Homerun Proposal (Orleans University, #1)

by Maren Moore

For all the girls who fell in love with Freddie Prince Jr. before they even really knew what love was. And for all the girls who always wanted their own Mia Thermopolis moment. This is your moment, babe.

I cringe when she uses the word “penis.” I’m pretty sure, aside from the word “moist,” that penis is the ugliest word in the entire English language.

Honestly, I’m probably more like kombucha if I had to categorize myself. Bitter at first taste but then slowly starts to grow on you after you hold your nose and force it down.

That he would be the kind of guy who’d talk filthy to you while he did despicable things to your body.

The feel of his hands gripping my hips as he thrust into me, his eyes devouring me an⁠—

I’m surviving on strong will and Jack’s Pizza.

Who knows, might hit a party up. Find a cleat chaser to sneak out.” He shoots me a pointed gaze, his lips tugging up in a grin. And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. America’s sweetheart.

You’re one of the most incredible people I know. You’re smart and funny and beautiful. I mean… the whole package.”

“Anyone who is lucky enough to be a part of your universe will know exactly what they have from the moment you walk in.”

Reminder to self: next time Vivienne suggests we go big or go home… I go home. Literally. Leave and go back to the safety of my house. The girl is out of her mind.

My sister listens to something about calling her daddy or something.

Great, I almost killed my almost first kiss.

I’m tired of fading into the background, like I’m not really here at all. Never really being seen. I just… want to feel empowered. I want to feel sexy. To feel wanted.

It’s… I’m… That thing is the size of a Pringles can!

My little brother’s best friend is the one thing in the world that I can’t have, no matter how badly I want her. No matter how badly I’ve wanted her for years. She’s beautiful, and kind, and one hundred percent off-limits.

Her nervous babbling was cute as fuck, as it always is, but once she spouted the words from her mouth, regardless if they were meant for my brother… I can’t forget them. I can’t just pretend it didn’t happen. I can’t just go back to how shit was before that moment.

One single bite and it would change everything.

It’s one thing for me to innocently flirt with her, just to see her cheeks flame when I talk to her. That’s something else entirely. It’s all innocent fun, but this?

number 22.

And going after Hallie Edwards? Sure as fuck would ruin any relationship I have with my little brother.

Even if that wedge is Hallie with her off-the-wall T-shirts, her eccentric style, and sweet smile. The one that hits me directly in the chest every time I’m rewarded with a glimpse.

Running on no sleep, thinking about something I can’t change and a girl I can’t ever have, will put anyone in a shit mood.

“She is good, man. The kinda good that only deserves the very best this world can offer. She deserves everything. A guy who respects her and understands all of her little obsessions and doesn’t make her feel like she should be any different than she is. She’s pure and beautiful inside and out.”

I didn’t need him to tell me that because I already knew every single word of it.

And officially six entire days since my world turned on its fucking axis, and not a single second has passed that I haven’t thought about her.

And I’m going to that bar tonight, with or without my boys, because I have to keep an eye on her.

Not when I’ve spent the last six days obsessing over what she’s proposing.

She may have meant to ask Eli to fulfill her proposal, but too fucking bad because she asked me, and I haven’t been able to sleep since.

Truthfully, my attraction defies all odds. She’s the most awkward person I’ve ever met, and yet I’ve never felt drawn to a girl the way that I am her. Her big, blue doe eyes. The baggy T-shirts even do it for me, and as fucked as that sounds, I ...

The moment we cross the threshold at the Redlight, my eyes search for her, scanning the room for her dark hair. The purple strip in it is a beacon for my eyes. She’s the only one I know out of a sea of sorority girls who would aim to be so bold.

Especially at a party on a Friday night. Girls who are all too willing to drop to their knees and show their favorite pitcher just how devoted to the team they are.

Nah, there’s only one girl I’m interested in seeing, and she sure as fuck isn’t the blondes standing in front of me.

Yeah, right. Over my dead fucking body. I think the fuck not. If he wants to permanently lose his hands, he can touch her. My pleasure—breaking every bone in his hand will be just what I need tonight to let off some steam.

Without a second thought, I head straight for her, barreling through people left and right, not bothering to mutter an apology. When I make it to her, I deftly pluck the tube of clear liquor from between her tits and toss it back, letting it burn as it slides down my throat. She’s so drunk her eyes are glassy and dull, and it takes her a moment to realize it’s me standing in front of her. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen her drink before.

“Take your hands the fuck off of her,” I say, inching closer.

As much as I like being the bad brother, I don’t want to be when it comes to this. I’m always going to be the gentleman when it comes to her.

Hallie Girl.”

I try to ignore how close my hand is to her delectable ass

Because I saw red when I saw him about to put his hands on her.

Because that’s what this would be… getting involved with her. I’m smarter than this. I know better than to even consider it, yet it’s done nothing but consume my thoughts since she left that damn proposal on the bathroom counter.

I’ve wanted her since we were in high school. I just never acted on it. Not until now.

It’s entirely her. If you didn’t know who Hallie Edwards was when you walked into this room, you’d know precisely the girl she was when leaving. Smart, and interesting with the best taste in music. Fucking beautiful. So beautiful that the moment she walks into a room, she commands attention. All eyes on her.

One thing I’ve gathered about women is that they hate to sleep in makeup. So, I’ll grab a rag and help her get situated for bed, then leave her be.

Not how I expected to spend my Friday night, but if it means looking after Hallie, then there’s nowhere else I want to be.

Carrying me inside. Lane Collins held me in his arms like I was the most precious thing he’s ever touched. He put me to bed and took my shoes off. Then he slept on my floor because he was worried about me. I feel like I’m living in an alternate universe right now.

He lifts his head, his gaze finding mine. “I wanted to make sure you didn’t get sick in the middle of the night.” God, why is he so handsome the moment he opens his stupid, perfect eyeballs? Who looks that hot the moment they wake up?

I lost my mind. I can’t imagine someone else touching her. Her proposing the very same thing to them and some douche following through with it. No. Fuck that.

I would give her exactly what she was asking for and more.

I’ve been simply biding my time, waiting to find the right time to let her know that I want every fucking thing she was offering.

Slowly, almost comically so, her eyes drift to the paper I’ve put in front of her, and then they raise to meet mine. “H-how did you get this?” “I signed it. With my full, legal name as requested.” I smirk, crossing my arms over my chest.