You’re the leader, dawg, and what does it say when our leader walks from a game? The guys are starting to question if you’re losing your edge. ”
I zero in on Chris. “What does that mean?”
Chris meets my glare and I discover he’s one of the “guys. ” “I’ve never seen you walk from a dare in my life and you walked from the one with Beth. You just gave up. ”
“I didn’t give up. I fell for her. ”
“Exactly. You could have bagged the dare by bringing her to the next party, but you threw down the white flag the moment you hooked up with her. She’s got her hooks in you and I want to make sure she’s worth it. ”
Not liking the tone or turn of this conversation, I fold my arms over my chest.
“What are you trying to say?”
Chris’s muscles ripple as he inches near me.
“You’ve changed since she’s come to Groveton and I’m not sure I like it. It was us and baseball—what you used to care about. Then she comes around and it’s me, you, Beth, writing, and sometimes baseball. You never once talked about going to college and now you want to walk from the pros. Who the hell are you?”
Who the hell am I? Who the hell is the guy in front of me? I step within swinging distance and, for the first time in my life, I’m willing to hit my best friend. “I’m the same damn guy who’s led this team year after year and I’m the same damn guy who encouraged you to date our best friend. I can’t help it you never looked close enough to see I could be more than a man with a ball and a bat. ”
We stare at each other. Unblinking.
Unmoving. Until Chris flexes his fingers and gestures to a box of studded condoms. “That’s some freaky shit too. ”
I pull on the bill of my hat. What the hell?
Part of me wants to punch him. Part of me wants to ask what just happened between us. I go the easy route and let Chris off the hook.
“Show me what you get. ”
What if she is into freaky shit? What if she wants ribbed? When do you need lubricated? I don’t even want to think about the kind that says they’ll make her tingle.
“Does she have a latex allergy? That could suck if she does. I’ve heard stories of girls puffing up like blowfish and having to be rushed to the emergency room. ”
My heart stops. “Really?”
“Naw, I’m messing with you, but I’d ask about the latex allergy before you put it on. ”
Two teenage girls walk down the aisle. One sips on a slushy and twirls her hair. They glance at each other and giggle. Heat rises on the back of my neck.
“I’m not you, Ry,” Chris says after they round the corner. “I’m not going to college and I don’t have the pros knocking on my door.
Winning state this year, that’s my dream, and I need you in order to complete it. Promise me that you won’t let anything get in the way of that. ”
Since I was seven years old I’ve glanced to my right and seen Chris backing me up between third and second. He saved plays I screwed up because of my pitch. My insides twist with the startling revelation—regardless of the path I choose, come graduation,
Chris isn’t going to be the guy on my right anymore. “You guys can take Eastwick without me and you know it. Northside is the team with the hitters. In the spring, we’re going to state.
The only game I’m missing is Saturday and I wouldn’t walk away if I didn’t believe that you guys have it covered. ”
Chris studies me and I silently urge him to be okay with this. He’s my best friend and I need us to be okay. He offers me his hand and I exhale.
“Swear it, dawg. ”
I clasp it. “Sworn. ”
An easy grin spreads across his face. “Pick something out and let’s get out of here. ”
I try one more time. “Tell me what you get. ”