Double Play (T.Jones)

Chapter 15: Takes Time

It was a great day; the stadium was packed, the boys were walking around making new friends, and everyone was getting along.

It didn't last as long as I had hoped.

The boys walked towards the parents and I, and we were all talking about how surreal the win was. I noticed Zach was missing, but it didn't take long for him to appear. 

He strolled up towards us, and gave all of the kids a head nod. 

"Hey Kay!" He smiled. 

My face went white, I knew what he was doing. I knew he saw me kiss Tanner.

His eyes glanced down to my neck, where the silver necklace lay unbothered.

He knew. 

I tried to compose a quick plan, I needed any distraction I could get. Zach was like Tanner, he says stuff he means. He wasn't going to let me go loose on this plan of his, so I figured, if he wanted to a play a game. Then I would too. 

My veins rushed blood to my fast pumping heart, and sweat trickled down my forehead. 

"Uh, hey! Why don't Zach and I get some food for us all." I muttered, grabbed his arm, and dragged him away from the parents as fast as possible.

When we were out of earshot, I grabbed his shirt.

We were face to face, and he just smirked.

"Ew." I rolled my eyes, and let go, "Fine, I'll have to talk to you like this." I crossed my arms, "I just have on serious question, what do you want from me Zach?" 

"I told you, and you agreed. I saw you and Tanner. And, you were wrong. Something is stopping you guys and it's me. So don't go promising him that you guys are forever. You will never be, because I won't let you." He stared me down.

"You know what? You're a dick. I don't know any guy, ever, that would do this. Maybe if you weren't a jerk, Jenna would like you back." I retorted. 

"It's not just about Jenna, Tanner can't be better than-"

"Zach for real. You know Tanner and Tyler and the whole entire team aren't better than you. You're the best player, and even if you weren't, this is about sharing the spotlight with the team. No one's going to recruit you if you only care about your stats, its a team effort, and you can' t understand that." I turned to walk around, but something stopped me, it was Zach's face.

For once, it wasn't anger or envy, but instead it was a nostalgic and worried look. 

"Am I really?" He asked, his voice weak.

"A good player? Yeah." 

"No, a dick. Is that why Jenna doesn't like me?" He pleaded for answers.

"Oh, yeah you are. But things can change Zach. I don't know Jenna's feelings, but you're a great guy inside, and I think that if you try and have a better attitude and not be so cocky, you two will end up together. Love takes time." I reassured him.

"But you and Tanner took like a week." He argued, clearly upset.

"Tanner and I have liked each other for a long time, and some people are worth it. Love doesn't happen over night. Now please don't say anything Zach. Tanner means so much to mean, I can't afford to lose all that I have worked for. Both of us are finally happy." I pleaded.

He sighed, "Fine." 

He walked away, and starting texting on his phone immediately. 

I knew it was Jenna and I knew he was going to try and do anything to get with her. Because people do crazy things in the name of love.

-

"Alright everyone, we're going to make the signs in my room, good?" I asked the crowd of siblings. The boys had their game against Mid Atlantic today, and we were going to come prepared with tons of signs. They were worth rallying for. 

All the kids gathered the crayons, markers, and glitter into my hotel room. My parents were out shopping, they said they wanted the full experience. I think they just wanted to get away from me. 

After we settled in, we had about 7 signs in the first 10 minutes, and they looked great. 

I was coloring in a sign for my brother, when one of the younger siblings approached me. 

"Hey." She said, it was Easton's little sister, she was around 9 or 10.

"Hi!" I smiled, handing her a crayon and she started to help me color. 

"So, are you and Tanner boyfriend and girlfriend?" She asked.

My hand stopped its graceful strokes and the yellow 'O' paused.

"No, we're best friends." I smiled weakly.

"Oh. You two are what I want when I'm older." She said innocently.

I just laughed. It was weird to think that someone looked up to me, and then I realized that a ton of people looked up to the boys. They were playing on National Television, and so many little kids were being inspired. 

After all, I was inspired. 

I was inspired to keep Tanner and I going, for us, the little girl, and for our future. For forever.