Play Dirty (Make the Play #4) Page 4

  And now Talia’s staring at me like I’ve been infected with some horribly contagious disease. Is this how Ashley felt earlier this year? She’d always been the mean girl. It was hot. But then everyone turned on her, and she went soft.

  I have no intention of doing that, but I suppose I could stand to be a little less of a jerk.

  “Would you stay if I told you I’d try to work on it?” I ask.

  “You’ll try to work on it?” She laughs. “Yeah, Josh. I’ll try to stay if you try to work on it.”

  “I’ll tell you one thing. You’re definitely trying my patience.”

  “That lasted about as long as I thought it would.” She whirls around. “See ya later, Josh.”

  “My dad’s getting married,” I blurt out. “That’s what I was mad about.”

  When she turns to me with pity in her eyes, I regret telling her. The last thing I wanted was sympathy. I only wanted to make her stay.

  “Chris’s mom?” She raises her brows.

  I nod.

  “That sucks.”

  “Yep.”

  Standing still, she studies my face. I have no idea what to do. It’s like I’m on display. Like I’ve turned into a store mannequin. I almost ask her if I should pose, but then think better of it. I’m not sure a joke would go over well right now. After a long, uncomfortable moment, she walks past me. Without saying a word, she opens the passenger door of my car and slips inside. After she closes the door behind her, I smile and make my way to the driver’s side.

  ***

  I throw out my arm the minute the ball comes at me. After closing my glove around it, I bring my arm up. Snatching it out of my glove, I palm it with my other hand. The rough stitching catches on my palm right before I release it, tossing it into Nolan’s waiting glove.

  It was my mom who first encouraged me to play baseball. Before Dad left, forcing her to get some crappy admin job, she was a stay-at-home mom. And was always signing me up for stuff. As a toddler she lugged me to mommy and me classes. When I got a little older, she started getting me involved in sports. It was soccer initially, and I constantly tried to pick the ball up and throw it. That was when Mom suggested I try baseball. I remember going to the store to buy whiffle balls and a plastic bat.

  Once I got involved in a rec league, Dad started practicing with me in the backyard. He even coached my team for a couple of years. That was before he rekindled things with Olivia.

  It was before he betrayed our family.

  “Heads up!” Nolan calls out.

  I duck before the ball can smack me. Then I bend over and pluck it out of the grass. “Thanks for the warning, man,” I say as I throw the ball to Nolan.

  Nolan and I have been friends for years. He’s the closest thing to a brother I have. Being an only child, I’ve always been allowed to bring a friend on vacations and outings. Nolan’s been it. And my parents treat him like family.

  “Were you too busy thinking about Talia?” He waggles his eyebrows as he tosses the ball back. I glance around the field and spot Hayes, practicing his swing a few feet away. Too far to hear what we’re saying.

  “Nah,” I answer. “I was actually thinking about my dad.”

  “You know I’ll go with you to the wedding, man, if you decide to go.” He smiles. “I’ll even slow dance with you.”

  I laugh. “Will you wear a sexy dress?”

  “You know it.”

  “I might have to go now just to see that.”

  Nolan palms the ball and steps toward me. Around us I hear the clink of the bat, the sound of chatter and laughter, of balls being caught. “I mean it. I’m here for ya, man.”

  Uncomfortable with how serious this is becoming, I shake my head. “I might dance with you, but I draw the line at kissing.”

  “Then the deal’s off.” Nolan slips right back into our easy banter, and I’m grateful.

  “Ahh, man, I always knew you were a tease.”

  His face grows serious. “Apparently so are you.” He cocks a brow. “You never even told me you had a thing for Talia, and now you two are an item.”

  I knew he was going to ask me about this. And part of me wants to tell him the truth. But I know I can’t. Not because I don’t trust him. I do. However, Nolan isn’t great at keeping secrets. It’s not like he blabs to everyone, but he doesn’t mask his feelings well. Also, he’s been known to accidentally spill things when he’s drunk or just not thinking. I can’t risk it.

  “I didn’t really have a thing for her,” I answer honestly. “But she wanted me, and I figured, why the hell not?”

