From chapter 11: As it neared bedtime Lacey again felt her phone beckoning, tempting her to text Kristi. After the week that she had, she knew now more than ever that what they had was real, was precious, was amazing and rare. She felt her hand reaching out again as if it had a mind of its own. Did she have the willpower to avoid texting? Even she wasn't sure.
IN HER COUSIN'S FOOTSTEPS- Part Twelve
Lacey scrolled over Kristi's final texts to her, now more than a week removed. She knew that she should delete them and block Kristi's number, but she knew that there was no way that she could. She tried to convince herself that they weren't soulmates, that they weren't meant for each other, and that life would be much less complicated without Kristi, but her heart told her otherwise. Still, she knew that she couldn't change Kristi and her nonchalance toward meaningless sex with others. Was it so meaningful to Lacey because Kristi was her only experience? Lacey didn't think so. She couldn't see herself as someone who would drop to her knees in the darkness of a storage shed, unless it was with someone she loved - unless it was with Kristi. She dropped the phone and pulled the sheets up over her, fighting back tears before drifting off to sleep.
The next morning she awoke with a pounding headache. Although she never drank, she wondered if this is what a hangover feels like. She struggled to get out of bed and freshened up. Her dad was making breakfast downstairs, and she greeted him.
"Hey princess. The usual? Bacon, eggs, toast?"
"Um, no dad. I think I'm just going with yogurt and some fruit." He shrugged and said, "Okay, more for me I guess," as he grabbed 4 pieces of crispy bacon and wolfed them down.
What had gotten into her, she wondered? She was starting to like her new trimmed down and toned self and the last thing she wanted to do was weigh herself down for the game.
"Dad, wanna play some catch when you're done?"
"Sounds good. Wow, we haven't done that in years. I really like this new 'Lacey.' "
She smiled, mainly wanting to occupy her time to keep her mind off of Kristi until game time. They cleaned up, met in the back yard and started with short tosses to each other.
"I'm going to be really sore tomorrow," her dad said. "Your throws are much stronger than I remembered. Kristi has been good for you."
Lacey stopped in mid-throw when he said that, then composed herself. "Yeah, she's really special dad."
"So, did you give any thought to college next year? Maybe follow in your cousin's footsteps and apply to NC State?"
"I don't know dad. Maybe it's better for me to find someplace where I'm not in her shadow. Not that I'm going to be good enough to play any sports, but I was thinking of a smaller school."
She wanted to say, "One where I won't be near Kristi," but she didn't want him asking why.
He threw her a few pop-ups and she fielded them easily. "So, you and Kristi aren't hitting any frat parties when you go there, right?"
"No, it's all workouts and training. We're exhausted after practices so no parties for us. Besides, I'm only eighteen. They're all older."
"Well, just be careful. I know you already know, but there's lots of stuff that goes on in college from what I heard. Drinking, drugs. Just be really careful."
"I am, dad. You know that. And I have no desire to drink. I want to be in control," she said, although the thought of being in a collar for Kristi was the complete opposite of 'control.'
"Good. I'm a guy - an old guy, but still. Guys are out for one thing - at least they were back when I was your age, so I'm guessing that hasn't changed."
"Well, that hasn't been a problem for me. Trust me dad."
She almost wanted to say something to him, to provide him with a hint about her sexuality, but she knew she wouldn't have the nerve. She wondered if he sensed it, and if he would be disappointed in her if he knew. This wasn't the time to bring it up, but would there ever be?
"Are you coming to our game today? Maybe we can ride over together."
"I think I am, sunshine, but...well, I may have to leave a little early."
"Oh, hot date?"
He blushed when she asked.
"Seriously dad? You have a date? Who?"
"Just a friend of your aunt's. She has wanted to set us up forever and I finally ran out of excuses."
"That's good dad. I'm happy for you. Um, dad? One of the girls is inviting some of us over to her house afterward if that's okay."
"Sure. I'm glad you're making new friends. Will Kristi be there?"
She paused, deciding to just tell him. "No dad. Kristi and I aren't really hanging out anymore. It's silly really," she lied, "but we just decided to take a break for a while."
"Well, that happens. Sometimes a little distance is good. Makes you closer even."
She shrugged. "Well I better get ready for the game. Thanks for playing catch. This was fun."
She gave him a hug. If he would have seen her face, he would have been surprised at the look of agony as she thought about Kristi and their relationship.
She relaxed a bit before leaving again for the game. This time she batted eighth and played right field again. The opposing team was pretty weak, but she didn't do quite as well as she had in the prior game, striking out twice and hitting a shallow pop-up. She misplayed a ball in the outfield, but they still won handily. Afterward Susie again invited everyone back to her townhouse for a small get-together, and most of them agreed to meet there. She noticed that April and Connie again drove together, so she followed them to Susie's place. They all celebrated another victory, and Susie told the group that they could help themselves to whatever they wanted to drink. She turned the stereo up and put some snacks out. Most of the girls chose wine or mixed drinks, while Lacey again sat with a Sprite. She relaxed in the living room on a love seat, while three others - Katie, Samantha and Alex - were stuffed on the couch, and Susie sat apart from them in a comfy recliner. They compared statistics and toasted their still-undefeated season. Connie and April were out in the kitchen. When they finally joined the others, Connie quickly squeezed onto the sofa, leaving April to sit down on the love seat next to Lacey.
The drinks were re-filled, and the chats became sillier as the girls got more tipsy. They compared notes on dates, boyfriends and girlfriends. Susie suggested a game of "truth or dare," and everyone agreed to participate. Lacey nervously watched. Although she knew of the game, she never played. Being the only sober one, she feared that she would be too inhibited to really get into it. April rose and came back with two glasses of white wine, handing one to Lacey, who promptly handed it back.
"I don't, I mean...I'm only eighteen, so I'll stick with my Sprite."
April gave her a look. "It's just wine, it's like table wine. Did you ever take communion?"
"Yeah, but..."
"But? It's just like taking three or four communions. It's fine," she said quietly and handed it back to her. This time Lacey kept it, and slowly sipped it as the game started.
Susie started and turned to Katie. "Truth or dare, Katie?"
"Truth."
"Um, let's see. How old when you felt your first penis?"
Katie blushed and giggled, as did the rest of the girls. "Sixteen, no. Yeah, sixteen."
"That's it? No details? Okay, next?"
Katie turned to Sam. "Truth or dare?"
"Dare, I guess," which drew an "ooh" from the others.
Katie thought about it for a few seconds, then decided.
"Crawl on the floor like a doggie and fetch Susie's slippers." They all exploded in laughter and Sam proceeded to get down on all fours, barking and even lifting her leg as she pretended to pee on the coffee table. She crawled into Susie's room and brought back a pair of slippers in her mouth, dropping them at Susie's feet and panting obediently. Two sips into her first ever glass of wine, Lacey laughed along with them but flashed back to her play collar with regret.
Sam sat back up and turned to Alex. "Truth or dare?"
