Throw Me A Curve

  PROLOGUE

  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

  EPILOGUE

  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.

  Cover Design by Ashley Estep

  Editing by Ashley Estep

  To The Cookie Jar, here’s to ghost & alien romances, the weird direction our conversations take, cheering each other on, and hopefully a lifetime of friendship.

  You’re stuck with me now.

  Intentions- Justin Bieber

  Just to See You Smile- Tim McGraw

  Cuz I Love You- Lizzo

  Adore You- Harry Styles

  Gives You Hell- The All- American Rejects

  Hate That I Love You- Rihanna

  No Right to Love You- Rhys Lewis

  Girls Like You- Maroon 5

  River of Tears- Alessia Cara

  Stilettos- Kelsea Ballerini

  Love Me Like You Mean It- Kelsea Ballerini

  Breakers- Thompson Square

  Sun Will Rise- Kate Voegele

  Messy- Kiiara

  Too Much to Ask- Niall Horan

  The Way I Loved You- Taylor Swift

  Perfect for Me- Justin Timberlake

  All I Want- Kodaline

  Never Say Never- The Fray

  Wait- M83

  Leave A Light On- Tom Walker

  Last Time I Say Sorry- Kane Brown & John Legend

  PROLOGUE

  Seven Years Earlier

  “Dude, why do we always have to bring Morgan when we go play?” Greyson whines, as we climb the concrete steps to her house.

  Morgan lives in the biggest house in the neighborhood, and that’s saying a lot because all the houses here are practically mansions.

  Her dad is some kind of doctor, a surgeon, I think. As far as I can tell, her mom stays at home every day.

  “Because she’s my best friend,” I say glaring over at him.

  Morgan is the first person I met when we moved to Colorado. I never cared that she was a girl. She loves baseball, playing sports, and all the same things that boys like.

  “I thought I was your best friend.” Greyson says with a frown.

  “You’re my boy best friend. She’s my girl best friend. There’s a difference.” I say with a shrug as I ring the doorbell.

  “Whatever.” He mutters under his breath, and I roll my eyes.

  He doesn’t get it.

  We both turn our heads when Morgan swings the door open.

  “What took you guys so long?” She says with an overdramatic sigh.

  I can tell she’s already been playing without us because her knees and hands are dirty. Her white sneakers are muddy, and her long blonde hair is plastered to her face like she’s been swimming.

  “Ashley is already here. We’ve been down at the creek.”

  I roll my eyes. Ashley is Morgan’s first best friend. The one she’s known her whole life. I don’t know what it’s like to have one of those. I’ve had a pretty crazy life until now.

  “Well, it’s Greyson’s fault. If he wasn’t so slow, we would have been here twenty minutes ago.”

  Greyson glares at me and stomps out back towards the creek in the woods. It’s our secret hang out spot.

  Morgan shrugs her shoulders at me, grabs my hand, and pulls me towards the woods.

  I see Ashley standing at the edge of the tree line with her hands on her hips. I guess she’s just as excited to see me as I am her. My mom calls some of the little girls in her kindergarten class sassy, that’s how I would describe Ashley.

  She’s got her eyes narrowed at me, but I know she’ll be nice because even though I think she might hate me, she’s always sugary sweet when Morgan is around.

  “Hi, boys. It took you long enough.” She says with a little huff.

  “It’s fine. They’re here now, so let’s go fish.” Morgan says to her with a smile.

  We trudge through the mud in the woods, careful to avoid any branches and make our way to the creek. When we get to the clearing, I see fishing poles, a blanket, and a picnic basket. That’s the good thing about Ashley, she always makes sure she brings us snacks.

  “Yes! What did you bring this time, Ash?” Greyson says, as he immediately makes his way over to the basket.

  “No! Greyson, stay out, it’s not time for snacks yet, you just got here!” She swats at his hands, as he’s trying to reach inside.

  Morgan and I look at each other and laugh. “Let’s fish.” She says to me.

  We both grab a pole and head to the edge of the creek.

  “Have you been swimming today?” I ask her, curiously, because she looks like she has.

  I see a blush creep up in her cheeks.

  “No, um, I sort of slid into the water earlier.” She says with an embarrassed chuckle.

  I laugh so hard. I’m doubling over and slapping my knee. Her blush turns into a glare, and before I even know what’s happening, she’s shoved me into the creek. Mom is going to kill me.

  “Hey! What was that for? Act like you wouldn’t laugh if the same thing happened to me.” I say with a grumble. I’m not really mad, but she doesn’t need to know that.

  “You’re right, but I’m still not sorry.” She says, as she sticks her tongue out at me.

  I pull myself up out of the creek and grab my fishing pole.

  “Okay, we’re even now.” I say with a laugh, as we bait our hooks and throw them out.

