitter, baby!”
She slapped my palm. “Your dad will be so proud.”
My whole face felt like it was smiling. I couldn’t wait to tell him. I turned toward the fence to find Roan. He and James were side by side with their arms stretched high and fingers hooked in the fence, looking my direction.
Coach called us all to the outfield for our team meeting before we got too crazy with celebration.
When we finished up, Cayla and I ran to the dugout to get some money for a snack and drink from the concession stand before they closed.
“Toms,” Roan said, walking toward the dugout with his arms wide open.
I snatched the money out of my bag and ran toward him, laughter bubbling inside me the whole way.
He scooped me up in a bear hug, twirling me around. “You were so awesome! A freaking no-hitter!”
His breath on my neck sent chills down my spine. I squeezed my eyes shut, memorizing the moment, and hoped he would kiss me right here in front of everyone.
When I opened them, the guys were headed our direction. Roan heard their ruckus, put me down, and took a step away. I knew that kiss I hoped for wouldn’t happen.
James rushed in to hug me. “You were freaking hot,” he said. I stood there with my arms pinned to my side. I gasped at his actions. Roan took another step bac
kward, shoving his hands in his pockets. When our eyes met, he looked down at his feet. My breath stuck in my throat until James put me down.
When James released me, Gabe said, “Nice job, Jenkins.” He patted me on the back. Summer was tucked under his arm. He didn’t come to a lot of our games because he had to work at the business his family owned, Home Run Park, but it was always perfectly clear how much he was into Summer.
The baseball team, including Roan, surrounded me, offering congratulations like they do with one of their own…heavy-handed pats on the head and shoulders.
Even though it was a little rough, actually hurt, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. A no-hitter was a big deal for me.
Coach shooed the guys away. “Sorry to break up the party, boys, but it’s time to get going. Ladies, pack your gear and get on the bus.”
I said my thanks to the guys. It was the first time I didn’t have that sinking feeling in my stomach, anticipating a not-so-funny comment about my stupid public prom kiss. I trotted back into the dugout to get my bag. Cayla waited by our bags with a drink in each hand. She grinned and said, “You looked busy, so…”
I slipped the drink from her fingers and said, “Thanks, girl, I owe you.” I slung my bag over my shoulder.
She winked. “I got you covered.”
“Come on.” I leaned an arm on her shoulders. “Let’s get on the bus before Coach gripes us out.”
We headed out of the dugout and made our way onto the bus. The next game was the following day, and Mazzie was up. The team counted on her and London to lead us to another victory. Since I pitched the whole game today, my pitching tomorrow would be limited.
The bus was full of chatter and laughter. Now that the game was over, thoughts of Roan filtered back in my head. It brought a heaviness to my chest. The celebration inside me faded. It could have just been the emotions getting the better of me. I needed to let my family know how everything turned out.
Dad had sent one response to the messages I sent about the team going to state. I couldn’t wait to see him at graduation. I sent him the first message.
Tommie: Dad, you won’t believe it! I pitched my first no-hitter. It felt so good. We won our first playoff game!