Sydney POV
I slowly roll up to the curb and stop.
"Where are you?"
Send.
The moment I set my phone down, the passenger side door opened, and Austin slipped inside.
"Hey." He smiled at me.
"Hi. How are you?"
"I'm good." He said, tossing a bag into the back. "Good morning."
"Morning. Thanks for wanting to do breakfast with me." I smile.
He smiled back and chuckled.
"Always. I wish we would have thought of this before school ended."
"Wouldn't have worked. I drove Ellie most of the time."
"Ahh. That's right. And she doesn't know about us and our…"
He trailed off.
"Where were you going with that?" I ask.
"Well, does she know about us and our little make out habit?" He asked.
I blush and smile shyly.
"No. She just thinks we kiss. As far as I know." I tell him.
"Then that's an issue." He said simply.
I giggle and smile.
"So where are we going?" I ask.
"Taco Casa."
"Taco Casa?" I parrot back to him.
He nodded. "You've never been there?"
"No. We always go to authentic Mexican places. Not chains." I say.
"You are missing out."
"I don't even know where that is." I say defensively.
"Keep going here on Alameda. You'll see it."
"Why are we going to Taco Casa?"
He smiled at me. "Breakfast tacos."
"Breakfast whats?" I yelp.
"Just keep going. They're awesome. I can't believe you've never had them. You're so missing out."
"On what?"
"God's gift to us thru Mexican food. Beside quesadillas." He said.
"Now I know what quesadillas are."
"Good. Otherwise I might have to induce you into a Mexican food coma." He joked.
I see Taco Casa.
The sign is half taco, half house.
Tacky as hell.
I pull into the drive thru and stop.
I'm not going in.
"Hello, how can I help you?" The intercom said.
"Just a sec!" Austin yelled.
"Okay sir."
She has a heavy Mexican accent.
"Okay, on the lower left. Breakfast tacos."
…
Bacon and Egg
Potato and Egg
Sausage and Egg
"Which one is good?" I ask him nervously.
"The first two are the best."
"How many should I get?"
"Two." He said, then yelled "We're ready!"
"Okay sir." The lady said.
"Can we get 3 bacon and egg breakfast tacos and—" He began, then turned to me.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"One each. Not the sausage though." I tell him.
"Make that 4 bacon and egg, and 1 potato and egg breakfast taco please!" He said.
"4 bacon and egg, and 1 potato and egg breakfast tacos. Is that correct?"
"Yeah!"
"Your total is $5.18, please pull up to the window."
I roll forward.
"Cheap."
This isn't going to be any good.
"You'll see." He extended his credit card to me.
Good.
I'm not paying for this crap.
A small Mexican lady popped up at the window.
"$5.18?"
I hand her the card, and she swiped it then gave it back.
I give it back to Austin, and when I look back to the window, our food is here.
"Have a nice day." She said.
I give the food to him, then start driving off.
"To the park?" Austin jokingly asked.
"Yeah."
We went over this last night when he asked me to breakfast.
Halfway thru the 10 minute drive, I check to make sure he's not eating anything.
Instead, he suddenly has 2 bottles of orange juice.
"Where'd you get those?" I ask, parking in the empty parking lot.
"My bag. I came prepared."
I can't help but laugh at how happy and confident he sounded.
We walk a little ways, then perch on some rocks.
I sit closer to the trash can, so I can quick get this garbage out of my mouth, and try to forget this ever happened.
"For you." He smiled, handing me my food, wrapped in thin aluminum foil.
"Hot!" I yelp.
"Sorry." He said, unwrapping his taco.
…
Well here goes.
I take a bite, trying to not make it obvious that I don't wa—
…
…
Hey!
I take another bite.
…
This is good!
"You like it?" Austin asked, mouth half full.
…
"Yeah. This is delicious."
Who knew!
It's awesome! Egg, potato, in a soft taco tortilla, with pepper and something hot for flavor.
I quickly devour the rest of that one, and move to the bacon one.
I hear him laugh, but I ignore it.
…
…
I might have to do this more often.
We.
…
We should definitely do this more often.
…
"Great idea." I say to him, as he drops the last bite of his taco in.
He smiled, then swallowed.
"Told you. And you were all prepared to not like it!"
