Free Play Dirty (Make the Play #4) by Amber Garza Page A

I figure it’s a win-win for both of us.”
    “All right.” He says, but he doesn’t sound particularly happy about it.
    I catch his eye. “You okay?”
    “Yeah. I think it’s just this stuff with my dad. It has me all messed up.”
    “If you decide you want to meet up and talk with him, I could go with you.” I don’t know why I offer it. Nothing about it sounds fun. A root canal would be more appealing. But something about his dejected behavior gets to me. Maybe because it’s so rare to see Josh like this, and when I do it makes me want to comfort him.
    Shock registers on his face. “You would do that?”
    Smiling, I nod. I assume he’ll be overjoyed with the admission.
    Instead, his face darkens, and he steps away from me. “It’s fine. I don’t want to meet with him, and if I did, I wouldn’t need you there.”
    Recoiling, it’s like I’ve been slapped in the face. “Okay. Point taken.” I whirl around. “I’ll see you at practice.”
    “Talia, wait,” he calls after me as I stalk off.
    “Don’t worry. I’ll still play my part,” I say without stopping.
    He says something else, but I can’t make it out. And I don’t even care. I’m way too angry at this point. I can’t even believe I attempted to be nice. I never should’ve even made that offer. This thing between us isn’t real, and every time I start to think it is, I get burned.
    But I won’t let it happen again.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    These stands feel like home. I’ve spent so many hours sitting in these bleachers watching the Prairie Creek Panthers play. However, today is different. In the past, I was here for Palmer or Hayes. Or I was accompanying Ashley as she scoped out her latest boyfriend of the hour. Staring out at the field, my stomach churns. If only I could go back in time. I’d give anything to see Palmer smiling at me from left field. Or to have Hayes’s face light up when he spots me in the stands. Instead, Josh barely gives me a second glance. By the way his lips purse, I’d say he’s not exactly overjoyed by my presence.
    A few minutes into practice, I contemplate leaving. Especially when Ashley saunters up. The smile Hayes throws her makes me want to vomit. And it drives home the fact that she’s supposed to be here. She’s here for her boyfriend. Her real boyfriend.
    I’m nothing more than a fake. A poser. And it kills me.
    When her head swivels in my direction, I hurriedly avert my gaze. The last thing I want is to engage in a conversation with her. I don’t even know what I was thinking coming here like this. How is it doing me any good? Josh is on the field ignoring me. The whole thing is pointless. I start to stand up when a woman plops down on the bench next to me. Our eyes meet, and recognition is instant.
    “Talia, right?”
    “Yeah,” I say softly, sinking back down onto the bench.
    “I thought that was you.” She thrusts out a shaky hand. “I’m Josh’s mom.”
    “I know.” I take her hand in mine. It’s clammy, as if she’s nervous. For some reason that makes me sad.
    When our hands separate, her gaze sweeps the field. “You here to watch Josh practice?”
    I nod, again feeling like an imposter. If only I’d left sooner. There was no way I could take off now. I glance over at Ashley, and she’s watching us with curiosity. Her expression gives me pause. Maybe this is a good thing. Perhaps I can use it to my advantage.
    “That’s nice of you,” she says with a smile. “I don’t usually come to his practices.” Pausing, she wrings her hands in her lap. “I was just kind of bored at home, I guess. Thought I’d swing by.”
    The emptiness in her eyes cuts to my heart, and now I understand why Josh is so angry with his dad. There is no way to look at his mom without realizing how hurt she is. “Well, I’m glad you’re here.” Instinctively, I reach out and place my hand over hers. She stiffens as if surprised, but then relaxes, her lips curling upward a bit. “I’m sure Josh