I know he’s right, at least to some extent. But when have I ever been good at taking advice? Okay, so maybe I take it when it’s warranted. I listen to my coaches, and even my teammates when they know what’s up, but when it comes to feelings and matters of the heart, none of these guys are pro’s. They all have just as fucked up love lives as I do.
“Me? Something stupid,” I scoff, sneaking another quick peek in Hollis’ direction as she laughs at Noah’s antics. “Plus, do I need to remind you that she was the one who kissed me?”
Okay, so yes, I did kiss and tell last night, but only to Hudson, Jaxon, and Mateo.
“If she truly wanted space, she never would’ve gone in for the kill,” I add with a nonchalant shrug.
He chuckles, setting his water down before reaching for his catcher’s mitt. “Yeah, and if I remember correctly, she also ran away the second it ended. Your kiss literally sent her packing, bro. If I were you I’d never be able to show my face again. You should be thanking your lucky stars she’s keeping her distance.”
Jaxon appears, grabbing some water as beads of sweat drip down his forehead. “Ooh, are we talking about Fletcher’s little crush again?” he asks a bit too excitedly. “Man, at this point and with how pathetically you’ve been sulking around here I think it might be time we stick you on the team injured list for completely losing your dignity, because where the fuck has it gone?”
Hudson lets out a deep chuckle. “For that, or for completely lacking game.”
I shake my head, but despite being the butt of the joke I smile.
“You know what, you two can both just go to hell,” I tease back, reaching for a white towel and chucking it toward Jaxon’s face.
He laughs, ducking and avoiding it easily. “Hey now. With how hot it is today, I’m pretty sure we’re already all there.”
Normally the spring heat isn’t too bad. Last year the Texas sun didn’t try to melt us alive until summer, but today it’s been surprisingly toasty.
“With that one, I may have to agree with you,” I admit, my eyes catching movement from the corner of my eye as I spot Hollis giving Noah a high-five as an obvious farewell. “And on that note, I’m out of here,” I say, taking one final swig of water before tossing my bottle onto the table.
Hudson’s gaze follows mine, as Hollis walks toward the sideline, her attention on her phone. “I still think this is a bad idea, but good luck,” he calls, his voice growing softer the further I jog away, as I dismiss his worries with a wave.
He could be right. Maybe this will push her away, but I know I won’t be able to focus on baseball until we talk. I’ve been a fucking mess all day. I’ve missed easy catches, and instead of mastering my favorite trick play, I’ve fumbled it every damn time.
I’m only a few feet away when Hollis looks up from her phone with an expression that practically screamsugh, you again?
“Shouldn’t you be out there practicing?” she asks, tipping her chin toward the field where my teammates are currently sweating it out. “No offense, but you’ve been playing like shit today. Pretty sure you need as much practice as you can get.”
I’m guessing her intention was to strike a nerve, but instead, I’m riding a new high. So she has been watching me. It’s never good to play like shit, but just knowing those gorgeous brown eyes have been on me is enough to push me to work harder.
“Probably, but I don’t think I’ll be able to get back to my usual self until I talk with the woman who gave me the best kiss I’ve ever had.”
She purses her lips and plants a hand on her hip in that adorable way she does. “Best kiss? Please. It didn’t even last a full minute.”
“It didn't need to be more than a minute,” I say, my eyes drifting toward her mouth. “Those soft, perfect lips told me everything I needed to know. You’ve gone and ruined me for anyone else from here on out.”
She lets out an annoyed breath. “Really Fletch? Because I know your type and have dealt with plenty of guys like you before, which means I know a line when I hear one. It also means I’m way too smart to buy into your bullshit.”
“You can think whatever you want, but it’s not a line, it’s the truth.”
She lets out a dry laugh. “Says the guy with the fuckboy reputation. I’ve heard all about you, Fletcher. Seen the online gossip, too. You’re not only a player on the field, you’re one off it, too. Plus, I told you,” she exhales, firm and final. “I’m not interested.”
“Is that so?” My brows lift as I offer her a smirk. “Because last I checked, women who aren’t interested don’t usually corner a guy in a dark alley just to make out with him.”
Sure, maybe I’m skipping over my less-than-stellar reputation, but all that was before I met her. From the moment she waltzed into my life, I haven’t so much as looked at another woman, let alone kissed one.
“That?” she scoffs, blowing a few loose strands from her ponytail as if the movement will somehow hide the blush creeping up her neck and into her cheeks. “It was nothing. Just a stupid kiss so we could, you know,” she pauses, lifting her shoulders before lowering her voice, “get it out of our systems and go back to being normal, regular ol’ coworkers.”
“Regular coworkers, huh?” I cross my arms. “Funny, none of my other coworkers avoid eye contact or sprint in the opposite direction when they see me walking onto the field. So if that’s actually what we are, that means you have to stop pretending I don’t exist and start filming with me again.”
She lets out a dramatic sigh and tilts her head. “You do know the whole world doesn’t revolve around you, right?” She steps forward and presses her finger into my chest. “Newsflash! Having a pretty face doesn’t make you the main character of the team. I’m sorry if it upsets you, but I’ve been a little busy filming with the people who don’t actually need a fan club to function.”
I glance down at the finger on my chest, which she promptly drops.
“Filming with people who don’t need a fan club? Ouch.” I press a hand onto my chest. “Guess that means I just need to step up my game to prove I’m worth all the hype. Who knows, maybe I’ll even get you to join Team Fletcher.” And because I can, I wink. “So, what do you say? You still too busy or can you finally pencil me and my oversized ego in?”
