Page 15 of No Easy Catch
“What?”
“There’s a list of all freshmen who were recruited and received spots this past year for each sport. Being a writer makes it perfect for me to reach out to them asking about their experience, their background. That sorta thing.A profile of athletes.I could even stalk online to see who signed for this fall and reach out to them for a showcase or something.”
“Brilliant. Yes. I’ll schedule it, hype it up like it’s a big deal to get interviewed.”
“Cool,” I said, just as Laney and Aaron returned to the table. Laney sat across from me and wiggled her eyebrows, looking between Jeff and me.
“You two look awful cozy. Things…seem to be heating up, huh?”
7
JEFF
“Notagain,” Amber said between clenched teeth. Her roommate had a wild look on her face and I didn’t care for the interest Aaron had in our conversation.
“Heating up?” Aaron said with an eager look. “What’s this about?”
Amber snorted and I slid her a look.I guess this is in the open now.“She’s writing a piece on me for big project.”
“Amber is the best at what she does, so you’re lucky, Jeff, but she should be spending her time trying out these dating apps for her final semester of senior year. Not using all her time starting at your face. I don’t even care that you’re the best-looking baseball guy on the team?—”
“Excuse me, that is a bold statement,” Aaron interrupted. He always cared about his looks and he took personal offense to the Laney’s comment.
“Sorry, Hilly. I meantsingleguy on the team. It’s not fair to consider you, Zade or Tanner when you’re so into your ladies. It’d be a different conversation if you weren’t…”
Aaron gave a firm nod and I couldn’t help but laugh. This wasn’t the dumbest conversation I’ve had but it was up there.All hopes of everyone forgetting the topic were squashed when Aaron directed his attention back to Amber. “So, trying out the dating world, huh? How’s it going so far?”
“Great?”
“That was a question, babe,” Laney said, and leaned her head onto the palm of her hand, showcasing her blonde hair. “My girl here hasn’t had a date in years and is finally trying some dating apps that are more than hook-ups.”
I snuck a look at Amber and covered my smile with my hand. Her entire face was red, but she looked at us head-on. It was an endearing combination. “Dating is overrated,” I added, but all three of them stared daggers at me. “What? Girls either date me to say they slept with someone on the baseball team or lie about that being their intention.”
“You would actually have to do it to know, dude.” Aaron lifted his beer to mine and slid his gaze to Greta.Right. I left for one summer and came back to couples everywhere. Hand holding, dinners, date-nights, movies and muffled sounds from their bedrooms.
I pulled on the collar of my shirt and downed half my beer. It wasn’t like I was a total asshole…there just hadn’t been anyone who caught my interest for more than a day or two. I was preparing to defend myself when Amber chimed in.
“Didn’t think I’d ever say this, but I agree with Jeff.Datingis overrated. If you want to hook up, just do it, or if you want to get dinner, just eat. The game of it doesn’t appeal to me.”
“Girl, you haven’t had any decent guys, that’s why.”
“Well,thatI know.”
The girls laughed and I was going to ask Amber more about the decent guy comment when Laney motioned for them to leave the booth. “Are you both heading out?”
“Yeah,” Amber responded. “Can you let me out?”
“Sure.” I slid out of the wooden booth and couldn’t describe the odd annoyance forming in my mind. Did I want to hang out with her? No. But did I want them to leave? Also no.
What the fuck?
Once out of the booth, she stared up at me and it was the first time I’d noticed how long her eyelashes were. They were dark and landed on her cheek when she blinked.Huh.“I’ll be reaching out to you then for more questions.”
“Great.”
She smiled, not a real one, and took off with Laney. But not before I watched Laney throw her arm around Amber’s shoulders and say, “You doing any better? I’m sorry it happened again.”
I didn’t get to hear her response and something like worry took root. I wanted to know why Laney was sorry.What happened?
