Page 59 of Praising the Pitcher

Though I was content with staying home, reading my books and watching all the trashy shows my friends have introduced me to, Haven wasn’t having it. I’m in a bit of a predicament when I get here, too, because when her brother asked me my plans … I lied and said I was going to Lilly’s.

I hate lying and I hate liars, but I know Noah—just like I know his sister. He would have felt bad for me like Haven did, and now I get to be a pity guest.

Oh well, I’ve heard the food is delicious. Christmas was one of the few times my mom would stray from my dad’s strict diet rules he had not just me but the whole house on. And even though he’d limit me to one piece of pie, my mom always let me sneak more.

Sometimes too much, and then my stomach would hurt, but it was totally worth it.

“Oh, and we do a Yankee Swap on Christmas Eve. We can buy our gifts for that when we go to town!”

“Sounds good.” I nod, thankful I had a small stash of cash from birthdays and that I grabbed it before we left, otherwise I wouldn’t be taking part in the Yankee Swap at all.

I’m not going to lie and say I’m not nervous to be under the same roof as Noah for the next few days, because I am. I’m not worried anything inappropriate will happen, but right after we stopped hanging out, I was pretty down in the dumps. I liked him more than I even knew. Now, I’m feeling a little better, but a few flirty comments or swoony behavior on his end, and I’m going to be right back where I started.

My phone buzzes, and I look down to see it’s Benny. I try to tell myself I’m excited—that he’s a nice, handsome guy who really does seem interested in me, but deep down, I know there’s someone else’s name that pops up and makes me a lot happier.

And his name … is Noah.

TWENTY-TWO

NOAH

Even though my sister seemed a bit concerned, and Gigi was clearly uncomfortable with it, Dallas and I decide to ride to town with the girls after they drop their things and the dog off at my parents’ house. Normally, Haven would want Dallas so far up her ass she could barely breathe, but seeing as Gigi is with her, she’s obviously attempting to do everything to make her comfortable, and I think she knows things are a little weird between us right now. So, when I said we were coming with them, Haven gave me a warning look—which I ignored because, again … she gave Benny fucking Baker Gigi’s phone number and now he’s probably texting her nonstop.

When I hear the vibration of a phone and watch Gigi pull hers out of her pocket before smiling down at the screen, I grind my molars, wondering if it’s my new teammate sending her messages.

Probably. I mean, why wouldn’t it be? It’s amazing she’s gone this long without men fighting for her, so what did I expect?

And why am I so goddamn jealous?

My sister pulls along the curb to park, no doubt hitting it in the process, yet she remains completely unfazed.

“Whoopsy.” She giggles with a shrug—like she didn’t just take a huge chunk out of her rim. “Let’s go! Gifts first, coffee after!”

As the girls pile out of the front, Dallas looks at me. He doesn’t say a word, and his lips form a straight line, yet there’s clear amusement in his eyes. My sister is a mess and he’s the opposite, and I think he likes that she’s so different than he is.

“That’s your girlfriend,” I murmur, taunting him.

“Yeah, and your sister,” he tosses back, which I meet with a nod.

“Exactly. I didn’t pick her.” I push my door open. “You did.”

I’m only joking with him. My sister is a catch by anyone’s standards and we both know it. She’s funny, beautiful, extremely hardworking, and a great softball player. She is annoying sometimes though.

We walk to catch the girls, who are up ahead as they get closer to the handful of stores we have downtown here in our hometown. They say something to each other, and before I know it, Haven goes one way, heading into one store, and Gigi, looking a little flustered, goes toward another.

I know she’s going to find her gift for the Yankee Swap tomorrow; that’s why she didn’t follow my sister. I should leave her alone. But when I see D following Haven, I make the decision I’m sticking with Gigi.

Besides, she may need help knowing where shit is. So really, I’m just being helpful.

She doesn’t see me follow her in, and I stay back far enough, looking around the store but not really seeing anything. When I finally catch up to her, I watch as she stares down at a snow globe, her fingers tracing over it as her expression grows heavy.

She looks sad, to be honest. I could leave her alone—that would be the smarter thing to do. Every time I step in and try to save her, I’m sure the more mixed signals I send. But I can’t do it. There’s no way in hell I can watch her struggle and not offer help. Besides, she’s interested in someone else now, so what harm will it do to be a good guy?

“Hey, Smoke,” I say softly, and when her eyes widen and she flinches, it’s obvious she didn’t know I was behind her.

“H—Hi,” she stutters, stepping back from whatever was making her emotional. “You’re not supposed to be in here. You’ll see what I choose for my Yankee Swap gift.”

“You haven’t picked anything yet, so I guess I’m good,” I say, my eyes roaming her face. “You good?”