Page 37 of Love Rewritten

I lost one of the scouts when I was gone from practices the week Abby was in the hospital. It hurt a little, but I cared more about being with her than about what any recruiter might have to say.

Just as quickly as the game starts, it ends. We won, but just barely. Dante had to step out after the second inning with a sprained wrist. He’d said he twisted it ever so slightly to put a little more spin on the ball and ended up screwing up his wrist instead. Coach was not thrilled with his reasoning. Kevin stepped in for the rest of the game. He’s a good pitcher, but Dante has that extra edge we need right now. At the front of the bus, Dante sits in his seat, icing his wrist, so we can hopefully use him at the next game in two days.

Logan glances at me out of the corner of his eye. “So, are you going to be cordial with your father tonight?”

I haven't given much thought about him being there tonight. Of course, he would. He’s one of the LAO directors. “For Abby’s sake, yes.”

“Maybe for your sake, too?”

I cock my head. “That’s a lot harder than you think it is.” I’ve not thought much about my father lately. My mother, yes, but my father has been sent to the recesses of my mind. I don’t need him occupying precious space that could be used for more important matters like baseball and Abby.

“I’m not saying you have to forgive him but at least try being nice to him. It’ll make you feel a little better whether you believe me or not.”

I chew on that for a bit before changing the subject. “Can you do me one more favor while you’re out getting wine?”

Logan looks across the aisle at me. “Depends on what it is.”

“Could you pick up some actual wine glasses? We don’t have any.”

“What? Solo cups won’t work?” he asks with a laugh. “You are really going all out on this, aren’t you?”

I shrug. “Yeah, I guess. I’ve never taken her out on a proper date before, and I feel like I’m long overdue. Plus, she could use a good sabbatical from everything for the night.”

He eyes me strangely. “I’ve never seen you like this before.”

“Like what?”

“So … antsy. It’s weird. A good weird, but still weird.”

I roll my eyes and settle into the seat, trying to keep myself from overthinking this entire date. When we return home, Meredith and Abby are getting ready in the bathroom. A cloud of hairspray wafts from the open door. I could smell it the second we walked in.

“We have these things called windows you know,” I yell toward the bathroom, faking a cough in the process. Meredith sticks a hand out past the door frame and flips me off before returning to her duties.

When I peek in, Meredith is holding a curling iron to Abby’s black hair while Abby tries applying makeup between curls. Meredith shoos me out before I’ve gotten a good look and tells me to busy myself with something else. The only thing that keeps me busy is the TV until I need to get ready myself. We leave in an hour.

As I hike up my black slacks and button them, the maroon shirt tucks in easily. Abby and Meredith disappeared into Abby’s room—old room? I’m not sure what to call it anymore. We only ever sleep in mine now. She still stores all her things in hers, and I still want her to have that space if she needs it. But bits and pieces of her stuff have slowly migrated into my room. Her nightstand now houses a stack of books, her favorite pair of reading glasses, and a notebook and pen. It seems she’s got notebooks and pens everywhere. She even has a drawer of clothes in here.

One thing I will give my dad credit for tonight is teaching me how to tie a tie. The black tie lies over the matching black vest, and I slip on the black suit jacket over top. I didn’t ask, but if Abby’s wearing black, this should match perfectly. I think she has been so nervous about the event itself that she doesn’t care what I wear at this point.

I lean against the kitchen counter, mindlessly scrolling through my phone while the girls finish getting ready. Logan found something on TV to keep himself busy all night though I think he’s secretly excited to have a night to himself.

When Abby’s door clicks open, I almost drop my phone. I’ve been anticipating seeing her in this dress all day.

Holy fuck.

I move from the kitchen to stand in front of the hall where Abby now stands. The dress looks far better on her than it did on the hanger. Her long hair drapes over her shoulders in soft waves. One side of her bangs has been pinned to the side to give me a perfect view of that beautiful face. Her makeup is heavier than usual, but it only makes her blue eyes stand out even more. I would kiss her right now if those plump lips weren’t painted in dark red lipstick. And then I think, do I really care?

Thick, high-heeled black boots a little more than ankle-high click on the ground when she takes a few steps closer, smiling sheepishly. She looks up at me through those long lashes once she reaches me, and I think I might melt where I stand.

“You look … stunning, Abby.” I’m not sure where the words come from, certainly not from my conscious mind, but I’ve managed to say them somehow.

I’m almost ashamed of where my eyes look. Almost. Her gorgeous face first, the long dip of the fabric down her chest, down the length of her legs that peek out from the two slits on either hip. I’d be more ashamed if Abby weren’t eyeing me the same way—like a piece of meat she’s ready to devour.

Her smile remains as she looks me up and down. “Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself.” She grabs the lapels of my suit, pulls me closer, and gives me almost a whisper of a kiss to not smudge the lipstick. We stare into each other's eyes for a few moments, but it’s cut short.

“You two are adorable,” Meredith says from behind Abby, pulling us both from our trances. “Now turn around for a picture.” She’s already holding her phone up.

Abby turns her head and smiles, likely also rolling her eyes. We both oblige Meredith’s request. She takes more pictures than I’ll be able to sort through in one sitting.

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