Is This Seat Taken?

Chapter 3

I looked up to try and read his emotions on his face but he just looked down at me and sighed.

"You know how happy I was in that relationship? I was so happy. I really thought we would make it through the rest of high school," Austin confessed.

I just sat there stunned that he was opening up to me. ME. We've never really gotten to know each other, because of course I hated him for hurting my best friend. But I mean I'm not going to ignore him when he's opening up to me.

"I gave her everything I could. Why is that never enough for girls? I CHANGED for her. I fucking changed for her. I made her my one and only. And what do I get in return? Half of our relationship being cheated on," he sighed.

I sat there, absorbing every word. I took the pause I took a moment to steal a glance up at him. He looked down at me and gave me a weak smile. He chuckled, "I don't know why I'm telling you this, you of all people."

"To be fair, you're the one who sat next to me," I said barely above a whisper, not wanting to make another scene. 

"Don't act like you're disappointed babe," Austin winked at me. And then and there all the sympathy I had built up for him was gone.

"I am not your 'babe'," I stated. I hated to be this harsh when he was just beginning to open up to me.

"Says the one who's kept my arm around her for the past thirty minutes," Austin chuckled.

I looked down and sure enough his arm was still there. "That doesn't prove anything," I protested.

"I think it proves that you're willing to date me to get Alex jealous," Austin blurted out.

My eyes darted up to him. I should've known he was opening up to me for a reason. But how did he have the balls to be so blunt about it? Austin interrupted my thoughts, "Look I know I'm not your favorite person, but I know you are the only girl that could actually make Alex jealous."

I knew exactly what he was talking about. Truth be told, I play softball too. Not many people at my school know about it though. How? I don't play on my high school's team. Alex already runs that joint and I don't need any more conflict with her. I play on travel teams; I'm actually ranked first in my state. Only a few people know, Kristie because she's my best friend, Alex because she's tenth in the state, and Austin because he knows all the best players in the nation.

"Kylie please...I-I'll help you with your swing," Austin hesitated.

My eyes lit up. Getting help from Austin Gray would be so valuable to my game. "You would?" I questioned.

"Only if you promise that you'll go along with it," Austin kept eye contact with me.

"Only if YOU promise you'll improve my swing," I bantered.

He broke a smile, "I think we have a deal."