For the Game (12 page)

Cooper

I hurried across campus, my tennis shoes clomping on the ground, my backpack thumping against my spine. Even though it was evening, it was warm out. Heat circled me as I walked, the scent of damp grass wafting under my nose. A group of students sat on the grass chatting and laughing. Their voices carried on the warm breeze when I passed them. A couple strolled beside me, hand in hand. It made me long for London. I prayed she’d get accepted here. Just that thought made my heart soar. I imagined us traipsing around campus, hands linked. To my right, a couple made out near a tree, and as I stared at them they morphed into London and I. My lips buzzed, the memory of her mouth on mine lingering.

It was proving to be more difficult to balance our relationship than I thought it would be. The first semester it seemed that I had a handle on things. But that may have been because baseball wasn’t in full swing. Now it was more of a challenge. I couldn’t help but think that if she were here it would be easier. I couldn’t even bring myself to think about what would happen if she didn’t get into Fallbrook. As much as we loved each other, could our relationship really withstand four more years apart? I was already feeling the distance between us like a tangible thing. Like with each passing day the chasm was growing, and I worried that one day we’d be too far to find our way back to each other.

Desperation clawed at me, and I picked up the pace. I planned to skype with London the minute I got back to my dorm room. My homework load was heavier than I thought it would be tonight, but I’d stay up late if I had to. There was no way I could blow her off again. I needed to see her face and hear her voice. I needed to know that we were okay. Maybe if I knew that I would feel like everything was all right in my world again.

When I reached my dorm, I felt my chest expanding. With every step I felt calmer, knowing I was closer to London. It was the same way I’d felt on the plane as we got closer to Sacramento. London’s presence calmed me in a way nothing else ever had. The familiar scent of the dorms smacked me in the face when I entered -- old carpet and BO. When I rounded the corner and started walking down the hall leading to my dorm, I halted in my tracks. Charlotte teetered in my direction, tears streaking her face. Her lips trembled, her body swayed. I couldn’t tell if she was upset or drunk. When I got closer, it was clear that she was both.

“Charlotte?” I asked tentatively, glancing around.
Where the hell was Justin?
It seemed he should be the one dealing with this.

“Cooper.” She fell forward, her arms landing on my shoulders. The smell of beer radiated from her mouth, turning my stomach. Her nose dripped, her eyes filled with moisture.

“Are you all right?” I helped to steady her while attempting to pry her fingers from mine.

“What do you think?” She slurred.

“Here.” I moved away from her. “Let me grab Justin.” My laptop practically called my name from inside. I needed to unload Charlotte on Justin so I could chat with my girl.

“No.” She flung her arm out, circling her hand around my wrist. “I’m not talking to that asshole ever again.”

Oh, great.

“Besides, he doesn’t want me anymore. He made that clear.” She hugged herself, a fresh wave of tears pouring down her face.

A group of guys came down the hallway looking over at us curiously.
Shit.
I needed to get this train wreck out of here. Blowing out a breath, I flashed them an apologetic look.

“C’mon, Charlotte.” I tugged on her arm. “Let’s get you outta here.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.” She ripped her arm away from me.

Damn it, this was going to be harder than I thought.

“Charlotte,” I spoke in my most charming voice. “I just want to help you, okay?”

She sighed, her eyes meeting mine. My gaze flickered over to the door to my room.
Thanks a lot, Justin. I could be Skyping London, but instead I’m cleaning up your goddamn mess.
Shaking my head, I turned my attention back to Charlotte. I’d have to deal with Justin later.

“Oh, god. I think I’m gonna be sick.” Charlotte bent over, coughing into her hand.

Double shit.
That’s all I needed was for this chick to puke all over my dorm room door. Grabbing her by the shoulders, I steered her down the hallway. Hurriedly I opened the door at the end of the hall and shoved Charlotte through it. Once we were outside, she leaned over a bush and hurled. The bitter scent of alcohol filled my senses.

