Page 174 of Chasing Headlines
“Whoo!”
“Reporter chica, interview me.” Eddie shouted at the sky.
“Me first!”
I didn't know whether to sigh or laugh. I turned back to Tanner. “It'll have to be another time. That is one motley crew of ball players. And I volunteered to interview them all.” Jorge stole Aaron's cap and ran toward us. Shouting and insults filled the air. Stanton put Zim in a headlock.
“Good luck,” Tanner said. He grabbed his backpack and headed off toward the parking lot.
The stolen hat was shoved over my head. Aaron came to a halt, shrugged. “Man.”
“Looks better on her.” Jorge chuckled.
“Can't be part of the team without a hat . . .”
A lightness filled my chest as the childish antics played out. I pulled the sweaty thing from my head and tossed it to its owner.
“Hey hey, it's my favorite reporter chica! The star of the game has arrived.” Antonio brought up the rear of the group. He lugged two duffle bags, one over each shoulder.
“Screw you Jimenez. It's a team sport.”
Stanton pointed at me. “She should interview Mr. Dashing, first.”
“Ha, let the rest of you try to live up to how good I look.” Eddie pretended to smooth a hand over his cap.
Antonio sent a look my way, eyebrows drawn, jaw tight.He's worried about Coop.
Something invisible grabbed my chest and squeezed my heart toward my stomach.I hope he's ok.
“I won rock paper scissors, so I go first.” Eddie leaned an elbow on my shoulder and threw an easy grin at me. “My favorite food is tacos, and I like long walks on the beach.” I dropped my arm, setting him off-balance.
“I'm sure that'll go well in your dating profile. Swipe left.”
Some chuckles and renewed jeering erupted from the group. He winced. “Way harsh.”
“I want to know about the impact Coach Schorr has had on you. As a ballplayer. As a person. Any fun or important stories you have to share about the guy?” I pressed the record button on my app.
“Coach?” Eddie stopped. He removed his cap. “Ah yeah, that's a funny story actually. See my older brother played for him back when . . .”
Antonio glanced at his watch and jerked a thumb over his shoulder at the parking lot. He mouthed “Coop” at me, picked up one of the duffel bags from the ground and waved as he took off. A car I knew idled alongside the curb.Hilda.
“. . . after our parents split up. Schorr more or less took us both under his wing for the entire four years Luke played.”
My chest warmed as I met Eddie’s gaze. Just a brief glance, but the lopsided smile and gentle expression said . . . so many things at once.
“You’re fond of him.”
“I respect him.” He pushed the cap back onto his head. “He’s earned it as far as I’m concerned. Oh yeah, so this one time, Luke got himself in real trouble . . .”
It occurred to me then, like one of those moments I'd remember years from now . . . The crisp November air, the amber-colored field lights so bright they eclipsed the moon. The electricity of the win suffusing every breath, every cell, every minute particle of the world that was Vanquer, Texas . . .
Everyone has a story.
Chapter Fifty
Breslin POV
Light flashed and flickered. The heat of her breath on my skin, her palms smoothing over my chest. She cupped my face and her mouth met mine. I tasted her. Her lips, her tongue. Everything about her?—