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97
eighties.”
“Nineties,” says Dad. “Ryan pitched three straight in the nineties.”
A crazy gleam hits Scott’s eyes and we both smile. I understand that spark and the
adrenaline rush that accompanies it. We share a passion: playing ball. “Nineties? And you’re just now getting the attention of scouts?”
I readjust my hat. “Dad took me to Reds’
tryout camp this past spring, but…”
Dad cuts me off. “They told Ryan he needed to bulk up.”
“You must have listened,” Scott says.
“I want to play ball.” I’m twenty pounds
heavier than last spring. I run every day and lift weights at night. Sometimes, Dad does it with me. This dream also belongs to Dad.
“Anything can happen.” Scott looks over my shoulder, but his eyes have that far-off glaze, as if he’s seeing a memory. “It depends on how badly you want it.”
I want it. Badly. Dad checks his watch, then extends his hand again to Scott. He’s itching to pick up some new drill bits before supper. “It was nice officially meeting you.”
Scott accepts his hand. “You too. Would you HC TITLE-AUTHOR
98
mind if I borrowed your son? My niece lives with me and she’ll be starting Bullitt County High tomorrow. I think the transition will be easier for her if she has someone to show her around. As long as that’s okay with you,
Ryan.”
“It would be an honor, sir.” It would. This is beyond my wildest dreams.
Dad flashes me his all-knowing smile. “You know where to find me.” The crowd near the barbershop parts like Moses commanding the Red Sea as Dad strolls toward the hardware store.
Scott turns his back to the crowd, steps
closer to me, and runs a hand over his face.
“Elisabeth…” He pauses, rests his hands on his hips, and starts again. “Beth’s a little rough around the edges, but she’s a good girl. She could use some friends.”
I nod like I understand, but I don’t. What does he mean by rough around the edges? I keep nodding because I don’t care. She’s Scott Risk’s niece and I’ll make sure she’s happy.
Beth. A strange uneasiness settles in my
stomach. Why does that name sound familiar?
“I’ll introduce her around. Make sure she fits HC TITLE-AUTHOR
99
in. My best friend, Chris, he’s also on the team.” Because I’ll try to work Chris and Logan into any conversation I have with Mr.
Risk. “He has a great girl who I’m sure your niece will love.”
“Thanks. You have no idea how much this
means to me.” Scott relaxes as if he dropped a hundred-pound bag of feed. The bell over the clothing shop chimes. Scott places a hand on my shoulder and gestures at the shop. “Ryan, I’d like you to meet my niece, Elisabeth.”
She walks out of the shop and crosses her arms over her chest. Black hair. Nose ring.
Slim figure with a hint of curves. White shirt with only four buttons clasped between her breasts and belly button, fancy blue jeans, and an eye roll the moment she sees me. My
stomach drops as if I swallowed lead. This is possibly the worst day of my life.
HC TITLE-AUTHOR
100
Beth
“IT’S NICE TO MEET YOU,” Arrogant Taco Bell Boy says as if we never met. Maybe he doesn’t remember. Jocks usually aren’t smart. Their muscles feast on their brains.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
I’m in hell. No question about it. This bad version of the town from Deliverance is certainly hot as hell. The heat in this forsaken place possesses a strangling haze that envelops me and seizes my lungs.
Scott clears his throat. A subtle reminder that fuck is no longer an acceptable word for me in public. “I’d like you to meet Ryan Stone.”
Once upon a time, Scott used to say words like s’up and sick . Variants of fuck were the only adjectives and adverbs in his vocabulary.
Now he sounds like a stuck-up, suit-wearing, cocky rich guy. Oh wait, he is.
HC TITLE-AUTHOR
101
“Ryan’s volunteered to show you around
at school tomorrow.”
“Of course
97
eighties.”
“Nineties,” says Dad. “Ryan pitched three straight in the nineties.”
A crazy gleam hits Scott’s eyes and we both smile. I understand that spark and the
adrenaline rush that accompanies it. We share a passion: playing ball. “Nineties? And you’re just now getting the attention of scouts?”
I readjust my hat. “Dad took me to Reds’
tryout camp this past spring, but…”
Dad cuts me off. “They told Ryan he needed to bulk up.”
“You must have listened,” Scott says.
“I want to play ball.” I’m twenty pounds
heavier than last spring. I run every day and lift weights at night. Sometimes, Dad does it with me. This dream also belongs to Dad.
“Anything can happen.” Scott looks over my shoulder, but his eyes have that far-off glaze, as if he’s seeing a memory. “It depends on how badly you want it.”
I want it. Badly. Dad checks his watch, then extends his hand again to Scott. He’s itching to pick up some new drill bits before supper. “It was nice officially meeting you.”
Scott accepts his hand. “You too. Would you HC TITLE-AUTHOR
98
mind if I borrowed your son? My niece lives with me and she’ll be starting Bullitt County High tomorrow. I think the transition will be easier for her if she has someone to show her around. As long as that’s okay with you,
Ryan.”
“It would be an honor, sir.” It would. This is beyond my wildest dreams.
Dad flashes me his all-knowing smile. “You know where to find me.” The crowd near the barbershop parts like Moses commanding the Red Sea as Dad strolls toward the hardware store.
Scott turns his back to the crowd, steps
closer to me, and runs a hand over his face.
“Elisabeth…” He pauses, rests his hands on his hips, and starts again. “Beth’s a little rough around the edges, but she’s a good girl. She could use some friends.”
I nod like I understand, but I don’t. What does he mean by rough around the edges? I keep nodding because I don’t care. She’s Scott Risk’s niece and I’ll make sure she’s happy.
Beth. A strange uneasiness settles in my
stomach. Why does that name sound familiar?
“I’ll introduce her around. Make sure she fits HC TITLE-AUTHOR
99
in. My best friend, Chris, he’s also on the team.” Because I’ll try to work Chris and Logan into any conversation I have with Mr.
Risk. “He has a great girl who I’m sure your niece will love.”
“Thanks. You have no idea how much this
means to me.” Scott relaxes as if he dropped a hundred-pound bag of feed. The bell over the clothing shop chimes. Scott places a hand on my shoulder and gestures at the shop. “Ryan, I’d like you to meet my niece, Elisabeth.”
She walks out of the shop and crosses her arms over her chest. Black hair. Nose ring.
Slim figure with a hint of curves. White shirt with only four buttons clasped between her breasts and belly button, fancy blue jeans, and an eye roll the moment she sees me. My
stomach drops as if I swallowed lead. This is possibly the worst day of my life.
HC TITLE-AUTHOR
100
Beth
“IT’S NICE TO MEET YOU,” Arrogant Taco Bell Boy says as if we never met. Maybe he doesn’t remember. Jocks usually aren’t smart. Their muscles feast on their brains.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
I’m in hell. No question about it. This bad version of the town from Deliverance is certainly hot as hell. The heat in this forsaken place possesses a strangling haze that envelops me and seizes my lungs.
Scott clears his throat. A subtle reminder that fuck is no longer an acceptable word for me in public. “I’d like you to meet Ryan Stone.”
Once upon a time, Scott used to say words like s’up and sick . Variants of fuck were the only adjectives and adverbs in his vocabulary.
Now he sounds like a stuck-up, suit-wearing, cocky rich guy. Oh wait, he is.
HC TITLE-AUTHOR
101
“Ryan’s volunteered to show you around
at school tomorrow.”
“Of course
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