I sigh. “Was it that obvious?”
He laughs. “A little, but I’m used to it. People either already know I’m a ballplayer so they are instantly infatuated with the job or they are shocked when they find out and not sure what to think. I can tell you’re fighting with the latter.”
I drop my head to my chest, embarrassed, then look up at him. “I guess I’ve just never known anyone famous.”
“One, I’m not famous. My baseball card isn’t worth a damn—yet.” He stops to make a point. “I’m just a guy who gets to play all day. It’s everyone’s dream, right?” He smiles proving his genuine love of what he does for a living.
“That it is.”
“So, you’ll come watch?”
I pull out my phone to check my calendar. “What day and time is the game?”
“Thursday. Game starts at seven.”
“Like, two days from now, Thursday?”
He nods as he takes another bite.
“You just got here Sunday night, and the game is on Thursday? Boy, they don’t give you much time.”
“Nope. I only got today fully off. That’s why I had to cram everything in. I go in at two tomorrow.”
I see that I’m off at five on Thursday, so I respond, “I should be able to make it by seven.”
“Great. I’ll get you tickets.”
My phone dings with a text message from Sasha.
Is Nolan sleeping here tonight?
Then she sends a GIF of a couple staring at each other, then kissing passionately.
I try to stifle a laugh, but can’t fight it anymore when she texts back.
I just spent entirely too much time looking for the right GIF. If you type sex, literally nothing comes up.
“What’s so funny?” Evan asks.
“You think your sister is bad? You haven’t met mine.”
I text back.
No. I’ll come get him shortly.
“She was asking if she should get Nolan ready for bed.” I slightly bend the truth about her text.
He checks the time. “I didn’t realize it was getting that late.”
I finish my last bite of pizza and stand. “Yeah, I should get going.”
He does the same, taking my plate from me and putting it in the trash. I down the rest of my water and put the bottle in the recycling bin he got and head to where I put my things when we first got here.
As we walk to the front door in silence, nerves race through me. Yes, he’s already kissed me, but that was on the spur of the moment. Now I don’t know how to act as we approach our goodbye.
“Text me when you get home so I know you arrived safely,” he says, placing his hand on my arm.
I turn to face him. “I will.”
