Page 3 of Fake Dates and Home Plates (Way Off Base #1)

Chapter Three

Henley

Running out of a fraternity house in heels isn’t so easy, especially filled with a fuck ton of drunk college kids I have to maneuver around so I can exit this hellhole.

“Henley! Just stop for a minute, damn it!” I can hear my boyfriend over the music pumping through the large room.

Well, ex-boyfriend as of about thirty seconds ago.

My right hand throws him the middle finger over my shoulder as the other grips the bottom of my black dress. If I had known I was going to have to make a quick escape, I might not have chosen a floor-length dress tonight.

Then again, I thought I was attending Delta Alpha’s formal, not getting a front-row view of my boyfriend blowing his load in another woman’s mouth at the after-party.

Dakota’s voice rings out again, shouting for his fraternity brothers to stop me. Some don’t hear him at all; others pretend not to. I spot one guy I recognize from the baseball team as he tries to cut me off.

“Don’t fucking think about it. I’m wearing six-inch stilettos that will pierce the skin, and I’ll use them if I have to,” I say as I shuffle past him.

He’s smart enough to heed the warning in my tone, backing away with his hands held in a surrender sign.

I’ve almost made it out the front door when arms band around my waist. I know Dakota hasn’t caught up yet, so I can only guess they belong to his best friend, Kal.

I’m a female cross-country runner with a mom who has been worried I’ll be snatched off the side of a trail for years. I’ve taken enough self-defense classes to get myself out of this.

Thinking about how he was trying to distract me at the bar before I caught on to his act just so he could help Dakota cheat on me, I use all my anger to power my next move.

My head goes back as fast as I can make it, connecting with what I have to imagine is his nose, considering the satisfying crunch I hear.

It sends a wave of pain down the back of my hear but it’s worth it when the asshole starts squealing and crying.

“Fucking bitch!” Kal screeches as he lets me go to grab his nose.

Sadly, my joy at watching him cry is short-lived, since his actions have given Dakota enough time to catch up to me.

“Henley. Stop this shit and talk to me like a fucking adult.” The audacity of this man to raise his voice to patronize me after I caught him with his pants down. I turn, ready to walk out, when he says, “Don’t you want me to at least explain what was happening?”

Considering I’ve been on my knees for this pathetic piece of shit and I certainly wasn’t innocent before we started dating, I think I understand a blow job when I see one.

“You had your tiny dick in another woman’s mouth. Probably not for long, considering your track record. Then, you came while making eye contact with me like a fucking sleaze. Does that sum it up?”

My voice is loud, not caring about the attention we’re drawing.

I’m well aware people have their phones out now, and more and more partygoers have started to gather around us.

Well, some of them are trying to console Kal, but most of them are watching the former ‘Shoreline Sweethearts’ break up in real-time.

Dakota’s eyes are wild with panic. “That’s not what?—”

His attempt at a lie is cut short when I raise my brow. I watch him scramble to try and come up with another excuse, and I can’t help but laugh.

Loudly.

Manically.

Maybe I’m having a breakdown, but at least I’m not letting any of these assholes see me cry. When I finally stop laughing like a crazy person, I have to take a deep breath, willing the inhale to bring me a little composure.

Calmly, I say, “When you find the words to string together some bullshit excuse for your actions, do me a favor, Dakota.”

He looks hesitant, hopeful even.

With a smirk, I tell him, “Choke on it.”

Then, I do what I do best.

Run.

I’m panting as I walk into the small diner, a complete mess, trying to ignore the stares of the few patrons scattered among the tables.

This place was one of the few things still open on a Saturday night besides the bars.

The last place I wanted to be was another room full of drunk college kids who have probably seen social media posts about my breakup.

Which reminds me I might as well switch my phone to silent now. At least I already checked in with my parents, who should hopefully be asleep for the night.

My black dress does me the small mercy of not showing the obscene amount of sweat I feel dripping down my chest. The distance from the fraternity house to the diner is at least three miles, but it’s the only place I could think of that Dakota wouldn’t try to find me tonight.

I only wish I would have stopped to take off the hot pink heels before I destroyed them and my feet.

