Page 116 of Renegade Ruin

Willow picks up her phone, and I nearly fall off the bench when she sees my text and smiles. She glances my direction before tapping out her response.

WILLOW: For what?

I thumb the button on the app, turning on the toy to the lowest setting so it vibrates against her g-spot.

A shit-eating grin takes over my face when she jumps in her seat and both her friends turn toward her to make sure she’s okay.

Her fingers fly across the keyboard on her phone.

WILLOW: You’re evil. I wouldn’t have worn this thing if I knew you’d be controlling it.

BISHOP: Settle Kitten. We both know you’re soaked at just the thought of being at my fingertips.

WILLOW: That’s not the point.

BISHOP: That's exactly the point.

WILLOW: Don’t you have a game to be paying attention to?

BISHOP: Lucky for you I’m great at multitasking.

I return my attention to the game, watching as Smitty makes another two solid calls, resulting in the third out of the inning.The team floods the dugout, and the rookie catcher takes up root next to me.

“How was that?” he asks, the glint of a puppy looking for approval in his eyes.

“You did good, pig.”

“Pig?”

“Babe?”

His brows reach his hairline as he tilts his head in confusion. “What?”

“The movie?” I clarify, then shake my head the moment I realize he has no idea what I’m talking about. “Fuck, I’m dating myself.”

When did all these rookies get so damn young?

The same time you got old.Tommy snickers.

“You’re calling me a pig?”

“No—just—never mind. You did good, kid. Keep an eye on your framing. You’re a little late when you come up from the inside corner.”

“Thanks.”

Something twinges in my chest, almost like a physical ache, but it’s different. It’s not like before where I’d find myself missing Tommy. I still miss him and the teaching moments he used to share with Jackson and me. This is more of a swell with something like pride—the kind that gives way to joy. It’s foreign, but not completely unwelcome.

The Renegades have a solid at bat, resulting in two runs coming across the plate. It’s not until they’re out in the field again for the top of the second that I feel my phone buzz at my side.

WILLOW: Did you forget about me?

BISHOP: I could never forget about you.

WILLOW: This isn’t much of a punishment.

BISHOP: Oh Kitten, that was only the first inning.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

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