  “Why not just mess around?”

  It’s a valid question, and what I would probably do if this was a real scenario. “Talia’s not the kind of girl who’s happy just messing around.”

  “She didn’t have a problem with it when you two hooked up at the party.”

  “That was one time. Name another time when Talia did that,” I say. “She was with Palmer forever, then she was with Hayes, and now she’s been with no one for months.”

  Nolan nods. “That’s true.”

  Coach hollers for all of us to gather around him. Nolan clutches the ball as we head in his direction. When we reach him, we slip into the huddle of guys. It smells like sweat and grass. Coach gives out instructions, but I’m not paying attention. All I can think about is Talia. What I said to Nolan is true. Talia is a commitment girl. She doesn’t do casual relationships. That’s why I always assumed her kiss with me at the party was calculated. Her way of finally getting free from Hayes. But now she wants him back, and I wonder if there was another reason. Was she actually attracted to me?

  If so, that would make things a lot more complicated for us right now.

  TALIA

  “Anna tells us you have a boyfriend,” Dad says to me at dinner.

  Mom’s hand stills, hovering over her plate. Her head bounces to me. Anna stares at her lap, not daring to meet my gaze.

  I grip my fork so tight that my knuckles turn white. Clearing my throat, I lift my head. “Um…yeah. I do.” It physically hurts to force the words from my throat.

  “Go on,” Dad says.

  Taking a deep breath, I say, “His name is Josh. He’s on the baseball team.” My fork slips from my fingers that are now slick with sweat. It clatters on the cherry wood table.

  Dad’s eyebrows knit together as if he’s thinking. Anna is uncharacteristically quiet, but I guess that’s because she’s already run her mouth enough. Mom doesn’t chime in, but watches the exchange with rapt attention. That’s not uncommon. Dad is the rule-maker, the disciplinarian. Mom is the enforcer.

  “Oh, yeah,” Dad speaks suddenly into the silence, causing me to flinch. “I remember him. Second baseman, right?”

  I nod. Dad had gone to games with me sometimes when Palmer and I were dating. At the thought of Palmer, my heart pinches. It’s not the same sharp pang I feel when I think of Hayes. That’s fresher, like a new cut. With Palmer, it’s like a scar. There’s enough tissue to cover it, to keep it from opening back up and bleeding, but it’s there. I still feel it, and sometimes it’s painful.

  Palmer was my first love. I’d had a crush on him since freshman year. The minute I saw him strutting around campus wearing that baseball cap low on his forehead, I was a goner. He was the best-looking guy I’d ever seen. I remember telling Ashley that he looked like a model. Like he belonged inside the pages of a magazine, not attending Prairie Creek High. But it wasn’t only his looks that attracted me. It was his charm. He was magnetic. Everyone was drawn to him.

  Too bad that meant he had his pick of girls. All through my freshman and sophomore year, I watched him date a string of girls. Each of them more popular and pretty than the last one. It was during junior year that I finally found my opening. Palmer was single the night I accompanied Ashley to one of the baseball parties. We were the designated drivers for our friends, so we ended up hanging out most of the night talking. Before we left, Palmer asked for my number. He called the
next day, and we went on our first date the following week.

  My parents loved Palmer. Actually, they loved Hayes too. They’ve always made a point to get to know my boyfriends. It’s one of the main reasons I hate having to bring them into this whole charade with Josh.

  “From what I remember, he was kind of a troublemaker. Is that right?” Mom finally chimes in.

  “Um…” I nervously scratch at the tops of my arm. My plate is filled with food. I haven’t taken a bite, and honestly I’m not sure I could stomach anything now. “He’s had his issues. You know, because of his dad and Olivia and everything…” I let the words trail off. No sense in spelling it out. It’s a small town. Gossip spreads faster than pink eye at a preschool.

  Dad’s mouth is full, but he nods.

  “I’m sure that it’s been tough for him…and his mom,” My mom says.

