Page 43 of Tastes Like Watermelon Moonshine
The night has gotten more humid, and I’m glad that I don’t have my baseball pants and jersey on still. They cling when it’s humid or I’m sweating. Either option is uncomfortable.
Josh, Jared, and I are sitting outside a place called CowTipping. They supposedly have the best milkshakes out of all the cities Josh and Jared have been to together. They haven't been to Clear Creek and tried a shake at Freddie’s yet. He’s got CowTipping beat for sure.
I’d gotten along with my teammates on the Bottle Caps, but I’d never hung out with the guys like this. The guys preferred to party when possible, which I had tried to do, but that didn’t turn out. And no one ever mentioned a Bible study, or anything about God other than to use His name as a swear word.
I’m starting to think that this is what I need. True friendship, and time in the Bible with other guys. Just like it had been with Coach and the guys back in Clear Creek. Is this what I need to make the guilt disappear? Who am I kidding? I know this won’t make those feelings go away. Getting right with God is the only way to fix those feelings of inadequacy and guilt.
I want to fix things. I want the ache in my heart to go away. I want to talk to Raegan. Know that she’s okay. It’s like I need to reach for the fire alarm, but I’m not ready for my ears to be pierced by the siren. I’m not ready to face the possibility of Raegan not wanting me back.
“So, Austin, what do you think of Frisco?” Jared leans forward, his spoon shoved into his large Brownie and Cookie D’oh. I opted for a small milkshake instead, going with the Berries and Cream flavor.
If only the strawberry hadn’t made me think of watermelon. And of course, watermelon makes me think of Raegan.
What’s she doing tonight? Does she know that I’m only about two hours away now? If she comes to a game will I even know? What would I even say if she does show up? And worse, what if she’s moved on and comes to a game with another guy? I hate these doubts. These uncertainties.
I shake my head trying to remember what Jared had asked me. “Sorry, got lost in my thoughts.” I focus on Jared and notice that he’s nearly finished with his dessert. I really zoned out there for a while. “I forget what you asked me.” My cheeks color with embarrassment.
“No worries man, I could tell your thoughts were somewhere else.” Jared scrapes the bottom of his ice cream dish and shovels the final bits into his mouth. “Just wondered how you liked it here. Josh mentioned that you’d lived in Texas at one point.” He motions with his spoon. “Heard you’ve got a five year contract. Don’t know where you plan to live, but I’ve got a room.”
Amazingly, I’d gotten out of my lease in Atlanta fairly easily. So far I’ve been living in a hotel, casually looking for an apartment here.
“Wow, man. That’s a really generous offer. I’ve just been staying at a hotel.” I shoot him a grateful grin. “I’ll come take a look at it for sure.”
Josh smiles at the two of us. “I’m glad we could do this. I do need to get home soon, but Jared,” he turns toward Jared, “we’re on for Bible study in the morning, right?” Jared nods in agreement. “Austin, you’re welcome to join us. We usually do a quick Bible study before we start on our training for the day. We’d love to have you.”
“Thanks guys. God and I have been a little distant, but I feel like God’s telling me to join ya’ll.”
Josh claps me on the back. “Holy Spirit at work! Well I’ll see you in the morning. I’m home to see the missus now.” He taps the brim of his cap and leaves.
Jared and I trade numbers and he leaves as well. My hotel is walking distance from here and the stadium, so I slowly meander back for the night. I’m ready for sleep, but not for the guilt and longing that consume me as soon as my head hits the pillow every night.
Chapter 19
Raegan - The Past
“You.Are.Wearing-”Chrissy’seyes are as big as baseballs, and her mouth makes her look like a fish. Even I’m shocked at the fact that I’m wearing a dress for something other than church. I tiptoe down the steps to greet Jaimie and Chrissy, my light pink boho dress has a small train that cascades down the stairs behind me. I scrunch up my nose as I wait for her to finish her sentence.
“A dress,” Jaimie finishes for her. As usual her makeup is perfect, but today she might’ve drawn her eyebrows too high. Oops, that’s just her surprise at seeing me in a dress. Even though she sees me in one almost every Sunday.
“Spin.” She commands, and I obey.
I raise my arms over my head, as if I’m a ballerina. Batting my eyelashes, I turn a perfect pirouette.
“Spin like you’re a giddy little girl, not a ballerina. I wanna watch the skirt fly.” Again, I comply.
Chrissy places a hand on her chest, then the other against her forehead. A dramatic sigh follows. “I still can’t believe you’re wearing a dress. Please, please, please tell me you’re wearing sandals and not cowboy boots?”
I let loose an unladylike cackle. “You know me too well. I thought about it…” I tap my chin thoughtfully. “But then, I decided… No. I just love my boots too much to go without them.”
“Raegs…” Chrissy covers her face with both hands. As if there was anything I could do that would ever embarrass her. Well, maybe one little thing, like telling Carson she has a massive crush on him.
“Pretty sure I have the perfect strappy sandals to match. They’re in my truck.” Jaimie dashes out the front door.
“What don’t you have in your truck?” Chrissy and I say together, doubling over in a fit of laughter..
Within minutes, Jaimie returns, breathless, with a cute pair of chunky strappy sandals dangling from her fingers.
“How in the world am I supposed to walk in those?” I eye the heels on the shoes skeptically. I have to walk across the stage and receive my diploma. If I wear those things I’m totally going to faceplant. It’ll probably be epic, and end up on America’s Funniest Home Videos.