"Was not!" I say defensively.
He laughed and shook his head. "I know that look you had. It's that same look when you don't approve of me doing something."
…
"Did not."
He smiled at me, then took my trash and threw everything away behind me.
"Okay…so…you know I'm not good at extemporaneous speaking." He said, then smiling cutely.
I know what this is about.
The talk we didn't have yesterday.
"But we both know what this is about. So I'll just get to the point. Yeah, you twisted the truth about meeting Jordan and lead me on."
…
Yeah.
I can't pull my eyes up from the ground.
"But it's not worth the last week. For sure. Nothing is. I love you, and one little misunderstanding isn't going to change that."
"It was more than a—" I begin, but he rushed over and picked me up, then silenced me with a kiss.
…
…
"Are we better? Or do I have to do more convincing?" He smiled.
"I can be up for that." I smile back.
He pulled me back in and kissed me again.
…
…
"You can't stop smiling can you?" he laughed.
"Nope." I smile, then grab him again.
(5 hours later)
"You're still mad." Chelsea said.
I bite the inside of my lip.
"I just wish they would pitch to him." I say diplomatically.
"You just want another baseball in your room." Jordan smiled at me.
"Nothing wrong with that." I smile at her.
Suddenly I feel myself getting lifted up and spun around,
"Oh?"
Austin smiled and set me down.
"How are you?" He asked.
"Mad you got walked again." Chelsea said behind us.
"Yeah." I smile.
Austin laughed. "Hi girls. How are you?"
"Great!" Jordan says, as Chelsea's boyfriend appeared.
She squealed and ran to him.
Austin hugged me, then asked. "To Corey's game?"
"To Corey's game." I say, then loop our hands.
We start walking towards the little league game quietly.
"Hope you weren't bored." Austin said.
"I wasn't. I had fun."
"I meant me. I didn't exactly do a whole lot." He clarified.
"Well yeah, but you made a couple of nice plays. And I got to stare at your butt. That's nice too." I smile up at him.
His eyeblack hides his face, so I can't tell if he blushed or not.
"I'm taking that as a compliment." He smiled.
"It is." I say, as we approach the stands.
Mom, Dad, Uncle Beck, Aunt Jade, plus Tori, Uncle Andre and Ellie are all here.
"Why's everyone here?" I walk up to mom's side.
Dad jumped, and Mom let out a cheer, then climbed down to us.
"You didn't hit one to our field! Failure!" Mom shook her finger, then smiled and hugged Austin.
"Sorry." Austin smiled.
"How many walks?" Ellie asked, as Jade waved to him.
"4." I grumble.
"That's no fun." Uncle Beck said.
Austin shrugged, and I spot Matt and Kevin talking with some girls about 20 feet to the right and two rows of bleachers up from everyone else.
"Don't stare please. We're trying to give them space." Dad said quietly.
"Ahh. Gotcha." Austin said, as Mom sat back down.
"I have Olivia by the way." Ellie suddenly said.
An arm and a giggle confirms her statement.
"Awesome." I hear Austin say, as Ellie props her up.
Olivia smiled, then spotted Austin.
Her eyes went wide, she squeaked and turned to Ellie's chest and curled up.
I hear Tori nervously laugh.
"I think I scared her." Austin said quietly.
Mom, Dad, plus Aunt Jade and Uncle beck all looked to Ellie, who had her head in Ellie's chest.
"It's just Austin! Your boyfriend!" Ellie smiled, trying to turn her back around.
Olivia stubbornly stayed still.
"Good game Six!" Two people yelled.
We both turned to see two of Austin's teammates walking to their cars.
Austin waved to them.
"Six. Is that your number?" Dad asked.
"Yeah." Austin shyly replied.
Huh?
"Why that number?" Mom asked.
"No reason." Austin replied too quickly.
I know why.
"Too fast there Lone Ranger. Why?" Aunt Jade pressed.
"No reason."
"Suuuuure." Uncle Beck said, not looking away from the game.
"Why do you wear 6 Austin?" Aunt Tori asked, as Ellie tried to turn Olivia around.
She squeaked again, and turned away again.
"Sydney's mom. 5 platinum albums and a platinum EP. I'm gonna go clean off my face. I'll be back." Austin said quickly, then dashing off.
