“Sure it wasn’t,” Isaac said.
Okay, so maybe I wasn’t telling the truth. Yes, I was thinking about Cole, but not in the way they thought. And that was exactly why I couldn’t quite concentrate on the baseball game. When we were playing hide-and-seek, Zack took forever to find us. Ignoring Benny’s protest, Cole got impatient and opened the closet door. His shower was running, and he didn’t want it to get cold. Danny, who had been looking for someone to read lines with, had seen both of us tumble out of the tiny room. I was worried he would get the wrong idea and tell everyone. What would Alex think if he found out?
“There’s nothing going on between me and Cole,” I objected. “Danny, you saw Benny climb out of the closet too. Tell him that.”
“What the heck was he doing in there with you both?” Isaac said. “That’s disgusting and definitely not PG-rated. Poor Benny is going to be scarred for life.”
“We were playing hide-and-seek,” I said, starting to panic. “Come on, Danny, tell him the truth.”
“I don’t know, Jackie,” he said, his face straight. “Cole didn’t even have a shirt on.”
Isaac shook his finger at me. “Now that’s naughty.” He put his hand on my leg and grinned. “Why wasn’t I invited?”
“God, you’re disgusting,” I said, pushing him away.
“Did you rip his shirt off with your teeth?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.
“He was going to take a frickin’ shower!” I exploded.
A few moms sitting around us turned to frown at me. Both boys watched me for a moment before bursting into fits of laughter.
“Wow, it’s fun to watch you squirm,” Isaac choked out, and I punched him on the shoulder.
“We were only kidding, Jackie,” Danny said, wiping away a stray tear.
“Not appreciated,” I grunted, crossing my arms. I stared down at the game, refusing to look in either of their directions.
“Come on, Jackie,” Isaac said, putting a hand on my arm. “I was just messing around.”
I stuck out my tongue and continued to watch the game going on below.
“Are you going to ignore me for the rest of the day? Because I can be quite annoying if I want to.” Isaac started poking me repetitively in the cheek.
Pushing his hand away, I answered. “I sure can. Now be quiet. Alex is up.”
All three of us fell silent and watched as Alex hit a grounder. It rolled right between two infielders, and he made it to second base before they could get the ball.
“Go, Alex!” I shouted excitedly, jumping up and down.
“Oh, Alex!” Isaac squealed in a girly voice. “You’re so damn sexy that I was making out in the closet with your older brother!”
Danny choked on air as he tried not to laugh. I spun around and whacked Isaac on the shoulder again.
“Dang, Jackie! You’re going to bruise my delicate skin,” he complained, rubbing the sore spot.
“Good,” I said and sat back down to watch the next hitter.
Danny’s phone rang. “Hey, Dad,” he said in greeting. “Right now?” He paused. “Okay, I’ll be there in a few.” He clicked his phone shut and turned to us. “I have to go pick Zack and Benny up from their soccer game.”
At this, I frowned. There were still four innings left. Danny had driven us, so how would we get home if he left?
“I’m coming too,” Isaac said and stood up.
“But what about the rest of the game?” I asked.
“You can stay if you want,” Isaac suggested. “Alex rode his bike here. He can give you a ride home on the pegs.”
***
“You did great today,” I told Alex when he found me after the game was over. His team had won by three runs.
He pulled me into a hug. “Thanks, Jackie. I’m really glad you came.”
“You’re all sweaty,” I squealed, trying to squirm away. He was going to ruin my shirt.
“You don’t like that?” he asked with a laugh, locking his arms tightly behind my back.
“No! Alex, let go,” I said, but gave in with a laugh.
Clouds had rolled in near the end of the game, covering the hot sun, but the air was still humid, making our bodies stick together.
“Where’d everyone go?” he asked, letting his arms hang loose.
“Danny had to pick Zack and Benny up. I wanted to stay, so I was hoping you could give me a ride home on your bike. You’re not too tired, are you?”
“A little,” he said, slinging his arm over my shoulder. “But it will be my pleasure.”
We made it about halfway home when it started to pour. Alex pulled off the road and onto a gravel pathway that led to a small, rundown pavilion as lightning flashed across the sky. I jumped off the back of the bike and ran under the overhang to get out of the rain. Taking a ponytail holder off my wrist, I pulled my damp hair out of my face. After leaning his bike up against the brick wall, Alex pulled out his phone and called home. He had a quick conversation with someone and then sat down on an old wooden picnic table that was covered in graffiti.