Hope

by Sydney Lane

  "How do you know? I might trip you and run like hell." That way, they'd get to her first. I'd have plenty of time to get away.

  "You're too nice for that. You'd never leave a girl behind." She giggles, leading me down the hallway. She's got me there. I'd never leave her, never let her take the blame. I wanted to change some of my 'nice guy' ways, but there are some things you can't change. I'm already in over my head with this girl.

  "I might even turn you in myself," I whisper back, wondering where all of the workers are. There have to be janitors and players around somewhere.

  "Shhh!" She holds her finger to her lips, and I step close behind her, my chest against her back. I hold my breath as she presses her ear to another door. While we wait, the air suddenly becomes warm, and I feel the heat of her body seeping into me. With only the sound of our breathing in the air, the confines are suddenly intimate.

  Placing my hands on her hips, I gently pull her backwards, her hips resting against mine. I let my face fall to her shoulder, my lips close to her ear, and she tenses before melting into me. She allows me to hold her for just a minute in the instant before she opens the door and pulls me through. At the end of the tunnel, I see grass... almost the same color as her beautiful eyes.

  She reaches for my hand, one of the only times she's reached for me first, and leads me onto the field.

  The stadium is sacred. It's the place where thousands of people lay their hopes and dreams on the line every Saturday during football season. I look around the stadium in awe, envisioning the ordered chaos that is a Vols game. The place kind of takes on a life of its own on game days- loud, orange, and packed.

  I take a deep breath, breathing in the fresh air tinged with the smell of freshly cut grass. I try to memorize the details- the smell, the way my feet sink into the grass and the sudden rush of emotion when I look into the stands.

  I have no way of knowing if she's realizes what she's just given me, how special this is. How it shows me her true feelings, even when she denies them.

  Dropping to her knees, she folds her legs under her and pats the ground beside her, "Come on. My friend, Chase, in chemistry does work study here. According to him, we have…" She looks at her wrist, "Exactly fifteen minutes before the janitor comes back."

  "This is awesome, Liza." I squat and sit next to her, stretching my legs out in front of me. "I don't know what to say."

  "Just say 'thanks'." She smiles crookedly, maybe even uncomfortably, and averts her eyes. She leans back, uncurling her legs, and removes her shoes and socks, burrowing her toes into the soft turf.

  "Thanks."

  For a few moments, we sit in silence, and I'm fine with that. I've already learned that Liza says the most when she says nothing at all.

  "So why are you doing this? Showing me all of these places?" Her question surprises me, and I'm not really prepared to answer it.

  To be honest, I didn't think she'd agree to go. I was shocked when she followed me out those gates for the first time, even more shocked when she actually smiled. A real smile- not the fake, painted-on, sorry excuse for a smile she plasters on for everyone else.

  That smile spoke to me, like it was meant only for me, and I've been looking for ways to see it again ever since. I know, I know. That sounds creepier than her stashing condoms in her bra, but I don't plan on telling her that.

  "Honestly?" I ask, my eyes lingering on her face. She nods, and I take a deep breath, measuring my next words. "I don't know. Maybe I just wanted an excuse to keep seeing you."

  After my answer, Liza falls quiet, her eyes roaming over the large stadium. Row after row of empty seats. "You could have asked. Wouldn't that have been easier?" She looks down, refusing to meet my eyes.

  "Easy is overrated."

  She plucks a few strands of grass from the ground and twirls them between her fingers. After several moments of silence, she glances up, a huge smile on her lips, ethereal, absorbing, and totally stunning. "Bet I can beat you!"

  She grabs her shoes and springs to her feet, taking off at full speed across the field. It takes a second for her words to register, giving her a head start. She glances over her shoulder, her legs pumping harder when she sees me. "You little cheater!" I yell, easily catching up to her.

  Just as we cross into the end zone, someone yells, "Hey! You're not allowed in here!" I turn and spot a slightly overweight campus security officer jogging toward us.

  "Not again," I mumble under my breath, grabbing Liza's arm and running for the nearest gate. There's no way I can find my way back through the tunnels. When we reach the fence, she jumps, climbing over and dropping to the ground. I follow behind her.

