Page 56 of Stumped

As the words come out of me, I’m surprised at the truth. Now that I’ve accepted I have feelings for him, I’m not too worried about the people closest to me finding out about him.

“Wait, are you seriously in love?”

I kick Tamara, who kicks me back. “I don’t know what I am. I wanted it to be a fuck buddy thing, but he’s…”

“Really handsome and sweet and good in bed?” Millie offers, a drunk smile painted on her face.

“Yup. He’s also got a really filthy mouth, which is such a nice change from all the forced dirty talk I’ve had to put up with the last few months.”

My friends nod and I chuckle. Until very recently in Tamara’s case, all of them have been in committed relationships. Their partners know what they like and the sex must be good, dirty talk included. I know sex isn’t important for a happy relationship, but I also know my friends and they’re kinky bitches. They get the whole wanting good sex and the right kind of dirty talk. It’s something we’ve discussed before.

The bar shouts again and I tap my fingers against my glass. I glance at the screen and find Elias raising his bat as he walks down the pitch. My eyes drop to the score and I gasp.

“He scored a half-century?2,” I whisper and my friends turn to the screen as Elias bumps fists with his fellow batter before returning to the crease.

“I’m glad he’s back. He might save the Renegades from this shit streak they’ve been on,” Millie says, shifting in her chair.

I nod dumbly and turn to Krys. “Can I have my phone, please?”

“Youmade the rules, Vee.”

“I…I’ll be really quick. I promise.”

She eyes me, digs into her bag and hands me the phone. I turn off airplane mode and watch as notifications light up my phone.

Superstar:

CLEARED TO PLAY TONIGHT BAAAABBBYYYY!

They waited until an hour before the match was to start to tell me.

I wish you were here to thank you for believing in me.

I slide the phone to Krys and exhale as they grin at me.

“I’m so fucked.”

Eighteen. Friends

Elias

We won.

I’d never say it out loud, butIsaved the Renegades from another loss.

After the meeting yesterday, I was convinced they didn’t think I was ready. Clearing me to train was a big step and I didn’t look the gift horse in the mouth. Maybe if I could prove my strength, they’d let me play. But one day of batting practice led to another and I figured that was all I’d get to do. Vera’s encouragement and belief kept me going, even if it wasn’t going to be enough to get me back on the pitch.

Dr. Theo didn’t relent during PT, but it helped distract from the fact that I spent a year working so hard for nothing. Plus, having the Lucky Shot team hanging around was quite fun. In the weeks they’d been travelling with us, we’d gotten familiar with each other, so it was like hanging out with friends. Even with their inquisitive questions and prying eyes, it felt comforting. Especially since I knew Vera would see all that footage later.

An hour before the match started, Coach Kumaran walked into the medical room with a deep frown. “Why aren’t you in uniform yet?”

“For what, Coach?”

“To play tonight, Joseph. Isn’t this what you wanted?”

With wide eyes I looked between the doctor and my coach. “Yes, sir.”

“Good, suit up. You go on fifth.”

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