Page 24 of Praising the Pitcher

I’m busy with my own shit. Between classes finishing up and football, I no doubt have my hands full. Yet, no matter what I have going on, I know without a shadow of a doubt I can make time for her and spend it building her up. I want to.

To those on campus, Gigi Jacobs is the most confident athlete. She’s composed and assured, and yet inside … I think it’s the opposite. And I’m making it my job to change that.

Exhaling, I put my truck in drive and pull away from the curb, knowing for the next month, my hand will be what keeps my dick company. Because no matter how close I get to Gigi, I can’t let my attraction to her make me a selfish man.

Even though, let’s be honest … that’s going to be really fucking hard.

ELEVEN

GIGI

I comb my hair out before pulling it back and braiding it quickly. Reaching into my bag, I grab my socks and pull them on, bringing them over my leggings because it’s damn cold out today and I hate my ankles being exposed. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to softball socks, I don’t know.

“Hey,” Haven says, plopping down on the bench beside me. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to you before practice, but are you okay?”

Sliding my feet into my fleece-lined Birkenstocks, I look at her. “Yeah, why?” I say it lightly, like I have no idea why she’d think otherwise.

It’s not like I ditched her at dinner last night or anything …

“Well, bitch, you sort of left with my brother last night not feeling good …” she half blurts, half scoffs. “So, I’ve been a little worried.”

I plaster on a small smile and shake my head. “Oh, that? Yeah, no, I’m good!” I could tell her the truth. I could even ask her if maybe she’s not sleeping too. It’s on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t want her to think I’m making this about me. So instead, I add, “I think the long day just caught up to me and I sort of crashed.”

Though I look away to pack up my bag, I feel her eyes still on me.

“And left with my brother?” she says, sounding less than impressed but not mad.

“He saw me coming out of the bathroom and noticed I didn’t look good and offered,” I say quickly, trying not to sound defensive about it. There’s nothing going on between me and Noah, so I don’t want to act all nervous like there is and I’m hiding it.

“Interesting,” she murmurs, growing quiet. “You know, if you’re into my brother⁠—”

“Haven, don’t even finish your sentence,” I say, cutting her off. “Your brother was in the right place at the right time and helped me out.”

Now I look back at her and she sighs in relief.

“Okay, good.” She shrugs. “It isn’t that I wouldn’t want you to date him—I totally would. It’s just, he sort of hot-burned this past spring and he’s just … I don’t know. I think he’s over her and everything, but I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

I don’t know why that sends a small pang of hurt shooting down my chest, but it does. I know he was hurt, but I guess I assumed he was definitely over her. Then again, why should I care if he is or isn’t?

But I do …

“Well, rest assured we’re just friends—if you can even call us that,” I add. “You know I don’t do relationships.”

“Yeah, well, neither does he now,” she utters. “He just … has fun.”

Patting her shoulder, I smile. “Well, the good news here is I don’t really have fun. So, I guess we’re good.” I look her in the eyes, not wanting to keep anything from her. “But I do like hanging out with him—as friends.”

She lifts her brows and scrunches her nose up. “Well, babe, I’m not sure my brother is capable of being friends with girls. But by all means, more power to you.” She stops, putting a hand on my arm. “Just be careful, okay? If you want to be his friend, that’s fine. And, like I said, I’d love it if you two were a thing and it worked out, but my brother? He’s a good guy and you’re the fucking bomb. He just … he’s not really looking for that. And I’m afraid what he’s looking for isn’t what you are.”

Unsure of what to say, I smile and eventually nod my head. “Don’t worry. It’s not like that.” Giving her a side hug, I release her and stand up. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Yeah, I’m starving,” she whines, pushing to her feet.

Within a few minutes, we’re walking out of the locker room and into the parking lot. I’m laughing at something she’s telling me, but my laughter stops when I see my dad’s SUV parked beside mine.

Damn it. This isn’t going to be fun.

“I’ll, uh, see you at home,” I mutter to Haven.