  As soon as our feet hit the ground, we run, the security guy yelling after us. "Stay off the field!" I barely hear him because Liza's precious giggle is so much louder, so much better.

  Wild and carefree.

  It's completely enchanting.

  Chapter 32

  Eliza

  "So where are you taking me?" This morning, when I showed up for our run, Declan ushered me to his car, practically pushed me in himself, and drove off as if this is something we do every day.

  "I told you. It's a secret." He shoots me a sly grin before his eyes return to the highway. We've been driving for well over an hour, and I've been reduced to begging.

  "This is kidnapping, you know?" I threaten. He reaches up and turns his cap backwards, the carefree and innocent gesture is somehow one of the sexiest things I've ever seen.

  "We had a deal," he reminds me, his smile growing to a full on panty-dropper. It's so not fair.

  "The deal involved running. As in using the two appendages we call legs. I never agreed to go for a drive to an unknown location where you may or may not have a shallow grave awaiting me." I'm not really concerned for my safety. Declan's not that kind of guy, but there's one terrifying thought that keeps going through my head. He's taking me to meet his family.

  In a sweaty tank and yoga pants, with my hair pulled into a ponytail, and not a stitch of make-up. He'd better not. He wouldn't. Would he?

  "A bed, maybe, but no grave. I like my women alive." OMG. A polo-sporting, khaki-wearing Declan is dangerous, but a flirting Declan is downright lethal.

  His eyes flit to mine, real and hot, igniting a spark I can't ignore. When he catches me staring, he winks playfully, flashing a knowing smile. Sometimes, I think he tries to shock me, like he's trying so hard not to be the good guy we all know he is. And sometimes, like right now, I almost believe him.

  I like to shock him, too.

  I release my seatbelt and lean over the console, placing my hand on his thigh. The closer I lean into him, the higher my hand slides. He tenses beneath my touch, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. When my hand grazes his erection, he jerks, placing a hand over mine and holding it still.

  "Liza. Be careful, or I may pull over on the side of the road and finish what you started." His voice is low and coarse, full of heat.

  "You wouldn't." I can see the headline now: Declan White, Son of Local Minister and Fraternity Chaplain Arrested for Indecent Exposure. That would probably go over about as well as a turd in the pool. I can't help myself, I begin laughing. Side-holding, tears rolling down my face, laughing.

  "What?" He glances at me briefly before focusing on the road.

  "You don't wanna know." Just the thought of it sets me off, and I laugh until I almost pee my pants. What the hell is wrong with me? Who is this flirting, almost happy girl?

  When he finally turns onto a gravel drive, my nerves skyrocket, hitching up a notch. When a large cabin comes into view, my heart stops. He did it. He brought me to meet his motherfuckin' parents.

  Me. The last girl they'd want to see their perfect son with.

  "Here we are," he announces, stopping the car and quickly snatching the keys out the ignition. Turning to me, a sudden look of concern mars his perfect face. "Liza, are you okay? You look kind of pale."

  "Where are we?" My voice quivers, and
I know I'm being stupid, but I don't do boyfriends, and I sure as shit don't meet the parents. This is crazy... stupid... insane!

  "It's Brody's family farm. We all come down a few times a year." I release a heavy breath of relief, my heart pounding loudly in my ears. I should kill him now. But I'm still confused.

  "Wha- I mean, why?" I thought he hated Brody. Boys are so confusing.

  "Co-ed softball tournament with the Alphas. I promised to play, but I didn't want to miss our run this morning. So, I brought you with me." He shrugs innocently, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside of me.

  Two things. He said softball and he said co-ed.

  This is worse than meeting his family. Far worse.

  "I can't play. I mean, I don't want to, and I don't even really like watching softball either. I just, you know, I'll stay here. In the car." I'm rambling, I know I am. There's just no way to stop it, and everything I think flies out of my mouth.

  "Too hot to stay in the car. Come on, you can watch. You don't have to play." He pats my thigh and jumps out, reaching for his glove in the backseat. Why didn't I see that before?

  Stiffly, I open my door and slide out, my legs feeling wobbly as they carry me to his side. This time, when he takes my hand, I welcome it. I hold onto him like a lifeline. I need all the help I can get.

