Throw Me A Curve Read online

  “What’s up, loser?” She says with a smirk.

  “It took you long enough. I was about to give up on you.” I say with an overdramatic sigh. I’m messing with her, but something like sadness crosses over her face. “Is everything okay?” I ask her.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. I had to stop by Ashley’s on the way over. We’re planning a girl’s night tonight.”

  I roll my eyes. Ashley annoys me. I tolerate her for Morgan, and I think Greyson might have a crush on her, even though he tries to deny it on a daily basis.

  “Don’t roll your eyes. You two fight like brother and sister.” Morgan laughs. She’s not wrong. I do consider Ashley like a sister to me, but like your annoying little sister that you have to get along with because Mom says so.

  “What are you doing tonight?” She asks me, as she grabs her bat out of her bag and heads to her normal practice spot in the yard.

  “I’m not sure. I haven’t talked to Greyson since last night. He mentioned something about a party yesterday.”

  Now it’s her turn to roll her eyes at me. “Typical baseball players. Going to parties and letting all the girls hang all over you.” I laugh at her.

  “I wish girls were hanging all over me.” She chooses that moment to crack a ball off the bat, right at my face. I duck down right on time.

  “What the hell, Morgan?” I say as I’m lying on my stomach on the ground.

  Meanwhile, she’s sitting on her butt laughing hysterically. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she was purposely trying to hit me with that.

  “Oh my God, I wish you could have seen your face.” She has tears streaming down her face now.

  “You’re such an asshole.” I say with a huff. “You could have hit me straight in the face.”

  “Okay, you big baby. I get it. Don’t get your panties in a knot.” She says with a laugh.

  “Please don’t ever say panties again.” I say. And I mean it. She stands up and wipes the dirt off her pants, but her t-shirt is riding up and I get a glimpse of her stomach. Something stirs in me, and I immediately shake it off. What the hell is wrong with me?

  “What’s wrong?”

  “What do you mean, what’s wrong?” I ask, looking at her confused.

  “Well, you were just giving me a really disgusted look. I thought there was something wrong.”

  I shake my head and start warming up again.

  “It’s nothing.”

  She shrugs and gets herself into a batter’s stance. We practice for about an hour before she says she needs to head out.

  As she’s packing up her bag, mom sticks her head out the patio door.

  “Hey, Morgan, don’t forget tomorrow afternoon you have a girls’ day with Em and me. It’s time to find those bridesmaid dresses.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of forgetting.” Morgan says genuinely and smiles over at my mom.

  Those two are pretty close. I know mom considers her like a daughter.

  After she leaves, I shoot Greyson a text and ask him what he’s up to tonight, and then hop in the shower. Trying desperately to erase memories of Morgan and her tan and lean stomach from my mind.

  Once I’m out of the shower, I find Greyson sitting on the edge of my bed.

  “What’s up, man?”

  “Nothing, I texted you back, but you didn’t answer so I just came over.”

  “It’s cool, I was going to tell you to come by, anyway. So, what’s going on tonight?”

  “Well, my brother is going to a party out at Jake’s cabin. He said we could go, but if we drink and act stupid, he doesn’t know us.”

  “I don’t think I’ll drink, anyway.” I admit. To be honest, I’ve seen people do some shitty things while drunk, and it just doesn’t appeal to me.”

  “Sorry, man.” Greyson says, as he puts his hand through his hair uncomfortably.

  “It’s fine. You know I don’t like to make a big deal about things. Plus, won’t you need a babysitter?” I say with a laugh.

  “My brother would kill me if I went to a party and got shitfaced, he would hold it over my head for the rest of my life.” He’s not lying, his brother is an ass.

  After I’m dressed, we head downstairs, so I can talk to my mom about going. I always try to be as honest as I can with her, it’s just how I’ve always been. I don’t like to cause her any more grief than necessary, she’s already been through too much.

  I find her in the kitchen cooking dinner. Sloan is sitting in the highchair. The music is up, and mom is dancing around the island. Greyson is standing next to me in the doorway and we turn to each other and grin.