“Better?” I asked, placing my hand on her back.

“A little,” she mumbled, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

I grimaced.
So gross.

A sob tore from the back of Charlotte’s throat. “Oh, god, I made a total fool of myself.”

“It’s gonna be all right.” I wanted to tell her that she didn’t make a fool of herself, but judging by the amount of people out here I’d say she was right on target.

“I just thought he really liked me, you know?” Her bottom lip quivered. “I haven’t made very many friends since I’ve been here, and he seemed so nice.”

I nodded, anger with Justin resurfacing. As badly as I wanted to rush upstairs to get ahold of London, there was no way I could leave Charlotte like this. The gentleman in me couldn’t allow that to happen. It’s not the way I was raised. I could almost hear Grandma’s voice in my head. I’d often teased her that she was my conscience.

“Let me walk you back to your dorm, okay?”

Embarrassment flickering in her eyes, she nodded.
At least she’d calmed down.
She started walking, and I fell in step beside her.

“Thanks for being so cool about this,” she said after a few minutes of silence. “I’m sure you have better things to do than take care of a crazy drunk girl.”

I shrugged. “Can’t say this was what I planned to do tonight.”

“Me either.” She sighed.

“What happened?” I glanced over at her.

“He was with another girl.” A wry smile appeared on her face. “I mean, it’s not like we ever said we were exclusive, but I guess I kind of assumed we were.”

I totally understood. Hadn’t I made the same assumption about them?

“And he didn’t even seem to feel bad. It was like he was relieved or something.”

Pressing my lips together, I turned away. I was certain her assessment was correct. Justin didn’t strike me as the remorseful type, and he had seemed to want to be rid of her.

“Well, this is my building.” She paused in front of one of the girls’ buildings.

“You gonna be okay?”

She forced a tight grin. “I’ve survived a lot worse than this, trust me.”

Somehow her words didn’t make me feel any better about the situation. In fact, it made me feel worse. She didn’t deserve this kind of treatment.

“I’m sorry about Justin,” I said. “But maybe look at this as a blessing. Now you’re free to go meet someone else. Someone worthy of you.”

Her gaze locked with mine, and her lips curled upward. It was the first genuine smile I’d seen from her today. “Yeah. I’d like that.” Before I registered what was happening her arms were around my neck and she was hugging me tightly. “Thanks,” she whispered before stepping back.

“Any time,” I said.

“Hey, look. It’s Mini-Coop,” Ace’s voice stopped me cold. “And you must be Mini-Coop’s girl.”

I swiveled in the direction of Ace’s voice. He stood next to me staring at Charlotte. She giggled.

“Whoa, dude. Your chick reeks like a bar.” Ace chuckled. “Does she have to stay drunk to tolerate your sorry ass?”

I shook my head. “She’s not my girl. Just a friend.”

Charlotte’s eyes clouded over, and I felt kind of bad. I mean, it was the truth, but she’d already suffered enough rejection for one day. However, it’s not like I had a choice. I couldn’t allow Ace to think she was my girlfriend. I had a girl. London. And there was no replacing her.

“Hmmm. Well, does your girl know you’re hanging out with some drunk chick tonight?” Ace asked smugly.

My insides knotted, and I was glad Ace didn’t know London. I was sure he’d be more than happy to divulge that information to her if he did.

“Nothing’s going on, Ace. Mind your own damn business,” I snapped.

“Message received.” He held up his hands, palm sides showing. “Well, you two kids have fun.” Clucking his tongue, he walked off.

Inwardly, I groaned. That guy sure had a knack for showing up at the worst possible times. But at least he hadn’t caused any more trouble.

