Love Me Back by Michelle Lynn Read Free Book Online Page A

fence “It’s been a pleasure ladies.”  Then he bowed “and gentlemen too.”  Turning around walking back to the dugout. 
    I actually spit my beer out when he mentions the gentlemen and everyone starts laughing.  I feel Trent’s eyes on me but I don’t turn to him.  I can’t give in.  I know why he is looking.  I am sure I resemble the girl he used to love but she isn’t here anymore.
    Trent never hits a home run making me thankful.  I don’t want him drawing attention to us.  We are supposed to go to Gentry’s after the game.  Trent asks if I will ride with him but I am hesitant.  Everyone waves us off except for Gabe who sticks around to make sure I want to go with him.  Reluctantly I agree and Gabe goes to the blue machine to take everyone else.
    Trent comes over and opens the passenger door of his black Mercedes.  Sliding onto the leather seats the familiar scent of his cologne filled my nostrils.  I watch him ease into his seat, his long legs and muscular build forming to the black leather.  He smiles over to me while he starts the car.  I can’t help but smile back, his face just makes my lips move up.
    “Trent, I…” he interrupts me.
    He rests his hand on my leg.  “Not tonight Maddy.  We will make time to talk but not now. Let’s just have fun like the old times.”  I look into those blue eyes and see the boy I loved and I want nothing more than to enjoy our time together with none of the drama.
    “Alright.”  I shake my head in agreement.
    “So, how’s New York?”  He asks driving slowing out of the gravel parking lot.
    “The same, nothing new.”  I shrug my shoulders.
    “I miss it, especially the people.”  He winks his eye at me.
    “Yeah?’ I question.
    “Why would that surprise you?”
    “Why wouldn’t it?”
    I see the disappointment in his face but that doesn’t change things. 
    We make it to the bar and the blue machine is already there along with all the other players’ cars.  Gentry had rehabbed an old feed barn by the railroad tracks.  The bar fills the downstairs and basement with family dining on the top level.  High oak tables wrap the room with a bar that spans one side of the room.  Every type of alcohol lines the mirrored wall behind the bar even though this town is more partial to beer.
    I don’t know how Gentry managed it but all the state trophies are encased in a glass cabinet high above the seating along with numerous awards the Belcrest Spartans have won over the years.  There are even some individual trophies of the players. 
    Trent leads me down to the basement where the sign reads it is a private party for Jennings.  No doubt my brother arranged this, he is known to be the party planner of Belcrest.  The basement is a typical bar scene.  Pool Tables and Dart Boards with small tables along the walls.  There are two bars, one against the back wall and a smaller one up front.  Everyone is lined up against the wall bar in the back waiting to be served.  Jack is passing out pitchers for everyone so I make my way over to Ian and Kenna.
    I take a pitcher out of Jack’s hands and a cup out of Ian’s pouring myself a beer, I down half of it and take a seat.
    “It must have been quite a trip over.”  Ian jokes.
    “Like always.”  I respond back tipping back my beer some more.
    “You didn’t have to go with him.”  Kenna sneers.  I know what she thinks but she never understood our connection.
    “I know Kenna.  Sooner or later we have to face each other again.”  I sneer back.  I understand she wants to protect me but what am I supposed to do ignore him.
    Trent caught up with me at the table after being cornered by some other Littles, no doubt asking him about his wonderful life.  He stays by my side the whole night, touching the small of my back, putting his arm around the back of my chair.  We play a pool tournament but we were knocked out by Bryan and Mackenna in the third round.  My cheeks hurt from laughing