  I glance over at Ashley and Greyson and see that they’re still arguing over snacks. Doesn’t she realize when it comes to snacks you can’t win with Greyson? I shake my head.

  “Those two fight like cats and dogs.” Morgan says with a laugh.

  We spend the next hour fishing, and then Ashley finally lets us eat some snacks. We are all sitting on the blanket and watching the sun go down. It’s almost time for me to head home. If I don’t leave soon, my mom will be calling.

  “What do you think it will be like when we get to high school?” Greyson says as he stares out over the water.

  “I try not to think about that. I’m only 10.” I say with a laugh.

  “I’ll tell you what’s going to happen,” Ashley says, sure of herself. “Morgan and Ryder are going to be boyfriend and girlfriend.” She gives us both a smug smile.

  I grimace, and Morgan’s eyes go wide, like she can’t believe Ashely would ever even consider such a thing.

  “Uh, I don’t think so. I don’t like girls.” I say, shrugging her off.

  “Y
eah, you don’t like girls now, stupid, but you will in the next few years.” She says with a smirk.

  “Okay, that’s enough of that.” Morgan interrupts as she wipes some crumbs off on her jeans.

  “It’s time for me to go, anyway.” I say.

  Greyson stands up and we both start to help clean up the mess.

  “Don’t worry about this, we got it. I don’t want you guys to get in trouble.” Morgan tells us, as she grabs the blanket and starts to fold it up.

  “Okay, well, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I say, and Greyson and I turn to leave.

  We are about halfway through the woods when Greyson turns to me.

  “Do you think that’s true?” He asks me.

  I look over at him, confused, “Do I think what’s true?” I ask.

  “That you and Morgan will love each other when we get older?”

  I stare off ahead of us. I’m only ten. I don’t see myself loving anyone for a while.

  I shrug my shoulders, “If she still loves baseball, then why not?”

  He looks at me, like what I said makes complete sense. I guess between a couple ten-year-old boys it does make perfect sense. Why wouldn’t you love the girl that loves baseball?

  Chapter One

  Morgan

  “Morgan!” I hear my mom scream my name for about the tenth time this morning.

  I continue to lay in bed, hoping she will stop eventually, but I guess it’s going to be one of those mornings at the Wilson house.

  I sigh, frustrated, and climb out of bed. I head downstairs and find my mom standing behind the island in the kitchen.

  This house is way too big, and way too fancy, for just the three of us. Especially since my dad is never here. It’s just a ton of empty rooms.

  “Yes, mom.” I say, with a huff.

  “Don’t get an attitude with me. I’ve been hollering for you for the last twenty minutes. Show me some respect.”

  I roll my eyes at her. Show her some respect? Does she not realize that I know she’s already slipped some vodka in her orange juice this morning? I can also guarantee she’s had at least 2 Vicodin since she’s been awake.

  “Please, act like you care anything about me. You must need something if you’ve gone to all this trouble to make a conversation with me this morning.”

  She glares at me, and I know I’ve hit a nerve.

  “You need to take this paperwork to your dad. He left it at home this morning, and he needs it at his office. Cut your shit out. I don’t have the patience to deal with you today.” She says with a flip of her hand as she stalks out of the room.

  I guarantee dad wanted her to bring this to the office, but she can’t be bothered with that.

  I head upstairs to change and shoot Ryder a text letting him know that I’ll be over a little later than I planned now that I have something extra to do today.

  I pull up some dark skinny jeans and throw on a Mountaineers t-shirt. This is my usual attire. I’ve never been much a girly girl. My best friend Ashley always tells me that it’s such a waste that I’m not because I’m so beautiful, but I’m pretty sure she has to say stuff like that since we’re best friends. I throw my long, thick, blonde hair up in a messy bun, grab my car keys, dad’s paperwork, and head downtown to his office.

  My dad is a plastic surgeon. When I was little, I used to tell people he was a surgeon, because I was embarrassed that what he really did was make someone’s boobs a little bigger. Now that I’m older, I know that there is a lot more to it than that, and you can’t really hide things like that when your dad is the only plastic surgeon in town.

  The door to his office is locked, and I glance down at my phone and see he isn’t due to open for another half hour. I pull out my keys to unlock his door, and step inside. I’ve always hated the way his office smells, almost like a pool because it’s so clinical and clean.

  “Dad?” I call out but get no response. I know he’s here. I saw his car parked outback.

  I step inside the hallway that holds all the patient rooms, and I can hear him talking inside of his office.

  “Hey Daa.” I say as I pull his door open. Instead, I feel like vomit might come up.

  There’s my dad. Naked. Having sex with one of his receptionists on his desk.

  His eyes go wide, and he shoves Abbey to the side.

  “Oh shit, Oh my God, Morgan.” He stumbles out, but at this point there isn’t anything he can say.

  He tries to grab my arm, but I shake him off. “I don’t think you need to say anything. I’ve seen plenty.”

