Margaret couldn't stop giggling. She sat in my front seat, clutching her stomach as she laughed and laughed. It was music to my ears. She thought it was so fun to sneak out of the hospital. However, I didn't sneak her out; I talked to her mother about this, and she agreed that Margaret could come to the scrimmage game. She told me that someone would be there to pick her up so I wouldn't have to bring her back to the hospital.

"You can't tell anyone that we did that," I said in a whisper. She nodded solemnly. 

"That sounds good to me," she replied. I could hear the laughter still in her voice, and her lips twitched.

"Don't stop smiling," I said, parking my car outside of the softball diamond. 

"What?" she asked.

"Lately, you have seemed down," I explained. I shut off my car and faced her. "Seeing you smile has been a great change."

Margaret nodded, her smile slipping off of her face. "I don't like being cooped up in the hospital. I want to see my friends again and go to school."

"I know," I said gently. "I know you do."

"Thank you for bringing me here tonight."

"You're welcome."

She pulled me into a tight hug before leaping out of the car. Her frail body seemed to gain strength just for tonight. She bounced up and down on her feet as she waited by my trunk. I pulled my softball bag out of it, and she slammed the trunk shut. 

"Is Harvey here yet?" she asked excitedly.

I scanned the field and caught sight of his pink hair. Nodding, I pulled her along toward the bleachers. Mom, Dad, and Beckett were already there, and they smiled and waved at me. I stepped up on the first bleacher and held my hand out for Margaret. She took it gratefully. I helped her to where my family was sitting.

"Are these your parents?" Margaret asked shyly. She tucked herself behind me slightly, and I laughed.

"Yeah. That's my brother, Beckett." Beckett raised his hand in acknowledgement. "You can sit here with them while you watch me play."

"Okay."

Mom and Dad separated so Margaret could sit in between them. I caught Mom's eye, to see if they were fighting again, but she avoided me. I ignored that side of my mind and smiled at Margaret. "I'll send Harvey over here, okay?"

"Okay!"

I spun on my heel and nearly ran into Chris and Ethan and Sophia. They all smiled at me, and Sophia pulled me into a hug. "Hey," I said to them. 

"Don't listen to these guys, I'm totally rooting for you," Sophia said quickly, pulling away from me. I laughed.

"Is this true, boys?"

"No, it isn't," Chris said, shaking his head. "She's on Team Harvey all the way."

I rolled my eyes. "What, are you guys betting on me or something?" They shared not-so-secret glances, and I groaned. "Are you three serious?"

"Completely," Ethan said with a deadpan expression. "I placed my bets on you, Sophia placed her bets on Harvey, and Chris is neutral."

"Thank you, Chris," I said, throwing him a smile. "You're my favorite."

"Hey!" Sophia said loudly as I ran away from her, laughing. I glanced back to see her laughing, too.

Something hard stopped me from moving any further. I caught myself from falling by grabbing onto the arm and glanced up. Nick smiled down at me and held me at arms length. "Hi!" he said brightly.

I thought I'd feel something the next time I saw him. However, nothing spread through my veins as I stared up at him. I forced a smile on my face and said, "Hey. How are you?"

"Great now that I'm here."

I swallowed, trying to figure out what to say. He looked happy to see me. I didn't want to break his heart, but I didn't like him anymore. I just didn't know how to tell him. "I should get going," I said, gesturing to the dugout. "I have to play."

"I'll be watching." He winked before heading toward the bleachers. 

I made a beeline toward the dugout and sighed when I saw Coach Kidman. She stood at the entrance with a glare situated on her face. I tried to walk in silently, but she extended her arm, preventing me from entering. "Where do you think you're going?" she asked.

"I'm playing," I said simply.

"No, you're not."

Anger rushed through me, and I glared at her. She met my gaze with an uninterested look. "I'm playing," I said forcefully. "I'm sorry I missed practice, but I was sick."

"Exactly. That's why you're not playing. I don't want you to get hurt out there."

I didn't know what to say. I didn't think she liked me. Why would she care if I got hurt? That would help the other girls who didn't play as much as me get more field time. "I'm fine," I blurted out. "I'll be fine."

She stared at me for a second. "Fine. Get in there."

I hurried into the dugout and threw my bag on the ground, taking my bat and glove out. I rested my bat against the fence and watched as Coach Kidman and the baseball coach shake hands on the field. Kiley and Layla stood next to me, and I said, "Let's win this game. Last year, the boys won, and they held it over our heads for ten months."

"This is our last scrimmage game against the baseball team," Kiley said softly. "I plan to win."

