The Lonely Hearts Club by Radclyffe Page A

hardly a blushing virgin.”
    “Who’s a virgin?” Bren asked as she joined them.
    “Actually, sweetie,” Candace said, “I always thought you were.”
    Bren gave her a long contemplative look. “Not everyone announces their every orgasm.”
    “I certainly hope not.” Candace smiled slyly. “I’d never have time to buy and sell. And don’t think I didn’t notice you trying to change the subject.”
    “And don’t think I don’t know you’ve been trying to get me to tell you the details of my sex life since the day you moved into the dorm,” Bren said. “Keeping you guessing is the way I keep you interested.”
    Candace settled both arms around Bren’s shoulders and leaned in close, front to front. Her few inches of extra height brought her breasts perilously close to Bren’s face, and her tight stretch top made it clear she wasn’t wearing a bra. “You don’t have to tease me to keep me interested.”
    “You know,” Bren said, tilting her chin up so she wouldn’t have to stare at Candace’s nipples, “you might fool most people, but I know you’re a lot more than a pretty face and a gorgeous body.”
    “Don’t tell.” Candace brushed a kiss over Bren’s cheek. “And since I can’t get anywhere with you, I’m going to find some pom-poms and wave them at Parker.”
    Bren shook her head fondly as Candace slipped away, then glanced at Liz. “So? That’s her at shortstop, huh? Reilly?”
    “Yes.”
    “She’s good-looking. Different than I expected.”
    “How so?” Liz suppressed an urge to wave when she caught Reilly glancing her way, before staring intently back at the batter.
    “I guess I expect you to be more interested in women like Julia or Candace or…who was the one after Candace? Susan?”
    “Suzanne McKenzie,” Liz replied, feeling as if she were looking back into a different lifetime. “My first and last love affair with a straight girl. God, she kept me on the line for a long time.”
    “Well, she was pretty. And she had great breasts.”
    Liz chuckled ruefully. “She did.”
    “Reilly looks a little more…complicated than the others.”
    “You mean because she’s more butch?”
    “No. Well, she is, but that’s not exactly what I mean. There’s something about her,” Bren mused, “that makes me think there’s a lot going on under the surface. Not like Parker, for instance.”
    “Oh, don’t sell Parker short. Maybe she just acts like she’s only interested in sex.”
    “Maybe. But I bet it’s Reilly who has the secrets.”
    “Don’t we all?” Liz asked.
    “Yes. But some secrets have the power to hurt.”
    “What’s hurting you, sweetie?” Liz slipped her arm around Bren’s shoulders.
    “Nothing that a night out with you and Candace won’t cure.”
    “Did anyone ever tell you,” Liz said, “that you’ve got a way with words?”
    Relaxing into Liz’s embrace, Bren replied, “A time or two.”
    Liz jumped at the sharp crack of a bat and watched a ball rocket across the infield. Reilly was nothing but a blur as she dove headlong toward the ground, both arms outstretched. Everyone nearby gave a collective gasp as Reilly rolled several times and came to a stop on her back, then lay motionless. Heart pounding, Liz took one step forward, then halted abruptly as Reilly’s arm rose straight up into the air to display the ball captured in the web of her mitt.
    The umpire called the third out, and Reilly’s bench broke into loud cheers as Reilly jumped up.
    “Hot dog,” someone muttered, and Liz noticed Parker beside her, frowning toward the field. Candace stood with her, her fingertips grazing Parker’s arm.
    “Pretty spectacular catch,” Liz countered.
    “Yeah yeah,” Parker grumbled good-naturedly. “Let’s see how she’ll do against my fastball.”
    Candace put her mouth close to Parker’s ear and murmured loud enough for Liz to hear, “I can’t believe anybody can beat you when you’re on your game. And I bet you’ll be on your game