Page 9 of Another Love, Another Time

This summer, the family vacation is in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

I am so excited to get to hang out with River.

We Facetimed every day, but between softball and baseball tournaments, our parents were busy.

I haven’t gotten to see her in person since her birthday, and we only stayed a few hours.

Our parents chose this weekend to vacation since River, Logan, and I are playing in the same tournament this weekend nearby, and we will stay through the week after the tournament is over.

Our families rented a huge house right on the beach. My mom has our itinerary already planned, emailed, and printed for us to follow. Movies have been chosen, and activities have been scheduled.

I haven’t gotten to watch River play for a while. We both play as catchers for our teams, so we like to trade tips from the camps we attend. I am hoping that between the games, I can watch her play.

My family arrives at the ballpark. I’ve been texting with River the whole way down here.

Auggie: We just got here. How far out are you?

River: 15 minutes

Auggie: Do you want us to wait for you all in the parking lot?

River: You better not. You need to start warming up.

Auggie: Yes, coach

Auggie: See you at the dugout

River: What field are you playing at?

Auggie: 7

River: Lucky #7 (winking emoji)

Auggie: I don’t need luck

River: See ya soon

I tell my parents they are almost here and that they will meet us at the field.

River doesn’t have a game until tomorrow, but her family came down early to watch Logan and me play today.

We start heading towards the ballfield that my team will be playing on.

There is a game currently going on. A few other teammates are already here, stretching and warming up.

Logan rode with my family. His dad couldn’t get off work today, so they will be arriving tomorrow. Logan is our pitcher, and I am the catcher. They call us the “dynamic duo.”

Just then, I hear someone screaming my name. There is only one person who would do that. When we make eye contact, she drops the chair she’s carrying, leaving her dad to pick it up. Then, she takes off and jumps into my arms. She slides down my body and steps back.

She’s gotten taller since the last time we saw each other.

She must have gone through a growth spurt.

She’s wearing one of my team’s baseball shirts with three-quarter sleeves.

She turns around and points to her back.

My last name is printed there. She is also wearing a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a pair of flip-flops with her toes painted red.

Her golden hair is in its usual softball style—two French braids.

“Hey, Aug.” She has a wide grin on her face. Logan comes up beside me and gives her a hug, too.

“Where’s my shirt, Riv?” Logan pouts.

“Don’t worry, Logan. I’ve got you covered,” Riv says. Her family is just now making it to us. She grabs Brock by the shoulders and turns him around.

“Alright, my man.” Logan lifts his palm to give Brock a high five. “I thought you all were still fifteen minutes out?”

“I lied. I wanted to surprise you,” River says. She gives me a wink. “So, are you all ready to play?”

“Yeah. We start in thirty minutes,” I say and glance over. My coach has arrived and has started to pull out his gear. I look back at River. “We should start warming up, too.” I pull her into another hug and let her go. “See you after the game.”

“Okay, good luck!” she sings and starts walking towards where our families have set up their chairs.

~~

We are in the bottom of the sixth inning. It’s a close game, but we are up by two. We have the field, so we are trying to hold the other team from scoring any more runs. Even though I can’t see River, I can definitely hear her.

The umpire yells, “Strike!” as I catch the ball in my glove. It’s our third out, and the team starts to jog into the dugout to prepare to bat. I take off my helmet for now until it’s closer to my turn. I don’t want to take all my catcher’s gear off and then have to go back out on the field.

One of my teammates leans over and says, “Man, River has gotten hot this summer.” All my teammates know River is my best friend. She has come to several tournaments over the years.

I scowl at him. “Back off.”

“All I’m saying is that she’s hotter than the last time I saw her.”

I look over at River, and she’s cheering for our batter. I look back over and just shake my head. I know she’s pretty; she was already pretty. I don’t want to think about other boys looking at her.

A few girls walk up to the dugout. I think they are some of my teammates’ sisters. “Hey, Auggie,” they coo.

“Uh, hey.” I give Logan a pointed look for help.

“Hey, ladies. What’s going on?” he starts.

“What hotel are you all staying at?” they ask.

Logan looks at me with eyebrows raised. “We aren’t staying in a hotel,” he replies. “Our families rented a house, and we are staying by the beach.”