  “Your mom is the best.” He says with a smile.

  He’s not wrong. All my friends love my mom. I think it has something to do with her being so young. She was fourteen when she had me, so she can relate to us pretty well.

  “Yeah, she is.” I agree.

  “Oh my God, you guys scared me.” She says, as she puts her hand up to her chest. She’s laughing, but I know she’s embarrassed.

  “Hey, is it okay if I go to a party with Greyson tonight? His brother will be there.” I don’t think she will say no, but every time I ask, I always feel like I’m pushing it.

  “A party? You’re only fifteen, Ryder.”

  “I know. Some of the guys from the team will be there. It would be cool to get to hang out with them. Now that I’m a sophomore I need to start making relationships with them.” I’m laying it on thick right now.

  “Ryder.” She says, hesitant. “Okay, but please keep in contact with me. I don’t really feel like this is the right choice, but I know how important it is for you to hang out with the team. Just please make good choices.”

  She says that to me all the time. I know it’s because of the all the bad choices she made when she was young, but I wish she would just trust me a little.

  “I will, Mom. I promise.” I walk over and kiss her on the cheek and then head out.

  “I wish I could just go to my mom like that and not have to lie.” Greyson says.

  He is always lying to his mom. It makes me grateful that me and mom have the relationship we do. I can’t imagine ever keeping anything from her.

  Chapter Three

  Morgan

  I pull into Ashley’s driveway and see that Stefanie is already there. Ashley and I have been friends since we were in Kindergarten. Stefanie moved here when we were in sixth grade, and we have all been attached at the hip ever since.

  I can hear their music playing from outside, so that means Ashley’s parents aren’t home. I’m not surprised, because while they are awesome people, they aren’t so awesome in the being there for their kid department.

  “Hello??” I call out over the music.

  “We’re back here.” Ashley yells. I make my way to the back of the house towards her bedroom.

  They’re both dancing around the room with charcoal face masks on, passing a bottle of tequila back and forth. I stand in the doorway and laugh.

  Nothing is better than having a solid girl friendship. It’s nice to know I always have these two girls that will go to bat for me. Sure, Ryder is a great best friend, but he can’t relate to me like these two do.

  “I see Ryder and Greyson went to the party at the Cabin for the baseball team.” Stefanie says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

  “Yeah, he mentioned something about a party earlier when I was there.” I take a swig of the bottle and pass it to Ashley.

  “He’s going to be such a douchebag this year.” She takes her drink and sets the bottle on the floor.

  “Oh, don’t start this.” I roll my eyes at her as Stefanie laughs.

  “Looks like our favorite person is there too.” Ashley says snidely.

  I know she’s talking about Chloe. Chloe Anderson has been in our class since Kindergarten. She used to be friends with us, until something happened, and she decided it was more fun to make fun of us. She’s a grade-A bitch. She’s also obsessed with Ryder and is convinced I have a thi
ng for him, too, so she makes it her personal mission to make my life a living hell.

  “Nobody cares about her.” Stefanie says, as she casually scrolls through Instagram.

  We all sit down on the bedroom floor, and I shift uncomfortably in my spot. I don’t know why I have this strange feeling in my gut knowing that Chloe and Ryder are at the same party. They are in a different social class than I am. It’s not unusual that they are at the same place. I don’t go to parties. I play soccer and hang out with the girls when I’m not playing baseball with Ryder in his backyard.

  “I honestly don’t know how your still friends with the guy, Mor.” Ashley says with a shrug. I know she worries about me.

  “Because he’s hot, duh.” Stefanie claps back instantly.

  I throw the pillow next to me at her face.

  “That is not why I hang out with him.” I say with a laugh.

  “Please, don’t act like you don’t notice how hot the guy is.” She says with an overdramatic sigh, as she fans herself.

  “You are such a dumbass.” Ashley says with a laugh.

