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CHAPTER FOUR

Kelton

“I kind of feel bad for her,” our pitcher Carter Callahan says leaning back in his chair.

We’ve all gathered in the VIP room at a local restaurant after our final game in Texas before heading home.

We are all worn out from our four day stretch but can never pass up a few celebratory drinks with the team.

“She didn’t look like she had a care in the world,” I add with a chuckle. “She took that bra off like a pro too, it was like magic.” I swear she had it off in seconds.

“You know me,” Donovan says kicking back.

“I’m always okay with the idea of a lady letting her girls come out to play.

” He’s the master player himself, though I’ve heard a rumor about him and Delilah Monroe having a little something going on.

Not sure the truth behind that one yet, but we’ll see how it plays out.

“She was having the time of her life,” Carter adds, shaking his head. “But she was seconds away from pulling up the shirt too.”

“And I would have been okay with that,” Donovan adds.

“Do you have any shame?” Max Murphy, or Murph as we know him, chuckles already knowing the answer to his question. When Donovan only smiles before tipping back his beer without a response it’s confirmed.

“Hey, man.” Evan, our left fielder and newest addition to the team, leans forward looking at me. “Your sister gets into Nashville tomorrow doesn’t she?”

“Sister?” Donovan asks with interest and I point the neck of my beer at him.

“You stay away from my sister.”

“Sisters like me.” He smirks.

“Seriously.” I know he’s only taunting me, he has more respect than that. “But yeah, she gets in tomorrow mid-morning. Her and her friend Emerson.” Donovan sighs and I kick his legs making him chuckle.

“You said no sister, but the friend, now she is fair game.” I narrow my eyes at him feeling my ears get hot. “Okay so sister’s friend is taken.”

“It’s not like that,” I say.

“But it was,” he pokes a little more and I don’t respond. “The girl that got away.”

“Leave it alone.” I finish my beer and motion for another. My food suddenly feels sour in my stomach. I’m thankful that Evan takes my unease as a sign to change the subject.

The guys discuss the game, their stats, and how good it feels to be leaving Texas with four out of six games won. I’m listening, but all I can truly hear is the swooshing sounds in my ears.

I didn’t know what I was walking into tomorrow.

I had no idea how it would go seeing Emerson in person after all this time.

I know what she gave me, I know what we shared.

I played it off like it was nothing but it was something.

Even after all this time I swear I can still smell her when the wind blows just right.

Clean floral scent, the perfect mixture of sweet and crisp.

Me: The doorman should let you up when you arrive.

I sent my sister a text and settled back in my chair planning on taking a nap. It pinged back before I got the chance to close my eyes.

Alizabeth: Got here about an hour ago, already settled and we leave in an hour to meet with Joey.

Glancing at my watch I’m a little confused so I quickly hit the call button and wait for her to answer. “Yes,” she singsongs.

“I thought you flew in this afternoon?”

“Changed our flight,” she says. “I wanted to get an early start with house hunting.” She was up to something. She was always up to something.

“Liz?”

“What?” I give her silence, knowing it will eat at her and she will finally give in. Then I hear it, laughter in the background. “Okay so I may have brought some more people.”

“What people?” Tension fills my veins.

“It’s only for two nights, I swear and they aren’t staying here.”

“Who?”

“Well, Gran and Dad will be here on the fourteenth.” I wait, she is holding back.

“But Lisa, Mason, and Mark were able to get tickets to the concert. The tickets suck, but they wanted to come see you when they found out I was coming. They aren’t even staying for a game, just came for the one night and then they are driving back. ”

I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach. “Alizabeth.” I sigh because I can’t get mad at her. Even though I want to be pissed I can’t. But with Mark always came the one person I could go without seeing.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“Kelton,” she lowers her voice. “Mark and Mason were two of your best friends.”

“It’s not them I’m worried about.” Libby is Mark’s older cousin. She’s toxic, I should have seen it from the beginning. I’ve never met anyone more conniving and manipulative. She and I were never a thing, but she made sure to ruin everything I had with any other girl by placing doubt.

“That bitch isn’t allowed here,” she states firmly. “Mark confirmed before I even told him I was coming that she’s in Florida with friends. Do you actually think I’d let her into your place?”

“They’ve only been here for about an hour and they are leaving when I leave.”

“I should be home in a few hours.” I end the call and let my head fall back against the headrest. I needed a fucking nap.