Chapter 4
4
Later that week, Lila video-chatted with Jo. “Girl, you will be proud of me!”
Her cousin was sitting in her stateroom, a sad excuse for private quarters that she shared with three other women. “What did you do?”
“I flirted with a guy and got his number!” Lila giggled like a schoolgirl as Jaz hopped onto the computer desk, making himself comfortable next to the keyboard.
“Ok, Ate.” Jo said, her voice demanding as she addressed her in their family’s native language. She drew her knees up into her chest and settled into the cramped bunk. “Spill, I want details.”
“Well,” she started, “his name is Nando, and he’s a baseball player.”
“I’m sure he’s a player,” Jo teased, “but is he any good on the field?”
“Jojo, you are so bad!” Lila relaxed in her chair, pulling her cat closer to her chest. “He’s a catcher, and according to Stephan, he’s pretty good. Next year promises to be even better if he keeps up the work.”
“And he’s cute?”
“Very cute. Light brown eyes, dark hair--”
“And if he’s a catcher, he’s built like a fire hydrant,” Jo teased.
“Not even close!” Lila laughed. “I don’t know why I’m telling you anything, girl. Go find your own man to flirt with.”
“Fat chance of that,” Jo replied. “I’ve just taken my boards. I’ll be lucky to have time to take care of my own business, let alone find a guy to do it for me.”
Lila shook her head. “You’re living the dream, girl. All the cousins are mad at you for being the trophy kid. The least you could let us do is give them all grandbabies before you find your own guy.”
“I’ll worry about a guy when I’m closer to home.” Jo moved her computer so she could lie down in her bunk. “Tell me more about your not short and squat catcher.”
“He’s tall, like Kuya Marcus, with broad shoulders and really nice smile.” She sighed. “He was at the blood drive and looked like he was gonna pass out. It was so adorable.”
“And of course, you came to his rescue.”
“Of course.” Lila pressed her hand to her chest. “I am a professional.”
Jo chuckled. “So, then what happened? Did he faint? Did you give him mouth to mouth?”
“No mouth to mouth yet,” Lila drawled. “But he’s supposed to call me and see if we can get together and play video games.”
“Is that what they’re calling it now?”
“I’m serious! I needed to distract him to keep him from passing out, so we started talking about video games.”
“ Ate ,” Jo laughed, “You needed to distract a cute ball player and your solution was video games?” She looked disappointed. “And y’all think I have no game.”
“Hey,” Lila cocked an eyebrow at her. “You’re the one whining about taking care of your own business. At least I have a cute player that wants to play with me.” She snorted, “See if I tell you how it goes.”
“Oh, come on, Ate, ” Jo said. “I’m out here, serving our country. The least you can do is tell me about your cute guys so I can live vicariously through you.” On Jo’s end was a short chime, usually sounded when internet chatting was to end. “Tell everyone I love them and miss them, and I’ll put in for leave soon.”
Lila just laughed with her cousin. “I miss you, too, couz. Be good, do good. And stay safe.”
“Always.”
They laughed a bit more before the screen froze then went dark, ending the call. Lila stroked Jaz’s head once more before taking her cup into the kitchen.
Nando did have the prettiest eyes. And he seemed genuine when he said he’d be in touch. Maybe she just needed to give him time. After all, the season just ended and he probably had all the team stuff to finish before heading home, wherever that would be. Maybe playing games with the ball player could wait.
Or maybe the player was just playing games. Either way, she wouldn’t hold her breath.