Page 13 of Embers in the Outfield

My eyebrows arch when I look over at River, and he shrugs as if this is a normal interaction for him. I bet he’s had many key cards thrust into his hands throughout the years, but for some reason, tonight, this feels weird between us.

We quietly make our way to the elevator, the awkwardness of that encounter latching onto me like water in the rain. I don’t know why it bothers me that that woman thought it was completely fine to approach him while he was walking out with me. And I can’t understand why I care either. The emotions of this wedding must be catching up to me. That’s the only explanation.

My mind is tired, and the irritation is festering. The moment we get into the elevator, I blurt, “So, you going to drop me off and go to her room?” The second the words are out of my mouth, I regret them.

I can see the shock turn to amusement in his gaze. I can tell he’s ready to pounce at a chance to rile me up.

“Why? You jealous, Skipper?” I hate that he uses that nickname with me like I’m some ditz he can forget about at the drop of a hat. My irritation is bubbling at this point, and I have no right to feel this way.

“No. Just wondering if that’s how easy it is to get you into bed.” What is wrong with me? Am I giving this guy ammunition to fuck around with me?

“Awww, you taking notes?” Now the River I’m used to is back. Prick.

“You wish. Like most men, I doubt you can find her G-spot, so I think the only one who should take notes here is you.”

He looks at me, and I think he’s speechless for the first time since I met him. Finally, I got him good enough that he can’t think of a comeback.

“Are you saying no man has made you come before?” I can’t quite tell if he’s about to make some asshole remark or if he’s genuinely curious. I decide answering him is pointless and a waste of my breath.

I yank the items he was carrying for me out of his hands. When the doors open onto my floor, I rush toward my room, moving slower than I’d care to. The blisters the silver shoes left on my feet are aching as I walk down the hallway. River is trailing me because I can hear his footsteps behind me. Luckily, he’s keeping his distance, and it’s probably best. I’ve lost control of this interaction with him, and I just need to be left alone.

“Kennedy, wait,” he pleads, but I keep walking, hoping the more distance I put between us, the more this feeling that’s been creeping up all night will dissipate.

The moment I get to my door, I don’t see River standing by my side, waiting for me to go inside. I see him pulling his own key card out and swiping it at the door to my left.

“Are you serious? You share a wall with me?” He’s like a leach. I can’t shake this guy.

“Looks like I do, Skipper.” He follows that with a wink. Right then, I know he’s back to the River I usually want to avoid.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be too loud.” He gives me that panty-melting smile and strolls into his room, laughter continuing to fall out of his mouth while I grunt, exasperated by the way my night has ended.

I open my door and let it close behind me, frustration lacing each step further inside. I roll my eyes and look to my left. Knowing River is next door is making my blood boil. At least I have a few hours before I have to see him again at breakfast with Sam and Ash.

CHAPTER 5

River

I takemy time moving around my room. Everyone says grooms get the luxury of relaxing all day before they get married, but Ashton didn’t get the memo. He was a bundle of nerves all day as if Samara wouldn’t show up at the ceremony.

I can hear movement next door as Kennedy readies herself for bed. I can’t help the jolt my dick gives at that thought. Why does that excite me?

I never told Kennedy I was next door to her. I let a smile creep up at the thought of her irritation when she realized my proximity. Then my mind goes to the fact that I think I spotted a little jealousy hit her this evening when I got that key card. I have no intention of hooking up with Sadie even though she gave me the key to her room, but we had a good time dancing together.

Picking up my clothes piece by piece, I’m reminded of the aftermath of the chaos that ensued when I was last in here. Luckily, Clay decided to get his own room, giving me the freedom of a quiet night’s sleep. My brother sleeps like the dead and snores as if he’s in competition with a train.

I had to share a room with my twin my entire life growing up. As expensive as living in Boston can be, I jumped at the chanceto find a place all to myself. Clay didn’t mind because shortly after getting our jobs at the station, he decided to fully commit to Abby and get married.

He’s now in a one-bedroom in the same building as me, with Abby moving back in with her parents in California for the time being. The entire thing has been a messy divorce. I think the ugliness lies in the emotion still left on the table and not the material split of assets. There’s still a lot of love between them, but I think the pain of their past is masking the love from being seen clearly.

Once I get my space cleared up, I start to undress, ready to take a quick shower and get to bed. Pulling my shirt off, I run my hands through my hair, and I can’t ignore the one face that keeps entering my thoughts.

Kennedy and I have never seen eye to eye. Despite years of us intermingling, we’ve simply rubbed each other wrong. Somewhere along the way, though, my thoughts have veered, and now I can’t shake this feeling that I want more with her. Being close to her tonight only intensified those emotions, and I can’t shake it.

Now that I’m older and creeping closer to the age my father was when he passed, thoughts are clouding my mind about how alone I really am in my day-to-day.

I pull myself out of my thoughts once I’ve stripped down to my boxers. Grabbing the toiletries bag I packed, I open the shower to turn on the water, and that’s when I hear it. A loud thud on the other side of the wall sounds. The rescuer in me kicks in, and I throw my bag onto the bathroom counter and run toward the adjoining doors that connect our rooms.

I put my ear to the wall in hopes it’s thin enough that I would hear if she’s calling out for help. I don’t hear anything, but decide to open my adjoining door to attempt to hear a little clearer.

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