  I run out of his office. There isn’t really a need to run, I know he won’t chase me. He’s not that kind of dad. He would have to care enough.

  I slam the car door, and then the tears fall. I’m not really sure why I’m crying, we aren’t close, and I’m obviously not close with my mom. I know they don’t have a loving relationship. I think the tears are more out of embarrassment.

  I pull my phone from my pocket and call Ashley.

  “Hey, girl. What’s up?” She says.

  “Can I come by?” I manage to get out through the tears.

  “Yes, wait, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” I knew she would be able to tell something is up.

  “No, but I’ll tell you when I get there.”

  I hang up and drive the few miles down the road to Ashley’s house. She lives in the same neighborhood as Ryder. They both have nice houses, and they both also have great families.

  I haven’t even opened my door before she’s running out of her house. She puts my face in her hands.

  “What happened? Was it Ryder? I’ll kill him.”

  I jerk back. “What? Why would Ryder make me cry?” I say, confused, because she is way off.

  “Never mind, what happened?” She asks, as she pulls me out of my car.

  We sit down on the swing on her porch. This is our favorite place to talk. We have had many conversations here.

  “My mom was nagging me this morning.”

  “Of course, she was, that’s nothing new.” She says with a sigh.

  “Anyway, she was nagging me this morning, and told me I needed to take dad some paperwork to his office. The doors were still locked, so I went inside, and I found him and Abbey on his desk. I’m sure you can put the rest together.” I say, as I put my head in my hands, and feel the tears coming on again.

  “What? Are you kidding me? What a bastard!” She’s really angry, but she gets like that. She’s so protective of me. “What did you do?”

  “I just ran off, what could I do? I thought I was going to throw up.”

  “Oh my God Mor, I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’m so sorry your parents are such shitty people.” She says, and I know she truly means it. Ashley has been there for me from the beginning. She knows everything about me.

  Ryder is one of my best friends, but even he doesn’t know what really goes on at my house. I’d be too embarrassed to ever tell him.

  “What are you doing tonight? Do you want to sleepover?” Ashley asks.

  “Yeah, I just told Ryder I’d come over and take some swings so he can get a little practice in, but then I’ll be back.”

  She rolls her eyes at me. I know her feelings about Ryder. She doesn’t have to tell me. She thinks he’s a man whore, and that he’s going to break my heart.

  “Don’t even say it. He’s just my friend.” I say, as I wave to her and head to my car.

  Chapter Two

  Ryder

  “What are you doing out here?” Mom asks, as she slides the patio door open.

  “Just throwing the ball around until Morgan gets here. She’s supposed to take some swings for me so I can get some practice in.”

  “Is that all you ever do?” She says with a laugh.

  “Yeah, I guess it is.” I tell her, as I toss the ball over to her, knowing she will throw around with me until Morgan shows up.

  When I was a kid, we did this all the time. Things were kind of rough growing up, but I never felt an
ything but love from my mom. She made sure to take me to all my games and practices, no matter what she had going on.

  I may have been little when we lived in Illinois, but that doesn’t mean I don’t remember what she went through. I know my real dad was mean. I know he was addicted to drugs. My mom never tried to hide anything from me. When I was old enough to understand she sat me down and we talked about it.

  What she doesn’t know is I remember a lot. I remember things that happened to her that I wished I didn’t. There is no one in this world that is stronger than my mom.

  She tosses the ball back to me, just like I knew she would.

  “How is practice going? Do you think you’re ready for tryouts?”

  “I do. Jimmy has taught me so much. I don’t think I’d be nearly as ready as I am now without him.”

  She smiles over at me. I can see the love in her eyes. It feels like so long ago that she was so scared to admit she loved him. They had a long road to get where they are now, but I couldn’t be happier for them. Their wedding day is only six months away and I know she’s getting nervous.

  “I think it’s like the highlight of Jimmy’s day helping you practice. I know he doesn’t talk about it much, but he misses ball since he retired.”

  I see the sadness in her eyes, and I know she’s thinking about Luke. Everyone’s lives changed when we lost him. Mom lost the love of her life, Jimmy lost his best friend, Ava lost her dad, and I lost someone that I’ve looked up to since I was four years old. A little piece of all of us left when Luke died.

  But Jimmy didn’t just lose a best friend, he also lost his love for the ball. I can’t imagine what it would feel like if that ever happened. Baseball is my life. I plan for it to take me far, and I just want to make everyone proud.

  “Alright kid, I’ve got to go check on the girls, but this was nice, remember when we used to do this all the time?”

  “Of course, I do, mom.” She walks over to me and kisses me on the head and then ruffles my hair. “Mom, really?” She laughs and shakes her head as she heads inside the house. I hear her say hello to Morgan.

  The patio door slides open, and Morgan walks out.