Page 41 of The Pass
Playing two sports is a lot of planning and work. I think that’s part of what I love about my summers at the lake. Sure, I could stay in Valley, do camps, work that off-season hard, but this keeps me sane.
Can I handle the life of a dual sport athlete professionally? People thought I was nuts when I signed on to play two sports at the division one college level. Pick one and specialize. I’ve been hearing that same advice since I was a kid. I’ve never wavered on my decision to chuck their advice and prove I could handle both until now.
This is my last year before the draft. Final chance to make an impact. If I continue to play both, I know that I’m making it harder to be drafted by either sport. But any time I seriously consider giving one up, I feel sick to my stomach.
Jonah finishes his beer and pulls it from the koozie. “I’ve got a bunch of friends that should be getting in pretty soon. Do you guys want to come back with us and hang for a while?”
“Definitely,” Datson answers for us and then glances to me. “We don’t have anywhere to be, right?”
“Let’s do it.”
Back on the boat, I check my phone for any missed texts from Sydney, but she must be enjoying her afternoon by herself. My sister tried to call but she didn’t leave a text or voicemail, so it can’t be that important.
Datson and I follow Jonah to his place. His friends arrive as we’re getting in the pool. From a raft, I wave as Jonah introduces us to Willow, Jade, and Beth.
They go inside to drop their stuff and Jonah jumps into the water. “You’re welcome, all of you.”
“For?” I ask.
Datson looks at me like I’m crazy. “Dude, did you see Jade?”
With a chuckle, Jonah nods to him. “I knew you’d dig her. She looks a little like that actress you’re always going on and on about. Kate Bosworth or Beckinsale... one of the Kates.” He nudges me with an elbow. “And Willow. Exactly your type, Shaw.” He winks.
I’m quiet.
Datson laughs. “He’s right. She looks a little like Amelia and that girl you dated sophomore year.”
“And Sydney,” Jonah points out.
“Don’t get him started, man,” Datson warns. “They’re just friends.”
“They don’t kiss like friends,” Ollie chirps as he hops off his raft into the water.
Datson’s head swivels back and forth. “What? When? What?” He stops on me. “You and Sydney finally kissed?”
“It wasn’t like that.” Not then, anyway. Sydney and I didn’t talk about what, if anything, we were going to tell people, so I don’t give him more than that.
Luckily, I’m quickly forgotten as Willow and the other two come out in their bathing suits. Datson doesn’t waste any time chatting up Jade. She does look a little like Kate Beckinsale.
Jonah practically shoves Willow at me. She seems cool, and if things were different, she’s someone I would have been into, but now I just want to get back and see if Sydney has returned.
I can hardly blame Datson for looking conflicted when I tell him I need to head back a little while later, but he comes with me so we can get ready for tonight and pick up Sydney.
The house is quiet, and my car is still gone. I shoot Sydney a text to let her know we’re back and hop in the shower. My shampoo and body wash now remind me of Sydney since she’s been using them for the past two weeks and I’ve got a stupid grin on my face as I lather up and count down the minutes until I see her again.
14
Sydney
I’m laterthan I planned getting back to the house. After an hour of physical therapy and several hours of retail therapy, I decided to get my hair trimmed. That turned into a pedicure and somehow that turned into a facial. I’m polished from head to toe.
I’m excited and nervous, and okay maybe prepping a little too much. I know that tonight is supposed to be a fun night with our friends, but who says Tanner and I can’t also make a date of it? If he’s holding out on me for five dates, I’m ready to get them started.
Datson’s laughter and deep voice filters out from the patio as I enter, followed by Tanner’s—one I know well, could pick out of a crowd anywhere. A fluttering low in my belly forces me to take a deep breath and remind myself it’s just any other night. There’s no reason to be this nervous. I pause in the kitchen, drop my bags, return Tanner’s keys where I got them, and plug my phone in to charge.
I start toward the patio as Tanner’s tall and muscular body fills the doorway.
“Hey, babe. You’re back.” His face lights up as he steps inside. “Sydney’s here,” he calls over his shoulder to Datson.
