I cover my face and whimper. A weight settles next to me, and I peek between my fingers. Easton’s on his side next to me, propped on his elbow.
His brows are crushed together, a wealth of worry reflecting from his blue eyes. “What happened? Is he being an asshole to you? You just went from laughing—and in a scary way—to practically crying. To say I’m freaking out is an understatement.”
I glance between him and Paulie. “I did something I shouldn’t have,” I whisper.
Paulie frowns at me. “Did you proposition him again, and he rejected you?”
“Did you bring back a woman to the room to make him jealous?” East asks.
“Or a man?” Paulie adds.
“What?”I glare at them both. “No. I’m not an asshole. Fuck you both very much. I respect that he said it has to stop. Which is why I’m in the predicament I’m in now. All the physical stuff has stopped. So we’ve beentalkinginstead.”
“Oooooh,” Easton and Paulie say together.
“It’s horrible,” I whine.
“How deep are you?” Paulie asks.
“That’s what they said,” I point out. “And so fucking deep. No chance of digging myself out. It’s official, I have a case of the feelings.”
“He’s not a bad one to develop feelings for,” East says.
Um. What? I’m missing the logic there.
“I agree,” Paulie adds.
My head flips back and forth between them so fast I’m getting dizzy.
“Stone is a stand-up guy. He’s a legend’s son and a legend in the making all his own. Yet none of that went to his head,” Paulie says matter-of-factly.
“I think he’s kind of perfect for you, in all honesty.” East’s tone is thoughtful. “He balances you. Like Maddy does me.”
“Okay. Why are you two being so cruel? Do you not remember the wholewe can’t hook up and be togetherpart of this?”
“So, I’m going to nit-pick that.” Paulie taps his finger against his lips. “He said you have to stop hooking up. But that doesn’t mean you have to stophangingout. You could, you know, do things the way most normal people do and go on dates before getting in each other’s pants.”
I gape at him. “Jed isn’t going to want people to think we’re dating either. Dating or boning a teammate are both a no-go.”
“How would anyone know?” East shrugs. “You’re just two bros hanging out.”
“Seriously,” Paulie says. “As long as you’re not holding hands or kissing in public, literally no one will know. And Stone said no to that stuff right now, anyway. Just hang out and get to know each other. Explore the feelings and see if they’re returned. That’s how it starts for everyone, isn’t it? You get interested in someone, so you start asking them to get together. If it’s reciprocated, it turns into more. If not, you move on.”
Easton smirks. “Or in Paulie’s case, he pants after them for months on end until he wears them down and they finally agree to give him a chance. How many times did you buy Shelbs flowers before she agreed to a date?”
Paulie flips East the bird, but he’s all smiles. “I lost count, but it was over twenty. Totally worth it. I got the bestwoman in the world. And that was different. It wasn’tmeshe was opposed to. It was that I was a baseball player.” He sends Easton a pointed look, and East winces.
I gnaw on my lip. It’s an interesting point. And really fucking appealing. “I don’t know, guys…”
“Can it hurt?”
“I mean, yeah. My feelings get worse. And still nothing comes of it.”
Easton nudges my shoulder. “Or, man… You both realize something’s there and it’s worth the risk. I get where Stone is coming from right now. Sneaking around with a teammate just to get off is a hell of a risk. You can both get orgasms anywhere. Sneaking around with a teammate because you love them… That’s entirely different.”
“Woah, woah, woah.” Alarm arcs through my chest, and an uncomfortable laugh bursts from me. “No one said anything about love.”
“But that’s the endgame here.” Paulie arches a brow. “If you want to pretend like love is gross and something to be avoided, you’re talking to the wrong guys. I love Shelby, and I’m not ashamed to be a man head over heels for her. And I know East feels the same about Maddy. The reason you’re in this room whining about Stone right now is because you’re on your way to that place.”
