Long Ball(2)

“My sister didn’t raise pigs, but she had a special bond with all of our chickens back on my parents’ farm. They chased me around the pen, but they flocked to her like she was one of their own. Unfortunately, I didn’t inherit her skill with the livestock.”

“She sounds amazing.” She leads me around to where her brother is standing proudly, chest puffed up, while judges examine his portly pig. “Animals always know someone’s true intentions. Maybe they knew you just wanted to eat them.”

“Guilty. Chicken is a real staple back home.” I think about placing my hand on her lower back, the desire so intense my hand itches. Instead, I scratch the back of my head.

“Home?” She turns to look at me and doesn’t falter when she notices how close we stand. “Where are you from?”

“I’ll tell you where I’m from…if you tell me your name.” I try to look nonchalant, even though my heart is hammering in my chest.

“What’s yours?”

“Ah, I asked first.”

She feigns seriousness and somehow becomes more beautiful. “Your chickens hated you. You might be a serial killer for all I know, getting your start with small livestock. I need to keep mine a secret until you tell me, to protect my life, obviously.”

“Would I need your name to kill you?” My eyes drift down to her low cut shirt and I have to drag them back up. The idea of putting my hands on her, in a very different way from how she’s teasing me, makes my jeans a little tight. “I mean, I could haul you off behind the stalls right now if I wanted.”

Her lips purse, just a little. “Maybe you’re a really smart killer.”

I laugh. “You assume too much.”

“Maybe, but admit it, it’s fun not knowing the person you’re talking to. There’s no strings attached, no expectations. Just two strangers sharing some sodas and some popcorn at a dusty fair.” Her smile lingers and I see her try to check me out without being obvious. Our eyes catch and she looks away.

I smile and watch her pull a sip of the dark colored liquid between her lips. Naughty thoughts fill my brain and it’s my turn to look away, studying the beer stand next to us. I’m a gentleman, always have been and always will be. My mother would murder me in my sleep if she ever caught wind I was anything but. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to deny the urges running through me.

“I like the accent. Where are you from, killer?” I like the way her mouth forms words. Her lips are full and smooth.

“We had a deal, remember?”

She shakes her blonde head like a halo. “I never agreed to such things. Self-preservation and all that.”

Out of the corner of my eye, Carter and Franklin appear. Franklin mimics something incredibly dirty with his beer bottle and winks at me, causing me to laugh uncomfortably. My mystery lady cocks her head to the side.

“I, um, I’m from Venezuela.” I hope she follows me down the path I’m foraging, away from Carter and Franklin’s insinuations. I’m a guy, a carnal one, but I could spend hours listening to her laugh. “I came here a few years ago to play baseball for the Storm Chasers.”

“Ahh.” She has a knowing smile that I can’t comprehend. “A Royals hopeful.”

“Is that bad?”

“No.” She shakes her head quickly. “No. That’s a big deal.”

“What about you? Any big dreams?”

My dream girl leans against a fence post and stares off into the distance. “I don’t know, really. Sometimes I think I can’t wait to get out of this town, with all the cows and the corn. Nebraska isn’t exactly the most exciting place in the world. But not having my family nearby would be so weird. Who would I hang out with?”

I laugh. “You make friends. But I understand.”

“You left your family back home, didn’t you?” Her face is etched in concern. She places a hand on my arm and my body temperature raises ten degrees.

I nod and swallow down the small lump in my throat. “I’m sending money to my parents for my little sister, Camila. She’s thirteen and wants to go to University. My parents don’t make much money, so I’m doing my part, even if it means I’m far away. She’s going to be an amazing veterinarian one day.”

“That’s so sweet.” She gasps. “It must be so lonely without them.”

“It’s okay, it was time for me to leave home. America is great and I’m loving life here. I miss Camila a lot, but I’m hoping she may want to come here for school, and we can take over America together.” I wink at her. “I’ll remember to think nicely of you when we do.”

“Why, sir, you are too kind.” She laughs and blushes and she’s perfect. “I guess this means I get a stay of execution.”

“Does that mean that I won’t kill you? Because I haven’t decided yet.”

Her laughter fills my ears and the empty spaces within like magic. My cheeks hurt from smiling and I don’t think there’s anyone more perfect in the entire world. We make our way around the fairgrounds to see all the animals—“Why do they smell so bad?” she moans. “Not everything can be as perfect as you,” I say smoothly—and spend a little time watching the bands play. It’s only two songs before she grabs my hand and leads me out to where all the dancers are. My footwork is atrocious, but I’d two-step with this girl every day if she asked me.