The next morning Zoe woke up around 9 am and walking downstairs. Harley and Candice were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and talking.
"Morning Sweetie." Candice smiled
"Hi" Zoe moaned and grabbed a box of cereal off the counter then a bowl and spoon and put it at the table. After taking the milk out of the fridge she slumped down in a chair. She sat quietly eating her cereal until Harley spoke.
"How'd you sleep?"
"Fine." She mumbled between bites
"Did you sleep?" Candice asked
"Yes, just still tired."
"She usually gets up around 11 on Saturday's." Harley whispered
"12 on a good day." Zoe chimed in
"What time do you want to get to the field?" Harley asked her
Zoe perked up "Well the game starts at 12 so I want to get there around 11:30 to get a good seat by the dugout and of course The Kinsella's."
"Ok then we will leave around 11:20."
"Nice. That should be enough time to get ready. Can I dye my hair blue?"
"What?" Candice asked in shock
Harley laughed "Uh, no but you can get that hair spray stuff that washes right now."
"I'll have to get it for the next game, no time now. How am I going to wear my hair?"
"Don't ask me." Harley chuckled
Zoe laughed "Never."
Candice smiled watching Zoe and Harley. Part of her knew this was the right place for Zoe but the other part was jealous of the relationship they have. She wanted that with Zoe but she wouldn't give her the time of day so far this weekend.
"I'll probably just tie it back, it sounds windy."
"You could braid it." Candice suggested
"I'm no good at braids, they always come out croaked."
"I could do it."
Zoe smirked "Maybe."
After breakfast Zoe started getting ready for the game. She got dressed in jeans and her school shirt and then started to try and figure out her hair.
"Ugh this is pointless." She stuck her head out into the hallway "Mom" she called
Candice jumped up from the couch and went to the bottom of the stairs. "What's up honey?"
"Can you braid my hair?"
Candice smiled "Of course I can."
She went upstairs and sat on Zoe's bed. "Sit." She patted the spot next to her. "French or regular?"
"Uh. French." She smiled
"Sounds good." She starred working on her hair. "So what position does Wade play?"
"Shortstop. He's really good."
"I can't wait to see him. Would he be number 2?" she asked looking at the giant 2 painted on the back of Zoe's shirt.
"Yes. There's is some new shortstop on the Yankees, Jeter I think, he's number 2."
"Oh I know Derek."
"You do?" Zoe's jaw dropped. "No way?"
"Yes way, he was at one of the events I was at last week. He's very sweet."
"Wade will freak when he hears that."
Candice chuckled "Maybe I can try and get Wade an autograph or something."
"Could you? His birthday is in July and that would be the perfect gift."
"I will do my best."
Zoe smiled "Thanks Mom!"
"You're welcome sweetie." Candice smiled at her daughter. She hasn't seen her this happy since she moved to Alabama. "Alright, all done."
Zoe stood up and looked in the mirror. "I love it. Thanks Mom."
"You're welcome."
"Now I just have to write on my face and I'll be good to go."
"You need to do what?"
Zoe laughed "I want to write Wade's number on my cheek."
"Oh, need help?"
"Uh, sure." She answered and handed her the blue face paint.
"Number 2?"
"Yeah, right here." She pointed to her right cheek
"Anything on the left?"
Zoe thought "How about WK."
"What's that for? I thought you went to CLJJ?"
"Wade Kinsella, duh." Zoe rolled her eyes
"Of course. " Candice smirked "I can't wait to get reintroduced to this Wade."
"He's awesome." Zoe smiled
Candice just smiled down at her daughter until something caught her eye on Zoe's dresser.
"That is a gorgeous necklace."
Zoe turned to look where Candice was and smiled "It's my favorite."
"From George?"
"No. Wade got it for me on my 10th birthday. I only wear it on special occasions. I'm pretty sure you've seen it before though."
"I don't remember it."
Zoe just shrugged. "I think I'm ready." She looked at herself in the mirror. "Yep, I look awesome. Let's go." Zoe ran out of her room and down the stairs. "Come on Dad." She yelled into the office
"I'm coming. You look like Wade's very own personal cheerleader."
"That was my plan." She smiled "Nice CLJJ shirt." She winked at him
"Thanks, I didn't get a chance to paint a giant 2 on it like you did."