  “I guarantee you Morgan and Ryder end up together in the end. They’re meant to be, and it’s obvious. You just don’t want anyone taking your best friend away, but don’t forget I’m still here.” Stefanie says with a roll of her eyes.

  “You both are stupid.” I say, as my phone chimes with a text message.

  Ryder: This party is lame. I thought parties in high school were supposed to be this amazing thing.

  Morgan: All the cool kids say they are.

  Ryder: Guess I’m not one of the “cool kids”.

  Morgan: Yet, you still go to every party.

  “EARTH TO MORGAN.” Ashley says, waving her hands in front of my face. “We’ve been talking to you for like five minutes, and your off in la la land.”

  “You seriously have the goofiest grin on your face right now.” Stefanie says with a laugh, as she attempts to grab my phone.

  “Okay, okay. Sorry. I’m listening. What were you saying?”

  “Well, before you so rudely started ignoring us Stefanie here was telling us that Aiden has been asking about you.”

  I look up, kind of surprised. Aiden is one of the football players from school. I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t hot. We have Spanish class together, and we’ve been partners on a project for a couple weeks now, but I had no idea he even thought about me outside of class.

  “Seriously?”

  “Oh yeah, Kyle told me this morning that he and Aiden were hanging out and when Aiden found out that you and I were good friends, he started asking twenty questions. Guy is seriously interested in you.” She says with a shrug. As if it’s not a huge deal that one of the best-looking guys in school all of a sudden has a thing for me.

  I look over at Ashley, and she has the biggest grin on her face.

  “Oh no, nope. You are not playing matchmaker right now.” I shake my head.

  “I’m so sorry. I guess now wouldn’t be a good time to tell you that I invited him and a couple of other guys over?” She says with a smug smile and a shrug.

  “You have got to be kidding me.” I say with a huff as I stand up and head to the bathroom.

  “Don’t make it such a big deal. It will be fun. We can go out back and swim, and I’ll order a pizza.”

  I shut the bathroom door behind me and sigh. Those two are so confident around guys, and I’m not. I’m not mad at her for inviting guys over, I’m mad at myself for always feeling so uncomfortable. I need to learn how to step out of my shell a little bit. Maybe a night like tonight can help with that?

  The girls try to do some kind of horrible makeover on me, but I draw the line. I’m a minimal makeup, jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. I always have been. I might be uncomfortable talking to a guy, but I still wouldn’t change my appearance for one.

  An hour later, I find myself standing on Ashley’s patio in a skimpy white bikini. I couldn’t fight them about the bathing suit since I showed up tonight without one. This was also the best option out of Ashley’s tiny bikini choices.

  I feel Ashley come up beside me. “Don’t be nervous, Mor. You look beautiful, and any guy would be lucky to get to know you.” I smile over at her and she puts her arm over my shoulder.

  “How did you know I was nervous?”

  “Because I know you.” She says with a smile, and I hear her doorbell ring in the distance.

  She and Stefanie run off towards the door and leave me standing on the patio. My nerves are shot.

  One by one several people jump into the pool, and I feel someone walk up behind me.

  “Hey.” Aiden says.

  I look over at him and watch as he eyes me up and down, and I feel myself stiffen up. Also, I’m about 100% sure that my entire face is as red as a tomato right now.

  “Hey, Aiden. How are you?” I say nervously. I’m well aware that I’m being super awkward right now.

  “I’m good. Do you want to sit down and talk?” He asks, as he motions towards the table and chairs.

  “Sure.”

  I grab my t-shirt and throw it on. I’m not going to sit here and talk to him in a tiny bikini. Although, I’m starting to think he might enjoy that.

  We talk for a while, mostly about Spanish and football. He asks me about the upcoming soccer season, and honestly, I’m enjoying myself.

  A few hours pass, and the guys are getting ready to leave. Aiden pulls me over behind Ashley’s shed in her backyard. It feels like my heartbeat kicks up like a thousand notches.

  “Do you think I could get your phone number?” He asks, as he sticks his hands in his pockets. He almost seems nervous.

