Aced (Blocked #2) Read Free Page B

good.”
    “Ah.” She studied me. “Was it a shoulder injury?”
    “Almost.” I pointed to a different body part. “Elbow.”
    “Gotcha.” She smiled. “So then you transitioned to…first base?”
    My eyes widened. “You do know the game! You figured my height would help me snag wild throws from the shortstop.”
    “Plus, first basemen tend to be pretty cute.” Her eyes grew big, and she took a step back. “Ah, um, I mean…”
    I wasn’t sure which was more attractive—her thinking I was cute, or her mortification at saying so out loud. I was just about to change the subject to save her when her hand found her hip again. She straightened.
    “Wait a minute, mister—you avoided my question.” The fire was back in her eyes. “Are you going to snitch on Lucia or treat her like an adult? Which she is .”
    So she’d seen right through my ploy. I’d learned the evasive maneuver in media training: If you don’t like the question, redirect it to a topic you want to discuss. Maddie reminded me of Harris Faulkner on Fox News. She pressed politicians when they avoided her questions.
    Dad had made it clear I was supposed to protect my younger sister and brother, and withholding the fact that Lucia was having premarital sex likely defied that directive. But she seemed more confident about her decision than I’d anticipated, which made me question whether to tell him. Plus, I didn’t want to bother him—he was rather busy. “I’m not sure,” I finally said.
    “You shouldn’t tell him.”
    “Don’t you care about Lucia’s reputation? Her future? She’s not listening to me, but maybe she’d listen to him.”
    Her forehead creased. “You make sex sound shameful. It’s not. It can be really…nice, wonderful even.” Her mouth quivered before she looked away. Why did she seem sad? She cleared her throat. “Sex is a way to show your love. You know how it is.”
    Here it is . This conversation had come up with my med school friends, and they’d been horrified when I told them the truth. But I’d promised myself I would stick to my values, no matter how unpopular they seemed. “I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t know, actually.” My chin crept up an inch. “I don’t believe in sex before marriage.”
    “You…” The crease between her eyebrows deepened. “You’re a virgin?”
    My face warmed from embarrassment. I swallowed, then gave a slight nod, scrutinizing her face for any sign of judgment.
    But she seemed fascinated rather than repulsed. “This is about your religion?”
    “Yes.” I wondered if she would condemn me for being Christian.
    “Hmm.” She eyed me. “I admire your commitment to your faith, but it must be tough to wait so long. How old are you?”
    “Twenty-four.” That’s not that old, right? “How old are you?”
    “Twenty-one. Well, I turn twenty-two next month.” She squinted. “You’re in your second year of med school?”
    Pleased Lucia had shared that about me, I nodded.
    “Wow. So you graduated from college in four years, then started right away at a prestigious med school.”
    I shrugged. “But you’re also graduating in four years—tough to accomplish as a student-athlete.”
    “How’d you know I’m graduating?”
    “Lucia won’t stop ranting about the team sucking next year without you.”
    “Ah, Rez.”
    The slight huskiness of her laugh set off a flutter in my belly.
    “The team will be fine next year. Your sister doesn’t realize how talented she is.” Maddie looked at Lucia, and I followed her gaze.
    Lucia had stopped arguing with Frank, who now sat in the row behind her with China. My sister stared straight ahead, her shoulders tense, as Allison leaned in next to her. I wondered why Lucia wasn’t watching the match when I realized the gym floor was empty. Both teams had disappeared to the locker rooms between games. I’d been so absorbed in my conversation with Maddie that I hadn’t noticed the break in the action.
    “Rez