All the air went out of her sails, and her quivering rage went with it. “Well, when you put it that way. What’s cooking, big boy?”
“Can you show up toward the end of play rehearsal? Cade said they’ll be done around seven thirty, and he’ll have something for you to do on my behalf.”
“And what’s that?” she asked, tilting her head. “Please tell me it’s something illegal. I really want it to be illegal.”
“Wow, you are a little monster.” He smiled down at her. “I’m so tempted to pat you on the head right now.”
“Do it and lose a testicle.”
“I believe you, and no. Nothing illegal.” He laughed when Violet let out a disappointed sigh. “I need you to give Faith something, that’s all.”
She blew out a breath that made her bangs flutter. “Fine. You have my number. Tell this Cade guy to text me when the operation, or whatever, is a go.”
Kyle stuck out his right hand. “Shake on it?”
She gave his hand a suspicious look. “I don’t know where that hand’s been.”
“Caressing the steering wheel of a year-old Charger.”
She lunged forward and gripped his hand. “Ooh, I can almost feel the engine purring. My payment for helping you with this is the chance to drive that beast on a deserted road.”
“Deal.”
Kyle left her feeling a little more hopeful.
He felt even more charged up when he spotted Cameron walking down senior hall alone. It was time to do something he should’ve done four years ago. It was time to let go of everything that scared him, and Cameron was all of that personified. After today, the only fear left would be whether or not Faith decided to give him a chance.
Whether or not he could gut out his nerves and take that chance would be a bridge to cross later.
Kyle followed Cameron until they were in front of an empty classroom, then he grabbed him by the back of his letter jacket and dragged him through the door.
“What the complete fuck!” Cameron yelled, trying to turn around to see who it was, but Kyle grabbed one of his arms and wrenched it behind his back.
He frog-marched Cameron to the corner of the room so they were hidden behind a file cabinet and slammed him against the wall. “I have one thing to say, and you better listen. Leave Faith alone. You want to come after me? Do it. But leave her alone. Tell your friends to lay off, or I’ll take batting practice against your balls. Are we clear?”
He gave Cameron’s arm a yank to emphasize what he said. Cameron hissed with pain. “Sawyer, I’m going to kick your ass. You know it and I know it.”
“Not this time, dickweed. I’m an inch taller and twenty-five pounds of muscle heavier. I’m not that short, scared kid you bullied and pissed on in eighth grade. You come after me again, you’ll end up in pain. You mess with Faith and I’ll need bail, as God is my witness.”
Cameron struggled, and Kyle yanked on his arm again. “I’m not kidding. We’re done, or you’ll be sorry you ever screwed with me.”
“Fine.” Cameron’s voice was shaking. “Fine! I won’t bug Faith again. I’ll tell the other guys not to even look at her.”
Kyle released him and took a step back. “I’ll be watching to make sure you do.”
Cameron shot him a look of pure loathing. “You better watch your back, Sawyer. I’ll leave Faith alone, but you’re fair game, asshole. This doesn’t change anything.”
A cold smile spread over Kyle’s face. “You’re wrong. It changes everything.”
Kyle trotted around the bases, to the cheers of his team. Homered at his first at bat. That made what he was about to do a little more palatable. Besides, it was someone else’s turn to shine.
Coach gave him a swat as he jogged into the dugout. “Not bad, Sawyer.”
“Thanks.” He accepted the high fives of his team before sneaking over to check his phone. Cade texted—he texted—to let Kyle know it was almost time. Okay, this was it. He might be thrown off the team for this, but some things were worth the cost.
He swallowed hard and went to Coach’s side. “Coach, I hate to do this, and I wouldn’t if it wasn’t important, but there’s someplace I need to be.”
Coach frowned. “We’re in the bottom of the second.”
“I know, and I swear I wouldn’t ask, but…I’m needed somewhere else.”
Coach’s frown deepened. “Is this about a girl?”
Kyle hid a wince. “Please, sir. Ledecky deserves a shot. He’s your future, and we’re up five to two. Give him a chance. I promise I’ll stay late every practice for the rest of the season. Just give me this one thing.”
Ledecky had perked up at the sound of his name. “I can do it, Coach. Give me a chance.”
Coach looked entirely bewildered, both eyebrows raised. The team started cheering around them and Kyle turned. Tristan had just hit a two-run shot. “We’re up by seven to two now. You don’t need me tonight.”
Finally, Coach relented. “Fine, okay. I don’t even want to know, but if you miss a single practice or game the rest of the season, I’ll bench you for the remainder.”