Far From Xanadu by Peters Julie Anne

Author:Peters, Julie Anne [Peters, Julie Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult, gay, Romance, JUV014000, Contemporary
ISBN: 9780316041157
Amazon: 0316041157
Goodreads: 7008392
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2005-05-04T07:00:00+00:00

We got shut out. The Sharon Springs’ pitcher was too much for us. We lost our composure, lost our cool. Womack scared us. She scared me. And that’s an accomplishment.

After the game, as we were slapping hands with the Sharon Springers — proffering insincere congratulations — Womack grabbed my wrist and held on. “Girl,” she said, peering into my eyes. She knew. Knew who, or what, I was. She was one too.

“Devon,” someone called.

She broke our connection and turned. “Yo.”

I watched her lope back to her team and join in their victory whoop. Devon Womack. We’d be hearing her name again.

“Mike, over here.” Xanadu waved from the backstop. She’d come alone; sat in a crowd on the top riser of the bleachers. I could finally let my happiness show; let it fly. She’d cheered for me every time I’d snagged a wild pitch or come up to bat. Too bad I didn’t show her my best stuff today.

“You were totally awesome,” she said as I sauntered over.

“Oh yeah. We kicked butt.” I rolled my eyes.

She cocked her head. “Well, you were good. Your coach is right. You should go to that camp.”

“Would everyone just lay off about the camp!”

Xanadu reeled back. “God.”

Geez. What was wrong with me? “I’m sorry.” I reached for her, withdrew my hand. It wasn’t her fault.

“Sza-bo. Mighty Mike.” Jamie jumped on my back for a pony ride. I dropped my shoulder and slammed him into the dirt.

Xanadu said, “We should go celebrate.”

Jamie writhed around on the ground, faking a collapsed lung.

“Celebrate what?” I asked, helping him up. “We sucked.”

“So? Celebrations don’t have to be about winning. They can be about life. Living. Just being alive.”

Jamie brushed off his shorts. “I like that. Cuz you never know when you might bite the big one.”

My eyes sliced through him like a chain saw.

He gulped. “Sorry. Sorry, Mike. God, what’s wrong with me?”

Did he want a list?

“The Mouth here is contagious.” He thumbed at Xanadu.

She bent back his thumb until he squealed. I was beginning to like this girl. Love her.

“We could finish what we started,” Jamie said. He meant the vodka and whiskey, since we’d only managed to drink half of each. The bottles were stashed inside a toilet tank in the back of the truck. He added,

“Tomorrow night. I don’t have to work Fridays.”

“I can’t tomorrow,” Xanadu said. “I’m going out with Bailey.”

Jamie’s eyes met mine. I averted my gaze, glancing over at the scoreboard. HOME: 8. VISITORS: 0. They could clear the board anytime.

“What about Saturday night?” Xanadu suggested.

“I have to work till ten.” Jamie pouted. “But we could go afterward.”

They waited for my answer. The Merc would be closed by then. I didn’t really want to go out drinking again, but what could I say? I wanted to see her, be with her. Always, forever. “Okay. Sure.”

Xanadu smiled, that secret smile.

Jamie made a weird face. What? Did he notice? If so, he didn’t embarrass me by being an asshole. “Same time, same station.” He punched my arm.

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