Page 28 of The Strike Zone

“Um, yeah…I guess. You think it’s okay?”

“I think it’s good you’re all pretty.” She sucked in a deep breath, or maybe it was an exasperated sigh. “You know, guys, this is a learning opportunity for you. It’s how regular people get together and build relationships. Not everyone can walk up to someone in a bar, snap their fingers, and expect to get what they want.”

“Wasn’t that what I did to get you?” Ace snorted.

“Do you really want to go there right now, Lucky Aces?” Payton shot back.

“No, ma’am.”

I held my hand in front of Ace before he could say any more, because I still wasn’t clear on what she was telling me. “Payton, are you saying it’s a good idea?”

“Yes, it’s a good idea, Parker. Be Scout’s friend. I know you really like her, but don’t expect it to happen overnight. Remember, it might not happen at all.”

“It’ll happen,” muttered Tanner.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Cool, yeah, thanks. Will do.”

“Anytime. Okay, Gotta go. Bye.”

“LOVE YOU,” Ace yelled into the phone, but she’d already cut the call. He clapped his hands together. “Great, we’re all set. The plan for Operation Strike Zone is in place. Parker is going to friend his way into a relationship with Scout, and Tanner will work on Millie.”

“Sounds good to me,” echoed Lux and Tanner in unison, before Lux added, “And now we need to leave or we’re going to be late. We’re not getting fined for tardiness this early in the season.”

“Parker, you coming?”

I pushed away any thoughts I had about whether my plan to date Scout had just been hijacked by my roommates, because that would only mean one thing.

It would go drastically wrong.

SEVEN

PARKER

“Ouch,” I grumbled, rubbing my ribs where Tanner had just rammed his elbow. “What was that for?”

Tanner flung open the back door before Lux had a chance to cut the engine, and jumped out while almost pulling me with him. Dragging more like. By the time I’d managed to stand up, Ace had got out, too, both of us wondering why Tanner was hopping about excitedly.

“What are you doing?”

Tanner nodded over to the Lions Stadium entrance. “Isn’t that Scout?”

Ace and I followed where his finger pointed, but all we could see was a person carrying way more than any person should reasonably carry in one go.

Several bags were slung over each shoulder, while their arms were full from the boxes they were holding, piled on top of which were books. Even when I squinted it wasn’t entirely clear who was under the bags and the boxes.

It could be anyone.

Until a flash of blonde caught in the sunlight, and a burst of nerves shot through me.

“Yes, it is.” Ace spun around, took one look at me, and removed his ball cap, shoving it onto my head. “Wait.”

“What are you doing?” I asked, pushing it up so I could see.

“You had bed hair. You don’t want her thinking you’re hooking up with other chicks, even if you are just friends,” he replied, taking a step back to assess me. “Okay, you’re good to go.”

“Go where?”

“Go and help Scout with all that shit she’s carrying.”

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