Falling Faster: Falling, #1

By Jaime Leah Marchon

Overthinking, 16 year old, Elli Matthews has finally given up on her maybe, sort of, sometimes boyfriend. Sometimes as in he only likes her when no one else is around. Flirting in private and completely ignoring her in public is not the way to a girl's heart. She's closing that chapter of her life while Eric is busy grasping for any reason to be alone with her so he can finally tell her how he feels. Too little too late? When Eric's best friend shows interest, in public, with people watching, lots of people, what girl could resist a little harmless flirting? Only, hanging out with Jagger may not be so harmless. He's not exactly a one girl kind of guy. Drunken one night stands are more his style but for a chick like Elli, he just might be willing to change his ways. Hold on, does this mean Eric is single? Jenna sure hopes so because she's sick of trying not to fall completely and totally in love with him behind her best friend's back. Hmmm, Elli may be over Eric 'cause she's totally under Jagger, but how would she feel about her bestie and her exie getting together? Wait, who likes who now? Friendships take a backseat to relationships and some of them may never recover. High school love is so confusing. It's a good thing all of them take you along on their journeys. Four perspectives. One story. One happily ever after. …For now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Orange Rock Publishing
• Release date: May 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386946786

Book preview

Chapter 1-Elli

Seriously, remind me why I’m doing this again? I’m sitting here waiting for a guy to notice me? Baseball sucks Morgan.

It’s a freezing cold spring day and I’m forced to wear a dress like it’s 1950. It feels sexist to me, it’s not like the guys have to show their legs to actually play in the game but I have to freeze my butt off to manage the team?

For the boys, Elli. The boys! Morgan says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

She’s determined to set me up with one of the guys on the team. If she has her way, I’ll hook up with all of them and make my decision after the championship winning season. The problem is, I’m not like that at all, not that it’s stopped me from completely crushing on Eric. Sometimes, though, things aren’t meant to be and I’ve given up on him liking me back. He’s all hot and cold and I’m over it.

Tonight we’re playing the Bridgemont Spartans. The rivalry goes back farther than anyone can remember and it’s always the biggest game of the season even if it doesn’t affect either team’s playoff chances.

So, Morgan says, resuming the conversation as she looks over the field, do you like Eric or Jonah? She asks like it’s an either/or question, like it has to be one or the other. Can I choose neither? I ignore Eric’s name. Even I don’t know how I feel about the boy. How is that for hot and cold?

Eeew, Jonah? He’s basically my brother. I’ve known him since he was pooping in the pool.

So last year then? It’s Jagger’s booming voice I hear first. He always says what the rest of us are thinking, lightening the mood, and in this case taking the attention off me.

We’re just friends, I insist. Hanging out with Jonah is pretty much inevitable, his sister is my best friend.

Someone’s really friends with him? Morgan snorts and we all start laughing.

Morgan’s good for laughs but unlike Jagger, she’s not doing it to be funny, she just has verbal diarrhea, no filter between her brain and her mouth. She’s got the benchwarmers hanging off every word she says. We all know they won’t be playing one second of this game but I think they accept their fate if it means they can sit next to a half-dressed Morgan Hall for hours on end. She flirts even when she doesn’t know she’s doing it. That’s probably why most of them joined the team in the first place.

The action on the field gets my attention, which it rarely does, and I’m saved by the bell. No one’s going to push to find out how I feel about Eric and I’m glad. He’s warming up beside me and when he smiles in my direction all my feelings come flooding back. If it weren’t for him I’d be curled up on the couch with my kindle instead of picking up after these slobs and recording stats in my handy-dandy notebook. Maybe if this was basketball or football, but baseball is so boring. That’s all I can think at a time like this, my legs turning a super intense shade of maroon. At least I’ll coordinate with the boys’ uniforms.

