Page 36 of Convincing the Catcher

“Yeah, sorry about that,” I murmur, thinking about how fast she took off out of that conference room and cringing inside. “I’m trying my best, Catch. I really am.”

The fact that she’s thanking me for not flirting means she’s enjoying hanging out with me the way it’s been. Which is fine, but fucking hell … every minute I’m around her, it gets a little harder to be on my best behavior. But I promised her I would, so I suppose until I see a shift in her energy toward me and I start to sense she’s feeling some of the things I am, I need to keep being a good boy.

I expect her to nod before taking off up the stairs, but instead, her eyebrows pull together.

“Is it hard for you to have a friend who’s a girl and not to flirt?” she asks, looking up at me in wonder.

“Well, I mean … when it’s someone like you, Harland,” I say, using her full name for a reason I’m not even sure of, “then a little.”

“Me?” she blurts out, rearing her head back. “What do you mean?”

She really has no idea what a catch she is. Even though my nickname for her is because she’s a queen behind the plate, it’s also true that she’s an actual catch too.

One that just doesn’t want to be caught, I guess.

“Come on. Look at you,” I say matter-of-factly. “And not only that, but think about how fucking awesome you are. How strong you are.” I stop. “How insanely talented you are.” I shrug my shoulders. “I’d be insane if I found it easy not to flirt with you.”

That earns me a nervous tucking of the hair, and for some reason, I love that I can get that reaction out of her. She doesn’t seem to give any guy around campus the time of day, and honestly, I think some dudes are afraid to approach her because she’s such a badass. But there’s something here between us, even if she’s trying her best to fight it.

“Wow …” she mutters, biting down on her lip. “Coming from NEU’s infamous Cane Hale? I’m feeling pretty good right now.” She smiles at me before starting to turn but stops with her body only halfway. “On that note, I’m going inside before you say anything else that causes my head to swell any bigger, making it so I can’t fit through the door.”

I know I shouldn’t watch her walk up the stairs, but as her ass sways with every step, I can’t help myself.

“Good night, Hale,” she calls over her shoulder before pulling the door open.

“Night, Catch,” I drawl back.

Once she’s safely inside, I slowly walk home.

Smiling like a damn fool the entire short trek there.

Lately, she’s been on my mind more than any other woman ever has. It isn’t about the chase either. Because that girl? She doesn’t want to be chased. Yet here I am, already thinking about our next date. And even though she tagged me in a picture and a video to prove we were hanging out and then had me repost from my account, I don’t really give a fuck if that sells people on liking me or not. Right now, I just want her to like me.

Fuck everything else.

EIGHTEEN

HARLEY

I look at myself in the mirror, but as much as I want to cringe, my mind can’t even tell my face to do it because I feel so damn lost. My dad has been in the hospital for a few weeks now, and even though I want to fly home and see him, I don’t have the extra cash. The money I get paid from my social media only goes so far, and a ticket to Montana from Massachusetts isn’t exactly cheap.

So, I’m here, dressing up to go to a stupid Halloween party, when I should be there for my mom, sitting next to my dad and holding his hand. Even if he’s not really with it, I could still be there for the both of them. Instead, I’m here, being selfish and chasing my dreams while the man who made this dream even a possibility is lying hopeless in a bed.

Barging into my room without warning is none other than Haven, dressed as a sexy sheriff. One look at me and she whistles. “I knew when I bought this, it was the perfect costume for us.”

I look down at myself, dressed as a jailbird, and I grimace. “I don’t know if perfect is the word for this, Haven.” In the mirror, I turn slightly, poking my butt out. “I can practically see my ass.”

“Welp, the hot pitcher will be thanking me for that then.” She winks before walking over to me and slapping me on my ass, making me cry out.

“Ouch, you jerk! Why would you do that so hard?!” I pout, rubbing my butt cheek with my palm. “Pretty sure you just left a mark.”

“Maybe Baseball Boy can put his own mark there later,” she coos before reaching for my hair and tousling it a bit. “Which, by the way, why won’t you give me the inside scoop on whatever is going on between the two of you?” Her eyes grow wide, and she smirks. “And is his dick as big as I can only assume it would be?”

Shoving her lightly, I scowl. “Haven, shut up! I’ve told you, Cane and I are friends. His willy could be huge, or it could be the size of a caterpillar. Either way, I don’t know and don’t want to!”

“Just say dick, Harls,” she snaps. “It’s way hotter than willy.”

I adore Haven, but she’s bold. She’s outgoing and confident. Not just on the field like I am, but around guys and at parties too. She is unapologetically herself, and I love it. While we have become close since we both got to NEU last year, there’s something she doesn’t know about me. And that’s … even if he had a big … dick … I wouldn’t know how to judge because I’ve never seen one before.