“No fair. That sounds like so much fun!” One girl looks back at me.

“Are you all having any team parties?” another asks.

“No, it’s just our families,” Logan responds.

The girls pout. “Well, maybe we will hang out at the next tournament.” They giggle as they walk away.

“Hunt, you’re up!” someone shouts.

I pop up off the bench and start to take the rest of my catcher’s gear. I then grab my gloves, bat, and helmet to the batting box. Bases are loaded. There is one out. Time to bring my boys home and win this game.

~~

The following day, our families watch River play.

We are all sitting on the benches right behind the batter’s box.

She’s behind the batter’s box in her catching position.

The pitcher throws the ball to the batter, and the batter makes contact.

The ball is a pop-fly. River throws off her catcher’s mask and backs up to prepare for the catch.

She catches the ball, and the batter is out.

We practice this a lot when we hang out.

I’m sure we will practice it sometime this week.

She is one of the better catchers I’ve seen at the tournaments we play at.

She’s good, like really good. I cup my mouth and scream, “Good job, River! That’s my girl!

” She turns around and gives me a wide smile.

I know she wants to strut around like a peacock, but she will save that for later.

River’s team ends up beating the other team by five runs. Just as I predicted, River comes strutting out of the dugout like a dang peacock towards me. “Did you see that, Auggie?” She wraps her arms around me, wanting me to give her a piggyback ride. Her dad grabs her ball bag so she can jump on.

“Yeah, you killed it, River,” I say.

“Yeah, I did.”

“Let’s get something to eat. I bet you worked up an appetite.”

“You know me well, my friend. To the concessions, Captain!” She points to the building that holds all the goods.

~~

Yesterday was the last day of the tournament.

Our parents invited the teams for a beach party.

My dad is grilling hot dogs, and the moms are throwing some sides together.

That was not part of the itinerary. My mom must have gone off script, which doesn’t happen often.

Uncle Kendall has asked me to help him stock the coolers with drinks while Logan helps his dad set up some games.

There is a volleyball net, cornhole, and a few other games for everyone to play.

River comes out of the house in a loose tank.

She has a farmer’s tan from being out in the sun the last couple of days.

She looks at me and gives me a mischievous smile.

“Hey, do you and Logan want to get in the water until everyone gets here? Logan and I are already in our swim trunks.” She looks at both of us and then takes off towards the water.

River grabs the hem of the tank and pulls it over her head.

That’s when I notice the area around her chest has swelled. River is wearing a blue and yellow two-piece swimsuit that makes me notice her eyes, and well— Wow, River has boobs now. When did she grow those?

She gives me an awkward look and takes off again, yelling, “Last one is a rotten egg!”

I shake my head and realize that I’m the rotten egg. River and Logan are on their boogie boards, floating, when I finally make it to them with my board.

Finally, we are all floating around. I start, “Hey, Riv, watch out for the jellyfish. I’d hate to have to pee on you again.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “I’m never going to live that down! I blame your dad and my mom. They were the ones condoning that without consulting the all-knowing Google.”

Logan is laughing at us. River gets serious and continues, “I needed this. Just to hang out with you two. I feel like I haven’t gotten to hang out with you two in a long time.

I’ve been so busy with softball, school, and, well, just everything.

It leaves so little time for anything else. I miss you all.”

“Aw, Riv, we miss you too,” Logan tells her.

“Yeah, but you both still have each other. Don’t get me wrong. I have friends I hang out with from back home, but not like you two. You’re like… ride or die.” She rolls her eyes, trying to lighten the mood.

I swim over to her and envelop her in my arms. “Aw, River, you know we love you too!” I start giving her exaggerated smoochie kisses all over her face. Logan comes over and does the same thing as she tries to push us off.

“Ew, guys! Way to ruin a moment.” She scoffs, but I know she’s playing around.

The front of her body is pushed up against my chest, and I can feel the cushion of her boobs.

I get butterflies in my stomach again; I can feel things start to harden down below.

I shake my head, push back, and grab my board to save her and myself from an awkward moment.

No way am I ready for her to feel my hard-on for her.

I start thinking about anything and everything to get my mind off the way that her body felt against mine.