Zoe grinned "Just doing my best friend duties. Now let's go." She yelled and ran out the door
Candice walked up behind Harley and smiled "She is something else."
"Yeah, she's pretty great."
"She really likes that George boy?" she asked
"Yeah." Harley sighed
"You sure it's not this Wade?"
Harley laughed "You would think that but no."
"Let's go!" Zoe yelled from the car
"Uh huh" Candice smirked and walked out the door.
Harley just shook his head with a smirk and closed the door behind him.
As soon as they got to the field Zoe bolted out of the car and ran towards the bleachers. She spotted Jackie, Earl and Jesse and climbed up to them.
"Hi Mama." Zoe waved "Jess, Dad."
"Hey Zoe, don't you look adorable." Jackie smiled and gave her a kiss "Where are your folks?"
Zoe turned back "They're coming."
"You bring your pom poms? A giant sign?" Jesse joked
"Shut up Jesse. At least I'm supporting your brother."
"Hey, I'm here aint I?"
Zoe rolled her eyes and sat down. Harley and Candice came up a minute later. Harley walked past everyone and sat on the other side of Earl while Candice took a seat next to Zoe.
"Hi Candice, it's nice to see you again." Jackie smiled
"Hi, Jackie right? It's nice to see you as well."
"Mom, that's Jesse, Wade's brother and you remember Earl., his dad."
"Yes I do. It's nice to see you again."
"You too." Earl smiled
"Was Wade nervous?" Zoe asked Jackie
"No he was cocky." She laughed
"So he is nervous." She smiled
"Probably."
Zoe just smiled and looked around as the stands started to fill up. She saw Annabeth walking towards her and waved.
"AB, over here."
AB waved back and ran up to her. "Hey Zoe, you look great."
"Thanks. So do you. I love your hair."
"Thank you, figured I would try something new." She said and sat down in front of Zoe
Candice's cell phone started ringing and she excused herself. Once she was out of ear shot Jackie leaned over to Zoe.
"You seem to be getting along better. I'm proud of you."
"Wade told you?" she gave her a shy smile
"Well yes but I do know you."
"True. But yeah, we actually bonded I think this morning. It was nice."
Jackie smiled and put her arm around Zoe, giving her a squeeze. "You're a good girl Zoe." She kissed her head.
"Thanks Mama."
Just then they started to introduce the team. The announcer called out Wade and Zoe screamed. Wade heard her all the way up the bleachers and smiled. He looked up at her and winked.
"Well isn't he cute." Candice said
Zoe smiled. Yea, wait what? Eww." She quickly said
Jackie and Candice both looked down at Zoe and smiled.
"That's my boy." Jackie said
"He looks good, focused." Harley said to Earl
"Yeah, he's ready."
"Don't choke Kinsella." Jesse yelled
"Jesse!" Jackie, Earl and Zoe all yelled
Zoe watched as Wade glared up at his brother and took a deep breath. He looked back at Zoe and she smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up. He relaxed and focused back on the game and she shot Jesse a look of disgust.
"Oh calm down Sis, he'll be fine." He laughed
"Jerk." She shook her head
Jesse was right though, Wade was fine. He caught numerous fly balls and scored 3 home runs, including the game winning run. Bluebell won the game 5-2. Once it was over and the team was coming out of the locker room Zoe ran towards him.
"You were amazing!" She yelled and threw her arms around him
"Ug" Wade grunted at the impact but wrapped his arms around her. "Thanks Z." He smiled
"I knew you were good but oh my gosh Wade, not that good." She said after letting go of him.
Wade shrugged "Yeah ya know. I'm just awesome."
"Ok, let's not get a big head over one game Son." Earl chimed in and Wade smirked at him.
"You were so good." Jackie gushed and went to hug him, Wade backed up.
"Wow, no hugs. I got a rep to protect."
Jackie looked at him "Well ok then, see where I am next time you need me." She said insulted
Wade just looked at her with a smirk and she smiled back.
"Good job Wade." Harks slapped him on the back
"Thanks Dr. Wilkes."
"Wade, you remember my mom." Zoe said
"Yeah, Hi Mrs. Hart."
"Hi Wade, you did very well out there."
Again he smirked "Thanks."
"Hi Wade, good game." About 5 girls from their class walked past and waved at him
Wade winked at them "Thanks ladies."
