Page 7 of Embers in the Outfield

I keep the smile plastered on my face as I look at Aunt Kay, but I’m fighting the urge to knee him behind me. Fucking River. He’s such a jackass. Where did he even come from?

I turn around and face him, horror and irritation taking over my face. He sees it instantly, and I know he has no remorse over what he’s saying.

“What a great idea, young man. That’s lovely. I bet you would love it. Yes, let’s do that. When are you two getting married?” Excuse me, what now?

It’s both River and I swinging our gazes to the little old lady, horrified at the thought of spending forever with this chump by my side.

“Oh no, we are not dating!” I protest a little too loudly. River’s gaze looks me over, assessing why I would jump to tell this woman we are not together.

“You see, Kennedy has had a crush on me for years, but I have had to let her down multiple times. It’s such a shame to be obsessed with someone like me for so long, and I just keep saying no.” He’s got that smile again, dimples and all, for Aunt Kay.

River throws his arm over my shoulder without a care in the world. He continues, “I’ve offered her my brother,” he points at his twin with is opposite arm, who’s quite far away, “but she said it’s either me or no one. You see, Kennedy can’t really deal with all the attention I get from the ladies, and she’s a bit jealous, which would never work. I can’t just turn off my charm, right Aunt Kay?”

The giggle that escapes this woman is surprising. What the fuck is happening? Is he winning over an eighty-year-old woman?

He pulls himself off of me and brings his arm out for her to interlock in his and begins walking off with her, laughter continuing as he speaks.

“I know you two don’t get along, but I’m sorry to say, he is a handsome boy,” Dorothy says as she watches them walk off. I’m still speechless, and Sam’s mom is over here giving him compliments. Great, am I the only one who finds him unbearable?

“Yes, you are,” Dorothy says, and that’s when I realize I said that last part out loud. “It’s okay; sometimes that’s how the best love stories begin.” My mouth agape, I swing my gaze toward her, and she gives me a sneaky smile and a wink.

She walks off, and I continue to stand there, now with my chin on the ground, in shock at what just happened. I’m here trying to help a friend out with a penis purse, and everyone is going gaga over this dickwad.

Typical River, winning everyone over while I’m left to seethe and apparently now a proud owner of a dick-shaped purse to go along with it.

CHAPTER 3

River

“What the fuckis on your head, Skipper?”

Kennedy holds her hotel room door ajar for me to come in, but I can’t stop staring at the contraption on her head. Seriously, what the fuck is that? She looks like George Washington right now.

She turns around, but not before I see her roll her eyes. It’s Kennedy’s favorite pastime when I’m around. I sort of live for those reactions from her.

“Why are you here, Riv?” Her tone is dripping with irritation, and it just fuels me forward.

“You’ve been summoned.” I want to add, ‘by the devil herself’ because lately, that sweet girl my best friend fell in love with is starting to grow horns on her head. Maybe she’s spending too much time with Kennedy.

I walk through her room, taking in the tidiness of her clothes. Good thing she’s not in my room because it’s got things thrown about.

“Doesn’t the dinner start at seven? It’s six fifteen right now.” She looks at her phone, her brows furrowing.

“Yeah, I don’t ask the questions, especially with the possibility of getting my head bitten off. Do you know what’s going on with Sam?”

“Honestly, I think she’s just stressed. She was fine up to a few weeks ago, and now she’s just always so upset.” She grabs a bag and makes her way to the bathroom, and like a magnet, I follow her.

“Seriously, were you summoned to walk around my hotel room like a fucking puppy?” Her irritation is my content. I smile at her, and she huffs out her annoyance.

“Can we get back to your head? What is that thing?” I point at her head, and I can’t even hide the confusion on my face. There’s a weird rod that’s got hair wrapped around it. I move along behind her to take in the entire thing with a little closer inspection.

“They’re heatless curlers. I’m trying something new.” She plops the bag on the counter and opens it up as makeup spills out.

“I’ve never heard of them,” I say, still inspecting the device she’s sporting.

“Wow. You’re not in tune with all the new hair products available for long, flowing hair? That’s surprising, Riv, with all the hookups you have.” The sarcasm just rolls off her when it comes to her interactions with me.

“Do I sense jealousy, Skip?” I smile and wink. I get rewarded with yet another eye roll.

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