Page 37 of Praising the Pitcher

I know it will be hard for him to believe I’m just friends with a girl, just like it’ll be hard for Haven to buy it too. But it’s the truth. I haven’t even tried to make a move on Gigi—even in my short moments of weakness. So I don’t care if they believe me or not because I’m not thinking with strictly my dick right now.

Actually, since I’m celibate, I’m not thinking with my dick at all. But there’s no way in hell I’m going to tell my best friend that. He’ll surely think it’s somehow connected to Gigi. Which, let’s face it … it is.

But I’m not ready to admit that just yet.

I take my place on the field, settling in and locking my mind back in this game. Because the next play, the next touchdown, this win … that’s what matters right now. And I can’t lose sight of that even though I know there’s a beautiful girl watching me.

GIGI

“Damn, my boyfriend is hot,” Haven gushes beside me, like she has for most of the game. Well, when she wasn’t screaming loudly. Her mom is sitting in front of us with her best friend—Dallas’s mom, Memphis—and even though Memphis is quiet, I’m not sure if Haven or her mom, Anna, cheers louder for Noah and Dallas.

“So you’ve told me,” I utter with a grin, knowing there’s no way in hell I’m going to tell her the thought in my mind.

That her brother is hot too. I’m not supposed to be having those thoughts, after all. Yet, here I am, doing my best to keep the drool inside my mouth because he really is that good looking—even when he’s covered up in his gear.

Most of my life, I’ve watched baseball and softball—nothing else because I couldn’t study the game if I was watching other sports. But even as much of an amateur as I am when it comes to football knowledge, I know enough to understand Noah King is a rare talent.

He moves so effortlessly, and even though he’s a tall, rugged man, he’s lightning fast. I guess that’s why he’s the wide receiver for a team like NEU. And with a leader like Dallas Rivers, I understand why the football team is so hyped.

Sort of wish all the women’s teams would also get that kind of attention though …

NEU is already winning, yet with a little less than a minute on the clock and Dallas’s strong arm sending the ball in a perfect spiral, landing in the hands of Noah, it’s sort of like watching an artist paint a picture as his legs carry him down the field before he dives into the end zone.

Haven leaps up and down, and I find myself doing the same because it’s so exciting but also, the energy in this stadium is contagious.

“That’s my baby boy!” Noah’s mom screams out with her hands cupped around her mouth. Somehow, I know her son wouldn’t be embarrassed by her yelling that, and there are not many dudes who I’d say that about, but Noah King? Yep, he’s definitely one of them.

The entire team surrounds him, lifting him into the air and screaming loudly. My chest warms at the sight because I know that feeling. I love that feeling. There’s nothing quite like earning the last out in a game by striking out someone and sealing the win. Harley always catches the ball in her glove, and a split second later, once the umpire has made the call and it’s strike three, she runs toward me, leaping against my body before our entire team joins in.

I know we’re just friends. I understand nothing can come out of getting to know each other. Yet I can admit to myself while watching him in his glory right now, I love that Noah chases that feeling. The feeling of greatness. The moments we’re reminded what all the early mornings, late nights, endless hard work, and sacrifices are for. Maybe it’s because my dad has never been truly satisfied with my performance, or maybe it’s because I’m just a competitor at heart, but that feeling? It’s like a drug to me. The high doesn’t last long before I’m looking for my next fix, but knowing I can get it again has me always ready to go back to work.

“Are you checking out my brother or Finn, the big, broody defenseman who just lifted him up?” Haven whispers in my ear, and quickly, I snap my gaze at anyone, anything else besides her brother.

“I wasn’t staring at anyone,” I rattle off quickly, probably a little too fast as I glance at her. “They’re celebrating. So I was watching that. Why? Did it seem like I was? Because I wasn’t. Really.”

The slew of words fly from my mouth in a rambled mess without me even being able to stop them. I try to relax my shoulders, looking forward, careful not to stare at one specific person. We’re about to tell her we’ve been hanging out, and now she thinks I’m staring like a creeper.

I should have just said yes, I’m looking at Finn.

I don’t even know who Finn is.

“Umm,” she says slowly, and from the corner of my eye, I can feel her stare on the side of my face. I may not be looking back at her, but I can see her expression in my mind because I know her so well. “Someone’s a little on edge. I was literally kidding.”

My eyes must glance all around, and I swallow sharply before I peek at her. “Sorry. I just … I wasn’t checking anyone out. That’s all.”

“Alrighty then,” she mutters awkwardly. “You gotta get out more, G.”

Thank God, Anna rushes up the few rows of bleachers toward us before this conversation has to continue.

“Did you see your baby brother?” she gushes, grinning ear to ear. “He did so good.”

“Calm down, Anna,” Haven deadpans, calling her mom by her first name, though it’s obviously out of humor. “We know he’s your favorite child.”

“He is today, yes,” her mom tosses back, matter-of-factly. “If you get a homer at your scrimmage in a few weeks, maybe you’ll be the favorite that day.”

Haven rolls her eyes, but it’s so easy to read the energy between them and know they’re both kidding around with each other and there’s no merit in their words. I can’t imagine having this kind of lightness when it comes to softball and my dad. Nothing is light; everything is heavy.

Anna’s eyes move to me and she throws her arms around my shoulders. “I didn’t really get to see you before the game, Gigi. How the hell are you, girl?”