I’m in the same spot I was earlier, on my side, at the edge of the bed.
But Dan is no longer on his side of the bed.
He most definitely is not.
His hard body is wrapped around mine, his bare chest pressed against my back, his arm holding me snug, and his head buried in my hair.
Sleep is pulling me back under. But before it overtakes me, I lift his hand carefully to my lips and kiss his knuckles before tucking it back into place against my chest.
Friends who snuggle is kind of amazing.
Chapter sixteen
Monty
“I swear to fucking God, if you don’t stop whistling, I’m gonna tape your goddamn mouth shut.”
I purse my lips in Mav’s direction and let out a trill. “You love me, Maverick King, and you know it. Tell Sadie she needs to help you to lighten up some more. Let us see that big, beautiful smile of yours.”
My teammate glowers. But that’s basically his normal face, so I take no offense. Slapping him on the shoulder, I strut past him, taking my position in front of the pitching machine. I nod at Sin, who’s manning the machine, and the first ball comes flying at me.
CRACK.
“That’s how you do it, boys!” I crow, flipping my bat in the air before taking my stance again. Another ball comes at me and I swing.
CRACK.
“Oh yeah, baby.” I give my backside a little wiggle, too high on life to care how much of a fool I look. “More than just a pretty face with a good butt.”
“I know it’s Monty, but don’t you think he’s a littleextratoday?” Ben Wilson mutters from outside the cage.
I hear Maverick’s grunt just before connecting with another pitch. “Woo! Watch and learn.”
“Maybe he’s gettin’ laid,” Darling jeers from next to him, and goddamn it, his comment makes me miss the next pitch. “Oh, damn! He is!”
I turn and glare at my teammates. “Would you please shut up? I’m trying to focus.”
“And your fucking whistling was preventing the rest of us from doing just that. Fair’s fair, Monty.” Maverick folds his arms across his chest with a smirk.
I finish my round with the machine and exit the cage, frowning at each of them in turn. “Just for that, I’m gonnasingnext time. Any requests?”
Darling takes a ball I didn’t even realize he was holding and whips it at me, and it’s only thanks to my finely honed catcher reflexes that it doesn’t hit me in the head. Instead, it stings my bare hand.
The thing is, their teasing? It isn’t getting to me. Not at all. Because nothing can touch me right now. The girl of my dreams is within reach. And tomorrow, I’m taking her to my parents’ place. They’ve met a couple of times, but only briefly and only in professional situations. Now, I get to introduce her as my…something.
Maybe I gotta figure out what that is first. Friend? Almost girlfriend? Future wife?
All of the above?
Yeah, I’m on top of the fucking world, and it’s only gonna getbetter as Lark and I find our way together.
The guys and I wrap up our practice and head over to the diner next to the stadium for some lunch. Pushing open the door to the fifties-style diner is like pulling on your favourite pair of sweats. Comfortable and relaxed. The vinyl booths are bright teal to match our team colours, there’s always oldies music playing, and Maura, the owner, makes damn sure no one bothers us when we’re eating there.
“Hey boys, want your usuals?” the woman in question says as she bustles over with a tray of water.
“You’re an angel, Maura, thank you.” I give her my winningest smile. “If some fries landed on my plate with that burger and salad, I wouldn’t be mad.”
“You got it, honey.”