Poof.
Mom and Dad are looking at where he was.
"Did he really just say that?" Mom asked quietly.
"I told you he's a huge fan. He used to wear 5. But ever since your last album, it was 6. Even before that officially went platinum." I say.
"Aww. How cute!" Tori gushed.
"It is sweet." Jade said.
Mom looks like she doesn't know what to do.
I hear Olivia make a loud noise, and look up to see her grabbing for me.
Ellie handed her to me, and I take her.
Olivia smiled and gently grabbed my hair.
"Hi." I smile at her, then look up.
"I'm gonna go meet him, then be back." I say.
"Okay." Mom smiled.
"Let's go." I smile at Olivia, who smiled and looks quite happy.
On the walk over, I see she's wearing tiny black leggings, and a shirt with a baseball on it.
"You look cute. You know that?" I smile, tweaking her nose.
She giggled, and grabbed my hand.
We finish walking over to the bathroom area, and wait outside the Men's restroom.
Before long, a huge guy wearing a black "6" uniform came out, and bent over to drink from the water fountain.
"Austin." I say, walking to him.
He straightened up, and turned.
Olivia made a very happy noise and reached for him.
"Hey! I'm back! How are you?" He smiled, as Olivia crawled onto him, and cooed happily.
Austin kissed her cheek and smiled.
I quickly kiss him and smile.
"Good game."
He laughed and rolled his eyes, then led us back to our seats.
"You look like a totally different person." Tori said in amazement, when we get back.
Austin lightly laughed. "Thanks."
"Is she still afraid?" Dad smiled, as Mom got up.
"I don't think so." He said, as Olivia has her head on his shoulder.
Then Mom poked his side happily.
"Hey."
"Hi!" Austin turned and smiled.
"You really chose your number after me?"
Suddenly Austin went very red, plus Uncle Andre, Jade and Aunt Tori smiled.
"Yeah."
Mom quickly hugged him softly. "Thank you. Means a lot. Didn't know you were such a huge fan."
"I…I am. That's why I'm always so nervous." He finally admits.
"Don't be. It's all good." Dad smiled at him.
"Mind if I post about it online? I'd like to." Mom asked him.
"That's fine. I…uhm…would like a picture later."
FINALLY!
"Right now? Sure!" Mom jumped, handing her phone to Dad.
"No…not right now. I meant later. Like at home. When I'm wearing normal stuff." He said shyly.
"Ok. Sure. Sounds great." Mom said, and then sat back down.
I smile at him, and he looks embarrassed.
"Austin Harper?"
I freeze up, and I can feel all the adults turn to look at us.
Oh no.
"Yes?" Austin says, turning to face the man.
Actually, it's 3.
All in slacks and dress shirts.
"I'm Steve DePodesta, GM of the Miami Marlins. I'm here about the draft next week?" The guy at the head of the group said.
One glance at everyone else, and I see that they're not even pretending to watch the game.
They're staring at us.
"Hi sir. I'm kind of in the middle of something right now, as you can see." Austin said politely, gesturing to the Olivia. "Is this about those TV cameras?"
"Partly, yes. Why don't you want us to film you when you get chosen?" The man asked.
"Because, I'll be with friends and family, and I don't want them filmed. Plus the fact that you'll be wasting your pick on me." Austin said firmly.
"We're aware Austin. But the cameras are non-invasive, and you won't be able to tell they're there."
"I still don't want them. Plus it won't be my house I'll be watching the draft at." He replied.
I can feel everybody's tension.
He's doing a good job of telling them no.
"Where will you be?"
"Her house. And you're not welcome sir." Austin said politely.
I hear Mom and Dad both get up.
"What's going on?" Mom asked.
"Ma'am, we're speaking with Austin here about draft arrangements, and signing with us."
"Draft?" Dad said.
"Major League Baseball Draft. I'm the GM of the Marlins."
"Well you suck!" I hear Kevin say.
Beck quickly yanked him away from the side of the bleachers, where he was standing with Matt and sat him down.
"Don't worry about that. I get it all the time." The guy said too smoothly. "But we'd like to make Austin the number 1 pick. And give him a hefty salary and signing bonus."
