Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I point to Sawyer’s shirt and the bold white letters that spell captain on the front. “I hardly think this is fair. You started at Alabama all four years.”
His cocky grin is panty-melting. “I think we need every advantage we can get against this team, don’t you think? Plus I know two of their guys played for A&M.”
“Well good thing you called in the big guns,” I tease with an eye roll.
“There’s time to take a few practice swings if you want,” he offers.
I scoff. “I’d rather not try to fight the inevitable. Where am I in the lineup? It’s not too late to put me in as ump. In fact, if you slip me a twenty, I’ll make sure y’all win.”
He smirks. “You’re last, but only because I wasn’t sure you’d make it to the field on time since you were a late addition.”
“Last is where I belong,” I assure him. “And stick me in the outfield.”
This turns out to be a horrible place to put me because when Cedar Valley manages to get a hit off Sawyer, they whack it in my direction every time. Charlotte and I are running around like chickens with our heads cut off. A ball flies over my head. Another nearly clips my ear. I yelp. I leap. If I run up on a ball, it inevitably sails over my head. I’m utterly useless. A scarecrow could do my job, and probably more effectively.
Sawyer’s the one who secures all three outs for us in the first inning, and then it’s the bottom of the first and I’m dragging myself into the dugout. Everyone else looks fresh as daisies, meanwhile, I’m sweating through my tank top. My blonde hair is matted to my forehead. Plus, stupid me, I forgot to bring water.
Sawyer shoves his Yeti into my hand. “There’s Gatorade in it.”
“I thought maybe I’d just down a margarita,” I tease, but he frowns like he’s concerned I mean it.
“I don’t want you getting overheated. You’re the only one lookin’ alive out there.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Hunter exclaims when he overhears this.
“Means you could have made that double play at first and saved Madison a lot of trouble.”
Hunter grunts. “A professional couldn’t have made that play. Didn’t you see me lunge for it? Think I pulled a muscle in my side. Madison, will you massage it for me?”
“Hunter, you’re crazy.” Charlotte giggles, coming up to join us. Her big unsuspecting eyes slide over to Sawyer, shining with adoration. “You looked great. I mean, you were great…at pitching.”
Oh lordy. Something tells me if Sawyer pulled a Hunter and asked Charlotte to massage him, she’d start frantically searching for some oil.
I glance between them, trying to read between the lines. I wonder if they’ve dated or if Sawyer’s going to lead her on the way he did with Kendra and so many others back in high school. Heartsick girls littered the hallways of Oak Hill High, but he was never prosecuted for his crimes. Even the girls he’d offended and hurt the most would always inevitably go crawling back for more. Hell, for all I know, in the years I’ve been away, Sawyer has used this town as his playground, toying with women and discarding them as he sees fit. Is Charlotte his next target? She’s certainly naive enough to fall for him.
Somewhat disgusted by the whole thing, I shove Sawyer’s Yeti at him and decide to seek hydration elsewhere.
“Now don’t go stealing all my damn water!” David groans when I take his.
“What do you need it for? You were lazing around on third base, picking your nose, and doing jack squat.”
Lindsey laughs, and David scowls at her. “You think everything she says is funny.”
She just smiles, chipper as ever. “I just love listening to someone else put you in your place. In fact, Madison, please tell me you plan to make your move here permanent.”
I wink at her and my brother groans and tosses up his hands, opting to leave us before we roast him some more. I don’t let my opportunity with Lindsey go to waste, angling myself so I’m standing beside her as I nod over toward Sawyer and Charlotte.
“What’s the deal with them?”
As if on cue, Charlotte tosses a bubble braid over her left shoulder as she blushes shyly.
“You mean the way she’s obsessed with him?”
“Exactly.”
“I almost feel bad for the girl.”
My eyes widen with concern. “Why?”
She shrugs. “It’s clear Sawyer’s not into her the way she’s into him.”
I’m not surprised by her assessment of the situation. “But you don’t know that. He could be giving her mixed signals or something. Maybe he’s touchy-feely one minute and distant the next. Look at the way she’s hanging on his every word. You don’t think he might be encouraging her a little?”
My suggestion makes her waver. “I mean who really knows? Not like I follow along all that closely.”