  Suddenly, the door to the cabin swings open and several guys spill out onto the porch. A few laugh and joke while others talk smack about the impending game.

  I want to throw up.

  "Dec! 'Bout damn time you showed up!" Seth jumps over the railing, loudly announcing our arrival. Thankfully, no one seems to take notice. When he sees me, he smiles broadly. "And hot damn! You brought help. I thought we'd have to forfeit because we didn't have enough girls."

  I have never played co-ed ball, but even I know that you have to have at least four girls to play. I'm not being anybody's fourth. No way. I begin to shake my head, my eyes trained on the Seth, daring him to ask me. I'll punch him in the nose.

  I want to throw up.

  "Nah, man. She's not playin'." Declan falls in line, following the other guys to a large field. The girls are already practicing, throwing the ball back and forth. I watch as Jenna throws the ball underhanded, almost hitting Quincy in the head. Quincy dodges the ball, dropping her glove on the ground. A girl I don't recognize is yelling at them.

  "Come on, Liza. You can't be any worse than them." He gestures toward the girls just as Jenna catches the ball then shakes her hand from the sting radiating through her glove. "We just need one more girl to make it fair. It's all in good fun."

  I look around, taking in the entire scene. There are several guys I don't recognize lined up on one side of the field, bases are marked, and Corrine and Whitney are sitting on the ground behind Eric and Brody. Why can't one of them play?

  It's not until my eyes land on the makeshift pitcher's mound that my competitive nature kicks in. I'm not one to ignore a challenge, so I nod, my eyes roaming over the field. "I'll do it."

  "You don't have to." Declan begins, but I'm already waving him away.

  "Yes, I do," I whisper under my breath.

  Yes, I do.

  Chapter 33

  Declan

  I don't know what happened. She was laughing and having fun. I mean, she actually touched me first, but then, she got all quiet and serious. Now, she's pacing along the sideline, a ball in one hand, a glove on the other. Over and over, she pounds the ball into her borrowed glove.

  If I didn't know better, I'd swear she's talking to herself.

  She says she doesn't play, but I didn't think she'd bow down to a challenge. She doesn't have to worry about looking bad. Several of us, including myself, played baseball in high school. We haven't lost a game this season. If we're lucky, she won't even have to be on the field.

  "Let's go! They're up!" Seth calls out the line-up. Liza will be in the outfield. I watch her face as he calls out her name. Nothing. Nada. I don't know what it is, but I still get the feeling she really didn't want to do this, that I've pushed her to do something she's uncomfortable with.

  I can't take my eyes off her as she takes her place in right field. She restlessly paces back and forth, her eyes on the ground, reminding me of a caged tiger.

  Their first player steps up to bat, taking a few practice swings before stepping into the batter's box. He watches Drew wind up and release the ball. It's too flat, too smooth, and he rips the ball straight into center field, toward Jenna and Quincy. They both tilt their heads up, watching for the ball as they run toward each other. They collide, the ball falling at their feet. Jenna recovers, throwing the ball in, but the runner is already on third.

  Next, a girl steps up to the plate. Unlike our girls, she looks comfortable on the field. Drew pitches, and she swings loosely, her foot twisting in the dirt behind her. The ball strays to the left. "Strike!" Drew smiles and winds up for another pitch. This time, the girl swings the bat and cracks the ball into the field, straight for Liza. Like a deer in the headlights, Liza freezes as the ball approaches her. Jenna runs toward her, catching it and throwing it in.

  Liza wasn't lying when she said she didn't play ball.

  When Drew pitches to the next player, the ball sails over everyone's heads. There's no fence, but I'd call it a homerun. All three of their players make it home. Damn, they're good. I'm beginning to think we might lose our first game of the year.

  Out the corner of my eye, I see Liza stalking toward the pitcher's mound. She yells something, and Drew turns, shaking his head. Liza turns her fiery eyes on Seth. Crooking her finger, she calls him to the mound. Curious, I walk toward them.

  "It's against the rules. You're not on the roster as a pitcher." Seth shakes his head, scratching the back of his neck. An Alpha, Petey, approaches them, and Seth shoots him a sly grin.

