Page 137 of Chasing Headlines
He paused, squinting one eye as he looked up. “Later, Livvie!” He called out over his shoulder with a wave and hustled toward the half-opened door and Coach Eberhardt. I waited until the door was closed, took a deep breath as the room spun in a wide circle. I dropped like lead to the floor.
“So what’re we doing? Drop a contact lens? Looking for clues” Antonio appeared from somewhere and extended a hand toward me.
“No, just maybe looking for an escape hatch to a parallel universe.”
“Don’t think you'll find one down there.”
I accepted his hand and he pulled me to my feet. “Thanks.”
“You ok?”
“Yeah, of course.” I tucked my mouth up on both sides in some attempt at a smile.I'm not an idiot who lied to the police—and the head baseball coach—about fictional bedroom antics between me and Coop. Oh God.“So . . . great. I'm actually great.”
He shook his head. Pointed a finger at me, then sighed. “Come on.” He slung his arm around me and started walking. I took a few steps, then realized we were nearing the locker room door, and stopped.
“Uh, no.” I turned, but he caught my arm.
“Come on, you've got work to do, right?'
“No, I'm good, really. I have some uh things and this other thing and?—”
He crossed his arms. “You can't run away, chica. That never works.”
“You only say that because it never has before. But this time . . .” I dropped my head into my hands.
“It can't be that bad. Right?”
“It feels . . . that bad. I don't think Coach wants me hanging around, anymore. He was pretty mad I accessed his mail and cloud account.”
“Believe it or not, most of the guys in there thought you and Cat did a good thing. I'm sure Coach does, too.”
I shrugged and looked away. “Yeah, but, they were pretty pissed about Coop, too. From this weekend. And Hilda's still mad.”And now I'm Coop's pretend-girlfriend. Who's real-life kissed him and, ultimately, a complete idiot.“Maybe I'm the one who needs a knock to the head, so I can forget the past week or so of my life.” I tried to laugh. I meant it to be funny, and yet, to my horror, I ended up doing some combination of sobbing, laughing and hiccuping. It was truly pathetic.
He turned and let me duck my head into the crook between his chest and arm. One hand patted me on the back. “You can cryon this shirt. Once I change into my practice shirt, that one’s off limits.”
I tried again to laugh. It was a little blubbery as I broke away and smeared tears across my cheeks.
“I don't think Hilda's happy you two are fighting, either,” he said and held up both hands. “I can listen, chica, but I know better than to step in the middle of women's business.” He grimaced. “Worst Christmas of my life, trying to get my older sister and my mama to stop fighting over, I don't know what.”
I smiled. “You're a good one, Antonio. And no, I won't bother you. I think I've just had . . . too much lately.” I sniffled and wiped under my eyes. “I'm glad that if one of us could get back on Hilda's good side, that she's at least still speaking to you.”
“Yeah, helluva weekend.” He shook his head. “Ended up having the enlightening experience of a half hour, maybe? With your friend Dublin.”
“Oh. Yeah, Dublin is . . . an experience. No doubt.”
“She is right about a few things.” He held up one finger. My stomach tightened. Dubby being right was definitely something to be concerned about.
“I’m afraid to ask.”
“In the first place, Iamthe cinnamon roll hero that Hilda deserves. Mark my words. I will cheer for my woman from the top of any hill.” He gestured like her name was going up in lights. “She’s going to do amazing things.”
I took a deep breath. “And I'm genuinely glad . . . for you both.” And I was.
“She’s also right that you’re more powerful than you give yourself credit for.” Dark eyes met my gaze. “When Liv Milline gets it in her head to change something or move something? I for one, don’t want to be the one in her way.”
“Ah, thanks, I?—”
“Be you. Who you are. Bring your own shine, everywhere you go.”