I can’t stop smiling.

Vincent’s notes are so sweet. They reveal a side of him I never even knew existed. Talking about me deserving respect. Wow.

As I stand on the baseball field, pitching to my sister, I can’t stop reeling at the idea that Vincent Mancini is not the guy I thought he was. He puts on this angry persona to push people away. I’m not sure why exactly, but underneath it all is a sweetheart.

A sweetheart I want to get to know.

Maddie catches my pitch and stands tall to lob the ball back to me. It thumps into my mitt and I set up to send a slider her way.

I’m not the world’s best pitcher. I mean, I’m not bad, but I just don’t see myself doing this after high school. Heck, I might not even bother with it next year. Once my sisters leave for college, I’m not sure I’ll have it in me to drag my butt onto this field without them.

I wonder how Dad will feel about that. He probably won’t care as long as Max is playing college ball. Poor Max. I mean, she seems to love baseball, but sometimes I worry that Dad puts too much pressure on her. She’s definitely been off since we moved to Armitage.

I glance at the batting cage as soon as Maddie’s caught my pitch. Max is swinging at Holden’s pitches, making him work hard to strike her out. My lips twitch at the frustration on his face. I share a look with Maddie, who’s now walking toward me. She chuckles, like it’s fun to watch her boyfriend have to sweat it out in order to best her sister.

Swinging her arm over my shoulder, we lean against each other on the mound and take a quick break.

“You seem brighter today.”

I roll my eyes. “I told you, I was just tired last night.”

“I’m glad that’s all it was.” Maddie kisses my cheek and then heads across to Holden.

She’s got a bounce in her step like she’s never had before. I guess being in love brings out the happy in people.

I wipe my forehead with the back of my arm and fight a grin.

I do feel brighter this afternoon, and I’m pretty sure it’s because of Vincent.

* * *

By the time we walk in the door, I’ve already started formulating my next note. As soon as dinner’s over, I’m going to escape to my room and figure out exactly what I want to say. For some reason, Vincent finished his note mid-sentence, which makes me think that he was rushing to scribble something down before the bell went off and he ran out of time. I bet he put that note in my locker on impulse. Like he did it before he lost his nerve.

I giggle, finding the idea of me making someone nervous completely absurd.

As I wait my turn for the bathroom, I pull out a sheet of paper and decide to start writing something now.

These notes are enlightening. I kind of like seeing this side of you. It’s like a privilege no one else gets. I don’t know if that’s the right way to look at it or not, but thank you for being so kind to me.

“Bathroom’s free!” Max shouts.

I hide my note away and run to the shower.

We’ve never been allowed long showers in our house—three girls, one bathroom, I’m sure you can imagine—so I rush through my cleanup and am soon standing in front of the mirror combing my hair.

“Hey, you’re home early.” Mom sounds surprised.

I go still as my parents meet up in the hallway outside the bathroom. I can tell it’s Dad because I’m sure I heard them kiss.

“You look tired.” Mom’s voice is soft, and I seriously should not be straining to listen in on their conversation.

Dad grunts. “I feel like I’m always tired.”

“Did you have a good day though?”

“Yeah, as good as I can. I spent most of the morning trying to help the guys narrow down an anonymous call that came in last night. Apparently some girl was attacked near Fort Street.”

“Oh no,” Mom whispers while my heart catapults into my throat.

“I’ve got a feeling someone stepped in before they could violate the girl. The tip gave very clear descriptions of what went down and the men’s physical descriptions. Hayley picked one of them up this afternoon. His nose was broken and he had some pretty nasty bruises on his face. He’s of course denying everything. Says some young guy tried to beat the crap out of him and steal his wallet. Said it was a Mancini.”

“Do you believe him?”

“My gut’s telling me not to, but I’d really like to find this guy who called in the tip…and the girl who was attacked.”

My heart is seriously lodged in my throat right now. It’s a struggle to breathe as I lean my ear against the wood to catch the rest of the conversation.

“Do you think the person who called in the tip rescued this girl somehow?”

“Maybe,” Dad murmurs. “But why hide that? He’s a hero.”

“He might be worried that he’ll get in trouble for beating the guys up.”

“Yeah, I guess so. That poor girl though. Must have been a nightmare for her.”

“Thank God she was saved. You said Fort Street, right?”

“Yeah.” Dad sighs.

“The church Chloe volunteers at is on Fort Street. Do you think we should still let her go? If there are guys like that lurking in the neighborhood, she’s vulnerable. So is her friend.”

“She’ll hate us if we don’t let her keep helping.”

“I know, but after what happened to Maddie at the school… I just can’t stand the idea of my babies being in danger.”

“They’re big girls now.” Dad’s voice rumbles with emotion. “But I think you’re right. Chloe needs to stay on this side of town until we lock down this second suspect.”

I frown but stay quiet, not wanting to alert my parents to the fact that I’ve been eavesdropping. I wait until they move out of the hallway before easing the door open and sneaking to my room.

I’m kind of annoyed that they’ve made the decision without even talking to me about it, but I understand. If I put myself in their shoes, I wouldn’t want my daughter going off to that part of town either. Man, if I admit the truth, they won’t even let me leave the house.

Plunking onto my bed, I gaze at the pen on my nightstand and my mind immediately jumps to Vincent.

Anonymous tip.

Wow. He really is a hero.

Snatching the pen, I grab the note and try to finish it before the dinner call.

Just so you know, Dad said that one of the guys who attacked me last night was picked up this morning. Apparently someone called in an anonymous tip last night.

Smart move. You’re braver than me.

I’m glad you’re letting the police handle it. I’m glad you trust them to do the right thing.

I don’t know your full story so I’m only guessing here, but it must be hard to trust the law in your part of town. I hate preconceived ideas, but unfortunately they exist, and that must make you feel quite vulnerable sometimes.

Just so you know, you never have to worry about me. I’m big on believing that there’s goodness in all of us, but people have their different reasons for not letting it show.

Thank you for showing me your goodness. It’s a beautiful thing.

I stop and tap my pen on the paper for a second, deciding just how far to go. Part of me wants to open up to him, so he can see a part of me too…a part that no one else knows.

Pursing my lips, I grip the pen in my hand and then grin.

I like chocolate raisins.

Random, I know, but Maddie’s lactose intolerant, Max doesn’t have a sweet tooth, and my parents are all about healthy living. So, when no one’s watching, I go for it. I can finish an entire box of Raisinets all by myself. I always feel sick afterward, but it’s so worth it.

Now you know something about me that no one else does.

I kind of like that.

Hope to read from you again soon.

C