Page 57 of Switch Hitter

Sean

We won.

And I’m exhausted.

I smile before I can stop myself, and my sisters see it and immediately pounce.

Sofía screams, “¡LO SABÍA!”

“I’m going to the bathroom,” I say, standing up too fast.

My mom’s voice follows me, absolutely amused. “Lávate las manos.”

Glaring over my shoulder, I look offended. “I always wash my hands, thank you.”

Maribel calls after me, “Tell your novio we say hi!”

I flip her off without turning around. In the bathroom, I lock the door like I’m fifteen again and pull my phone out.

Emiliano

Proud of you, Cobre. You kicked ass out there.

You eat yet?

Sean

Don’t start parenting me.

I ate.

A normal amount.

Like an adult.

Emiliano

Wow. Should I throw you a parade?

Sean

Shut up.

I lean back against the sink, letting myself breathe. Sean will be here tomorrow after the game. He’ll be meeting my mom and my crazy-ass sisters. Everyone.

What if he changes his mind?

What if he panics at the last second and turns his phone off and disappears into the hotel like he used to?

I hate that the fear exists.

I’m scared of losing him.

Emiliano

You want me at the game tomorrow?

The typing bubble appears immediately, and then it’s like everything freezes. My jaw tightens, my head cycling through every possible reason why he wouldn’t want me there.