I’m vaguely aware of Jenna approaching with her dad, my surrogate father after mine basically abandoned me. Every time I see them together I get a little pang of jealousy in the pit of my stomach. I would kill for a father who cared but Jenna is just annoyed that her dad has absolutely no problem talking to her friends, guys included. We’re best friends, we pretty much tell each other everything but I can’t bring myself to tell her how I feel. How can I complain about my life? Mom’s home so rarely it shocks me when she is and Jenna’s over every night, which has her parents convinced she’ll fail out. Not that you can actually fail out of public high school.

I give a little wave in their direction, calling out hey Dad, as he takes his place on the bench reserved for fans. Usually the bleachers are empty but there’s never an available seat when the Eagles play the Spartans. The ground is flooded with moms and dads, little brothers and sisters, all spread out on blankets enjoying the fact that their legs can be covered. Remind me again why I have to wear a dress.

I try to peel my eyes off Eric at shortstop but it’s hard. Those gray pants make his chickeny legs look halfway decent. He’s alternating between talking to Jagger on third base and arguing with Jonah on second. It’s almost like trash talk but Eric’s not even remotely capable of that. He’s a sweetheart and I know he hates it so I would never say it to his face. Flirting with him is so easy and believe me, I’m no flirt. I’m probably the only person on earth shyer than Eric Morley. The two of us can barely make eye contact even after hours of making out on Jenna’s couch. It’s probably a good thing it’s going nowhere, imagine what our dates would be like.

Out of the corner of my eye I notice the pitcher from the other team making his way over. Morgan sees him and I’m sure he notices her, how could he not? She’s the type of girl that guys love, all curves in the right places. I’m gonna be 17 in a couple weeks and barely have anything resembling boobs or a butt. I’m too skinny. I know I should enjoy it while I can but I can’t get past the fact that my body looks like a pre-pubescent ten year old boy trying to fill out something from Victoria’s Secret.

Are you checking me out? Morgan asks confidently, not believing for a second that there’s any way he isn’t. How is it that I’m in an almost knee length skirt yet I’m so cold I contemplate pulling all the bats out of the bag and wearing it like a blanket? Morgan’s perfectly fine in half the clothes.

No, Preston responds, pointing in my direction, "I’m checking her out."

My heart stops for a second. Huh? Me? Elli Matthews? I think about looking behind me to see if someone else is standing nearby. I mean, Morgan’s wearing a tiny bright orange dress and he’s checking me out? I should be flattered but taking one look at him I realize why I’m not. I don’t want to be mean but even on his best day he couldn’t be mistaken for anything close to desirable. I’m not sure which is worse, the beer gut hanging over his waistband or the ring of blazing red hair clinging to his ever-expanding bald spot.

She’s not interested, Jenna answers. She always speaks for me even though I’m pretty sure I’d be considered the alpha in this two-some. She knows exactly what I want and Preston Walker is not it. Sure, Eric is good looking in the cute, shy-boy kind of way but I more or less went for his personality. The hot making out not the cold, ignoring me like I’m not even there side, of course.

The inning’s over and I have to get back to work. Pretend he didn’t say anything and walk away or politely decline before running as fast as I can? I almost can’t think over the deafening sound of our fans. So, I’m not exactly on the team but I’m sure someone in the stands appreciates my hard work. I like to think that I deserve something other than an obviously unappreciated come-on from the most unappealing guy Bridgemont has to offer. Maybe if it were Scott Westland or Byron Little but I don’t think my team would ever let me live it down.

Just when I think I might die of mortification, two maroon-shirted arms sling themselves around my waist. All I know is I’m glad for the distraction, easier to slip away when someone is taking you, right?

Jenna’s eyes travel up to the face but I don’t dare look. If it’s Marc, I might scream. He’s the only one creepy enough to wrap his arms around me unsolicited, the one who always makes sexual comments about anything that has the semblance of boobs. Not that I’m entirely sure I do. They’re kind of like a second set of kneecaps, only with nipples.

The lighting up of my best friend’s face is enough to tell me it’s not Marc standing behind me but someone a little more interesting. Morgan’s even easier to read. Maybe it’s Eric? I open my mouth to speak but no words come out.