  "This is ridiculous!" Liza kicks the toe of her shoe into the ground, slinging dirt over his shoes. "We're giving this game away!"

  For someone who can't play, didn't even want to be here, she sure seems interested now.

  Seth turns to Petey, telling him, "She wants to pitch. I told her it's against the rules."

  "Sure, babe. We'll break the rules for you." Petey's face lights up, a smug smirk on his face. He has to know she can't pitch after watching her in the outfield. Seth's face mirrors Petey's, and I'm not sure I can believe what I'm hearing. I can't believe they would allow this.

  "Any other rules?" Liza's eyes narrow on Petey, hard and serious.

  "Baby girl, you can pitch any way you want. No rules." I don't know what pisses me off more, the condescending tone of his voice or him calling her 'baby girl'.

  "Liza, it's just a game. You don't have to play." I step forward, but I might as well be talking to myself. Drew tosses the ball toward Liza before jogging off the field. Seth throws an arm over my shoulder, guiding me off the field. "Seth? What's she doing?"

  "Showin' us how it's done." He smiles, both amused and mysterious. "Go get 'em, Tiger!" he yells to Liza. The Alpha's strongest player is up to bat, and Liza's probably never pitched a day in her life. This is going to be a disaster.

  She walks around the mound, kicking dust as she palms the ball, rolling it in her hand. She pounds it in her glove a few times, testing it, her eyes on the ground in concentration. Finally, she looks up, fire and determination shining in her eyes.

  Suddenly, this is not the same girl I brought with me today.

  She winds up and releases the ball. Whoosh! The batter swings and misses. There is total silence on and off the field. No one moves, their jaws hanging open, as they digest what just happened.

  It's as if the world stands still.

  Liza just threw a 60mph fastball. A huge smile spreads across my face.

  I'm stunned. I'm proud.

  I think I'm in love.

  "We playin' a game or what?" Seth yells. The batter blinks, staring at Liza as she does her crazy walk on the mound. Again, when she looks up, her eyes burn with intensity. Wr
apping her fingers around the ball, she smiles and quickly strikes the batter out.

  This is Liza like I've never seen her before. Beaming. Triumphant. Alive.

  "Shit just got real boys! She's kickin' ass and takin' names!" Seth cheers, his eyes falling on me. I can only watch in awe as she strikes out the next two players. It almost isn't fair how effortless she makes it look.

  I step in front of Seth as he walks by. "You knew, didn't you?"

  "Rule number one, Declan." His eyes meet mine, a shit-eating grin on his face. "You should always know who you're fuckin'."

  He played me. I'm sure there's a punch line in there somewhere, but I'm so turned on by her fast pitch that I can't think straight.

  Chapter 34

  Eliza

  Sometimes, all you need is a cool, hard slap in the face to see something that's been staring you in the face all along.

  How completely blind I've been.

  I gave up softball because I was hurting and lost. All I did was sink deeper and deeper into self-loathing and despair. I gave up the one thing that made me happy.

  The one thing that could've saved me.

  Softball. Oh, how I have missed you.

  "Liza?" I'm walking off the field when I hear Declan's low voice. I stop, turning to him with dread. Instead of the wounded look I expect, he's beaming. His dark hair is slick with sweat, and a few drops glide down his face and onto his neck. "Good job."

  "Thanks." I look at the ground, suddenly wishing we were alone. His body is so perfect, his smile like the sun, and I might just be drunk enough on him that I don't need a drink. This... all of this... everything he's given me... is priceless.

  "Holy shit, Liza! You killed it out there!" Suddenly, I'm lifted in the air and thrown over Seth's shoulder, my ass in the air. "I'd heard, but I had no idea. Fuckin' awesome!"

  "Let me go!" I beat on his back and kick my feet in the air, laughing until I can't breathe. "Seth, I'm serious. Let me go!"

  He continues toward the house, bouncing me the whole way as I flail around on his shoulder. He finally stops next to the cooler, lowering me to the ground. The guys and girls gather around me, excitement in the air. Seth shakes a beer and pops the lid, spraying beer everywhere. The country man's champagne.