“Well, yes,” I agree with a tilt of my head. “But he’s constantly gone out of his way to prove just how real his feelings are for me, and I’m thinking it’s about time I do the same and show him just how important he is to me, too.”
The girls smile, and just like that, we jump into full-on planning mode.
From day one, Fletcher’s made it abundantly clear not just to me, but to pretty much everyone around us, how deep his feelings run. Now it’s my turn. No more secrets. No more hiding.
Luckily for me, I have not only my best friends, but an entire stadium, a baseball league, and a very public stage to create the ultimate love confession. And something tells me Mason Fletcher is going to fucking love every second of it.
34
Fletcher
‘You got this,’I remind myself as I walk into the Honky Tonk dugout.
I’m feeling good, or at least as good as I can, given the circumstances. Plus, how can I not be invigorated by the excitement pulsating from the stands all the way down onto the field?
Like usual, we had our Grand Slam Jam pre-game party, and the fans are more than pumped and ready to watch the playersthey just interacted with play baseball, dance, and put on the ultimate show.
Unfortunately, it’s often in moments like these, as well as all the quiet ones in between, where I find myself missing Hollis the most. Even when I can’t see her, just knowing she’s nearby, breathing the same air is enough to send my heart into a downward spiral. We should be sharing these moments together, but the longer she avoids me, the more it fully sinks in: those days are officially over.
At least I know I gave it my all and did everything I could. I told her how I felt. I fought for her, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough.
“You ready?” Hudson asks, bounding in beside me as he wraps a strong arm around my shoulder and gives it a squeeze.
I force a smile. “You know it.”
“Really?” he asks, arching a disbelieving brow. “Don’t bullshit me. What is it now?”
“It’s nothing.” I shrug him off. “At least nothing that will affect my game play tonight.”
Hudson rolls not only his eyes, but his entire head as well. “Oh, come on. You know that’s not what I’m worried about. Sure, the fans deserve to see the game they paid for, but I’m far more interested in what’s happening here,” he says, tapping the side of my head and then my chest, “and here. So tell me, is this about a certain career decision, or the pretty little social media manager whose daddy owns this entire organization?”
Despite myself, a genuine grin tugs at my mouth. “Actually, I already made the career decision.”
His brows rise until they practically reach the top of his cap. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah,” I nod, a renewed sense of certainty sparking through me. “I’m staying here. I officially told my agent yesterday. Thisteam’s my home, and I’m not leaving until Jared Clemmins either fires me or drags me out by my cleats.”
“No shit!” Hudson beams. “You know I’d support you no matter what, and maybe some small part of me thinks you’re a little crazy, but fuck, man. This is awesome, and I’m so stoked we get to keep playing together,” he says, wrapping his arm back around me as he pulls me into his side for a hug.
“Same,” I agree, leaning in and giving his back a few solid pats.
I’ve played on a lot of teams, with more teammates than I can count, but none of them have ever been able to replicate the magic that exists here. We’ve created something truly magical. These people aren't just my teammates; they’re my family. Maybe I am making a mistake by passing on the Major Leagues, but walking away from the team who’ve given me this much joy and purpose just doesn’t make sense.
“In the end,” I start again. “I might not have ended up with the girl, but at least I’ll always have my brothers.”
My words bring out a big, dopey grin on Hudson’s face. “Brother’s for life.” He sticks out his hand, and we run through our silly, secret handshake that somehow means everything in this moment. “But I wouldn’t worry if I were you,” he adds, a knowing smirk on his face. “Something tells me everything will eventually work itself out.”
“And what makes you so sure of that?” I arch a brow. “Is it the fact that she can’t even look at me for longer than two seconds, or maybe it’s that whenever we walk near each other, she suddenly remembers she’s needed on the other side of the field?”
“You just gotta have faith, man,” he suggests with a confidence I personally can’t seem to muster.
“There’s having faith, and then there’s just being delusional. If anything, I probably held on for too long and ignored everysingle red flag. Hell, she warned me not to get attached, and I’m starting to think it’s time I finally listen.”
Hudson shakes his head. “That’s where I think you’re wrong. Maybe it’s easier to see from the outside, but I can promise you—Hollis isn’t over you. The only reason she can’t look at you is because she still feels it just as strongly as you do. I’m sure of it.”
I press both hands against the top of my cap and draw in a breath. That all sounds great, but I’ve already let myself run headfirst down that particular road like the naïve dumbass I am. I’m not sure my heart could handle another potential heartbreak if it turns out not to be true.
“Why are you doing this to me, man?” I groan, leaning my head against the concrete wall. “I’m supposed to be moving on. I’m supposed to be accepting that I’m not the one she wants. This false hope thing is too damn much, and I’m barely hanging on as it is.”
