Page 105 of Stealing Second

“’Cause you act like you’re even older than the V-E-T-E-R-A-N-S,” AJ jokes, and they all laugh, even Locke. “Not even going out when you’re in a new damn city?”

“He’s hot for the neighbor. Leave him alone.”

I have to glance back to make sure that was actually Nour saying that since he gives me just as much crap as AJ.

Locke turns and looks back at them. “You two do understand that you get more action when there are less players on the field, right?”

“Taco Bell up ahead,” AJ says, smacking the back of the seat.

“Yo quiero Taco Bell,” Nour says.

“Who doesn’t want a hot, juicy taco in their mouth?” AJ makes a V with his fingers and flicks his tongue between them.

“I’ll hit the drive-thru if you promise not to do that shit in front of me ever again.”

* * *

When I wake up and look at the clock, it’s ten thirty in the morning. My alarm didn’t go off. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure I even set it. I’m an early riser, which is fucked because games don’t typically end until eleven at night, sometimes later.

I grab my phone to send a text to CeCe, and then I decide showing up at Wags would be even better.

After my shower, I slide into some track pants, a T-shirt, and a zip-up hoodie. Then I make the decision to get in my cardio and jog over.

When I walk into Wags, my pup is sitting next to the woman at the reception desk and slips and slides as she tries to get traction while running toward me.

I squat down and let her bounce all over me and lick the shit out of my face, and then she buries her face in the flowers I grabbed at the shop around the corner.

“You must be Eleanor’s owner.”

Standing, I smile. “I think it’s the other way around. She owns me. How could she not? Look at this face.”

And, yeah, her face is freaking crazy cute. The black around her eyes making her look like she’s wearing makeup also adorable. She’s also got all these wrinkles. I know she’ll grow into her skin, but still, totally adorable.

“She your first?” she asks, smiling.

“My grandmother had a dog, and I grew up with her. But Eleanor was a gift.”

Her facial expression is a lot like CeCe’s was—disapproving of a dog being a gift, but she doesn’t tell me how horrible it is.

“Bad gift, I know. CeCe might have mentioned that.”

“Wonderful gift, if you asked for it.” She holds up her finger and answers the phone. “Good morning. You’ve reached Wags Veterinary Clinic. How can we help you today?”

I see the girl who brought us back to the exam room when we came for Elle’s visit. Her hair was brown then, but is now blonde. She smiles as she walks toward the front.

She pushes open the glass door. “Dr. Shaw is just finishing up with her surgery. You can wait in her office if you’d like.”

“Sure she won’t mind? I just kind of showed up.”

“With flowers. Good call,” she says, waving me through.

“I did okay then?” I ask, knowing damn well I did.

I wanted something subtle and bright. Red roses are for dates and fuckups.

“Tulips and daffodils—you can’t go wrong with them; they’re just so happy-looking.” She opens the door to CeCe’s office. “She’ll be right in.”

“Thanks …” I pause, trying to remember her name, but I can’t for the life of me.

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