"Oh gosh." Zoe gagged and rolled her eyes "You have got to be kidding me."
"Quiet you." He said but didn't take his eyes off the girls. "I can get used to that."
"Alright Romeo, let's get to the Rammer Jammer. I'm starving." Jesse piped in
As they walked to the restaurant, the attention was all on Wade. All the girls would giggle and wave as he walked by. Wade was loving every minute of it. Every time Zoe would roll her eyes and shake her head.
"Jealous Zoe?" Jesse asked and Wade's attention went straight to his brother and Zoe
"What? No! It's just disturbing, the guy hits a couple home runs and he's automatically the town hero."
"Yeah but you're not jealous. Where is your boyfriend anyway."
"Shut up Jesse." She grunted and ran ahead to Wade
"Hey." She said
Wade heard her whole conversation with Jesse and not going to lie, it made him feel real good. He wouldn't let her know that though. "What's up." He smirked
"Nothing." She shrugged
"Having fun with your mom?"
"I wouldn't call it fun but we're doing good."
Wade smiled "Good." He bumped her and she giggled and bumped him back. "I like your face paint."
"Thank you. I had to show my support."
"Yeah you do. Now I expect it every game."
Zoe smiled "Fine." She said and Wade smiled back.
As they walked up to the Rammer Jammer the noticed it was packed. There were no tables inside so they had to sit at the picnic tables outside. Zoe was sitting across from Wade and facing directly into the sun.
"Why do you keep squinting?" Wade asked her.
"The sun is in my face and I forgot my sunglasses." She told him
Wade took his hat off and plopped it on Zoe's head. "Better?"
Zoe readjustment the hat and smiled "Yes, much."
The adults looked on and Earl went to speak but Jackie caught him "Don't say a word." She warned
"I wasn't." He laughed
Harley chuckled at him "This should be interesting." He pointed towards the parking lot
"Hi Zoe." George greeted
Zoe nearly choked on her burger. "George!" She squealed "I thought you weren't coming home until tomorrow."
"Harry got sick, we had to come home." He said sitting down next to her and putting his arm around her
Earl rolled his eyes and focused back on his food.
"So how as the game?" He asked Wade
"We won." He said like it was no big deal
"Wade was amazing, he scored 3 home runs, at least 3 RBIs and caught a bunch of fly balls. He was awesome." She bragged
"Wow, I'm sorry I missed it."
"There'll be more."
George looked Zoe up and down. You look like Wades personal cheerleader." He said confused "Is that his hat?" He asked
"Yes and so." Zoe replied with a little attitude
"Just wondering, relax."
Candice nudged Zoe and she turned to her. "Oh, George, you remember my mom, right?"
"Kind of, it's nice to see you Mrs. Hart." He smiled
"It's nice to remeet you George. I've heard a lot about you."
"So are you allowed to hang out tonight?"
"I am but I have plans. Didn't think you'd be home."
"Oh that's no problem. Plans with AB?"
"No, Wade."
"It's fine Zo, you can hang with your man."
"No, tonight is our night"
"Zoe." Wade tried to say
"Ah, what did I just say?"
"I guess I'll see you at church tomorrow then."
"Yeah, that's great."
George said good bye to everyone and walked away.
"Since when do you turn down Golden Boy?" Wade asked
"Since we have plans and I also didn't like the way he asked about your hat."
"Ok" Wade replied and decided to drop it.
After lunch Jesse went out with his girlfriend and Earl and Harley went to work.
"Where are you two going to be?" Jackie asked
Zoe and Wade exchanged looks "I don't know." Wade shrugged
"Around here somewhere." Zoe answered. "We can't go far."
"True, be home for dinner." She looked at Wade and then turned to Candice. "What are your plans right now?"
"I didn't have any."
"I would love it if we could get to know each other better."
"That would be lovely."
"Very well then. We'll be at our house." She told Zoe and Wade
"Cool, we won't then." Wade laughed and Zoe nodded in agreement.
As they walked off it was silent until the hit town square. "Where are we going?" Wade asked
"No clue. My house?"
"That works."
They continued the walk to her house and went inside. "Movie?"
"Yeah, you got popcorn?"
Zoe smirked "Of course. Go pick a movie, I'll get it."
The movie was set up and the popcorn was between them on the couch. Wade was about to hit play when he turned to Zoe.
"What's really up with you and Tucker?"
