Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2)(110)

Chris’s muscles ripple as he inches near me. “You’ve changed      since she’s come to Groveton and I’m not sure I like it. It was us and      baseball—what you used to care about. Then she comes around and it’s me, you,      Beth, writing, and sometimes baseball. You never once talked about going to      college and now you want to walk from the pros. Who the hell are you?”

Who the hell am I? Who the hell is the guy in front of me? I      step within swinging distance and, for the first time in my life, I’m willing to      hit my best friend. “I’m the same damn guy who’s led this team year after year      and I’m the same damn guy who encouraged you to date our best friend. I can’t      help it you never looked close enough to see I could be more than a man with a      ball and a bat.”

We stare at each other. Unblinking. Unmoving. Until Chris      flexes his fingers and gestures to a box of studded condoms. “That’s some freaky      shit too.”

I pull on the bill of my hat. What the hell? Part of me wants      to punch him. Part of me wants to ask what just happened between us. I go the      easy route and let Chris off the hook. “Show me what you get.”

What if she is into freaky shit? What if she wants ribbed? When      do you need lubricated? I don’t even want to think about the kind that says      they’ll make her tingle.

“Does she have a latex allergy? That could suck if she does.      I’ve heard stories of girls puffing up like blowfish and having to be rushed to      the emergency room.”

My heart stops. “Really?”

“Naw, I’m messing with you, but I’d ask about the latex allergy      before you put it on.”

Two teenage girls walk down the aisle. One sips on a slushy and      twirls her hair. They glance at each other and giggle. Heat rises on the back of      my neck.

“I’m not you, Ry,” Chris says after they round the corner. “I’m      not going to college and I don’t have the pros knocking on my door. Winning      state this year, that’s my dream, and I need you in order to complete it.      Promise me that you won’t let anything get in the way of that.”

Since I was seven years old I’ve glanced to my right and seen      Chris backing me up between third and second. He saved plays I screwed up      because of my pitch. My insides twist with the startling revelation—regardless      of the path I choose, come graduation, Chris isn’t going to be the guy on my      right anymore. “You guys can take Eastwick without me and you know it. Northside      is the team with the hitters. In the spring, we’re going to state. The only game      I’m missing is Saturday and I wouldn’t walk away if I didn’t believe that you      guys have it covered.”

Chris studies me and I silently urge him to be okay with this.      He’s my best friend and I need us to be okay. He      offers me his hand and I exhale.

“Swear it, dawg.”

I clasp it. “Sworn.”

An easy grin spreads across his face. “Pick something out and      let’s get out of here.”

I try one more time. “Tell me what you get.”

Chris places his hands on his hips. “I’ve never bought condoms      before. Lacy wants to wait until we graduate.”





Chapter 54

Beth

IT’S FRIDAY NIGHT      and I inhale deeply before I knock. I have three days left until I leave. Ryan      deserves better than me, but tonight I can pretend I’m good enough. The door      opens and my heart starts, stops, and skips over itself when Ryan flashes that      glorious smile with the right mixture of warmth and dimples.

“Hi,” he says. His voice alone creates pleasing goose bumps      on my arms.

“Hey.” I’m going to       make love to you tonight. Feeling shy, I glance away and I want to      kick myself. Where’s the girl who could frighten football players with one      look?

“You’re early.” Ryan closes the door and I move straight for      his bedroom. Twice, Ryan tried to convince me to hang in another room, but being      anywhere else in his perfect house reminds me that I can never measure up.

“Scott and Allison went to bed early.” I lean against the      door frame to his room and try to calm the thousands of feathers swirling in my      stomach. “Chris isn’t stopping by, is he?”