He may be patient. He may even be relentless, but I’m stubborn as hell. He’s officially met his match because there’s absolutely zero—and we’re talking none, nada, zilch—chance I’d ever ask Mason Fletcher to be my boyfriend. Not even in an alternate universe.
4
Fletcher
“So, how did the tour go?” Hudson asks as we finish up our showers in the Honky Tonk locker room.
The air is thick as steam rolls out from the showers and chases after us. I love the familiar, yet sharp and unmistakable scent of fresh cologne and deodorant as it battles the lingering funk of our day out on the field.
Not only had we worked on our baseball skills in the warm Texas sun, but we’d practiced some of the choreographed dances for this weekend’s opening game as well.
“Could’ve gone better.” I secure my towel around my waist as we head toward our lockers. “She was especially excited to hang out with me after you and Easten here,” I say, patting the team’s centerfielder on the shoulder as we pass by him, “told her he wouldn’t trust me around his hypothetical sister.”
“Sorry about that,” Easten apologizes, at least having the decency to look somewhat remorseful.
“Hey man. You know we love you,” Hudson adds, grabbing deodorant from his cubby before going to town with it. “But it’s not like we made that shit up. Also, can you seriously tell me you think it’s a smart career decision to make a pass on Jared Clemmin’s daughter?”
“Smart? Definitely not,” I agree, fishing inside the open storage for my boxer briefs. “But it’s not like he ever said she was off-limits,” I continue as I step into them before letting my towel drop onto the floor.
“Whoa, whoa, whoah, hold up” Noah, our Honky Tonk pitcher, freezes mid-change. “You’re going after the owner’s daughter? Damn. I knew you had some massive cajones, but that’s ballsy, even for you.”
“I don’t know why you’re all so freaked out,” I chuckle, grabbing my jeans. “And relax. She shot me down—again.” I confess, figuring there’s no use in hiding it from these guys. Sure, they may be the ones who give me the most shit, but as my teammates, they’re practically my brothers. They may tease me mercilessly, but nobody has my back better than them.
“Is it bad that hearing that only makes me like her more?” Hudson asks while sliding his shirt over his head. “Clearly she’s a smart woman with a good head on her shoulders.”
I should be annoyed, especially since he played a part in scaring Hollis away, but even I have to admit he’s not wrong.
“Is it weird that it only makes me like her even more too?” I joke, sliding the thick material of my jeans up my legs before zipping them up and securing the button.
“Not really,” Easten says. “I think it’s normal to want what you can’t have, and usually I’d say go for it, but I think this is one you really need to think about, man. This is Jared’s daughter we’re talking about here. If you’re only interested in getting your dick wet, then I suggest stopping while you’re ahead. Sure, she’s hot as hell, but even I think this is one line that shouldn’t be crossed.”
Easten has always been the team trouble-maker. He’s the one you call when you want a good time with zero judgment, and a 98% chance of questionable decision making. It’s probably why I should listen, but goddamn it. I really,reallydon’t want to.
“Who knows, maybe this time I actually want more than a good ol’ one night stand. Who’s to say I’m not looking for something a little more serious?” I ask.
The looks I receive are brutal. Not a single one of them even tries to pretend they’re buying it, which is fair given my track record.
In just under the year and a half we’ve played together, I’ve never given them any reason to believe otherwise. I sleep around. That’s just a well-known fact. Why wouldn’t they assume that’s all I’m after now?
Yeah, I’ve got quite a few contacts in my phone—women I call when I want to have a little fun—but we’re all on the same page. No expectations, no drama, and no strings attached. But why stop when I haven’t found someone worth changing for? And who’s to say Hollis isn’t the one to do that?
“Look, Fletch,” Hudson begins, his tone suggesting he’s trying to let me down gently. “I get that you aren’t used to being turneddown. Believe me, I get it. The whole cat-and-mouse thing is fun, but what happens when you finally catch her? Because I’m not so sure the boss’s daughter is the right one to test out this possiblenew-youthing with.”
“Hell, everyone knows you’re his favorite player in the league,” Noah says. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to test out that loyalty?”
“Well, if I really am his favorite, maybe he’d actually be okay with me dating his daughter,” I say, slipping my shirt over my head.
“That’s a big what if. It’s clear he’s protective over her,” Hudson persists, taking a seat as he moves to slip on his shoes. “Plus, he knows how us baseball players are. Do you really think he’d be okay with one going after his daughter?”
“We don’t know what he’d think,” I try to argue, not ready to give up just yet.” Plus, I’ve also always preferred to ask for forgiveness rather than permission anyway.” I shrug, reaching into my cubby for my own shoes. “And who’s to say he wouldn’t want me as his future son-in-law? I’d be a fucking delight.”
“Son-in-law?” Noah balks, his mouth dropping open. “Damn, bringing up marriage already? Maybe you are into her.”
“Maybe I am.”
Then again, maybe they are right. Maybe I’m only interested in her because she said no and I like the chase, but I still don’t fully buy it. I’ve never been this intrigued by a woman before, and there’s gotta be a reason for that.
If I care about my job and maybe even my self-respect, moving on and giving her the space she so clearly wants is what I should do. However, my competitive nature is kicking in and the side of me that hates giving up is winning out. I’m not ready to give up—at least not yet.
