Free Igniting the Wild Sparks by Ren Alexander Page A

to mention even huskier voice after he just wakes up, he must be some sight to wake up to.” No kidding. That’s why I’ve been late for work on more than one occasion.
    I shove at Rod’s arm , compelling him to move. “He is. I hate leaving him in our bed to go to work.” That’s right, Shasta. Our bed.
    “He also makes you late for kite festivals. That’s gross.” Rod makes gagging noises from behind me. I take note to never introduce him to Simone.
    Shasta heavily sighs and tosses her hair back. “Well, if you ever decide to kick him out of your bed, send him my way.” She laughs, but I know she’s not even joking.
    I laugh on the outside, but am raging on the inside. “Never getting rid of him.”
    Back off, bitch.
    “Damn,” she says with disappointment, not even trying to hide it.
    Morgan sneers, “You’d actually date a coworker’s leftovers?”
    “Well, if he was available. Why not? He is gorgeous.”
    Trying to stay civil, I keep my growling in check. “I know he is.”
    Shasta probes, “You’ve been dating Finn for a year?” Sh e and Betsy both look cynically from me to Rod and then at me again.
    “Three years.” I correct her.
    Betsy looks at my left hand. “ That’s a long time. Isn’t he going to put a ring on it?” This damn question is really plucking my last nerve like a bird snapping at a worm stuck in dried cement.
    “I don’t know. We’re living together. That’s good enough for me.” Almost living together. Close enough.
    Morgan steps up to both of them with her arms crossed , preparing to go to battle for me once more. However, I’m ready to prevent her from doing so this time. “What does it matter if they’re going to get married or not?”
    “I just wondered how serious they were.”
    “Extremely. He has a tattoo of the nickname he gave her and did it on TV. That’s pretty tenacious, don’t you think? If you can’t see how much he loves her just from that, then you’re clueless.”
    Shasta shrugs and laughs. “He could always get it changed or removed.”
    I adamantly shake my head. “He’d never do that.” He’d better not!
    Behind Shasta, I notice Finn returning to the field . He’s holding his clipboard and is again, all business. All coach. Even his sunglasses are back on his face. Mechanically as if he called me to him or pulled on my leash, I step away from the grand jury to meet him, and they follow. Finn glances my way, transitorily licks his lips and hurriedly looks away again, his walls once more up and reinforced with cement, barbed wire, and 10 Pinkerton guards.
    We all gather and take a seat in the grass in front of him. Sparks looks out at us, I think. I’m not sure since his eyes are concealed. He stiffly says, “I’d like to thank everyone for your cooperation in the interviews.”
    Rod snorts and slaps my back. “Especially Hadley, here. She was extremely cooperative with you.”
    Morgan slaps Rod on the back harder. “Dick Rod, you’re just jealous you didn’t get a kiss from him.”
    I hear Finn’s deep intake of breath as he lowers his clipboard, holding it against him like a shield. “Okay. As you all just saw, I kissed Hadley.” He did? I thought I kissed him ? “Yes. We are a couple and have been for the past three years.” He pulls the clipboard up, essentially finished talking about his private life, having already put too much of it on public display for the rest of his life. “Anyway, I have made a list and assigned positions for you. If you have suggestions to make or have any questions, we’ll address them afterward.”
    Rod whispers, “Hundred bucks you’re his bat girl.” I heave him away from me and intently stare at Finn. Is he going to give me a crap position just to put distance between us because of all of my new haters?
    “Our first pitcher will be Crick.”
    Rod leans into me again. “Really, Wilder?”
    “Our second pitcher is Rod. Catcher will be Amos.”
    Rod practically convulses at that