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“Wyatt, we all see the way you look at her. You can’t deny that there’s something there that isn’t work-related.” Miles says.

“Why would it matter if there was? It’s none of your business,” I tell my friends, taking a sip of water. “You need to focus on finding yourself a woman, Davis.”

Miles waves his hand. “Being a dad is enough for me. I’ll stick to the single dad lifestyle.”

“That’s the shit bitches would eat up, though.” Liam chimes in. “Hot single dad with a kid? How could a girl say no?”

“I’ll keep the single hot baseball player image going for us.” I look at Liam, then at Miles. “That’s my lifestyle.”

Liam coughs dramatically. “Liar,” he says through his coughs, annoying me more.

A smirk tugs up on Miles’ lips. “Hey, Engel,” he nudges Liam with his elbow. “Does Mitchell appear a little…soft to you?”

Liam spat out some sunflower seeds, grinning at me. “I wouldn’t say soft. I was thinking more distracted or maybe smitten.”

I felt the familiar heat creep up my neck again. “I’m not distracted,” I tell them. “I’m focused on winning today’s game. Something you two should be focused on. Not my love life.”

“A certain female that’s on staff has you daydreaming like a little boy who just kissed his crush for the first time.” Liam comments.

“She’s literally just helping me with social media stuff.” I lied. “That’s it.”

Liam stepped closer, his voice dropping the playful tone. “Look, Wy. I don’t care who you’re with. We all know it’s Eliana, you can’t deny that. I see the way you look at her, and it’s definitely more than just a coworker type of look. It’s your girl from five years ago. I may be stupid, but I’m not an idiot.”

“That doesn’t…” I draw in a sigh, stopping myself from saying anything else.

“So it is her,” Miles whispered. “The one that got away. The reason Mitchell hasn’t dated anyone in the last decade.”

The one that got away. Those were words that hit hard– Because Eliana wasn’t the one that got away. I was the loser that let her go.

“Drop it,” I slid off the table. My patience was gone, and I was ready to get on with the game.

“We’ll drop it,” Liam says as he holds his hands up. “But, Wyatt? Just a heads-up, if you’re going to rekindle the flame and try to keep it secret? Maybe don’t walk into the clubhouse smelling like a Bath and Body Works advertisement. It’s a dead giveaway.”

Chapter 21

Wyatt

Five Years Ago

THE BAG SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY BEDROOM, half-packed and taunting. A couple of old t-shirts, a glove I couldn’t leave behind, a framed photo of the guys from college, and a handful of memories I refused to throw away.

I had contemplated this for weeks. I felt like it was the right thing to do. Like this is what would be best for the both of us. Would I kick myself later? Probably. But at the moment? It was best for her.

She didn’t need to be roped into the chaos of everything. I didn’t need her to rearrange my life for me. She deserved so much better.

“You’re really set on this?” Eliana questioned, looking at her feet, avoiding eye contact with me. I could see the tears starting to pool up in her eyes.

“El, you know the last thing I want to do is break your heart,” I told her, stepping towards her as she took a step away from me, putting a hand out to stop me.

“Well, you’re sure doing a fantastic job at that!” She spat back, finally meeting my eyes. “Wyatt, I told you I would support you no matter what. I don’t care where you go, I’m willing to make this work…”

I let out a sigh. “I know, babe,” I tell her, trying to swallow down the lump in my throat. “I don’t think it’s fair to you. Having to constantly worry about me, or doing a long distance relationship. That’s not fair to you.”

“Is there someone else?” Eliana asks, her voice cracking.

“God, no, El. You know that.”

I met Eliana when we were twelve – It was her first day at the school and I was the first friend she made. All because I liked her Prince t-shirt.