Broken Bases Read online

  Copyright 2020 Nikki Pennington

  Kindle Edition

  All rights reserved. This book or any portions thereof may not whatsoever be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Editing by Brittany Dooley

  Cover Design by Lindsey Iler

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  CHAPTER FORTY

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  LET’S CONNECT

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Playlist

  Tequila- Dan & Shay

  Happier- Ed Sheeran

  Grand Piano- Nicki Minaj

  Little Do You Know- Alex & Sierra

  Kiss Me- Ed Sheeran

  Too Good at Goodbyes- Sam Smith

  I hate U, I love U- Gnash

  I Never Told You- Colbie Caillat

  Human- Christina Perri

  Whiskey- Jason Aldean ft. Miranda Lambert

  Hold On- Chord Overstreet

  Playing With Fire- Thomas Rhett

  Skinny Love- Birdy

  Give Me Love- Ed Sheeran

  Near To You- A Fine Frenzy

  Consequences- Camila Cabeo

  Sad Song- We The Kings

  Love Myself- Olivia O’Brien

  Bitter Love-Pia Mia

  Lose You to Love Me- Selena Gomez

  This book is dedicated to Eddie. Who encouraged me to chase my dreams and has done everything possible to help me make sure they happen. You’re my biggest fan, and for that I will be forever grateful.

  Chapter One

  Shay

  "Shit, it's storming and I have to walk tonight," I tell Emily as we are cleaning off the dirty tables at the downtown diner I work at.

  "Where is your car?"

  "Gunner took it, he said he was going job hunting this afternoon."

  She looks at me with a frown, and she sighs. "You're joking right, I know you're smarter than that. He is probably at some seedy bar or strip joint right now."

  "I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, he is Ryder's dad. No matter how unreliable he is, or how horrible of a person he is, he is my sons’ father." I shrug.

  I know this isn’t a great reason to let someone continue to use you and treat you like garbage, but I’m always trying to figure out how I can do what’s best for my son.

  "You shouldn't. He is a loser, and you know it. And he isn't good for Ryder, or you."

  Just as I was about to respond and defend myself, and my choices, Emily says, "Oh shit, the night just got better. Here come some hot ballplayers."

  "Em is that all you ever think about? You can go from a conversation about my life to hot baseball players seconds." I laugh.

  "Of course, it is. I'm 17. You need to loosen up a bit, just because you had a baby when you were 14, doesn't mean you can't have fun anymore."

  "True, but I don't want fun with high school baseball players." I sigh and head over to take some orders.

  Some of these guys would be assholes, I could already tell. I turn to the guy on my right, and he is good looking. He has a kind face, blonde curly hair, and hazel eyes. He’s the kind of guy that immediately makes you feel comfortable.

  "Miss, I'd like a root beer and a cheeseburger, please” He was polite and sincere. I smile at him and jot down his order.

  The guy next to him is strikingly handsome, but it looked like he knew it. You could just sense the arrogance flowing off him, and I knew he was just going to be a blast to deal with.

  It felt like he was staring into my soul with his crystal blue eyes.

  My eyes traveled down his face, and I noticed his hardened jaw and beautiful lips. Do guys have beautiful lips? If not, he definitely did. He also had this dark hair, it was messy, but it looked like it was intended to look that way. I just wanted to run my fingers through it, run my fingers through it? Seriously, what is wrong with me tonight?

  "I'll have you instead of anything on this menu." He smirked, blue eyes twinkling, as he moved his jet-black hair from his face. I immediately regretted any thought I had about how good looking he was.

  "Yeah, not happening Romeo. So, order some food or don't, doesn't matter to me."

  The guys at the table laughed and his face turns red. "What a bitch," he muttered.

  Just as I was about to give him a piece of my mind, Emily strolls over, puts her hand on my shoulder and says, "Okay, Casanova let’s get that order." She winks at me, my cue to leave and get some air, and I stomp away.

  That asshole had some nerve. I have way too much on my plate to let him get to me. I have grown up problems that this little boy wouldn't even know what to do with. And this little crap job is far too important to lose my cool. I always try to remind myself when a bad customer comes in, that these people know nothing about me or my life, or what I've been through.

  I don’t have time to think about cocky little boys with blue eyes and messy hair. I don’t have time to worry about the things that most normal, teenage girls get to worry about. My life has never been like that, and it never will be. It’s just something I’ve learned to accept as the years have gone on.

  Chapter Two

  Luke

  That girl was beautiful, the kind you dream about. Golden skin, long and unruly chestnut brown hair. Her big green eyes were alluring. She had legs for days, and these big, kissable lips, but also a smart mouth. In which she used to humiliate me.

  “The hell?" I'm not used to that. It usually comes so easy to me. "What the fuck was that?" I ask Jimmy.

