Page 16 of Praising the Pitcher

Me: Yes, Sleeping Beauty. Better go get your rest.

I hit him with a Disney princess reference because how could I not?

Despite the disappointment that this conversation is ending, my heart flutters at him calling me a goddess. He really is too good at this whole flirting thing, but I don’t want it to stop because, to be honest, right now with everything haunting me from Tabor’s attack and my dad’s constant pressure to be perfect, Noah is the one thing in life that feels light and good.

I know this is a game to him. I’m not naive enough to think otherwise. But even so, I’m enjoying it—even if that makes me sound pathetic. I need a distraction, and right now, he’s providing it.

When his active sign disappears, I sigh and push the back of my head harder into the pillow. He may have distracted me from my own demons for a few minutes, but now that he’s gone, they’re right back at the forefront of my mind. And I know I can’t keep this no-sleeping thing up much longer before I eventually crash.

Hard.

NOAH

Part of me wonders why in the world Gigi is still awake. She clearly should be sleeping because the woman has the most insane schedule. From what I’ve overheard when my sister talks to my dad about it, Gigi’s father has her in about every kind of strength and conditioning training session there is—while also expecting her to keep up with her classes. As a football player, I understand being busy. I’m busy too. But she’s next level, and I know it’s because her father is some sort of insane person when it comes to living vicariously through her success.

Ever since I spent time with her last week, I’ve found her on my mind more often than I should. I’m not breaking my rule about not hooking up with my sister’s friend or anything, but I can’t deny that she’s captured my attention. There’s something about the innocence she carries that pulls me in because I think, inside, I wonder if maybe she’s not as innocent as she pretends to be. Maybe she has a wild side, one ready to come out.

My cock twitches thinking about being the lucky motherfucker to help her explore that part of herself …

I roll onto my side and squeeze my eyes shut. Tomorrow we have practice, and later this weekend, an important game. I can’t afford to be tired right now.

I also can’t afford to be distracted by cute, blonde pitchers whose cheeks turn red whenever I talk to them either …

EIGHT

GIGI

I look out onto the field and stuff my mittened hands into my pockets. It’s windy tonight, and despite wearing fleece-lined leggings, a long parka, a beanie, and mittens, I’m cold. On the field, puffs of smoke float above the players’ helmets as their warm breath hits the freezing air.

I can’t fight the yawn that rips from my mouth, and my eyes water because it’s so damn intense. I’m still not sleeping much, and all day, I’ve felt like a zombie. I’m on edge, grumpier than normal, and I just feel … well, like shit.

Haven sits beside me, and when she turns her body and waves to someone, I lean forward to see who it is to find our roommate, Lilly, and Margo, a player from the hockey team, walking toward us.

“Hey, bitches,” Haven says, waving them over—as if they aren’t already headed our way. “You made it!”

They take a seat beside Haven, and Lilly gives me a big wave. Meanwhile, Margo simply plops down and looks forward toward the field.

Haven mentioned earlier that she invited Lilly and that Lilly might bring a friend. Margo is a true black cat, and honestly … she makes me a little nervous to be around only because I can’t tell if she likes me. Then again, I think everyone feels that way when it comes to her. Her hard exterior makes it hard not to.

Even though freshman usually can’t live in the athletic houses, Lilly was an exception because she came to NEU after the school year had begun, and the dorms were already full. She runs track, and from what I’ve heard, is quite impressive.

Yawning again, I turn my attention back to the field, and like I have throughout the game so far, I fight to keep my eyes from floating to the player with King printed on the back of his jersey. Because with his sister sitting directly next to me, the last thing I want to do is get caught ogling her brother.

But damn … the way he looks in a uniform makes it hard not to.

NOAH

In the last few seconds of the game, I run in a touchdown, and the crowd here at our home stadium goes absolutely insane. This team was good, but they were still no match for us tonight.

Dallas jogs over to me, pulling his helmet off. “Who the hell you showing off for, big guy?” He grins, smacking his palm down on my shoulder blade. “And don’t you dare say no one. I know when Noah King is playing to impress.”

“I’d ask you the same, but I already know the answer and don’t feel like throwing up hearing you say it,” I return, teasing him about my sister before throwing my arm around his shoulders, and we walk toward a group of our teammates and my dad. “You did good, Rivers.”

“Yeah, you did all right too I guess.” He chuckles. “Let’s go see how your dad thinks we did though.”

My dad spots us and grins, cocking his chin upward. “I know who this asshole was showing off for.” He jerks his thumb toward Dallas. “But I’d say you were doing some flexin’ too, boy.”

“Nah-uh,” I drawl. “Can’t a guy just have a good game?”