“Hey, assface.”
I spun and got a clear view into Hilly’s bedroom. It was across the hall from Kenzie’s and I hadn’t even thought to check if he was home.Not a good move for me.Aaron had a stupidly happy expression on his face and I flipped him off as my greeting. He had a duffel bag on his bedroom floor and it reminded me I hadn’t started packing for our trip.Seriously, where is my head?
“Where were you this morning? I wanted to see if you were down for watching the game this afternoon. Cubs versus Cardinals,” he asked.
I eyed Kenzie’s door and forced myself to act cool. “I went to the gym, but don’t give me shit. Ran into a couple of the other guys there too.”
“No judgment. I can’t guarantee it, but I swear Zade snuck off to get some throws in.” He smiled, the joyful, full-of-life dude I’d met three years ago flashing through. He always got that look when he talked about baseball.We’re a lot alike that way.
And I’m banging his sister.
I suck.
I shoved the guilt down and nodded. “I’m down for the game. We watching it here?”
“Nah, the Lion. I think Zade invited some of the younger guys to come, to help us all bond and shit. Plus, G’s training Kenz today. I’m hoping I can convince her to stay over here for a bit, or at least invite Kenz to stay there when we’re gone.”
That’s where she is.Relief had me relaxing, but Aaron’s face grew concerned and I needed to act quick. I nodded, a little too hard. “Good idea. I’m sure G and C would have her over.”
“Why were you knocking at her door?”
Play it cool.“Found out she gave her number to Felix and wanted to ask about it.”
Aaron blew out a breath and curled his lip before settling down. “Okay. Okay, yeah. See what she says.”
I hated how guilty I felt, keeping something from him. There was no way telling him would amount to anything good. It didn’t matter it was consensual, or incredible or perfect. I hit the railing and pointed to my room. “Wanna head there in thirty minutes?”
“You got it.”
My normal routine consisted of packing my lucky socks, my favorite under-jersey shirts, and would end with the uniform. It had to go in a certain order. That way I could find my stuff as quickly as possible, and I preferred it that way. I had all my shit except toiletries packed when Aaron poked his head into my room, asking if I was ready to go.
We got about a block toward the bar before he asked, “How much was your signing bonus?”
Oh, okay then. We’re going there.“Ten thousand. That was it.”
“Fuck. Yeah, you’re worth way more than that. Dude.” He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Mine was even less.”
“Wait, you were called?”
He nodded but didn’t look happy about it. “It was underwhelming and in the midst of my parents moving. Ever since I cut off all social media, people don’t know shit about me and I like it that way. I haven’t told anyone. Not my parents, Kenzie—hell, even Greta.”
“Aaron. You should’ve—”
“Should’ve what? Told them? Get their hopes up? Nah, no thanks. I know I’ll get more next year. You will too. I wanted to tell you…because, whatever it is you’re going through, you’re not alone.” His tone got serious and it felt like a punch to the gut. “All I know is that you have some family stuff going on. I gathered that, but not much else. I’m not prying, just…what’s the expression Coach always says? Extending the handshake?”
I laughed, hoping it hid the internal battle raging inside me. “Yup. Spot on. Thanks, man.”
“I think it goes without saying this stays between us.”
“Obviously.” I gulped as we got closer to the Lion. It was so close, the truth about my family. It bubbled over, similar to how it had that night with Kenzie, but still different. This was my teammate, my brother on the field, and he’d sharedthatinformation with me… “I need the money to support my mom and my brothers. A service animal is fifty thousand dollars, for my brother who is blind, and my dad doesn’t know where they are because he’ll steal from them, so he comes after me. It’s a fucking mess.”
Aaron stopped walking, his laser-sharp eyes widening in shock. “Tanner.”
“I know.I know. Let’s not talk about it, okay? Making the Majors iseverythingfor my family. That secret has been mine to keep the past three years. It was easy to act carefree and wild. I needed that escape.”
“I get that.”
“I know you do.” I sighed and let the mixed feelings ravaging my mind settle. Something like relief and worry combined, making the ability to say the right words disappear. But Aaron took the lead, putting his hand on my shoulder.