  “Sure, I’d like that.” I smile at him and take his phone. After I put my number in, I snap a silly picture of myself and save it into his contacts.

  He smiles at me and grabs my hand. I feel a lump in my throat.

  “I’m glad I came by tonight.” He says, as he looks into my eyes, and he looks like he means it.

  “Me too. I’ll talk to you later then?” I ask. He nods, running to catch up with the guys.

  Once they’re gone the girls are grilling me about what we talked about.

  Later, when we’re all laying down on the floor of Ashley’s room, I pull my phone out. I haven’t been on it since before the guys got here.

  Ryder: I think I’m done with parties. I’d much rather hang out with you anyway.

  Ryder: Morgan? Are you there?

  Ryder: Never mind. I see you’re busy. Nice.

  I look down at my phone, confused. He sees I’m busy? That was sent like an hour ago. What is he talking about? I shake my head. Sometimes Ryder gets just as emotional as a girl.

  I pull up Instagram and start scrolling. I see Ashley posted some pictures from tonight so I’m flipping through them. Then I see it. There is a picture of Aiden and me sitting at the patio table. It’s a really cute picture. We’re both smiling at each other, and you can clearly see we’re having a good time. We make a pretty good-looking couple. I could see myself spending more time with him.

  Wait, a second. Is this what Ryder’s mad about? Why would he care if I was hanging out with Aiden? Ryder has never looked at me in any way besides just a friend. Last year all I wanted was for him to see me differently, but when I realized it wasn’t going to happen, I got over it. Surely his feelings haven’t changed.

  I sigh and put my phone down. Why do guys have to be so complicated?

  Chapter Four

  Ryder

  I’m pissed. This party sucks. I’ve been sitting on this couch for the past hour waiting on Morgan to respond. I heard a couple girls next to me talking about Aiden and Morgan, and I was confused. I didn’t even know they knew each other. I pulled out my phone and started scrolling Instagram and then I saw it.

  Ashley had just posted some pictures from her house. Looks like they had some people over. There’s a picture of Morgan, my Morgan, cozied up to Aiden.

  I get off the couch in search of Greyson.
I need to get out of here. Also, I’m not really sure what I’m so pissed off about it. It’s not like Morgan’s my girlfriend or anything. I don’t see her like that. Even when I’m thinking it, I know I’m lying to myself. For the past few months, I’ve been feeling more uncomfortable around her. It’s like she’s changed. I’m drawn to her, and instead of getting awkward with her. I find myself getting snippy with her.

  I find Greyson in a back room of the cabin with some girl from school.

  “Seriously, dude?” I say. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Does it look like I am?” He asks with a laugh.

  “Okay, then, I’m going to head out.” I say as I gesture towards the door.

  “How are you going to get home? I drove.”

  “I’ll figure it out.”

  I head out the door. I’m pissed because I forgot he drove. I also don’t want to call mom or Jimmy because I know they’re probably sleeping. It’s only ten and I still have an hour left until curfew.

  I blow out a frustrated breath and dial Morgan’s number.

  It sounds like she’s been sleeping when she picks up.

  “Ryder?” Her voice is raspy, and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t make me feel things that Morgan shouldn’t be making me feel.

  “Hey. Sorry I know it’s late. I’m walking down the street. I was ready to leave, but Greyson wasn’t and I didn’t want to call my mom.”

  “Send me your location. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She says with a sigh and hangs up.

  The air feels muggy tonight; the sky is clear, but it’s pretty much pitch dark on the road I’m walking on. I haven’t seen a car on the road since I started walking.

  Twenty minutes of walking later, I see headlights in the distance. I’m hoping it’s Morgan because even though I consider myself to be in pretty good shape, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tired of walking.

  The car slows down as it approaches, and I turn around and see Morgan behind the wheel.

  Once I’m in the car, I turn to tell her thanks and I feel like the air has left my lungs. She looks tired, but damn she looks beautiful. Her long blonde hair is piled on top of her head, she isn’t wearing any makeup, but her blue eyes are sparkling.