You’re way out of your league, Walker. Elli’s mine. She’s not into douchebags from Bridgemont, are you, Elle?

All I can do is shake my head as his arms pull me closer, my lower back resting, well you know where. It’s kinda sexy. Please be someone hot.

Instinctively, as if I told it to, my head swivels up to see the person standing behind me. My knees are shaking and this time it’s not from the below 50 degree weather. If it’s Eric it means a momentous step forward in our pseudo-relationship, but I’m convinced by the self-assured voice that it can’t be him. Then it hits me, I know exactly who it is. And...

Oh my god, I could not be more wrong.

Chapter 2-Jagger

Elli’s hot. We’ve gone to school together since freshman year and I just noticed her before the start of baseball season? How could something so cute sit across from me for so long without me noticing? I notice every chick.

Marc’s always commenting on the girls I score and he’s right, cute doesn’t usually do it for me. It must be the legs. She’s gotta be 5’7, 5’8, and in that short skirt she’s all stems. Her skinny thighs are shaking but that’s probably because this asshat is hitting on her. Elli can barely make eye contact with a man. It’s sexy in a screwed up way. At least Preston isn’t stupid enough to go after Morgan, who is so hot it’s blinding. Zach would kill me just for thinking it but Morgan’s been the star of many fantasies.

I tell you what, Preston says, eyeing her legs one more time, just trying to get me to slam my bat off one of his chins, whichever, take your pick, if you actually make it to base I’ll forget about it. If you don’t, I’m taking Elli out to celebrate our win.

Seriously? Preston’s the Spartans’ only decent pitcher. He’s not half bad but I’ve never had a hard time getting a base hit off the dude. Right now I want to drill a line drive at his nuts. Just hearing her name cross his lips is enough to make me want to slap that perverted grin off his face so hard half his freckles wind up on my palm. I guess I’m protective over the team manager. Chicks dig that, don’t they?

I’m laughing so hard I might piss my pants. He clearly has balls. It’s not really up to me, is it? Then again, I did say she was my girl. No one knows how much I’m wishing she was. Her body’s rubbing up and down mine with every laugh and it’s hard to ignore how hot it’s making me. It’s been a month but this is the closest I’ve come to actually letting her know I’m into her.

Every time I speak she laughs like it’s the funniest thing ever said, a great way to spend a night or two. I could have fun with this one. Her mile long legs wrapped so tight around my waist I can’t breathe, her sexy giggle keeping my head filled with naughty thoughts for days to come. I wonder what she’s wearing under that skirt. So what if she doesn’t have boobs or an ass? It’s never stopped me before, I’m pretty sure I’ve even tapped Preston’s mannish sister.

You’re on. Elli’s sweet, angelic voice blurts out. Oh god, did I really just think that?

You sure? I ask ‘cause she doesn’t look it but she nods anyway, biting her lip nervously. So. Damn. Sexy.

If she’s going to be forced to go out with Preston if I don’t make it to base, I better get at least a single. There’s no way I’m letting her date a douche from the Bridge. She’d never be able to show her face at school again, especially if it’s Walker. Wait, if she’s willing to go out with him if I don’t get a hit, does that mean she’d hang out with me if I do? It’s gotta be worth a shot. Worst comes to worst she can do my homework, that chick could pass her classes in her sleep. I could think of better things to do with her than let her sleep though. Damn, I shouldn’t think about her that way. What the hell is wrong with me? She’s too sweet for me to corrupt with my Jagger brand of assholeism. I treat chicks like shit. Even I know that.

She’s smiling back at me and I take the chance to pull her closer. She’s still shivering, it’s the least I can do to warm her up. She’s certainly warming me up even if it is just one particular part of me. I don’t know what it is about her, I haven’t been able to get enough for at least a month now and she has no idea. Her smile gets me every time and it seems like everything I say gets a brighter one than the last.

