“Yeah? I did some Internet stalking on Maddox Paige. Seems funny that the real-life Ken doll is rooming with a true Rebel. You two could not look any more different.”
I chuckle. “I thought the same thing when I walked into the apartment. And frankly, he was intimidating at first, but he’s actually a really nice guy. But I have a confession to make.”
“Oh? So early on? You just got there.” Her voice is laced with humor and it puts me at ease.
“I move fast.”
“Apparently. Lay it on me, Castle.”
I make a dramatic sigh and then quickly say, “We played Mario Kart together and he was Princess Peach, and every time Peach squeaked, my cock tightened thinking of you.” I wince, waiting . . .
And then Indie bursts into laughter. The sound is so perfect and just what I needed. “Oh my God, what is wrong with you?”
“I honestly couldn’t tell you.” I chuckle.
“So you had a halfie while playing Mario Kart with your new roommate?”
“I mean . . . it was half a halfie.”
“Don’t try to make it sound better, you were turned on. Did you take care of it in the shower, your half a halfie?” Her teasing makes me smile.
“Why do I tell you things?”
“Because you can’t seem to help it.” I hear her shift around. “If you’re looking for forgiveness, I’m afraid I can’t give that to you. Sorry.”
“Are you saying . . . I cheated on you?”
She chuckles. “Yup, and that hurts, Lincoln. You couldn’t even keep the Wii remote off for one day before your relationship ran cold.”
“The dude made me nervous. I panicked and gave in to his intense stare.”
“You’re weak, Castle. That is not the boy I raised with the suckling of my breasts and the milking of my vagina.”
“Oh my God.” I laugh too loud, hopefully not disturbing Maddox. “Now look who’s the demented one.”
“Are you telling me that my vagina and breasts didn’t assist in helping you reach ninety-five on the gun?”
“I mean . . .” I scratch the side of my face. “Kind of believed it was all those squats, but if you want to say it was your tits and pussy, sure.”
“It was.” I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Then you have some magical tits and pussy, babe.”
“Don’t I know it. Maybe I should put them on Craigslist as a service.”
I know she’s joking, but a bolt of jealousy still hits me hard.
“Try it. See what happens,” I answer.
“Too lazy to take naked pictures of myself.”
I perk up. “I can do it. FaceTime me, and I’ll take some screenshots.”
“In your dreams, Castle.” She laughs. “Nice try.”
“Guess I’ll just have to live with my memories.”
“So you didn’t take any secret naked pictures of me while I was sleeping? I have at least twelve of you; five of them are close-ups of your penis.”
“Do you pretend to stick your phone in your mouth, acting as if you’re sucking me off?”
“And it just got weird.”
“And your comment about creepy naked pics while I’m sleeping didn’t take it too far?” I laugh.
“Nope.”
I chuckle. “Unbelievable, Mayhem.”
“Even from far away, I can still rock your world.”
Pretty sure she’s going to rock my world for a very long time.
Indie: How did you do?
Lincoln: You already know if you’re texting me rather than calling.
Indie: *Winces* I saw the scores online. I’m sorry, Linc.
Lincoln: First game as a professional baseball player, and I’m taken out in the fourth inning after allowing five earned runs. Not how I envisioned things.
Indie: I know you expected more, but you’re still adjusting.
Lincoln: Everything felt wrong. I wasn’t comfortable on the mound. I kept forgetting the signs. I was lobbing shit in there. I was a goddamn mess, and I’m pretty sure the organization is regretting putting so much faith in me.
Indie: Or . . . they realize it was your first game and there’s a learning curve. You’re just getting settled. I know you, Lincoln. From now until your next game, you’re going to make sure you find your equilibrium.
Lincoln: You’re right.
Indie: Now is not the time to sulk. Now is the time to address what went wrong and make those adjustments. People who sulk are the people who continue to fail, and you didn’t work this hard to fail.
Lincoln: Damn, Mayhem. You’re pumping me up.
Indie: Good, now get to work.
I’ve just placed my precooked meal in the microwave to heat up as my phone rings, and Indie’s face comes through on FaceTime.
God, she’s beautiful.
“There he is, ladies and gentleman, Mr. Seven Inning Shutout.” She cups her hands around her mouth and speaks loudly.
Laughing, I say, “Hey babe.”
“Hey to you. How pumped are you right now? Is your dick hard?”
“Whoa, she gets right to the point,” Maddox says, coming up behind me.
“Is that the intimidating roommate?” Indie asks, getting closer to the phone.
Maddox puts himself in view and says, “He said I’m intimidating? Good to know.”
“Can you not blow me up?” I ask Indie, who’s laughing at my expense.
She waves and says, “Hey Maddox, I’m Indie.”
Maddox looks at me and shakes his head. “She’s too hot for you, man.” Then he turns back to the phone and says, “What’s up, Indie? This guy talks about you all the time.”
“He better.” She moves a little closer and says, “I have a bone to pick with you, Paige. Are you driving my girl, Peach?”
“Yeah, what’s it to you?”
“Uh, she’s mine.”
He shrugs. “You’re not here to claim her, therefore, she’s mine.”
Maddox winks and then takes off while Indie shouts to him, “Stay away. Peach is my bitch.” But Maddox’s door shuts behind him, closing off the conversation. “He went to his room, didn’t he?”
“Afraid so.” The microwave beeps and I pull out my food.
“Are you having a microwave meal after the amazing game you pitched?”
I move my fork around the chicken and almond pasta dish that’s packed with protein. “Yeah. We don’t make a ton of money, so going out to eat isn’t an option like it was at Brentwood. To be honest, it’s fucking weird going from Brentwood athletics with state-of-the art facilities to Double-A where they use soup cans as hand weights.”
“Do they really?” Indie asks, shocked.
Chuckling, I shake my head. “Nah, but pretty close to it.”
“Are you trying to tell me you’re slumming it while I’m in athletic glory?”
“Yup.” I blow on my pasta. “It was a quick fall from stardom.”
“A peon once again,” she jokes. “Hopefully it’s a quick rise.”
“Hopefully.”