Sitting at a random booth, I immediately remove my heels and want to cry at the relief. Maybe I should be embarrassed to be barefoot in public, especially in a restaurant, but that’s the least of my worries right now.

A woman comes over to take my order and, without judgment, offers me a sincere smile. “What can I get started for you tonight?”

While I may have escaped with my phone tonight, my small clutch is definitely still sitting in Dakota’s car. Fucking asshole. Now, I can’t even order pancakes. Considering this place leans into retro diner vibes, I doubt they take tap-to-pay.

The server must see the panic in my face, so she offers me a small smile. Her mouth opens, but she’s interrupted by a familiar voice.

“Whatever she wants is on me tonight, Tracey. Maybe just start with a water while I convince her she needs to try Sal’s French toast, though, okay?”

Theo Barlowe. He’s the first baseman for Hudson View University’s baseball team.

While I wouldn’t call us friends, he certainly isn’t a stranger. Not only did we graduate from the same high school, but I’ve heard his name too many times from Dakota. HVU is our school’s biggest rival in baseball, meaning Theo was his enemy number one.

The server nods and makes her way back to the kitchen. “You got it, Theo.”

Either he’s more popular than I'm willing to give him credit for, or he comes here frequently.

Theo makes himself comfortable in the booth across from me, and I notice he sets a book to the side of the table.

When he sees me eyeing the cover, he gives me a cocky grin. “Romance books are the number one selling genre for a reason. Plus, I’m already too good in real life. I like to challenge myself by competing with fictional men.”

I’d roll my eyes, but I don’t have the energy.

“I can pay you back for whatever I order. I don’t even know if I’m hungry.” I’m usually always hungry, especially for breakfast food. There’s never a bad time of day for breakfast. My stomach feels a little queasy after running on an empty stomach.

And I guess the whole walking in on Dakota cheating on me thing. Fuck, it probably wasn’t even the first time, considering he was willing to take the risk and do so publicly.

He nods his head like he understands. “Did you do one too many keg stands at the Douche Canoe after-party?”

It doesn’t surprise me that he knows exactly where I came from tonight. Dakota posts everything on social media, especially about his fraternity and baseball team.

“Sadly, no keg stands tonight.” The corners of my mouth lift in a forced smile.

“That’s good. I’d hate for you to vomit on another pair of my shoes.” His hazel eyes are teasing as he reminds me of the last time I talked to him.

I’ve seen him around in the three years since we graduated, considering HVU and Shoreline are only miles apart, but it’s always a quick wave or head nod. Especially with Dakota, the hypocritical, jealous prick.

I’ve always been the party girl. It’s something Dakota seemed to like about me when we met.

I’m the girl who makes a dance floor when there isn’t one, the girl who brings around a tray of shots to the people trying to hide in the corners.

The same girl who won’t say no to a challenge, even if it’s silly or makes me look stupid. I’m the fun one.

“Don’t be too relieved. It could still happen.”

The server comes back and drops off two glasses of water, one for each of us, before tending to another set of diners.

I don’t realize how thirsty I am until the cool liquid is sliding down my throat. I know better than to chug a drink after running so much, but my body is craving the hydration. The glass is empty in seconds, and as I place it back on the table, I notice my uninvited table guest is staring at me.

“Is hydration a kink? Because I think I’m really into watching sweaty girls down a glass of water faster than I can shotgun a beer.”

The laugh that comes out of me is raw and loud. Should I be offended he called me sweaty? Maybe, but it’s true. I don’t even want to imagine what I look like at this point.

Plates of French toast are placed in front of each of us, and I can’t stop the growl my stomach makes at the sight.

“Thanks, Tracey,” Theo tells her as he opens his silverware.

“You got it, handsome. And it’s on the house. Wave me down if you need anything else.” She gives me a kind smile before walking away again.

“You have to at least try it. I promise, it will change your life.” Theo’s voice is serious.

Maybe I have a kink for men who want to force me to eat a delicious breakfast. We eat in silence. He doesn’t pressure me to talk, and I don’t try to start a conversation.

Reaching for my glass, I realize it’s still empty. I’m about to turn and wave down Tracey when Theo slides his glass over to me.