She’s so close that her ass is resting on my thighs, face so close to mine I could kiss her if I wanted to. But the way Jonah’s dad is staring at me makes me think twice about it. I seriously do not get this family dynamic. He’s not even Elli’s dad yet he’s always the one bringing her home from practice and games. There’s no way that guy would scare me off Elli but if I went after his actual daughter he might just have some secret ju-jitsu moves that come out of nowhere. Thank god my sperm donor of a father gave me the 6’3" gene, it works to my advantage when I screw with the wrong girl. And I do mean screw. I can’t tell you how many times a boyfriend, father or sometimes a husband has come after me for sleeping with their girl. Hey, I’m 17, why the hell would I care? Chicks love sleeping with the Jagman and for the first time I’m getting that vibe from Elli. Gratitude sex, I could go for that. But I need to stop thinking about it, I have a hit to get first. Eric’s up to bat, that means I’m next.

Reluctantly, I let her go but this isn’t over, not by a long shot. Her tiny cleavage shows from the top of her white tee and stupid me looks right in her eyes. Those babies you couldn’t miss like you easily could her tits. They’re bright blue and staring at me while she thanks me for saving her. Her eyes not her boobs. She seems confident that I’ve got this handled. Don’t thank me just yet.

I grab the bat and try to bring my thoughts back to the game. I can’t let her down. I let girls down all the time but this is different. This isn’t not calling her back after we hook up, this is making her spend a night with Preston Walker, something no girl should ever have to suffer through. Plus, I have to take her out even if it’s only to prove to myself that she’s like any other girl. I’m sure Elli will be just as easy to get into bed. It’s not possible that I like her like I think I do.

I step up to the plate but not before shooting her one last look. She better be a good luck charm or I’ll never live this one down. It’s not like it guarantees me a date with her. It’s too crazy to think that it could fall into my lap like I want Elli to.

I’m waiting for the perfect pitch. I like them high and tight just like I like my girls. Something about it makes it easier to send it flying to right field where the guy is never expecting it. Even our lefties don’t usually hit to right field.

The first two pitches are nothing I’d swing at, balls one and two. I need to concentrate, stop thinking about Elli for five seconds so I can slam this ball. I think about her all the time, her nose always in her kindle, the cute way she twirls her hair when she’s nervous, it all drives me insane. Now is not the time.

The third pitch is just where I like it but I can’t make contact as I pull back. Ahead of me, I notice Eric stealing to second but I think I’m the only one. Dude, my best friend is fast and determined. How gay is that? I thought only chicks had best friends. I’d like to be some chick’s best friend. Friend with benefits.

The next pitch has potential but I’m still distracted and swing a little late. Damn, this is getting embarrassing. I can feel her eyes on me and I’m trying not to screw it up before I get at least one night with the girl.

Walker doesn’t waste a second, sending me the perfect pitch. You’d think he’d learn not to send them to me high and inside but he’s not smart enough. If it’s possible to get a negative SAT score Preston Walker definitely will. Not that I’m complaining right now.

The crack of the bat echoes through the field. This ball’s so far gone I start trotting to first base confidently. I’ve got this, Elli’s all mine. She’ll look so good in my bed, her newly blonde hair scattered all over my pillows while I–

Foul ball, the ump calls out, interrupting my daydream. I stop dead in my tracks. Shit! I better not blow this. I have to stop thinking about her, especially her cute little body or the things she could do to mine. Okay, think about baseball. Easier said than done but I try.

This next pitch is clearly too low and Walker knows it the second it leaves his hand. Is he actually thinking about walking me? That’ll get him nowhere and he’s gotta want it as much as I’m starting to. He got to her before I did and the competition only makes her ten times hotter.

I’m in position again, bending my knees, loosening my wrists. I want this more than anything, just for the satisfaction of it. The ball hurtling towards me is clearly not how I like it, a little too low, but I know it’s a strike. I swing and start my stride as the ball sails past the first baseman, barely missing Preston’s head. I can see his frantic look when he realizes he just lost his shot with the