Page 17 of Convincing the Catcher

Not right away, but slowly, she turns to look at me. Her eyes are narrowed, but more in confusion or questioning than anything else. The moonlight hits her shiny red hair, illuminating it so much that it almost glows like a halo at the top.

“What does people loving me have to do with me helping you?”

The next words are caught in my throat because this chick? She makes me really fucking nervous, and that’s nothing I’ve ever experienced before. But before I explain everything to her, I push my door open and hop out, slamming it shut behind me.

“Because people think I’m the villain now. But if we were friends … if people thought that Catcher Harley thought I was a good person … maybe they wouldn’t think I was so bad.”

In a stare down, she glares like she’s waiting for me to tell her I’m joking or some shit. She’s taken aback by what I just said. But part of me can sense that she’s considering what I said as well. And that’s a start.

Finally, she folds her arms over her chest, and her body language shifts. Instantly, I know this isn’t good news for me because I can feel the energy radiating from her body.

“Seriously? You sank your reputation, and now you want me to do the same?” she asks incredulously. “For real?”

She has a point, but that’s not really going to win her over, so I have to come up with something—and fast.

“No, because you have a bigger following than I do. Your fans are loyal, Meadows.” I take a step toward her. “Come on. Am I really that bad?”

“Umm … you were there, right?” She tilts her head to the side. “You spray-painted the shit out of a beautiful, brand-new dugout. So, yes, you are that bad.”

I can’t tell this girl that I didn’t spray a single drop of paint. I want to so she stops looking at me like I’m an asshole, but I can’t because I don’t know her enough to be sure she’d keep my secret. So I just shrug.

“Yeah, I know I fucked up.”

She scoffs, shaking her head slightly. “Fucked up? Yeah, you did.”

She takes a step back, and I know she’s getting ready to bolt.

“Do you at least have enough medication or whatever to get you through right now?” I say, dragging a hand over my head. “Are you completely out yet, Harley? Because I know how fucking serious type 1 diabetes is. I understand you don’t want my help. I’m a fuckup, and you hate my guts—whatever. But if you are out, I hope you’ll fucking tell someone.”

My words seem to catch her off guard, and her head rears back.

“I have enough to get me through a little longer,” she finally mutters before letting out a sigh. “I’m fine, Hale. This isn’t your problem.”

But for some reason, I want it to be.

For a moment, we’re caught just staring at each other when, eventually, she turns away from me again. Now though, she wastes no time before she jogs down toward the party. I don’t try to stop her this time because it’s becoming damn obvious she’d rather suffer than consider my offer.

As much as I want to go to that party to keep an eye on her, she doesn’t want my help. And if I do go there, I’ll just end up pissing her off.

Again.

So, rather than doing that, I walk into my house, knowing damn well that even though she told me it wasn’t my problem … I’m still not going to be able to just let it go that easy.

TEN

CANE

“Damn, Cap.” Liam grins, throwing the ball back to me. “That one had some heat.”

I swear he randomly says that, even when I’m throwing the same speed. But I’m thankful for it. It’s much better than him telling me I suck or something.

“What are you wearing to this auction thing?” I ask him, stretching my arm. “Still think it’s fucking weird to auction off athletes to random people.” I scowl. “Don’t you think so?”

Liam’s shoulders shrug. “I mean, dude, it’s for the One Wish Foundation. The money goes toward kids who can’t afford to play sports. They could tell me I had to auction off pictures of my feet, and I’d still be all for it.”

Staring at him for a beat, I frown. “Well, now you’ve made me feel like a dick right before our game starts.”

“Sorry.” He grins before suddenly looking down. “You okay, Cap? I mean, this game⁠—”