Coach Kidman strolled into the dugout. She immediately said, "We're batting first. Get in line."

I tried to find a spot closer to the front so I could prove to Coach Kidman that I was fine. Unfortunately, I got stuck behind Harper near the end of the line. A few girls stood behind me, and Layla and Kiley were up front. I wanted to be near them, but the first girl ran toward home plate. 

"Hey, I wanted to say that I'm sorry about your breakup," I said, tapping on Harper's shoulder. She turned around with a sharp look on her face. It looked like it could melt ice with the force of it.

"Thanks," she said, her voice hard. She turned around and faced forward. 

I didn't know why she didn't like me. It wasn't my fault that her boyfriend cheated on her. She didn't have to listen to my advice. Soon, it was finally my turn to bat. We had two outs already, but we also had two girls on the bases. We only had one point, so I had to hit a home-run or something just to get a head start.

My bat felt right in my hands as I held it above the plate. The pitcher threw the ball at me. It flew like a bullet, and I swung. I couldn't believe that I missed hitting the ball. The umpire called out, "Strike one!"

I shook my head, not meeting anyone's eyes. Mom told me that I shouldn't play the scrimmage game, but I begged her to. I had to do well so I could prove to her and Coach Kidman.

I swung again, and this time, the ball soared through the air to the right. I took off running. Harvey went after the ball, and he glanced back at me. After that glance, he slowed down slightly, and I made it to first base safely.

---

I stalked to Harvey, forgetting about my fear of being around him, and I poked his chest. "I can't believe you," I said to him angrily.

He stared at me. "What are you talking about?"

"You went easy on me," I snapped. "Why?"

He crossed his arms over his chest, tilting his head. "Cat, you were just sick. You're weak. I had no choice."

"Yes, you did!" I tried my best glare on him, but he didn't budge. "I could have handled you out there."

Something flickered in his eyes. "No. You couldn't have."

"Are you saying you're better than me at softball?" I asked.

Harvey took a step closer to me. "I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that you're weak because you lost weight. You're not as strong as you used to be."

I struggled to find words as he gazed at me. My heart suddenly picked up speed, and the anger slowly fell away from me. In its place was the need for him to kiss me. He seemed to have the same idea as he cupped my cheek with his hand. My eyes fluttered shut and a small gasp left my lips. It seemed like we were made for each other with his hand fitting my cheek perfectly.

"I've always been better at softball than you," I whispered, but it didn't gain me a response. He was silent. His head started leaning down, and I had no idea what to do. I knew I wanted this. However, I was connected with Nick. He was here, but the closer Harvey got to me, the less I could think. "Are you sure you want this?" I whispered quickly.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

I thought I'd explode when his lips brushed mine. What I had been feeling was finally coming true. The pressure had built up in my chest, and I could finally release it. I knew he was teasing me. He barely touched me, and he knew I wanted more. My hands slipped around his shoulders, pulling him closer to me. I took matters into my own hands by kissing him fully on the lips.

I had never been kissed like this. It seemed like he needed my touch, and I sloppily ran my hands through his hair. There was so much fire between the two of us, burning through my veins. He could feel it, too. Harvey kissed me with passion, like this was the last time we would ever do this.

Suddenly, he pulled away from me, retreating a few steps back. I could barely open my eyes, and my legs were growing weak. I needed him to come kiss me again, to make everything all better. I needed him, but he was walking away from me.

"Where are you going?" I asked, my voice hoarse. He walked faster away from me, and I ran to catch up to him. He dodged me. "Harvey, wait up!" He flicked his gaze to me. The look in his eyes made me stumble. I slowed to a stop. "Harvey?" He picked up his pace at the sound of my voice, racing toward the parking lot. My heart fell out of my chest the farther he got from me.

"Cat?"

I whirled around to find Nick standing there. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets, a confused look on his face. "Yes?" I forced out.

"Are you okay?"

"Just fine."

He didn't look like he believe me, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he said, "I should go. Thanks for inviting me here."

"You're welcome."

Nick waved to me before walking away. In his place stood Margaret and Layla. Layla had her arm around Margaret's shoulders, and she said, "You played well tonight. Are you feeling better?"

I nodded. "You two know each other?" I asked, gesturing to them.

Margaret burst out laughing. "You really don't know?"

"Know what?"

"She's my sister," Layla said, pointing to Margaret.

I stared at them. How had I not known that? "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious."

I really couldn't think right now because my mind was still focusing on my kiss with Harvey. I just shrugged and said goodbye to them. I headed toward my car, wondering why Harvey ran away from me.