  “Yeah, it has been, but he’s working through it.” It’s a huge lie. Judging by how angry Josh was this afternoon, it’s clear that he’s not dealing well with it at all. Not that I blame him. I can’t even imagine how terrible it would be if my dad left our family for another woman. It was the reason I ultimately got back in Josh’s car. If he was being mean to me for the sake of being mean, that was one thing. If he was lashing out because of some deep hurt, that was something I could understand. I could relate to that.

  “That’s good,” Mom answers.

  “Invite him for dinner. We’d like to get to know him.” Dad says. I knew it was coming, but, still, it causes a chill to snake up my spine. Picturing Josh here at my house, sitting at this table and talking with my family, causes dread to sink into my gut. Once again, I regret the decision to go through with this. Even if it works, how will I explain it to my family? If I parade Josh in front of my family as my doting boyfriend and then suddenly we’re both dating other people, how will that look? My chest tightens, and I struggle to draw in a breath. Tugging on the collar of my shirt, I focus on pulling in air.

  All of the awful things Josh has said to me fly through my mind. All the sarcastic remarks and rude behavior. Then it hits me. This will be simple. Most likely, my parents won’t like him. Dad definitely won’t. Josh might be able to turn on the charm when he wants, but my dad’s astute. He’ll see right through him. So when Hayes decides he wants me back, I’ll tell my parents Josh hurt me and Hayes was there to save me. They already love Hayes, so they’ll buy it.

  Buoyed by my new plan, I sit up straight. My stomach has settled a little, so I pick my fork back up and tuck into my food. My parents have moved on to interrogating Anna about her day at school. She still hasn’t looked at me, but that’s okay. I’ll deal with her later.

  JOSH

  It’s a week into our plan, and it doesn’t seem to be working. Ashley barely gives me a second glance when I’m with Talia. And she and Hayes are as lovey-dovey as ever. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this up. Patience has never been my strong suit.

  “Has Hayes even said anything to you about me?” Talia asks for the umpteenth time. She’s given me the third degree every day.

  But I get it. I had assumed Hayes would say something about me dating Talia right off the bat. The guy thinks I’m a jerk, and everyone knows he’s overprotective of women. Even though he and Talia broke up, if he still had any feelings for her at all he would’ve read me the riot act by now. I’m starting to think that maybe Talia is the reason the plan isn’t working. Hayes and Ashley don’t care about her anymore. She’s not the right girl for the job. A part of me wants to put a stop to this whole thing.

  But I’ve never been a quitter.

  I wasn’t very good at baseball when I first started playing. But I loved it, so I pushed myself to play better. Freshman year I barely made JV, but that didn’t stop me from eventually getting on the Varsity team. When I want something, I don’t back down until I get it.

  “No, he hasn’t,” I finally answer her, and then ignore her dejected look. The guys’ laughter floats down the lunch table, and I glance over. I’d much rather be over there than sitting here with a mopey Talia. Besides, Hayes and Ashley don’t even notice that we’re together right now. They’re too busy making out in the quad. This entire thing would be easier if Hayes still sat at the baseball table with the rest of us. Talia suggested that we go out to the quad at one point, but there’s no way I’m going out there. This is my table. I’ve earned the right to sit here, and I’m not moving.

  A chunk of hair falls in Talia’s eyes, and she brushes it back by sliding her fingers through it. When she does, her hair emits a soft, floral scent. Must be her shampoo. Talia’s hair is shiny and smooth. I know, because that night of the party I had my fingers tangled in it. Sighing, Talia glances at me, her eyelashes fluttering. She may not be the girl I want, but there’s no denying how hot she is. Swallowing thickly, I avert my gaze. I can’t afford to think like that right now. It’s not the time to get sidetracked.

  “Oh,” she says, as if remembering something. Lifting her hand, she scratches the back of her neck. That’s when I know it’s not going to be something good. Talia always scratches her neck when she’s agitated. Weird how I’m already attuned to her body language. In previous relationships, it took me months to figure out how to read them. And sometimes I never figured it out. “My parents invited you to dinner.”

  I almost spew out the water I just chugged from my water bottle. Thank god I hadn’t just taken a bite of my sandwich. It might have ended up all over Talia’s tight shirt. The one that shows off all her curves. The one I’ve had trouble not staring at all lunch. “That’s not happening.”

