Double Play (T.Jones)

Chapter 11: Turn Two

"Hey guys." I managed to get the words out of my mouth when Tanner finally led us to the team.

To no surprise, Zach stepped up first. He walked right up next to me, and put his arm around me.

"Hey Kayla!" He kissed me on the cheek, and smiled back at the team. I gave a weak smile, trying to play along.

"Wha- Kayla, what in the hell?" My brother stuttered. 

I saw Tanner, looking stunned. And it occurred to me, that this Zach thing might be a good thing. 

If Tanner wanted to play a game, then I would too.

"Oh Ryan! I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Zach." I intertwined his fingers into mine and we smiled, both of us staring down Tanner.

Tyler was the first to react, "Jokes over." He laughed. The only funny thing was, he thought we were joking.

"What joke?" Zach asked, looking completely serious.

Then it washed over them, literal anger at its finest skittered across the whole team's faces.

"Whatever." Tanner said calmly. But I could see it in his eyes, he was hurt. His bright aura faded, and his eyes were no longer teal, but a cold navy. It was a side of Tanner, I had never wanted to see.

At least, until now. Now, I was happy he was hurt. 

Because with him, its like a double play. Turn two. He's always had to go that extra step, and today, right now, I could get two outs just as much as he could. 

-

Later in the day, more people were starting to show up. Most, I realized, were girls. And, 9/10 of them, were dressed like they were going to a Rave. My thoughts immediately raced to Tanner. And then, just as soon as they were there, they disappeared. 

I saw Ryley in the crowd. I figured he couldn't hear me if I yelled his name, so I Snapchatted him.

Within seconds, he opened, and started walking my way. But what caught my eye the most, was that he walked right through all the girls. Something Tanner had  never done.

"Ryley!" I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around him, he returned the favor.

"Kayla! What's going on? We haven't talked since you hung up on me." He said sassily.

"Hm yeah sorry about that," I laughed, "I wasn't feeling good that day, and I didn't want to throw up on camera." I lied just as easily as before. 

"Ah, well I hope you're feeling better." He smiled.

I didn't know what to say, so I did what I always went to, I just looked in his eyes.

For some reason, I couldn't stop comparing him to Tanner.

At the moment, I was finding a lot more pros than cons.

He grinned as I looked at him, and I grinned back. He took my hand.

"Listen, I've got to go, the boys are waiting. But I'll see you later." He squeezed my hand and walked away.

A flash of yellow in the corner of my eye caught my attention.

It was Tanner, for a split second he made eye contact with  me, blinked and walked away. I could've sworn I saw a tear in his eye.