Page 82 of The Sweet Spot

I sit up too fast and whip my head in the direction of the door.

Did he hear my thoughts?

JB comes out with his towel slung low around his hips and water still running down his chest. I start plumping the pillows behind me, pretending I wasn’t just thinking about defiling his batter’s glove.

What a ridiculous idea.

“Better?” I ask, my voice light.

“Cleaner,” he says mournfully. “Not better.” He crawls back onto the bed, bracing over me, dripping slightly, smelling like soap instead of us, and I can’t help myself when he’s this close.

I pull him down by the back of the neck.

“We've got time before your game,” I say against his mouth.

He grins. “Yes, Coach.”

Jess: So, why am I sitting at the partnership dinner without you? I thought you were flying in this afternoon.

Adjusting my Carolina Catfish baseball cap, I bring my phone up and take a picture of myself smiling in the stands of the stadium.

Whit: Image attached

Whit: Had an important game to watch tonight. Agreed to make it up to the partnership by posing for pictures before the start of the tournament on Thursday.

Jess: Well, look at you. The cutest little baseball fan I've ever seen. Glad you're getting distracted at your boyfriend's game. Might give me a fighting chance of getting a place on the podium this week. 😈

I type out a message, delete it, and then start to type it again, writing my innermost feelings.

Whit: Is it bad that I'd love to skip it all and stay here?

Jess: Do it! Do it! Do it!

Jess: And please don't think I'm saying that because I want to win. It's just nice to hear you worry about something other than winning for once. JB must be something special.

Whit: He is. Doesn't change the fact that I have a contract to fulfill. I couldn't miss the tournament even if I wanted to.

Three months. That's all JB and I have to wait for now.

Right before heading out to the field today, we matched our schedules and realized they align almost perfectly. Our downtime is exactly the same: November to February—which means if we can get through these next three months, I can hang out with JB for the next four.

My heartbeat skips just thinking about it.

Three months ago, if someone had told me I'd be anxiously waiting to spend three uninterrupted months with a baseball player, I would've laughed.

Jess: Oh my gosh, they just zoomed in on your face.

I whip my head up and look around the stands. It's starting to fill up, but the spot next to mine is free for when my dad gets some time between his work.

Jess: What were you thinking about?

Whit: Nothing.

Jess: You sure? You looked a little dickmatized.

Whit: Jess...

Jess: They're talking about your father right now and what a big Fish fan he is. Sienna is saying that's the reason you're there tonight. Did you tell them not to say anything about you and JB?