Coury almost stopped walking. Luke’s attempt to move the conversation along had landed on a terrible topic.
“It happens.”
“He’s a bit dense. He forgetshecan talk to his dad, but we can’t.” Luke shrugged. “I told him Nico and I have plans to move to Philly. I don’t need an agent.”
Liam’s hand twitched and Coury refused to look over. Luke should have known not to talk about agents in front of Liam.
“Did he ask you?” Liam’s voice was tight.
At the edge of his peripheral vision, Luke dipped his head.
“Yeah.”
Coury took a moment to consider his response.
“I told him my dad is handling finding an agent. If it looks like I have a shot, I promised to send Dad Tom’s father’s info.”
“That was a good way to handle it.” Luke kept his eyes on the ground.
“If I get there.” Coury bumped shoulders with Luke. “We’re going back to Liam’s. His grandfather promised to watch me pitch and give me his opinion.”
“Do you need me to catch?”
Coury shook his head. “Liam’s going to catch for me.”
“Because I’m trying to commit suicide and I wanted to make it a spectacular show.”
“I told you, I won’t hit you.” He pulled Liam closer and looked at Luke. “I promised Liam we’d go out to eat somewhere nicer than the Hoagie Shop before we study. Got any good ideas?”
Luke perked up. “Nico made me promise not to ever answer that question without his help. Let me call him.”
Coury finally dared a look at Liam. Deep in thought, Liam didn’t notice for a few seconds. When he did, he forced himself to smile.
“Nico,” Luke waved them over. “Liam and Coury need a good place to eat tonight.”
* * *
Liam
“Didn’t you throw enough during practice?” Liam asked. Trying to catch for Coury was a bad idea. At least they were in Pop’s backyard where no one could see them.
“This is nothing,” Coury said. The ball hit Liam in the glove, but he didn’t catch it. “Pop’s just checking my form.”
Liam glared at his grandfather. He could have said no when Coury asked. Better still, he could have offered to catch instead of suggesting Liam do it. He picked up the ball and cringed at how badly he threw it back. It might have been better to toss it underhand or roll it on the ground.
Coury wound up and the ball came at Liam faster than before. He ducked and the ball hit the back of the house.
“You break my grandson and you’re going to have to work for more than a summer.” Pop’s half growl didn’t hide his amusement.
“I promise not to hurt him. That would put a crimp in our plans.”
Liam walked back to get the ball from the empty flower bed. Good thing the bulbs hadn’t started to grow. Pop wouldn’t think it so funny if they broke his daffodils.
“In that case, Liam, you need totryto catch the ball. If you duck, you’re more likely to get hurt.”
“Funny guy.” He did a better job throwing it back this time. “I suck at catching when it’s just tossing it back and forth. Coury’s pitches come at me like they’re fired from a cannon or something.”
Pop laughed. “These are warm-ups. Wait until hereallythrows hard.”