  “Why not?” For not being my girlfriend, I sure had to put up with her attitude a lot. Actually, if she were my real girlfriend, this crap would never fly.

  “There’s nothing in it for me,” I state simply. “Ashley and Hayes can’t see us at your parents’ house.”

  “Yeah, but it’s important to my parents to meet my boyfriends.”

  “Then bring Hayes over every single day when you get back together.” I lean in close and whisper, “But I’m not your boyfriend and I’m not going to your house for dinner.”

  Drawing back, her face hardens. “You’re right.” Her lips curl upward in a smile I can’t read. What’s going on now? Man, this chick is seriously unpredictable. “That’s why I don’t have to be stuck here with you like some kind of prisoner. Hayes and Ashley aren’t even in here.” Sliding off the bench, she snatches up her backpack angrily. “I’m going to sit with Heather and the girls. Let me know when I’m needed again.” Whirling around, she storms off.

  Of course her tantrum would probably have been more effective if she wasn’t going to the other end of the same table I’m sitting at. But whatever. Honestly, it’s a relief to be free of her for a little while.

  “What did you do to Talia?” Nolan swaggers over to me, taking the seat beside mine.

  Chase follows him, plopping down across from us. “Yeah, she looked pretty pissed.”

  I shake away their concern. “Oh, you know chicks. They’re so sensitive.”

  “Damn straight,” Nolan replies.

  The three of us glance over at where Talia and the girls are. Talia must feel us staring, because her head swivels in our direction. Then she glares hard.

  “Yeah, you really pissed her off,” Nolan says, and he and I burst into laughter.

  Talia’s glare deepens as she turns away from us.

  “Seriously, Josh, you have a knack for upsetting the ladies,” Chase adds harshly, and the laughter dies on my lips.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.

  “Exactly what I said. C’mon, you know you don’t treat the ladies very well,” Chase continues. “I mean, look at your last two girlfriends. They both broke up with you for other guys.”

  Nolan shifts uncomfortably on the bench, and it moans beneath us.

  “Ashley didn’t break up with me for Hayes,” I hiss. “We broke up because I kissed Talia. She didn’t end up with Ha
yes until over a month later.”

  “You just proved my point,” Chase says, leaving me dumbfounded. “You cheated on her.”

  I narrow my eyes. “Where is this coming from, man?”

  Chase shrugs. “I just think Talia deserves better.”

  Ah, that’s right. I forgot about Chase’s little crush. “And you think you’re the guy?”

  “I think you’ll piss Talia off so much that she’ll come running to me, the same way that Emmy ran to Chris and Ashley ran to Hayes.”

  “What about me?” Hayes’s voice startles me.

  I glance over my shoulder. He hovers over my back, his shadow casting over my body. Ashley isn’t with him, sparking curiosity.

  “Nothing. We were just discussing baseball,” I lie, shooting a warning look to Chase. He may be acting like a dick today, but we’re friends.

  “Really? What about it?” He comes around the table sitting next to Chase. This is new. I wonder what he’s up to.

  “We were rehashing the last practice, and you had a couple good hits.” I shrug. He doesn’t look convinced, and I’m worried he’ll continue to press me on it.

  “Hey, babe.” Talia’s hand lights on my shoulder. She throws an apologetic look to Nolan. “Can I slide in here?”

  Nolan, looking thoroughly confused, nods and scoots over. Talia plunks down beside me, her hands sliding down my arm. I bring up my fingers, threading them through hers.

  “Sorry about that,” Talia says breathlessly. “I just needed to talk to the girls for a minute.” She smiles, and I realize it’s the first time I’ve seen her smile in days. This is what Hayes’s presence does to her, huh? He’s still sitting across from us, and Talia’s definitely putting on a show.

  What kind of fake boyfriend would I be if I didn’t play along? “That’s okay, baby. Just don’t be gone so long next time.” I plant a kiss right on her mouth. She stiffens for a moment, but then quickly regains composure. Responding, she lifts her hands and her fingertips lightly brush my chin and neck. Then they travel up to my cheek. Her mouth moves deftly beneath mine.