“I haven’t drank from it, so no cooties or germs. I’ll get another when Tracey gets a minute.”

I’m too thirsty to argue, but this time, I force myself to sip the water while finishing my plate. He’s right. It’s life-changing. I’m already thinking about arranging a team dinner here. It’s a weekly tradition I started when I was voted captain at the end of last season.

Theo stacks our plates and moves them to the side of the table. “Now, do you want to tell me why you look like you ran through a wood chipper when I know you’re supposed to be at a party with Shoreline’s amazing catcher?”

He says that last bit with heavy sarcasm. As an athlete myself, I believe competition and rivalry should stay on the field, but Dakota has made it clear his hatred of Theo extends beyond that. I don’t understand it. They play at different schools and rarely run into each other.

“As much as I don’t want to talk about it, I wouldn’t be surprised if the gossip mills at both our schools are already circulating a story.”

Theo shrugs. “I haven’t even looked at my phone tonight. Plus, the only thing I listen to as far as school news goes is Hudson’s Most Wanted .”

“What’s that?” I ask.

He gasps dramatically while slamming both hands on the table. “Only the best true crime podcast ever. They have the coolest series going on right now. I’m not going to spoil it for you, but let’s just say it’s a local case.”

I’ve never had an interest in true crime, but his enthusiasm is appealing.

“Anyway, let's get back on topic. What happened?” he asks while putting his hands under his chin, leaning his elbows on the table. For someone who ignores gossip, he looks like he’s thoroughly invested.

My lips purse in thought. “Where should I start? With the breakup, the cheating, or the broken nose?”

Theo’s eyes bug out. “Please tell me you dumped Dakota and broke his nose.”

Curiously, he doesn’t mention the cheating, but maybe I’m the only one who finds it shocking. “Yes and no. Yes, we broke up. No, his nose wasn’t the one I broke.”

Theo leans back in his chair. “Wow.”

“They had their fall formal tonight and, of course, the after-party,” I start. “Dakota disappeared for a while, and I got suspicious. I figured he was up to something, but I didn’t expect to find him with his dick in another girl’s mouth.”

“Fuck. I’m sorry, Henley,” Theo says sympathetically.

“And as soon as he looked up and made eye contact with me, the asshole came in her mouth." Seriously, what kind of timing is that? “So, naturally, I tried to leave. He shouted for help, stopping me, and his friend Kal tried to grab me from behind.”

“He did what ?” Theo’s voice is filled with anger.

“Not a big deal. I headbutted him.”

My laugh draws the attention of everyone around us.

“Hell yeah, you did. Good for you.” He sounds…proud.

I guess I’m proud too, and the thought makes my lips lift into a small smile. “Then, I ran here. It was the first place I saw that didn’t have a ton of kids from school, and I figured Dakota wouldn’t try looking here.”

Thank goodness I was right too. If he had managed to follow me, I think I would have broken more than a nose.

“You ran here? In those shoes?” he asks.

I look at the tattered material. “They used to be shoes, at least. I’m mad they’re destroyed. Those are my favorite pink heels.”

I only have three more pairs back home, and I’m sure my mom would be willing to drive them out to me just so we could have a girls' day together.

“So, what now?” he asks.

I repeat the question in my mind a few times.

What now?

The most reasonable option is to use my phone to request a car ride home, shower, and go to bed. I can wake up tomorrow and start to move on.

It’s not like we were together that long, right?

Six months in the grand scheme of a lifetime isn’t much.

Sure, Dakota occasionally mentioned how lucky we were that I could train anywhere should he get drafted next year.

Those comments were usually made with a hint of condescension, as if my training were a hobby.

I could head home right now and be grateful for another life lesson in trusting my gut when something feels off.

Maybe I could drive home next weekend and spend the day shopping with my mom while we talk about how boys suck and my dad threatens to cut off his balls before cooking my favorite dinner.

That’s the mature, responsible thing to do.

But fuck that.

My shoulders straighten as rage fills me.

Theo must notice my change in demeanor, since he says, “I’m guessing you’ve made a decision?”

“Revenge. I want revenge.”