“You sure you’re all right?” I asked Charlotte again, in an effort to assuage some of the guilt I felt for Ace’s behavior.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Thanks again.” When she spun away from me, I watched her walk inside. Once she was safely in, I yanked my phone out of my pocket. Noticing the time, my heart pinched. Realizing that I’d missed a text from London furthered my panic. There was no way I’d have time to skype her now and get all my stuff done. Glancing back at Charlotte’s building, nausea crashed over me. How the hell would I explain where I’d been all night?

The baseball field was lit up, the green grass and golden sand calling out to me. Ever since I was a child I felt most at home on a baseball field. It was the place I felt the most alive, the most like myself. I loved everything about it, from the way it smelled to the way it made my heart race. Besides, it was on the baseball field that I felt closest to my dad. If I closed my eyes, I could even imagine he was here with me, cheering me on like he did when I was little.

“I appreciate you meeting me, Parker.” Dropping my baseball bag on the ground, I reached inside and grabbed out my mitt and a ball.

“Sure. No problem.” Parker slipped on his catcher’s gear. “Nothing else going on tonight anyway.” Once he had everything on, he walked over the grass and took his position behind home plate. “Besides, I figured you could use a little practice.” Adjusting his catcher’s mask, he flashed me a wink.

I appreciated him acting as if it was a joke when we both knew it was the truth. Practice was exactly what I needed. If I didn’t get my ass in gear, I was pretty sure I’d lose my third starter slot. Ace was vying for it pretty hard, and I was playing right into his hands.

I made my way over to the pitcher’s mound while Parker crouched down. Blowing out a breath, I attempted to quiet my mind. It took a little effort to block out all the thoughts that had been swirling in my head for weeks. It didn’t help knowing that I was blowing off another skype session with London to practice right now. I had promised London we would skype tonight, but then I ran into Parker this afternoon, and when he offered to help me out I knew I had to take him up on it. London seemed understanding when I texted her about it, but I was sure she was disappointed. Hell, I was disappointed, and I was the one who made the decision. It seemed I was always letting her down lately, but there was no way around it. And I missed her like crazy, which made it even more difficult for me. Still, this was how it had to be. If I had any hope of holding on to my spot on the team, I had to push myself. I had to work hard.

“Ready?” Parker punched his fist into his mitt.

“Yeah.” I inhaled sharply through my nose and then blew out through my mouth. Then I brought my arm back, readying for the pitch. Taking aim, I released it. The ball shot from my hand and soared straight into Parker’s mitt. He closed his mitt around it and then dropped the ball into his right hand.

As he threw it back to me, he smiled. “Not bad.”

I caught it, and then subsequently threw a few more pitches.

“Where was all this the last few practices?” Parker asked.

“I guess I just haven’t really had my head in the game.”

He threw the ball back to me. “You can’t keep letting Ace get under your skin, man.”

Holding the ball in my mitt, I tucked it in close to my body. The bright lights shone on my face, causing sweat to form on my brow. With the back of my wrist I wiped it away. “He just knows how to get under my skin.”

“Clearly.”

I paused, remembering what Parker said when Ace and I almost got into a fistfight. “What happened with Ace last year?”

Parker stood up from his crouched position, and grabbing his catcher’s mask between his thumb and forefinger he flipped it up to reveal his face. “Let’s just say you’re not the first guy Ace has had an issue with.”

That wasn’t surprising to me. He seemed like the type of guy who liked to stir up trouble. Still it worried me. “What happened with the other guy?”

“Same kind of thing. Ace didn’t like him. Wanted him gone.”

My stomach twisted. “Did he get his way?”

Parker shrugged. “Sort of, I guess, but it came at a price.”

I sort of regretted having this conversation now. Knowing Ace had that kind of pull made him seem like more of a threat than I had believed him to be. “What does that mean?”

“C’mon, man. You keep thinking about Ace so much I’m going to start thinking you have a thing for him.” He shot me a grin. “Games start in a week. Let’s get down to business.” He lowered the mask over his face as if signaling the end of the conversation. Bending his knees, he lowered back down to his crouched position and held his mitt out.