Page 23 of Paper Hearts

“I suppose I don’t.” We’re silent for another few minutes before I ask about baseball. “What position do you play?”

He smiles, one side higher than the other as he unwraps another Jolly Rancher and hands it to me. “Catcher.” And though he isn’t looking in my direction, I know his focus is on me as opposed to his sister and his friends on the Jet Skis whipping around us. “What about you? You play, right?”

I nod, placing the sweet candy in my mouth. “Yeah, I play outfield. I used to pitch but I gave it up.”

“Why?”

“Parents couldn’t afford a pitching coach.”

He nods again as Walker speeds by, splashing us again when he comes by the dock. “Fuck Walker, stop it! Hads can’t get her fucking leg wet!”

I stare at Ender and the anger emitting from him. It’s beautiful and I can see why he said he liked me when I was angry. You’re vulnerable and show weakness you don’t when you’re happy.

Walker glances over his shoulder, rolling his eyes, and then takes off in the other direction with Arya. He doesn’t come by again, though.

“Sorry about him,” Ender snaps, still scowling at his cousin.

“You can go with them if you want. I don’t need you to babysit me.”

Ender flashes me another smile, winking at me. “I’d rather be here with you, Hads.”

8

WHEN I LEFT THE LAKE

I’ve never felt freedom like I have being at the lake with Ender and Arya, but sadly, my time here has come to an end just before Labor Day weekend.

We’re leaving this afternoon and while I try to get my parents to let me move in with the James family, they tell me no.

Before I leave, I make my way over to their house to say goodbye to Ender and Arya. The thought of leaving the summer behind has my stomach in knots, but I can’t leave without saying goodbye. For the first time I can remember, I haven’t spent the summer trying to find my place in the Hayes family. Instead, I found my place among friends. With Ender and Arya.

When I get to the front door, they’re already on the porch, dressed in swim shorts and ready for the day on the lake. Wiley is taking them over to Sunset Cove, a place I have been dying to go all summer but didn’t get to because of my ankle.

Arya wraps her scrawny arms around my neck. She smells like coconut and peppermint lip gloss. “Here’s my number.” She hands me a folded note. “Call me or text me so we can keep in touch this year. My mom restricts my minutes, but you can text me whenever.”

Stuffing the note in the front of my jean shorts, I promise to call and find her bright blues smiling back at me. “I had a lot of fun.”

“Me too,” she says, kissing my cheek.

Ender approaches, his cowboy hat on, boots, and board shorts. “Leaving?”

“Yeah.” I force a smile. “It was fun hanging out with you.”

“See ya next year,” he says, winking. “Hads.”

“See ya next year.” I try to appear cool, turning around to Hazel and Becca getting in the van as they argue with each other. Hazel shoots Ender a glare and then flips her attention back to Becca.

Ender watches them for a minute, but then looks at me. He lifts his hand and gives me a high five. His fingers close around my hand and I notice he passes a piece of paper to me.

Letting go of his hand, I look at what it is. His phone number. I put it in my pocket, my cheeks so hot and obvious. “You want me to call you?”

“If you want.” He shrugs one shoulder, smirking. “I mean you like me better than Arya.”

I fight off laughter as Arya tries to smack him in the face. He easily holds her at bay with one hand. I nervously fidget with the hem of my tank top while keeping a hold of my crutches. “Do you want my number?”

He shoves Arya away from him and she falls into the side of the house. “Text me and I’ll have it.”

I bite my bottom lip, nervously waiting for him to tell me he loves me and we’re going to be boyfriend and girlfriend. I know that’s not happening, but a girl can dream. “Okay.”

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