Page 35 of Grand Slam

“He wouldn’t let that happen,” she tells me and I’d like to believe that. “Because the girl he fell in love with is the girl you are now.”

“He didn’t fall in love.” I smile, appreciating her trying to make me feel better but come on.

“I know that boy, I see him clearly, like a plate glass window there isn’t much he can hide. I can promise you that my grandson is in love with you. I think he was two years ago and I think he forced the idea out of his mind. He’d gotten the chance of a lifetime and he was clouded by that accomplishment, but I know it wasn’t easy. Not many know but he and I talk often, several times a week. We share a lot, there are no secrets. When he got there, it took him several weeks to accept the decision he’d made.”

She had no reason to lie.

“He struggled, missing his family, missing you.” I worry my lip. “It may have been new, it may have been brief, but Kelton has known you practically his entire life. He always felt there was a fine line that he couldn’t cross with you. Alizabeth, your friendship and risking getting in the middle of that, then there has always been the age thing. That four years seems like nothing now but it’s big when he’s twenty and your sixteen.”

I smile understanding the consequences.

“Have you talked to him?”

I shake my head. “Things have felt different over the last couple days. He’s quiet, I’m quiet, we don’t know what to say. It’s gotten awkward.”

“Only because you are both allowing it to be,” she insists. This woman doesn’t sugarcoat it. “Young people don’t realize justhow fast time flies by. How easy it is to lose the years you wish you could get back. I’m telling you that you and Kelton, you both need to wake up, get yourselves in line with one another and stop letting time float by. Everything will fall into place, because I told him two years ago and I am telling you now, the time for the two of you hasn’t slipped by. Your time will come, and I think that time is now.”

I love this woman, not just for now but for the love she’s given to Liz and Kelton, even Brigette, though she doesn’t appreciate it. I love her honesty, even if it isn’t always what you want to hear. She is real, she is genuine, and she is so incredibly cute, it’s almost too much.

A tiny fireball with the biggest heart.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Kelton

“That blonde played your drunk ass.”Tripp laughs and I can’t even get mad about it. It’s true, she saw me coming and noticed my guard was down. I’ve always been good about that, avoiding situations that could backfire. It pisses me off that I’ve managed to put myself in the spotlight now.

“Is her hand on your?” Evan leans in closer and I wait for it. “Nope it is inside the waistband of your jeans.” He laughs. “You had to be smashed not to notice that.”

They all carry on, hassling me and when coach walks by I can’t even look him in the eyes. I can feel his disappointment without eye contact.

“How’s Emerson feel about this?” Murph asks and he actually looks genuinely concerned.

“Haven’t talked to her,” I confess. “Called a few times, but she sends me to voicemail.” He doesn’t respond just pats me on theback and walks away. What can he say? I did this, I put myself in this spot.

Despite my mood, we won our game. And when everyone mentioned going out for a drink after to celebrate, I instead went back to my place. I don’t know if they were actually going or if it was more of a dig at me. Regardless my ass wasn’t setting foot in a bar for a long ass time.

I sent my sister a text and got no response. When I called Gran she listened, then she told me how foolish I’d been. I didn’t argue, because I had no fight to win.

Sitting back on my couch, I close my eyes and hold my phone securely hoping it will ring. My head is pounding, my body aches, and I can feel my eyes growing heavier. Last night wasn’t a peaceful sleep. If I’m being truthful, the last several days haven’t been peaceful. I find myself reaching out for Emerson in the middle of the night, only to come up empty. Then I lie awake, thinking of her, and before I know it the sun is rising. It’s a vicious cycle.

I’m woken up by the sound of my phone ringing , and I sit up quickly hearing my phone hit the hardwood floor. Scrambling to find it I hit answer and lift it to my ear.

“Hi, yes, hello, hi,” I fumble, almost dropping it twice.

I’m met with laughter and it’s the greatest sound I’ve heard all day.

“Please tell me that I didn’t interrupt another wild night out,” Emerson says and I close my eyes thankful she’s finally called.

“No more nights out,” I confess. “That is not the norm for me.”

“I know.”

She falls silent and my pulse quickens.

“It’s not what it looked like,” I interrupt the silence. “You have to know that.”

“I do.”

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