Rounding Third by Michelle Lynn

shuts the door to the bathroom and enters my room. The last thing I need is him spouting holy advice to me.
    “Ella?”
    I close my eyes, wishing I had fifty baseballs to hammer at the wall.
    “Do you want to go to the batting cage?” He sits down on my desk, propping his feet on my chair.
    “We’re not fifteen.”
    “Yeah, but you’re angry with Ella. It’s always worked before. Remember the time when you started liking her, and she kissed Noah?”
    He laughs, and I can’t hide my own amusement because I hit two home runs and two triples that next game. I fielded every ball that came my way and nailed them right toward Noah’s face, but the bastard caught every one.
    “Maybe it will improve your game.”
    I shake my head from Brax’s obscure trait to lead me in the right direction, even if it’s in his own chaotic nature.
    “Listen.” He claps his hands, veering my attention from the new ball juggling in my hands.
    I hold it in my right hand and stare over at him.
    “You’re going about it all wrong. You need to stay as far away as you can from her. Let her come to you because you know she will. I mean, you two are Crosby and Ella.”
    “That doesn’t mean shit anymore.”
    “Anyone can see that she still wants you, but your return churned up a lot of crap. I know I look like I have it all together, but the truth is, you being back brings memories—good and bad.” He smooths his hands down his thighs.
    I never even considered what my return would be like for Brax.
    “You and Noah were my best friends, and I lost both of you that night.”
    I bite my lip and swallow the dry lump occupying my throat. “I love her,” I admit, purposely staying away from the topic of Noah.
    “No shit. If you love her, you need to do one thing.”
    “What?”
    “Stop acting like it didn’t happen. Face it, deal with it, and remember Noah and Kedsey.”
    Easy for him to say. He wasn’t there that night. He wasn’t driving the car. He wasn’t labeled.
    “And, for fuck’s sake, stop stalking her. Make her jealous. Make her come to you .” He draws out the last word as he looks me directly in the eyes. “Now, get dressed. We’re going over to Kappa.”
    I throw my hands up in the air. “You told me to stay away from her. Why would I go to her boyfriend’s party?”
    “I also said, make her jealous. The girls on this campus are excited to meet Mr. Third Base. Consider tonight your coming-out party.”
    “Fuck, I’ll kill him if I go.” The ball molds to the palm of my hand.
    “Hey now, Coach will bench you for a fight. Plus, I just came up with a killer plan.”
    “Did you know he cheats on her?”
    Brax’s face turns beet red, and that happy-go-lucky smile falters. “What?”
    I slowly nod my head. “Yep. Saw him outside her apartment with a blonde.”
    “Jen?”
    I wave him off. “Nah. Some other chick.”
    His hand runs down his face. “Tell me you told her.”
    I shake my head.
    He groans and leans against my desk. “Cros, you’ve gotta tell her.”
    I juggle the ball in my hands, my coping mechanism calming my anger.
    “I don’t want her to hate me. Let’s remember, when you didn’t talk to Noah when he told you he saw Liz with that fucker from Clement.”
    He rolls his eyes. “I was blinded.”
    “So is she.”
    “It’s a sure win for you if you tell her. Fuck, I could kill the preppy asshole.”
    Seeing how protective Brax is over Ella makes me wonder how close they’ve become during the years I’ve been gone.
    “I don’t want her to think I’m telling her to make her end it.”
    “Then, let’s make sure she finds out herself.”
    “You want me to let her walk into that buzzsaw?” My body stiffens. I’ve hurt this girl so much already.
    “It’s for her own good. Save her from the dick. We both know she’s better off without him. He’s a cardboard cutout. Shit, give me the ball because I’m going to break his nose for you and her. Now, get ready. We’re out in thirty