The Pass (Smart Jocks #5) - Rebecca Jenshak Page 0,16
two hours to Amelia’s hometown which will have me arriving right around lunchtime.
My phone rings from the console. I take it and press speaker. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Tara’s chipper voice replies. “Are you at the lake?”
“Nah, not yet. I should be there late this afternoon.”
“I’m so jealous.” Her dramatic sigh makes me chuckle.
“That’s what you get for taking classes during the summer. Super lame, T.”
“Yeah, yeah. We can’t all be career jocks. Speaking of, did you give any more thought to our conversation about focusing on just one next year?”
An uncomfortable knot forms in my chest and I shift in the driver’s seat. “Of course, I’ve thought about it.”
“I know you love playing both basketball and baseball, but if you put all your energy to one, it makes it more likely you’ll go higher in the draft and it frees up more time for a real life. That last picture Amelia posted on Instagram of your date night was pathetic. You don’t even leave the house for dates now?” I get another giant sigh.
“We had a good time. We watched all her favorite movies and ordered a ton of food. She said it was awesome.”
“She lied.”
I don’t really think that’s the case, but I know better than to argue with my sister on what women do and don’t want.
“What do your coaches say, or your teammates? And Amelia, what does she say? She shuts me down any time I bring it up, but I know it must be hard for her. I can’t be the only one who thinks you’re crazy to do this another year?”
Amelia hasn’t voiced any concerns to me, but I haven’t really asked her opinion either.
“Maybe not just another year. It’s possible I could keep doing both after college.”
“You’re serious?”
“It’s been done before.”
“Yeah, but Tanner, what kind of life is that? Not just for you, but for a family?”
The low battery notification comes up on my phone. “My phone is going to die, and my charger is buried in one of my bags. Can you call me back later to yell at me about this?”
“I’m sorry.” A little of the fight in her voice dies. “I just don’t want you to forget to have a life while trying to be some sort of super jock.”
“I won’t. I’m not. I have a life. An awesome one. One that’s going to the lake this summer, unlike you.”
“Ha! All right, fine. I’m temporarily satisfied, but I’m calling you back tonight because I want to talk about our plans for the Fourth this year. Is Amelia going with you today?”
“She’s coming up for the week of the Fourth and maybe one more weekend. She’s working at her parents’ insurance office this summer.”
“I can’t wait to see her again. You two are so cute together. Okay, talk later. Drive safe.”
I swear she’s more of a mother hen than our mother.
When I get close to Amelia’s, I swing by to get her flowers and then head to her parents’ house. I haven’t met her mom or dad yet, so I’m grateful they’re at work. I don’t want the first time I meet them to be when I’m digging myself out of a hole.
But Amelia throws open the door with a smile and then launches herself at me, crushing the roses between us.
“Hey,” I get out with a mouthful of her hair. “You smashed my apology.”
She pulls back, glances down at the roses, and then kisses me. I guess that means apology accepted. Points for Sydney.
Inside her house, we sit on the couch in the living room. It’s a nice place, homey, well taken care of, lots of photos of Amelia and her sister, Beth. Her close relationship with her sister is one of the things we bonded over. Family is important to us.
And my sister and girlfriend get along, so that’s a bonus. I brought Amelia home with me for a quick trip to celebrate my parents’ anniversary and Tara quickly befriended her.
“I’m really sorry about last night. Sydney was bummed about her shoulder, and I offered to stay before I thought it through.”
“It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here now, and we’ll have more time this summer just the two of us.”
Slowly, I nod. “Yeah, that’s what Sydney said.”
“Really?” Her brows furrow together. “I’m surprised she hasn’t found a way to invite herself along to the lake.” I don’t understand the bitterness in her tone. Sydney’s always been great to her.