Page 31 of Convincing the Catcher

“Oh, I don’t know about all that,” he says politely before bringing the attention back to her. “I don’t think a single ball got past you out there. That was impressive.”

“Thank you.” She smiles before her eyes dart to mine. “I hated to sit during the last inning, but Kira did a great job.”

“I noticed you came out,” I say without even knowing why the hell I’d blurt something so awkward. Obviously, there are more catchers than her, and now I just sound like a weirdo for noticing that she came out and didn’t go back in.

“Yeah, my levels have been pretty wacky today. And then that last slide into home plate was a tad too aggressive, and I ripped the Omnipod out.” She shrugs her shoulders, like it’s no big deal. “But it all worked out.”

I wondered if that was why she didn’t go back in the game. I can’t imagine how frustrating that must be for her when her levels are off and she can’t play even when she wants to. Not to mention having a device attached to her body that she has to be mindful of. But mentally, she seems so fucking strong and just rolls with it.

I can feel Cash shifting beside me, and I know he’s getting ready to say he’ll meet me in the truck—no doubt thinking I need a minute alone or something with Harley. In reality, I may be a guy who never has trouble picking up women, and yet, when it comes to her, I can’t seem to remember how not to sound like a moron when she’s around. She makes me nervous, and I don’t really know what to do about it.

“I’ve got to make a phone call before practice, so I’ll meet you in the truck,” Cash says from beside me. “It was nice to meet you, Harley.”

Smiling at him, she waves. “You too.”

Once he’s gone, we stand here like two sixteen-year-old kids going on our first date. She’s tucking her hair behind her ear nervously, and I’m shifting around on my feet with my hands stuffed in my pockets.

“So,” she says, surprising me that she’s talking first, “you know, I paid good money at that auction for this baseball star last weekend. Not my money, but good, good money. And I was promised a night I wouldn’t forget. I’m pretty sure it was in the fine print when I paid. It definitely won’t be as fun as the date I took you on, but still.”

I try to ignore the jolt that shoots through my dick, imagining what I’d like to do to make it a night she’d never forget.

She’d be naked—that’s for sure.

“For the price you paid, Catch?” I drawl, regaining some of the confidence this woman seems to make me forget I have. “I’d say I owe you two, hell, maybe even three of them.”

She bites down on her bottom lip and shifts around. I should use the fact that she seems not to have much experience with flirting to my advantage and turn on the charm.

“Well then,” she utters, tilting her head to the side, “you just let me know when. Just so you know, I like food. A lot.”

“How’s tonight?” I nod at her. “I know a pretty good place about thirty minutes off campus. It probably won’t be as good as that sketchy pizza joint we ate at, but it’s decent. And you won’t even have to worry about ass scratching going on.” I wink. “Pick you up around five?”

“No ass scratching and early dinner?” she coos, making her eyes grow wide. “I like it.”

“I grew up in a household that eats around five or five thirty every night.” I laugh. “Creature of habit now, I guess. I know; I know. I’m like an old man.”

She laughs, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. “No, I mean, same. My parents were big on having a schedule, and my dad always claimed he’d have heartburn all night if he ate too late, so we always ate around five thirty too.” She shakes her head, still laughing. “He always has some Tums handy.”

“Sounds like a dad thing. Like a rite of passage to have Tums handy.”

Once she stops laughing, she looks up at me. “All right, well … I’ll see you at five, Baseball Boy.” As she starts to turn, tugging her wheeled catcher’s bag behind her, she widens her eyes playfully. “And if the dinner sucks, I guess it’s a good thing the money wasn’t actually mine, huh?”

“I guess so,” I say, following her like a puppy dog. “I’m not a stalker, Catch. Just parked beside your car—that’s all.”

Her cheeks heat, and she bites her lip to fight a smile. If it’s not the cutest damn thing I’ve seen, I don’t know what the fuck is.

Suddenly, seeing my fake friend has become the highlight of my week.

And that would be great and all, but I think I’m a little too excited to see someone who told me that this deal would only happen if it didn’t include romance.

SEVENTEEN

HARLEY

Once the waiter drops our dishes off, I stare down at it, not surprised at all that it looks as delicious as it does. This place may only be about half an hour from campus, but it’s in a town I’ve never been to before.

“Wow, this looks incredible,” I say, practically salivating over the pasta in front of me.

“My mom loves this place,” Cane answers without even realizing how adorable it is that he’s talking about his mom right now.