"Nothing." She shrugged
"Liar."
Zoe glared at him and sighed. "I just didn't like how he reacted today and like I said, we already said we would hang out "
"The three of us could have. And I don't believe that other crap."
"Well it's the truth. Just put the movie on."
"Fine." Wade said and did what he was told.
Half way into the movie Zoe was out cold with her head on Wades shoulder. Wade was dozing as well and it wasn't long until he was asleep.
Jackie put the phone down on the counter. "They're not at the Tucker's or the Breelands either. I don't where they could be."
"Well this town isn't that big right? They'll show up." Candice said
Over at the Tucker's house.
"George, have you seen Wade and Zoe?" Clora asked
"Uh yeah earlier at the Rammer Jammer, why?"
"Well, Mrs. Kinsella just called and she can't find them. Do you know where they could be?"
"No, but I'll go look in some of our normal hang outs."
"Ok, be home before dark." She called after him
"Ok" he yelled and slammed the door shut.
George searched everywhere, the pond, the school, the park but couldn't find them. He was walking past Zoe's house and decided to check there. He knocked a couple times but after no response he wiggled the door knob and it opened. He walked in and heard the TV in the back room. He wandered into the back and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw them. His jaw dropped.
"What is happening?" he yelled and the two of them jumped
"What?" Wade said looking around
Zoe opened her eyes and saw George standing over her. "George, what are you doing here?"
"Umm , really? You're asking the questions when you, my girlfriend is snuggled up on another guy. I should be asking the questions."
"Tucker relax, it's not like we're naked or anything." Wade joked but got smacked from Zoe. "Ow"
"George, it's no big deal, it's just Wade."
"Hey" Wade insulted "I could be a threat."
Zoe just laughed "Ok." She said sarcastically
George just stood there waiting for them to stop bickering and for her to answer his questions. "Hello?" he asked
"George, I don't know why you're so annoyed, we fell asleep, get over it." Zoe said annoyed "What is your issue with Wade lately? You can't be jealous, that would be ridiculous."
"I don't like how much time you spend together, it's weird and I'm not jealous." He saidbut wasn't to convincing on that last part.
Zoe's jaw dropped and Wade scoffed. "Oh brother." He rolled his eyes
"Are you freaking kidding me right now?" Zoe yelled "You have to be."
"No I'm not, I don't see how you don't see this as weird and wrong. If you walked in on me and oh I don't know Lemon, sleeping on the couch, you would freak."
"Lemon? Really? You and Lemon aren't like brother and sister, the girl is practically in love with you. If I walked in on that you would be missing a few teeth George Tucker. She ended our friendship because I'm dating you and right now I think I made a giant mistake. So you know what, I think we're done."
George just stared at her. His expression changed from anger to shocked in a matter of seconds. "Zoe, are you serious?"
"Um yeah. You can't come in here and start yelling about my friendship with Wade." She yelled
"I'm gonna go." Wade said backing away towards to kitchen
"No, you stay, I'm going." George said "I guess I'll see you guys around." He said and stormed out of the house.
"Ugh" Zoe screamed out of frustration. "He is unbelievable. Do you believe that?" she asked Wade
"That was interesting." He said "Are you ok?"
"Yes, I just can't believe he stormed in here yelling about nothing. He is so ridiculous. What is wrong with him?"
"I don't, I mean put yourself in his shoes, how would you react?"
"You too?" she yelled "Really? We're friends, you're practically my brother. He knows this and he freaked out. Gosh I can't believe you're taking his side. If you thought it was so bad why did you do it?"
She continued to yell at nothing after that, all Wade heard was screaming and yelling and words that made no sense. He grabbed Zoe and kissed her. It only lasted a second and she pushed herself off of him.
"What are you doing?" She asked confused
"You were freaking out, thought I would snap you out of it and couldn't think of anything else that didn't include yelling back."
"Oh, alright." Zoe bit her lip and looked at him "Thanks, I guess."
"No problem, now let's get out here. I'm starving."
"Yeah, let's go." She said still a little stunned by the kiss.
"You sure you're alright? You don't want to cry or anything? You look a little weird."
Zoe shook her head "I'm good, it's just a little shocking. It happened so fast."
"Yeah, fastest break up I've ever seen." He said and walked towards the front door
"Yeah, the break up." She whispered and followed him out the door.