Songs for Cricket by Laine, E. (best books to read in your 20s TXT) 📗

Coach Ari called for someone to bring him some balls. Next thing I knew he was holding the ball for me as I kicked one ball after the next straight down the center.

When he was done, he stared at my temporary holder but said nothing. The guy looked sheepish, and that seemed to be more powerful than any reprimand. At least practice ended on a high note.

I was beat when it was time to head to the café for dinner. I’d picked up my phone to text Shep when I saw he’d already messaged me. He said not to wait for him. He’d talk to me at home. The idea of eating alone again wasn’t appealing. I texted Cooper I was walking home and grabbed a sandwich from a coffee shop on the way.

I called my mom who’d always been my champion outside of my brothers.

“Why so glum?” she asked.

“I don’t think the guys want me on the team.”

My dad had dismissed me for joining, but she’d been thrilled.

She laughed. “And when has that ever stopped you.”

“It’s just . . .” Everything. But how could I say that without sounding like I was whining.

“Shepard?” she asked. “We heard the news. They weren’t specific, but what’s going on? His mother is frantic.”

What to say? “It’s bogus. He didn’t do anything wrong.”

“That’s good to hear.”

I was grateful when she didn’t press for more details.

“He’s such a good kid.” Then, she was silent for a second. “Has he figured out you have a crush on him?”

I gaped for a second. “Mom.”

She laughed. “It’s not like I could blame you. If I were your age . . .”

“Please don’t,” I begged.

“You could do far worse.”

I took a chance. “Actually, he likes me too. But promise you won’t tell Dad.”

“Oh . . . but why?”

“Because I don’t want Dad to ban him from the house or give him the I own a gun lecture.”

Though my father didn’t pay much attention to me, he seemed to prize me as his daughter when boys had come around.

“Okay, but he’ll find out soon enough,” she said.

“Later is better. August is already freaking out.”

I explained the situation.

“You have to understand him.”

Before I protested, she pushed on.

“I’m not saying he was right to say those things, but he’s allowed to have feelings.”

“I get that. So how can I sit back and be the one that broke up a friendship?”

She was silent for a second. “I’d like to believe that your brother will calm down and think about it rationally.”

Were we talking about the same brother? Cooper was rational, August not so much.

“But you’re okay with it?” She’d said as much, but I needed the confirmation.

“Yes. I am.”

We talked a while longer until I arrived at the house. She pried for more details as to the nature of my relationship with Shepard. Of course, as much as I could talk to Mom, I didn’t tell her about losing my virginity. That just seemed too weird to discuss. Maybe Shepard would be there soon and we could . . . have some time alone. That thought brought a smile to my face. Unfortunately, my happiness was short lived.

28

shepard

Excitement had buzzed in my veins that morning for my first class. The idea that my dream might still come true was like an electric current making it hard for me to sit still.

Morning practice behind me, I hustled to the School of Music. In the hallway, searching the room numbers, a girl with pink hair and several tattoos on one arm walked over.

“Are you in the right place?” she asked.

I didn’t take offense knowing I didn’t fit her idea of a musician.

“Music Theory I?” I asked.

She’d nodded. “Do you play, write music, or what?”

“Play and write,” I said, more amused by her questions than annoyed.

“What do you play?”

“Guitar.”

“That’s it?” She said it like it was validation to whatever theory she had. When I silently agreed, she added, “You didn’t do band, orchestra, or choir in high school?”

I hadn’t and not because I was too good for it. More because I had a better chance at getting a scholarship through sports than music.

“No, I play football.”

Her head lifted in a I get it now gesture. “Figures. You look the part.” Her eyes swept over me. But then she surprised me by not completely writing me off. “Have you ever recorded anything?”

I woke up my phone, not so much to prove to her that I wasn’t a wanna be musician. But more so I was curious to get an unbiased opinion of my work. The only people who’d heard me play before would have been too kind to tell me I sucked. Well, maybe not August. I almost smiled until I remembered I’d probably lost his friendship for good. I swallowed, hating the thought, and pressed play to take my mind away from things I couldn’t change.

Her expression remained thoughtful as the sound of my voice combined with the strumming chords played softly between us.

When she hit the pause button, I thought for sure she was going to tell me to give up my dreams and to stick with being a jock or whatever snarky word she would use to judge me.

Instead she’d said, “Have you ever considered joining a band?”

The question had thrown me, and I stared at her for a long moment. She grinned.

“I’ll admit you’re good. You’ve got raw talent and a voice that would make girls swoon or whatever you call it. Though your look needs work. I’m not recruiting for a boy band; though you could sell out stadiums with that face.”

All I heard was that she thought I was good. “Join your band?”

I wasn’t judging her for her looks, I was just shocked that after all her sly comments, she thought me worthy. I didn’t think she would think I could fit in with her.

She shrugged. “I like to shake things up, keep people guessing. And your voice would go well with mine. If you’re interested, we