"Sir, I've told you many times. I don't care. I am not signing this year. Or the next 2 after that. You'll have to wait until my senior year to pick me. I'm not going." Austin said, showing signs of annoyance.
Olivia cuddled up to him happily.
"Austin, we know you'd like to stick around, but your home situation is a mess. You need money to make things work. You don't even have a car. $10 million dollars would make your situation a whole lot easier."
"Whoa!" Mom said.
"How do you know about my home situation sir?" Austin jumped at him, livid.
Mom grabbed Olivia away, and Dad had his hand on Austin's shoulder.
"We've spoken with several people, including your mother and they've informed us."
"That's none of your business." Austin growled, looking like he wants to punch the guys out.
Austin is about 4 inches taller than him, plus totally ripped.
"Do you want him here?" Dad asked Austin.
"No. I don't. We're farther away than when we started, and I didn't think it was possible." Austin stared him down.
"You need to go." Dad said, standing by Austin's side.
"We still need to—"
"NO! Go. Now." Mom jumped between the men and Austin.
The three men decided it was smart to walk away.
Good.
Austin took Olivia back, and then took his spot by the bleachers back.
He stood there, leaned back, popped his back lightly, and then let out a low growl with his eyes closed.
"What happened?" Kevin asked, as Mom and Dad sat back down.
"Those guys want to draft me first overall next Thursday night." Austin said.
Before anyone else spoke up, Austin added "8 PM!" very sarcastically.
Aunt Jade, Aunt Tori, plus Uncle Beck and Uncle Andre all smile.
"You don't want to go?" Uncle Beck asked.
"No. And I won't go. I'm staying here. I've told them multiple times, too many times, that I won't sign. But they won't stop."
"Why not?" Matt asked.
"I've seen online that they say you're the best prospect in 10 years. I guess that's why." Jade said.
Austin nodded, and popped his neck.
Olivia jumped, then curled to him and cooed softly.
"Are you ok? I don't think you're supposed to pop like that." Mom said.
"It's ok." Austin said, voice low. "Just lactic acid."
"Corey's up." Dad said quickly.
"Let's go Corey!" Jade called out.
Everyone else just clapped.
PWING!
Everyone cheered as the ball landed in the outfield, and Corey stopped at first.
Olivia suddenly made a loud noise, and reached for her mom.
Austin happily handed her back.
"Are you really the best prospect in years?" Kevin asked Austin.
"Apparently so, that's what everyone has been saying." He replied, watching the next batter.
"Why are you staying? That's a lot of money." Tori said.
"It'll be there in 3 years. Plus I have a lot of things I need to do here. I'm not ready to stop having fun yet."
"Stop having fun?" Aunt Jade asked.
"Well, right now baseball is all fun. If I go prop, and it becomes my job, it'll be a lot harder to have fun."
…
The batter hits a long foul ball that curved foul, causing everyone to groan.
Whoa.
That first base guy sure is talking a lot.
He looks mad.
And Corey is talking back.
"Uhh…is anyone else watch first base?" Austin said, immediately after Corey elbowed the guy in the ribs, and then said something.
"Yeah…chatty. Here, tell me what you think." Mom said, handing Austin her phone.
I lean over and read over his shoulder.
"Baseball today. But more importantly, found out that AustinHarper6 chose his number for baseball because of all my platinum music! So sweet! I didn't know he was such a big fan, I just thought he got all nervous because I'm so well known. Makes sense now! :) #LoveYouAustin"
I look up to Austin, who is smiling softly.
"Thank you." Austin smiled, then handed Mom her phone back.
"No problem. Glad you like it." Mom said, then putting her phone in her purse.
PWING!
The crowd erupts, as the ball flew into the—
I turn at the sound of a more hysterical yell, and see Mom, Dad, Austin, Beck, Kevin and Matt all running towards—
FIGHT!
The first baseman for whatever reason has Corey on the ground and is punching—
The batter crashed into him!
Everybody on the field is running towards them!
Now Corey is on top, and absolutely beating him down!
Don't cheer. It'll look bad.
Now Corey is getting pulled off by the other team.
That's not fair! It's like 20 on 1!
OH COME ON!
Finally the adults and coaches rush onto the field, and start pulling Corey out of the whole other team.
"Oh my gosh…" I hear Aunt Jade say, as Dad finally got to Corey, and Austin jumped between Corey and the others, looking ready to fight them all.
