Page 69 of Running Home to You
Abby’s grip turned white on the chipped mug she’d been sniffing for mildew. Kate froze and stared straight ahead.
“Know what?” Abby asked.
“You quit smoking.” Mick smacked her back.
Her shoulders unclenched, and out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Kate release a breath. “Trying,” Abby said while she poured coffee. At least it wasn’t a lie. Kate hated her smoking and its taste on her lips. Quitting became miraculously easy.
“Because you’re doing it, right?” Mick grinned.
Kate turned away to hide her flushed face.
“Doing what?” Abby asked.
“Playing next year!” Mick grabbed the mug from her. “Can you imagine? Team USA? You could win a fucking gold medal someday!”
Abby waited for Mick to flop down at the kitchen table before exchanging a knowing smile with Kate. She huffed and shook her head.
“And don’t worry—I’ve been doing my research,” Mick said. “I think you should go to Oklahoma. Their shortstop is graduating this year, but you could probably beat out their third baseman if you wanted to.”
“No thanks.”
“Florida then. We could live on the beach,” T.K. said.
Abby furrowed her brow. “Why would you be there?”
“How about Arizona State? They’re young, but I think they’re poised to make a run for a national title.” Mick rubbed her hands. “Don’t worry though, we’ll figure this out.”
Abby frowned, again off-put by her own future. Kate shifted closer and gently nudged her shoulder.
“Good morning, family.” Jill entered with Dylan behind her, the two of them in a mismatch ofInsley Athleticswear they seemed to have shared.
“Not good morning. You two left the door unlocked again,” Mick said.
Dylan shook his head as he sat down at the table. “Wasn’t us. I swear we locked it when we got back from the bar last night.”
Jill plopped onto his lap, eating straight from a cereal box. “How do you know it’s not Haley?” she asked through a mouthful. “Who I adore, by the way, but is getting a little too comfortable using all the hot water.”
“I am not,” Haley said, pausing on her way to the coffee maker to kiss Mick. “Plus, we shower together, so doesn’t that count for something?”
“Ew.” T.K. sneered. “There are too many people in this house.”
“Yeah, starting with you,” Mick said.
“Hey, I earned my squatting rights long before you all coupled up!”
“I think I should go,” Abby whispered to Kate.
“Yeah.” She nodded and followed, the two of them slipping out the back door where the argument echoed into the yard. Finally free, they broke into laughter. “I thought for sure Mick knew.”
“Me too.” Abby chuckled.
She glanced around, made sure no one saw them from the window, and laced her pinky through Kate’s. Kate wrapped the rest of her fingers around her hand while they walked to the main road.
“Skip your run,” Abby said, pulling her closer. “Come over to my place.”
Kate shook her head. “No. You have to get ready for your midterm anyway.”
Abby groaned as they stopped to face each other.