  "Oh, I don't know maybe she's actually got a brain."

  "Thanks a lot, dick!"

  Whatever. I would not let some random chick ruin my night. We just won our game, and we were here to celebrate. I was going to take this team to the championship, get a scholarship, and get the hell out of this shitty town.

  Valerie would be here soon, and I knew I could count on her for some after celebration fun. She is always around. It's sad really, how desperate she can be.

  Speak of the devil, if the devil is
tan with bleach blonde hair, she just walked in. Val had this air of confidence about her, she had too much confidence. For someone who had such a shit personality, she sure thought highly of herself.

  "Hey babe, why didn't you wait for me after the game?" She purrs into my ear.

  "I had a present for you." She says as she kisses my neck. I can see this night may have just gotten better, or worse, I guess it depended on who you asked.

  Just as I am settling in, to let Val take care of me, little Miss Smart Mouth shows back up at the table.

  "Can I get you anything?" She asks Val.

  Valerie stares at her, daggers in her eyes, I know its jealousy because this chick is so damn beautiful.

  "Oh no, this place is disgusting. I wouldn't even drink water from here." She spits.

  Smartmouth stares at her, and I know her head is churning full of insults she could spew, I know I would, but instead, she says,

  "Okay, no problem - you have a nice night." And turns on her heels.

  "Wow! What a bitch!" Valerie spits. "This place just gets trashier every time we come here." I just roll my eyes and turn my attention back to Jimmy.

  Jimmy in return frowns at me, and Val. He has never liked her. He has been telling me for years how she is just using me for an easy ticket out of town, and I know he’s right, but I don’t plan on taking her anywhere.

  I use her just as much as she uses me, and it works for us. He doesn’t get it, Jimmy is one of the good guys, he wouldn’t dream of using someone for fun, he’s all about the relationships, love, and all that mushy shit. He hasn’t had a serious girlfriend in years, and he claims it’s because he doesn’t have time because of ball, but I know it’s because he hasn’t found a girl worth it. The girls around here aren’t looking for serious relationships.

  Valerie might be hot and reliable for a good time, but she gets on my nerves. That's why we aren't dating anymore. Although, if you ask her, I think you would get a different answer. Chick doesn't take a hint. She's been chasing me around throughout high school. I wish I never would have gotten involved with her my freshman year, now I can't get rid of her. Jimmy tells me I don't help my case any because I keep her around even when I say I'm not interested. He might have a point, but it's hard to pass up a convenient good time. Let’s just say that Val, well, she is ready and willing anytime I want her to be.

  You can’t fault a guy for an easy lay.

  Chapter Three

  Shay

  "That girl over there is a bigger bitch than blue eyes." I huff at Emily.

  She looks up smiling.

  "Blue eyes, huh, he is hot, isn't he?"

  "What! Is that what you got from this? That I called some guy blue eyes and you assume I automatically think he's hot, would Dick head be better?"

  Emily just starts laughing "I love it when you get all riled up. I know I hit a nerve."

  I roll my eyes at her and walk away. I don't have time to think boys are cute. I can't be a typical high school senior. I have to graduate and get into a college so that me and Ryder can get out of here. I don't have time for distractions.

  I glance up at the clock and realize my shift is up. Gunner isn't here, so that means he won't be here to pick me up, and the rain has only gotten worse. Guess it's a good thing I brought a jacket. I have to get home before 11, so I can get Ry to bed before my dad gets home. He left for the bar before I left for work, so who knows what kind of personality he will have by the time he makes it home.

  I grab my house keys and jacket and tell Em bye and that I'll call her tomorrow. I try to leave as quickly as possible so I can avoid twenty-one questions from Emily. She would throw a fit if she knew I was walking, and I don’t want her to make a scene.

  I get about 1/2 a mile down the road when I sense someone pulling up next to me. It's the blonde guy from the diner.

  "Hey, do you need a ride? This weather is pretty nasty, I don't like that you're walking in it." I stare at him, I don't want to accept a ride, I hate taking handouts, but it's 10:30, and I'll never make it to the sitters to get Ryder and get home by 11 if I don't. I'm feeling desperate.

  I glance up and down the road like some other option is going to magically appear. The rain is getting harder by the minute, and I don’t want to make him sit here any longer.

  "That would be great, Thanks," I say. Feeling appreciative, until I notice dick face sitting in the passenger seat. Great, this just went from good too bad in 0.5 seconds.

  Chapter Four

  Luke

  After we left the diner, Jimmy suggested we go for a ride before we hit the lake for the typical after the game party. It sounded like a great idea to me, I needed a break. Valerie was getting to be a little much for me, and she was obnoxiously pissy when I told her I didn't want her to ride along with us.

