Page 47 of Embers in the Outfield

His movements slow as he starts to come down off that high, and we both collapse onto the bed.

He pulls my back against his chest, the sweat intermixed as we both catch our breath.

“Shit, Kennedy, how is this even possible? All these years and we missed out on this fun. We’re fucking idiots.” He laughs, and I smile to myself.

He’s right, we were idiots. But right now, I’m feeling like the biggest idiot to think this is going to lead to me not catching feelings because I can already tell my part of the deal is starting to dissolve. But with that comes fear that this will soon be coming to an end.

River

After grabbing lunch, we’re enjoying some ice cream while the sun is still shining. The warmth is sticking around a bit longer, but the bite of cold hits the moment the sun sets. With each lick of her cone, Kennedy closes her eyes, truly enjoying her treat as we walk hand in hand. She looks adorable, even with a smear of chocolate on her nose.

“You’ve got?—”

“Oh my gosh, River, they’ve got face painting! Remember when Samara guilted you to get yours painted that year at the fair, and you had that massive dragon from Mulan painted across your entire face?” She starts laughing as she points ahead of us to the kids with butterflies on their cheeks.

“Yeah, she cried her eyes out. How was I supposed to know she could cry on demand!” Samara apparently knows how to turn on the waterworks, and that happened the summer after I had met her, so I wasn’t quite aware she was so devious. She conned me, and I spent the better part of four hours walking around the fair with a cartoon dragon painted on my face. Some kids even asked to take their picture with me because it was so detailed.

“I should have had them paint something on your face so you could have been as embarrassed as me,” I toss back at Kennedy.

She takes another lick of her ice cream. “Oh, please. I don’t embarrass that easily.” As she says this, she gets even more chocolate on her face, this time landing on the right side of her cheek. How does she not feel it on her face?

“Oh really? You’re telling me you wouldn’t get even a bit red in the face with kids pointing at you and laughing?” I find that absolutely hard to believe.

“No, River. I have no problem with a little attention. My ego can take it. It’s not a big deal.”

She’s so full of shit. I have no problem proving my point, so instead of being the bigger person right now, I decide to play the long game on this. We continue our walk, and sure enough, she keeps licking that ice cream like a four-year-old. It’s sort of a miracle to watch how sophisticated she can be in so many areas of life, yet she’s simply a mess when it comes to this moment. But it’s working in my favor.

I’m mesmerized yet flabbergasted all at once.

People are staring as we walk by, and I see Kennedy take note of the glances she’s getting. At first, I think she’s flattered, but with each added stare, she’s starting to grow self-conscious, and it’s hard to hold the laughter.

Luckily, the bed and breakfast isn’t like a hotel lobby with mirrors everywhere, and we get back to our room without Kennedy catching a glimpse of herself in a reflection throughout the lobby or corridor leading up to our room.

The moment we walk in, she rushes to the restroom to wash her hands, needing to get the stickiness washed off.

She closes the door, and the moment she turns the light on, all I hear on the other side of the door causes me to roar with laughter.

“You’re a motherfucker, River!”

CHAPTER 20

River

A groupof us were invited over for a gender reveal for Sam and Ash’s baby. It’s crazy to think in a few months, there will be a little one running around amongst the friends.

Clay is covering a shift at the station today, so I told him I’d let him know the big news once it’s revealed. Kennedy and I also had to devise a plan, seeing as we are going behind everyone’s back and having to play off our usual banter. I had to swear my entire firehouse to secrecy in case they run into Ashton or Sam and decide to open their big fucking mouths.

As much as we are keeping what we’re doing under wraps, the guys at the station don’t usually mingle with our outside friends. It’s hard to keep things from my firehouse family because we pretty much live together when on shift. Not much gets past them when it comes to day-to-day life.

The moment I enter Ashton and Samara’s house, I know something’s up. I walk in and when I spot Samara, she looks to be scheming while Ash is hiding behind his wife, not making eye contact with me. We haven’t even made it past the foyer, and I already know I should have mentally prepared before showing up here today. I was naive to think this would simply be a biggender reveal when, in fact, I’ll be subject to one of Samara’s little plans.

“Finally, you’re here, River,” Sam says as she pulls me into a big hug. “I’m so excited.” She wastes no time pulling my hand through her house and into their little backyard.

The moment I see the tall brunette look my way, I know exactly what Sam is up to. I get confirmation when Ashton stands by my side and whispers, “I tried to stop her.” Then he scurries to the side of the deck. Fucking coward.

“Willa, look who showed up!” Samara’s acting like my attendance was optional.

The woman Sam is introducing me to would usually pique my interest if it weren’t for a green-eyed blonde who has recently taken hold of my thoughts.

---