Chapter 22
Devan
“ B ye, I’m leaving,” I yell to Mom and Dad before going outside.
Marilyn’s car comes to a stop behind mine out by the garages. Before I get to her car, she and Jill both open their doors wide and jump out. Wearing their Riverbend tank tops, they’re both screaming, waving their arms in the air, and running in place. My cheeks warm as I get closer.
“Oh, she’s blushing,” Jill says.
“Tell us everything,” Marilyn adds.
Tilting my head, I grin. “Tell you what? Oh, about my classroom. I’ve been working on it for days and you?—”
“Shut up,” Marilyn interrupts as she puts her fist on her hip. “Are you really officially dating Justin Sheers?”
I nod.
My quiet response earns me more screams.
“Does this have anything to do with the text message I received last night?” Jill asks.
“Yes. We had our first official date.” I peer back at my house. “Could we maybe talk about it in the car on the way to the game?”
My two best friends open their eyes wide as they stare at one another and then at me. “This is going to be good,” Jill says.
“Juicy good,” Marilyn replies. She looks again at my house. “And your text said that your family knows?”
“I told Mom last night. She told Dad. Ricky found out today.”
“And Justin is still alive?” Jill asks.
“It went better than I anticipated,” I say truthfully. “Oh, and Justin said he told his mom.”
Jill opens the door to the back seat. “You take shotgun, Devan. We want to hear every word you say.”
Marilyn turns down the music as she backs up her car. Maneuvering a three-point turn, she heads out on the lane. “Where did you go on your date?”
“Empire Quarry.”
“I thought that was blocked off,” she says.
“I think it is. Justin knew a back way to get in.” My smile grows. “It was beautiful. He packed a picnic.”
“A picnic,” they both scream and aww.
“It was super sweet,” I say.
Jill wiggles her eyebrows. “Did you do more than eat your picnic?”
“Yes, we had wine. From Oliver.”
Jill laughs. “He’s pulling out all the local flair.”
“Oh,” Marilyn says, “We should plan your wedding shower for the winery. Remember how great Crystal’s was?”
“Whoa,” I say. “Jumping the gun. We’re dating.”
Marilyn slows her car and pulls to the side of the road. “We’ll be in town in a few minutes. Tell us…”
“Tell you?” I say, playing dumb.
“Are you still a virgin?” Jill blurts out.
“Yes.”
They both look sad.
“Jeez, we became official last night.”
“I know,” Marilyn says, “but he’s older and I wanted stories like I read in romance novels about an older guy.” She shakes her shoulders. “You know, being all instructional.”
I don’t say a word.
“Devan,” Jill screams.
“We didn’t go all the way.”
“How far did you go?”
Their pressure is killing me. I let out a long breath. “It was amazing. I’ve never come so hard in my entire life.”
Both of my friends have their eyes open wide.
“Justin asked me if I am a virgin.”
“You told him?” Marilyn asks.
“No. I didn’t answer him. He said he wants to go at my speed.”
“What is your speed?” Jill asks.
My smile grows. “After last night, I’m thinking about the speed of light.”
“Oh my God,” Jill says, turning to Marilyn. “Our little girl is about to become a woman.”
“Hey. I’m a woman. I have a real job and a college degree. I can vote and buy liquor...”
“I’m jealous,” Marilyn says as she pulls her car back out onto the road. “Jill has Todd. Now you have Justin. I’m going to be alone forever.”
“You’re going to grad school,” I remind her. “Remember, you don’t have time for a guy.”
Her lower lip protrudes in a pout.
“You can plan my bridal shower at Oliver,” Jill says.
We all laugh.
“Let’s go cheer on Riverbend,” I say, “and be on the lookout for someone for Marilyn.”
After a stop at the Tastee Freeze for large pops, we arrive at the ball field.
With our cups in hand, Marilyn, Jill, and I climb the metal bleachers.
They’re beginning to fill with people we know from Riverbend.
I say hi to Judy Sams, Cory’s wife. She asks me a few questions about my class.
I tell her how excited I am to teach science.
The Mitchell team is on the field, throwing the ball to one another. I look around the stands, noticing Chloe Reynolds and Kandace Richards seated just to our left.
Kandace is Justin’s sister.
The soda pop churns in my stomach.
As more and more people arrive, I think about the last thing Justin said, about kissing me in the stands because he can.
Noise behind the stands grows louder.
Everyone stands and applauds as the Riverbend team runs onto the field. It doesn’t take me any time at all to find Justin with his auburn hair and wide shoulders. The entire team is doing some weird chant before coming together in a group and yelling.
It’s like the breaking apart of an atom as they scatter in different directions.
Mick Reynolds makes his way to his wife, Chloe.
Dax Richards makes his way to his wife, Kandace.
Marilyn reaches for my knee as Justin appears at the bottom of the stands. I sit very still, unsure if I’m ready for this major announcement, and also afraid he doesn’t want to make it.
“Shit, shit…” Jill whispers.
Time slows as Justin climbs the steps in the middle of the bleachers. The night falls scarily quiet as his blue gaze finds mine and the tips of his lips curl upward. I’m caught in a time and space continuum, unable to move or speak as Justin comes closer.