  About half a mile down the road Jimmy slows down.

  "What's up dude, why are we slowing down," I ask. And then I look over and see the reason. "Oh no, we aren't good Samaritans. We aren't picking up that bitchy chick from the diner."

  "Yes, we are, it's storming out and she has been walking at least a half-hour, she's soaked." I just roll my eyes. Jimmy rolls down the window.

  "Hey, do you need a ride? This weather is nasty, I don't like that your walking in it."

  I look over, she acts as though she might say no, and is truly struggling with this. I wonder what the story is there, no scratch that, I don’t wonder. The girl is uptight and rude. I don’t like difficult, I like easy, hence Valerie.

  "That would be great thanks," she says. Then she looks over, and I think notices me for the first time, and the happiness on her face is gone. Guess I left a great impression on her too. She opens the back of the truck and hops in.

  "Thanks again, so much. I would have never made it home in time if you hadn't stopped."

  I look back at her and I'm almost left speechless, I didn't think this girl could get any more gorgeous, but I was so wrong. Her long brown hair is plastered to her face from the rain, and her collared diner shirt is sticking to her in all the right places. It seems like the rain is making her skin glisten, and if I were the type to fall in love, I’d have been done for, on the spot.

  Where has this chick been my whole life? How have I lived in the same town as her and never crossed her path? She is the kind of girl that ruins baseball careers like mine by distracting the hell out of a guy. I have too much to lose.

  Jimmy starts talking and ruins my train of thought, which might not have been a bad thing, who knows where my mind was heading. Before long I would be planning weddings and naming our kids.

  "I'm Jimmy, I feel like I should introduce myself since you’re riding in my truck." Jimmy laughs.

  She laughs too. "I'm Shay. And you’re right, I don't make a habit of hopping into random trucks," she says smiling.

  Shay, that's a great name, I think to myself, and when she isn’t being bitchy there is a smoothness to her voice, she has the kind of voice that makes you want to have her read you a bedtime story.

  Seriously? What the fuck is wrong with me tonight?

  "This douche here is Luke, sorry he has zero manners and has been nothing but a tool since you met him."

  I stare daggers at him. I don't need him humiliating me too. She just laughs. "Nice to meet you douche." I scowl, not really at her, mostly Jimmy, but it only makes her smile bigger.

  Jimmy laughs "So where are we taking you?"

  She looks ahead "Take a left on Perry, and it's the 3rd house on the right, about a mile down."

  "Oh wow, you would be walking forever, is your car in the shop or something?"

  She looks out the window, sighs, and says "It's a long story, thanks for everything though."

  This girl is a mystery. If I had time for mysteries in my life I would be intrigued. But I have too much going on, not to mention she is kind of a bitch, and way too closed off. Too much work, I like for my life to be as easy as possible. I invest all my time in ball, and girls are usually just
there for a nice, short distraction.

  I'm not looking for a relationship, and honestly, she just screams relationship type. I can tell by the way she looks, and the way she avoids answering certain questions that she has a story. I remind myself that this is why I keep Valerie around, no matter how annoying she is, I know that she is willing to give me what I need with no commitment from me. She will do what I ask without any questions, and never expecting anything in return.

  I just keep telling myself that I need to get the dark-haired mystery girl out of my mind, Shay, mystery girl has a name now. That will make it even harder to forget that she exists.

  Chapter Five

  Shay

  I'm thankful to these guys for picking me up, well mainly just thankful to Jimmy. Luke has just been sitting in the passenger seat brooding since I got in. I can't wait to get out of this truck though, Jimmy is asking too many questions, questions I'm not willing to give answers to.

  When he pulls up to Tammy's house, I'm relieved. I'm ready to see my boy, and I know Tammy will give us a ride to my house. The last thing I want is for these guys to see where I live. I don't need that judgment.

  "Thanks again for the ride Jimmy, you don't know how much I appreciate it."

  "Anytime Shay, see ya around." He waves and drives off.

  I sigh and turn towards Tammy's house. She opens up just as I'm about to knock. "Who was that good-looking guy that dropped you off?" She smirks.

  "Just a good Samaritan," I say. "How was Ryder tonight?"

  She laughs at my subject change and says, "He was an angel, as usual, go grab him and I'll give you guys a lift home."

  "Thanks, Tam, I'll be so happy to get home and get off my feet. I have to work the morning shift at the grocery store, but I'll take Ry to Becca's house so you can get some rest."

  "Not necessary,” Tammy says, “I love this little boy so much and enjoy having him here. Call me in the morning if it's still raining and I'll come get you guys. And Shay, you work so hard, you deserve to have some fun you know. Someone your age should be able to get out and have some fun sometimes.”