Shit. I guess I’d want a relationship. Shane Michaels wants to try to get himself a boyfriend. “Apparently, I want Jed Stone Junior to be my secret boyfriend.”
Paulie’s snort is drowned out by Shelby’s squeal.
“Well, you know I’m pro secret boyfriend,” Easton says with a smile
Maddy’s features tighten. “Could do without the secret part.”
East’s smile falls. It’s probably for the best that Madz couldn’t see that.
But this is what my reality could look like. I see the strain it puts on Easton and Maddox—the distance, the discretion. It’s heartbreaking to see them reach for each other in public only to pull away at the last second when they remember they can’t.
Not yet. From what I understand, they’re waiting until Easton is out of his rookie deal and has signed a multi-year contract extension. That way, he has real security—protection from the blowback that coming out could bring. That’s likely six-plus years away. And that would be me and Jed too. Plus, if one of us got traded, we’d almost never see each other.
“Stop, Shane.”
My attention flicks back to the phone, and I meet Maddy’s green gaze.
“I shouldn’t have said that. It’s hard. But it’s still one hundred percent worth it. I’d go through anything to be with East. Now, I do think it’s important for you to decide whether something like this is doable for you. If it’s a hard no, I’m firmly on Team Leave-Stone-The-Fuck-Alone. It’s not fair to either of you. But if you think under the right circumstances, if you felt strongly enough about someone, you’d be willing to live this kind of relationship, then test those waters and see what’s possible. You have no idea if it’ll even get that far. Maybe you both realize there’s nothing there. Just focus on now. One day at a time and see where your head’s at.”
“Yeah, no five-year plans,” Paulie says. “We’re baseball players. We know things can change on the turn of a dime. Live in the now and save the worrying over forever for later.”
He’s right. And if the way Shelby’s dropped her gaze and is biting her lip is any indication, she knows it too. Woof. No matter what, dating in professional sports is fucking hard, isn’t it? And I’m just living in hypothetical land here.
“So, what’s the verdict?” East asks.
“I guess I’m doing this.”
Shelby’s and Maddy’s cheers ring through the phone while Easton and Paulie holler.
“Operation save a surfboard and ride a Surfer Boyin action,” Paulie shouts.
The room erupts in laughter.
TWENTY-SEVEN
JED
I makemy way to my cubby from the showers, weaving in and out of my rowdy teammates. Another win. We’ve had a few losses in there too, but it would seem we’re out of our slump. I guess that means it wasn’t the sex that did it. My chest twinges. Do I wish I had an excuse to go back on my decision to end things? I think the answer to that is obvious.
My eyes immediately find him. And not just because they always do, but because he, Nebiolo, Thompson, and Araujo are…jousting? My lips tighten against a smile as Nebs and Araujo charge, Shane and Thompson on their backs, foam bats held out at the ready. Their battle cries fill the locker room along with the rest of the team’s laughter.
“Who’s going to the bar tonight?” Paddock, our backup catcher, calls out above the chaos.
I pull on a fresh pair of sweats and a T-shirt, cataloguing who says they're going. For no reason at all.
“We’re in.” There’s the voice I was listening for. I mean…wasn’t listening for.
Someone bumps into my side, and I glance up fromwhere I’m sitting, pulling on my socks. Winters’s kind blue eyes blink down at me. “You’re coming too, right, Stone?”
Huh. That’s more forward than Winters has ever been with me before. Shane sidles up next to him, breathing heavy, cheeks pink from his jousting.
I swallow hard. “Um…” My gaze settles on Shane’s wide blue one. So damn hopeful.
It’s an excuse to be around him, and I don’t think I can resist. It’s safe. I won’t accidentally hook up with him at a table full of teammates. But I’ll get his presence. Since we’ve gotten back from our road trip, I’ve fucking craved it. My apartment has never felt quieter. Colder. It needs sun. I need sun.
And it’s standing right there.
“I’m making an executive decision,” Nebs says. “You’re putting on some damn jeans and coming out with us. I won’t take no for an answer.”