Not acknowledging anyone else, Justin lays his hand on my knee. “I was informed that it’s good luck to kiss your girl before a game.”
I swallow.
He leans in, his penetrating stare on only me as his lips take mine. When he pulls away, his grin is panty melting. “There’s no way we’ll lose now.” He smiles at my friends. “Jill and Marilyn. Nice to see you.”
They reply.
It’s all garble.
The fire scorching through my circulation is melting my mind to goo.
I’m overwhelmed with what he just did as he goes back down the bleachers.
Putting my head down, I whisper, “Is it my imagination or did everyone see that? Is everyone staring?”
“Not your imagination,” Marilyn says as she lifts her hand and gives her best Queen Elizabeth wave.
“Holy shit,” Jill says, “you were right. You’re definitely official now.”
The first inning remains scoreless. In the top of the inning, Mitchell loads the bases.
Cory strikes the next batter out. Justin catches a line drive past second base.
It is Dax Richards who catches the third out, leaping into the air near the fence.
In the bottom of the first, Riverbend manages a double before getting three outs in a row. Justin never makes it up to bat.
As the teams change places for the second inning, Kandace Richards takes a seat in front of us. I’ve heard the rumor that she’s expecting their second child. Without staring, it’s hard to tell. Nevertheless, she’s pretty. Her hair is the same color as her brother’s, and her eyes are just as blue.
“You’re Devan.”
Even though I’m sure she knows who I am, I reply, “Yes, Devan Dunn and you’re Kandace.”
She smiles. “I am. I wanted to say hi.”
“Hi.” I try to make conversation. “My mom bought a cherry pie from your store today. It was delicious.” Truthfully, I didn’t eat any. I’m being polite.
“I didn’t bake it. But I’m glad it was good. I was thinking that maybe you and Justin could come over to our house one day soon. I’d love to get to know the woman who can make my brother smile.”
The last part of her statement makes my cheeks warm.
Kandace laughs. “It seems he makes you smile too. It’s true, miracles do happen.”
She seems genuinely happy for Justin, and even though we’ve unofficially met many times, I appreciate that she’s reaching out to me. “Getting together would be fun,” I say. “Justin adores Molly.”
She nods. “Molly adores him too.”
I look around for the little girl.
“She’s not here,” Kandace says. “The start time of the game was too late for her schedule. Mom is watching her at our house.” She winks. “No rush, but Mom is great with grandchildren.”
That makes me laugh. “That is a rush.”
We turn to the field, seeing that the game has restarted.
Kandace pats my knee. “Good talking with you.”
“You too,” I say with a nod as Kandace goes back to her original seat.
“Damn, girl,” Marilyn whispers. “Minus an announcement in the local paper, this is as official as it gets.”
Mitchell finishes the inning without a score.
Justin is first batter in the bottom of the second. I’m clasping my hands so tightly, I’m pretty sure they’ve lost circulation. He said that kissing his girlfriend is supposed to be good luck.
If he doesn’t get a hit, am I bad luck?
My stomach is in knots as the umpire calls two balls and one strike.
Tapping the bat against his shoe, Justin’s blue gaze finds mine. He grins. I’m not sure if it really happened or I imagined it. My breath catches as the pitcher releases the ball.
Crack.
Everyone stands to their feet as the ball sails through the air. Justin is rounding second when the umpire yells, “It’s out of here. Hooome ruuun.” He stretches out the final two words.
Justin’s pace slows as he rounds the final two bases to the clamorous applause of the home team crowd. The palms of my hands are red and sting from clapping. I hug Jill on one side and Marilyn on the other.
It’s a defensive game. Riverbend pulls out the win with a 3 to 2 final score.
As we make our way down the bleachers, I have the sensation of wading through uncharted waters.
Usually, Jill, Marilyn, and I would either grab ice cream or call it a night.
Because of Ricky, I know after the games many people head over to Decoy Ducks.
I honestly don’t know if that includes wives and girlfriends.
I spot Justin pushing against the crowd.
He’s searching, his lips pursed and his forehead furrowed.
When his gaze lands on me, his handsome face magically morphs into a grin.
Taking my hand, he tugs me from the masses to beneath the bleachers.
His stare is like the simmering embers from a blazing fire.
Without a word, he cups my cheek and pulls me close for a kiss.
The heat within me grows, almost making me forget where we are.
Justin pulls back with a grin. “You did it. You’re my good luck.”
“ You did it. The only home run of the night.”
“Come with me to Decoy Ducks.”
We both turn as Justin’s name is being called by a few of his teammates.
I can’t help noticing Ricky. He’s watching us and his expression is unreadable.
I push up and kiss Justin’s cheek. “I have a meeting early tomorrow morning at the school with the science department to discuss curriculum. Have fun with your friends.”
“I’d rather have fun with you,” he says, flashing his sexy smirk.
I tilt my head toward my brother. “I want you to myself. I also won’t take you from the guys who have been your comfortable rut. We need to work on balance.”
Justin nods. “Tomorrow night. Dinner.”
“How fancy?”
“I’ll wear a clean shirt.”
“Oh, lucky me.”
He gives me one more kiss and our hands slowly release one another.
“Six o’clock,” he says.
“I’ll be ready.”