38. Bri

38

brI

My mouth stretched into a yawn as I pulled my glove out of my bag. I hadn't gotten much sleep after my night in the hospital with the gaggle of Greenwoods.

And now, I needed to get my body back online before we started a softball game.

From behind me, Cleo slapped my back. "You look like a bag of shit."

I shook my head. "I'm starting to think you don't know how to be nice."

Wrapping a rough arm around my shoulder, Cleo giggled. "You know I'm fucking with you. But in all seriousness, why are you so wiped?"

"I was at the hospital with Sarah's family last night." I rubbed the back of my neck.

Cleo's forehead wrinkled. "Seriously?"

Nodding, I grabbed my glove and headed out to the outfield. I hadn't arrived early enough to warm up, so the small stretches I managed in the dugout would have to do.

Cleo and I walked in stride to our positions.

"What were you doing there?" Cleo raised their voice across the field, not willing to relent on their gossip.

Rolling my eyes, I shrugged. "Robin asked me to come help with Sarah's kids while we waited for her to get there."

Cleo tilted their head, confused. "Where was she?"

"On a date." I quipped, bending over and into position as we waited for the pitcher to throw the first ball.

"Christ." Cleo mumbled under their breath as they prepared to catch a ball.

The loud smack of the ball on the metal bat brought me back to my body. Watching the ball descend in the sky, I ran after it. I opened my glove and used my other hand to brace for impact.

Once I felt the ball fill my glove, I clasped it in my hand and tossed it back to the pitcher.

Cleo moved closer to me. "How do you feel about it?"

Shrugging, I watched the next batter step up to the plate. "What if she's not ready?"

"For what?" Cleo shook their head.

Another ball moved into play, pausing our conversation.

Back in position, I continued, "I don't know. Something serious. She's having fun dating around and seeing what else is out there. I don't want to tie her to this." I gestured to the town around us.

Cleo scoffed. "She's got three kids in the New Winford school district for the next… eighteen years? I don't think it's you tying her here." After a moment, Cleo sighed. "I just think if she tells you that you're it, you should trust that."

Raising my eyebrows, I laughed. "You're probably right… which is annoying of you."

"That's what I'm here for." Cleo winked.

Before the next batter stepped up to the plate, a figure hopped onto the bleachers just past the fence behind home plate.

Cleo stood up straight, their forehead wrinkling. "No way."

My eyes narrowed at the person, trying to make out who it was. "Is that…?"

"It's fucking Cat." Staring ahead, Cleo swallowed the boulder-sized lump in her throat.

"Well, that's not good." I bit my lip as I bent back down, ready for the next play. I had no idea what Cleo's cheating ex was doing back in town. But it wouldn't help Cleo's confidence to lose this play.

I took in a deep breath, trying to steady myself. No matter what happened, I needed to trust Sarah and her instincts. All that was left was to wait for her decision and finish that goddamn table.