Page 3 of Embers in the Outfield

She and I were theitcouple. We had been together for two years by the time we started our senior year. We were planning to do the long-distance thing once we graduated—at least that was the plan—but she showed me real quick that wasn’t going to work.

I swear, after Kailey showed her true colors, I could see the devil horns coming through. She was my everything until she wasn’t, and it still hurts when I think about it. She went behind my back and not only fucked the football quarterback, Benson Briggs—yes, even his name sounds douchey—at a post-game party after one of my matches, but it turns out they were hooking up all fucking summer. I felt like the biggest fool; technically, I still do.

The fuckboy status started after that. I mended my heart by partying as hard as possible and finding a release wherever I could. And I honestly regret none of it. I am enjoying my life. My brother and I go to the same university in Boston, so we’ve been having a good time while we acclimate to this college lifestyle.

The moment I broke things off with Kailey, I started to open my eyes to the person she was. She was selfish, inconsiderate, and simply the devil incarnate. I can only chalk it up to the factI ignored it because I thought I was in love. But in all honesty, she held my heart in her hands, and once I discovered her cheating ways, that shit stung. Am I coping? Yes. Am I doing it the healthiest way? Most likely not. But I’m eighteen, in college, and not really wanting a long-term relationship anytime soon—or ever, if I’m being completely transparent.

If my father’s passing taught me anything, it’s that life can change in an instant. I don’t think I need to sit here and plan forever with someone when I’m enjoying what’s right in front of me at this moment. I’m being careful, and I’m figuring my shit out.

One of Ash’s fraternity brothers I met earlier, Jared, makes his way over, an energy drink in one hand and a joint in the other. Seems counterproductive.

“Guys, I think I just spotted my future wife.” Did someone spike the Kool-Aid with something other than vodka because these guys are completely losing it. I came to the wrong party. I was under the impression this was a college campus, not the next season ofThe Bachelor.

Jared continues, “I swear, this chick is fucking hot. She’s in the kitchen with Samara, grabbing a drink. Come to think of it, she’s in my business class.” He scratches his head, his eyes distant as he realizes where he knows this girl from. I’ve only known Jared for a few hours, and I can already tell going to class is an optional thing for him.

“There she is, man.” Ash is tugging at my shirt while I’m swatting his hand away, in no way wanting to ruin this shirt. I just fucking bought it.

We make our way toward the kitchen, maneuvering through a large group of people surrounding what I imagine to be the jungle juice. Red solo cups litter the area. In the far corner of the living room is a table—a new round of beer pong about to start.

“Hey, baby. I missed you.” Ashton wraps his arms around a tiny brunette, his massive height having to bend down to nuzzle her neck.

A small smile spreads across my face. As much as I give my friend shit, seeing him happy is all I want for him, especially with the shitty parents life has dealt him.

Ashton comes from a loveless home. His parents were constantly fighting, causing Ash to hang out more at our house than his own. We welcomed him in, my mother feeling bad for all the pain Ash endured being in an emotionally abusive environment. The minute he turned eighteen, he came over to my mom’s house and stayed until leaving for college. From what he’s told me, his parents didn’t even ask about his whereabouts, and he hasn’t relinquished any information to them since leaving Boston for college.

A movement catches my eye, and soon enough, someone new is joining our group. I am immediately taken aback by her beauty. She’s stunning: long legs, wavy blonde hair, bright green eyes—she might be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. My eyes can’t help the involuntary movement along her body, taking in each perfect part of her.

She’s taller than Ash’s girlfriend by quite a bit. Now that her eyes have trained in on me, I can see she has gold flecks near the middle, and it’s hard to look away. She’s got a bit of makeup on, but I see a faint scar across her forehead that accentuates her beauty versus taking away from it.

I’m staring at this point, and I can’t even feel embarrassed. This girl causes everything around me to go silent with just her beauty. Her bright green-gold irises lock on me, and it feels like she can see into my soul with her gaze. I’m instantly breathless and forget simple words, like a fucking introduction.

You’re freaking her out, Riv. Say something!

“River, I’d like you to meet Samara. Sam, this is River.” I hear Ashton’s voice, but it’s hard to pull my eyes off the woman in front of me. I watch the blonde beauty look me over, at first seeming to take me in. Then her expression morphs into disgust as if I kicked her puppy or something. She’s looking at me like she’s trying to figure me out, and what I would have categorized as intrigue on my end turns to discomfort as her eyes narrow.

I’m pulled from this hypnotic state because my friend is snapping his fingers in front of my face. Finally, I greet the woman my friend can’t stop talking about.

“It’s nice to meet you. Ash is smitten.” This pulls a huge smile from Ashton’s girlfriend, and her grin widens. She’s completely his type with a big smile, doe eyes, and that small-town girl vibe he’s always attracted to. I see why he felt a connection to her.

I try to show Samara some attention, but I can’t help but swing my gaze back to the woman next to her. I don’t know what it is about her, but she’s commanding my attention in a way I’ve never experienced. I keep stealing glances at her as I shake Samara’s hand.

“Oh really? Is that so?” Ashton’s girlfriend sips her drink from the straw and looks over at Ashton like she’s undressing him with her eyes.

I swing my full attention to the beauty by Samara’s side, the girl now looking utterly pissed. What did I miss?

“I know you,” hot girl proclaims, her voice dripping with disgust.

Whoa. I know, with absolute certainty, I have not met this woman. I would know. I know I wouldn’t have walked away from her, seeing as she might be the most captivating person I’ve ever seen in my life.

I can’t help but pull my backward hat off my head and run my hand through my hair. It’s something both my brother and I do when we are uncomfortable.

I let an easy smile cross my features, letting my dimples pop out for a little extra charm. I’m uncomfortable, however, wondering how we are connected when I don’t even go to this school. I let silence be my answer because I have no idea who she is.

“Yeah, I do know you. You were at my senior prom. Did you go out with Shelby Peters?”

What the fuck? Of all the connections to have tonight, this girl knows a psycho. Wonderful.

“Um, ‘go out’ is not quite the terminology I’d use.” I use air quotes to accentuate my words because Shelby is in no way someone I dated. I would never classify us as dating, nor did I want to go to prom with her. Fuck, of all the things to follow me, this had to be the thing. What fucking luck I have.

---