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twenty-one

Chase

Dinner last night with Ethan was excruciating. My mind wandered, fixated on his sister, not him. The woman that I am now dating.

Amid celebrating the potential contract extension with the Terrors, Ethan spoke of new sponsorship opportunities and additional ways for me to give back to the community, and perhaps even a larger stage.

I woke up this morning to a bulleted breakdown of details that the new contract entailed and documents in my inbox.

Sitting at the counter in my kitchen with my laptop, with music playing in the background, I have the contract ready on the screen when my phone vibrates across the surface.

Ethan.

I answer, putting the phone on speaker.

“I’m looking at it right now,”I say upon answering.

“What? What are you looking at, and should I be concerned?” he asks.

“The contract. The suits sent it overnight, and I’m getting ready to sign.”

“Are you agreeable with everything, nothing that we need to change?” he asks.

“I’m good with what’s there. Is that why you’re calling so early?” I ask.

“No. I actually wanted to talk to you about Sky. She’s acting weird.”

My stomach drops at the mention of her, and my heart rate picks up.

“Acting weird?” I ask, “How is she acting weird?”

“Yesterday and so far today, she’s been avoiding me. I’m being sent straight to voicemail. When I called her last night while I was waiting for you, she was quick with me, trying to get me off the phone. She acts strangely. I sense something’s going on with her.”

“You remember your sister is a grown adult, right?”

“She keeps reminding me of that,” he groans. “I know I asked you to keep your distance from her, but can you see if it’s just me? If she’s just ignoring me, or the whole world?”

“Dude, I know you’re my best friend and we’ve known one another since forever, but this is just something that I cannot do for you.

You have one kind of relationship with Skylar, and I have a different one.

And what that means is I will not become a go-between for you to figure out whether or not she is pissed.

I will not be the go-between for you. You don’t want her to shut both of us out, do you?

” I say, trying to sound as nonchalant as I can while attempting to remain neutral.

“What did you say about having a relationship with my sister?” he accuses.

“Ethan. I need you to focus. What you’re asking me to do is sabotage whatever trust she has in me, because you can’t let her live her life? Maybe she is busy. Maybe she is swamped at work.” Or maybe it was because of me.

He’s silent for a moment, and I picture him glancing up at the ceiling. “You’re right.” He admits, “I can’t have you asking her why she won’t talk to me.”

Quick to change the subject, I click my screen back over to the bulleted list email. “Hey, Ethan? What does this part of the vesting portion mean? What milestones are they asking me to fulfill?”

“That’s games finished, plate appearances, and the accumulation of innings. Think of it as a reward for past performance or future performance. It’s nothing bad. It’s incentives for you.”

“Ah, so I need to meet a required unspecified amount?”

“That contract clause means injury prevention is your responsibility. Management wants to benefit from the hometown boy as much as possible. That’s a big deal for ticket sales.”

“Well, alrighty then. Looks like I need to hit up the gym after signing this. You know, to stay in tip-top shape and all.”

“Smart-ass. Questions about the contract?”

“Nah. I believe I’m ready to commit to signing away my life for the next few years.”

“Just think of it as longevity for your future. Staying with the same club has its benefits. Plus, that means less travel for me if you were to leave Tennessee.”

“So, what you’re telling me is that it’s all about you?”

“Isn’t it always?” he laughs.

“I’ve got shit to do. Are we done?” I ask teasingly.

“What important things do you have to do?”

“Duh, I’ve got to go to the gym, asswipe. You know, it helps with injury prevention and all.”I grin.

I fix the collar of my shirt, run my hands through my short hair, and check my reflection one last time, before turning off the light and making my way to the front door. Keys in hand, I leave. On my way to my first official date with Skylar.

Holy shit. I have a real date with Skylar.

I didn’t think that would have been something that I would say. She wasn’t on my radar when we were growing up. She constantly occupies my thoughts.

And to top it all off, I’m even willing to go as far as putting my friendship through the ringer to be with her.

“Hey, Sky. How are you?” No, that sounds too formal. Sounds cooler.

“Sky. You look magnificent.” Magnificent? Who the fuck says that?

“Hey sexy!” Oh my jeez. That sounds horrible.

I’m rehearsing my opening line the rest of the way to her place, and when I pull up in front of her place, I give myself one last look in the mirror, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Ethan’s car parked across the street.

Well, fuck. I wasn’t expecting this. I have two choices: I stay here in the car and hope that as he leaves, when he leaves, that he doesn’t notice me in my car. Or, I make up an excuse and meet him face to face.

I go for the latter and step out of my BMW, then make my way to the building.

I raise my hand to knock at her door, and a few moments later, Skylar is standing in the entryway.

“Hey. Um, Chase. What are you doing here?” she says loudly, before leaning in and whispering, “Ethan is here.”

I nod. “Hey, I wanted to check in on you. I was, uh, talking to Ethan earlier, and he mentioned he couldn’t get a hold of you. I was rolling through your neighborhood and thought to check in real quick.”

“Well, you and my dear brother seem to be on the same page. Come on in.” She opens the door further, and I see Ethan sitting on the couch. He looks up in shock as I enter the room.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, standing to his full height.

I glance at Skylar; her face displaying curiosity, and I smile. “I gave it some thought this morning, and you sounded worried about Skylar. You asked me to check in with her, and I said no. That was shit of me to do. But then I was in the area, and I thought, why the hell not , so here I am.”

Ethan’s posture relaxes, and a warm smile appears. “I appreciate it, man. Thanks. You’re a good friend.”

“You asked him to check up on me? What am I, ten?” Anger laces her tone as she directs her question to her brother.

He holds his hands up in surrender. “I was worried.”

“Ethan. Go home. Go online, set up a dating profile, and please, for the love of God, go out on a date, meet someone, and let me live my life,” she pleads.

“I date,” he replies.

“I’ve never known of you to. Have you, Chase?” She swings her glance in my direction.

“I’m not getting in the middle of this.”

“Oh, you know you already are.” Her gaze pierces me.

Well, fuck. Maybe coming up to here was the wrong idea.