Tamed V by Anna Page B

replies. “She’s hot.”
    “I’m not allowed to think fifteen-year-old girls are hot, but yeah, she’s a good choice.”
    He smiles and I grab him by the neck. It’s our version of a hug. Everything is so complicated and confusing. Everything is exhausting.
     
    *
     
    I pick Tyler up at ten in my Jeep. With the top down, the music spills into the night air. and the minute we pull away from the driveway I feel like I can finally breathe.
    “How was the game?” he asks.
    “Good. Won.” He grips the window ledge and holds on as I take the curve too sharp. “Sophie’s got a pretty good swing.”
    “And Owen?”
    “Eh, he’s a wildcard. If he focuses, he’ll be alright.”
    Tyler and I played together in high school but he never had aspirations to go any further. He just finished his first year at college, ROTC, hoping to land a spot in helicopter training.
    We arrive at the house and I pull to a stop on the grassy lawn next to some other cars. “Do you know whose house this is?” I ask, hopping out of the Jeep.
    “Nope. Cassie invited us, though. Should be a bunch of kids from school.”
    High School.
    The last time and place anything felt normal for me. The last time I’d been a kid—really a kid, without responsibilities and shattered dreams. I follow Tyler up onto the porch. He pumps us both a beer from the keg.
    Tyler sees some friends and goes to talk. I find a spot on the couch and settle in. There’s no one here I really want to see, and I don’t particularly want to hear how awesome their lives are while I’ve been trapped in limbo.
    “Coach Jensen, right?”
    I look up and see a girl, standing over the couch. She’s pretty—gorgeous even. Dark hair worn loose around her neck and shoulders. Black halter top. She looks a little familiar.
    I raise an eyebrow at the formality. No one calls me “Coach” but twelve-year-olds and their parents. “I’m Tucker.”
    She holds a red party cup in her hands and sits next to me. Her shorts are short and her long, tan legs catch my interest. I look at her face again and try to place her. “Have we met?”
    “I brought Felix to the game earlier.”
    The porch is dark, only lit by paper lanterns, but even so I can see the deep green of her eyes. I feel a little rush knowing that little tattooed bird is hiding under her hair. I wonder what it would feel like under my mouth. “Right. Sure,” I say. “I get a little focused on the game—sorry.”
    “No problem,” she says. “You’re the only person I know here other than Cassie. I live next door. Well, not that I really know you.”
    I’m not really one for talking—what’s there to say? High school graduate, former baseball star, current surrogate Dad to three siblings, son to a shattered mother? She’s pretty though, and I can see the edge of her light blue bra strap and that’s enough to keep me engaged.
    “Yeah, well, thanks for bringing Felix, he’s my star first baseman. Without him, we’re screwed.”
    She laughs softly and I like the way it sounds. I’m not sure what she wants—I’m not getting a sex vibe off her.
    “Glad to help.” She glances at the door and gives me an apologetic smile. “I should go give Cassie a hand. Maybe I’ll see you later?”
    “Sure.”
    I frown at her leaving, because she’s unusual. Different—most girls just sidle up to me and stick by my side all night. In fact, her spot is taken immediately, by Karen (Katie?) a girl I’ve seen naked and a girl I know is fun. She knows my story, my sad, pathetic story, and from the warm smile on her face I know she’s willing to do whatever she can to make me feel better. They all want to make me feel better. To save me or some cliché shit. I’m damaged, so they say.
    Karen slips her hand down my thigh, grazing my dick with her fingers through my jeans.
    “Come on,” I whisper in her ear, pulling her off the couch.
    She gives me a coy smile. “Oh, yeah?”
    I push through the crowded porch, Karen on my