Chapter One
Coury
Balls zipped across the field house floor and smacked into well-oiled leather, and Coury Henderson breathed it in from the bleachers.
Baseball.
Coury closed his eyes and felt the ache in his side—stupid torn oblique—and the heavier one in his chest.
He sighed.It should be me down there practicing . . .
A rattle and jounce announced the arrival of another spectator.
“Here you are.” Nico set a travel mug of coffee next to Coury’s leg. “Two sugars and a splash of cream.”
“Thanks, Nero.”
“Anytime, Cokey.” Nico sat and stretched his long legs onto the bench below. He eyed the phone gripped in Coury’s hand. “Please tell me you’re not texting that awful being.”
That was a nice word for his ex. Hailey had cheated, and when he found out she’d blamed him. And baseball. The life of a minor leaguer—low pay, undesirable destinations, constant uncertainty—didn’t mesh with her post-college plans. It had hurt, but it was nothing to the prospect of not playing this season. Or worse, not graduating because he failed his science requirement.
“Nope—took your advice. Deleted her from my phone and unfollowed her on social media. Totally don’t know that she got back from the South of France with Mr. Richy Pants. Yesterday.”
Nico snorted. “Forgot one?”
“Twitter.” He’d blocked her right after he’d seen all the happy photos.
His phone dinged. “Finally.” At Nico’s suspicious brow, Coury grinned. “Not Hailey. Beckett.”
“Oh him,” Nico said, “your best friend.”
Coury rolled his eyes.
“Best and longest.”
“Go on then, bemuse yourself with him. I’ll gawk at Luke.” Nico sighed. “God, my boyfriend’s hot.”
Beckett: Why are you messaging me at 7 fucking 30 on a SUNDAY?
Coury: First practice.
Not a real practice, just a bunch of guys working the rust off before the university officially allowed them to start.
Beckett: You’re playing?
Coury: Watching.
Coury: Also, you messaged me first. At two a.m. Fair’s fair. What did you need?
Beckett: I’ll be there this weekend.
Nico peeked at Coury’s phone.“What’s up?”
“He’s coming to visit.”
Beckett: Liam’s living with Pop now. I’m staying there, but I’ll end up crashing with you.
Coury: ??
