Page 49 of Without Bound
You can’t trap a beautiful butterfly. A creature that awe inspiring must be allowed to roam free. I’d only suffocate her if I held on too tight.
17
Anais
All night long, I have done everything I could think of to get Bishop’s attention. I flirted with Dex all throughout the game. I touched his arm frequently, I laughed a little too much at his stupid jokes, I smiled and batted my eyelashes anytime I thought Bishop was looking my way. But no matter what I did, he never budged.
I expected him to lose his shit, much like he did on campus a couple days ago. Instead of stomping over like a caveman, he stayed stoic and silent. Only smiling or laughing when one of his friends would engage with him.
We’re at the same bar as last year when the team won the World Series, and I’m allowed in with Luca’s approval and under the agreement that I would not drink. I had no problem because I was driving my brand new baby, and I wasn’t stupid to think I could drink and drive back to campus. Plus, Uncle Nix is watching me like a hawk.
Dex is underage and even though I begged Uncle Nix, he wasn’t about to “let someone else’s kid in a bar and get arrested”. He said I was his responsibility but he didn’t know this “kid” from a houseplant, so he couldn’tcome.
He told me he was going to a house party and I should call him later and maybe meet up there. When I said I would, I meant it. But now that I’m sitting here, watching Bishop ignore me, I just want to crawl into my bed and cry.
I finish my sparkling water and set the empty glass down on the table I’m sitting at with various people. Viv is close by –I know this because I can hear her– but I’m not sure where everyone else is. I decide to find Uncle Nix and tell him goodbye and head back to my dorm. Maybe Keyara is back from her date and we can binge Netflix and ice cream.
“Is this seat available?” A voice asks from beside me.
I look slowly over my shoulder then up and up until I meet the blue eyes of a beautiful stranger.
“No. I mean yes. The seat is available.” I blush at his dazzling smile, feeling a little starstruck because I’m pretty sure this guy plays with my uncle.
“Thanks,” he says, pulling out the chair and sitting down right next to me. “I’m Cole.”
He holds out his hand to me and I shake it. “Anais. Congrats on the win.”
A crooked grin marks his handsome face and it makes him look younger than he probably is.
“Thank you. I didn’t get much play time because I’m a rook and these big wins go to the vets, but it’s pretty damn surreal.”
“I’m trying to place your position. Centerfield?”
He nods, the smile growing wide. “Yeah. You watched the game?”
“Of course I did. My uncle would kill me if I didn’t watch it long enough to give him a rundown on the big plays.”
“That right? Who’s your uncle?”
“Phoenix West,” I tell him, and I watch the guy's face turn pale and his smile fall.
“You’re Nix’s niece? Uh, I better go–”
“No. Don’t leave. Please. We’re just talking.” I place my hand on his as he begins to stand. “C’mon. He’s really a softie. He only looks cranky.”
Cole’s eyes are large. “Um, didn’t he beat the shit out of two guys last year? Rami and Manny? His teammates.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “Yes, but they were talking shit about his girl. What would you do if you heard two guys –teammates or not– saying some pretty bad shit about your girl?”
Cole rests his elbow on the table and brings his bottle to his mouth. “I don’t have a girl but if I did, I’d kill ‘em with my bare hands.” His eyes sparkle and he bites his lip before taking a long pull of his beer.
I mirror his lip bite and feel the apples of my cheeks heat up.
“Would you like a drink, Anais?”
I shake my head and decide to keep the fact that I’m only nineteen a secret. “I’m driving tonight. No drinking for me.”
He leans in close and whispers, “Are you sure it’s not because you’re not old enough to drink?”