I told him not to get into any more fights!
I look to everyone else that is still here, and didn't run to Corey's side.
"What happened?" I ask.
"I don't know! I just looked up, and Corey was getting punched!" Aunt Jade said, as Olivia has her face in her mom's chest.
…
…
Everybody is getting ushered to the parking lot.
"C'mon." Aunt Jade said, getting up.
I follow everyone else to the car.
"—They said that as long as we leave and don't start anything else today, they won't punish anyone." Austin was telling Jade.
Mom is clinging to—
COREY!
I jump to his side and pull him into a big hug.
"Oh my gosh, are you okay?" I ask.
His nose is bleeding, and bruises are already starting to form.
"I'm okay sissy." He somehow smiled at me.
"What happened?" Dad asked, and everybody got quiet.
"That guy, his name is Tye. He kept on talking about how Aunt Jade was ugly, and how Uncle beck looked like a girl. So I told him to shut up. He told me to be quiet. I elbowed him and said no. He elbowed me back, saying he was going to beat me up. I told him that he couldn't everybody was watching. Then Colby got that hit, I ran, he tripped me and started punching me."
Suddenly Aunt Jade had him in a big hug.
"Than kyou so much…you didn't have to do that…" She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Yeah I did. I don't wanna hear anyone talk about you guys like that." He said, then looked to Mom and Dad.
"Am I in trouble? I know I'm not supposed to fight."
Mom bent down and smiled, then hugged him.
"I think we can let this one go." Dad said, as Mom smiled and hugged him.
I smiled, then suddenly was getting hugged from the side by Austin.
"I told you no more fights." I frown at him.
"I didn't get in a fight. That was Corey. I just was ready to beat them off if any of them tried to get a second crack at him. They got him pretty good." Austin said slightly defensively.
"Thanks Austin." Corey said quietly, holding an icepack to the side of his face.
"No problem. Next time, send them my way. I think I can handle the fighting thing pretty good."
Everyone laughed, including Mom and Dad, but I swatted his chest.
"No fighting." I order him.
"Okay then, maybe not. Sorry."
Everyone laughed again, and Corey looked to me.
"Sissy…c'mon." He frowned at me.
I simply grab him and hug him again.
"No fighting for you either. Or you two." I turn to Matt and Kevin.
"No promises…okay." Kevin started, then seeing Mom's glare, stopped.
"Gaa!" Olivia reached for Austin, who happily took her.
"So now what?" Tori asked everyone.
"I don't know. I could get some stuff at the store for dinner. If that's alright with everyone." Dad said.
"Yay!" Ellie, Kevin, Corey and Matt all cheered.
"Okay then. Sounds like we have a plan." Beck joked.
Austin smiled. "I can be your pack mule if you'd like."
All of the adults laughed.
"Sure. You and Sydney are drafted." Dad said.
"Can we come?" Matt asked quickly, as Kevin tickled Olivia.
Olivia giggled and smiled at him.
"Sure. But we keep Olivia." Mom said.
"Can I go?" Corey asked.
Dad looked to Mom, who looked nervous.
"PLeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssseeee?" Corey smiled happily at them, looking like he hadn't just got punched by a guy twice his size almost, then 20 other people.
"Fine. Keep that ice on your face." Mom gave in.
"Yay!" Kevin said, then everyone ran to my SUV.
"We'll be back." Austin gave Olivia back.
Olivia cried out and reached for him.
"I'll be back. You're still stuck with me." Austin smiled.
She giggled, and Austin turned to my mom.
"We'll be back later."
"Be safe." Dad ordered me, handing me his credit card.
"I will."
"Bye!" Aunt Jade waved, and Uncle Beck smiled.
(A/N: So…hi? How's everybody? Good? Great. I know a lot of you are mad, and wondering "WHERE IS HE?!". I have a good explanation. I didn't know until I was on the ground at my new place, that I didn't have internet connection. Like any…at all. I was going to post this Tuesday, but that didn't happen. I'm trying to work out a router, so I can get back to my thing, but I'm actually really busy, looking for a real job and stuff haha. I'm going to update as much as possible, when I can. Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Sorry about the wait. Next time won't be nearly as long. I promise. –James)