Homerun Proposal (Orleans University, #1)

by Maren Moore

Having him mark me as his. I love that he likes to come inside me.

“Are you too tired to go again?” “You want me to fuck you again?” he asks, his expression turning to disbelief. I nod. “Unless you’re too tired… I know you’re kind of old—your stamina probably isn’t what it used to be.” His hand lands on my ass in a quick slap, and in a single second, I’m flipped onto my back with him hovering between my thighs. “I’ll show you stamina, baby.” And he does, over and over again, until I fall asleep tucked against his chest, wishing I had the courage to tell him exactly how I’m beginning to feel.

The only plans I have tonight are to hopefully shower with my girl, order some pizza from Jack’s, then climb into bed and spend the rest of the night lost inside her. After that? I’m sleeping for the next forty-eight hours.

A week has passed since the charity game, and not a single day has gone by that I haven’t fallen asleep with Hallie in my arms, both of us sated and exhausted. And by exhausted, I mean my girl is insatiable, and I fucking love it. She’s brazen and has no problem telling me exactly what she wants. And that is my cock and my mouth at all times of the night. I’m fucking proud of how far she’s come. How much confidence she’s gained since we first started this…

“You ready to admit you’re in love with her yet?” Reese asks, his voice full of question. “’Cause you definitely are.” I exhale, my shoulders dropping. I lift my gaze back to him. “I am.” There’s no hesitation because I’m not lying to myself or to him. I know exactly how I feel about her, and visiting home this break changed everything. Something changed between us, and whatever it was, I knew there was no coming back from it when I had to leave her in that bed. “I knew it. I was just waiting for you to realize it.” He smirks. “You gonna tell her?”

“Yeah, I am. Soon. When the time is right. I don’t want to fuck things up if she doesn’t feel the same.”

“I’m happy for you, bro. I really am. You seem… different. Happier. More like the guy I met freshman year, and I’m pretty sure it’s got a lot to do with her. So I’m happy that you found someone who brings that out in you, and I know I joke around a lot and talk shit, but I think you made the right decision. You being happy is what matters, ya know?”

“Also, this might be the most romantic shit I’ve ever done, and it’s not even for me. You had all of us on our knees for your girl, Collins. This is like a Taylor Swift song…”

“You listen to Taylor Swift?” “Bro.” He blanches. “Do not disrespect me that way. I am a Swiftie for life.”

I am in love with Hallie Edwards, and I may not have meant to fall in love with her, but I did, and I’m not walking away and giving her up. Proposal terms or not.

I can’t walk away like it never happened. Like I’ve never tasted her or felt her trembling beneath my hands. Like I haven’t seen her cheeks flush when I whisper something dirty in her ear or the sweet little laugh she does when watching mindless videos on social media. Like she hasn’t taken up a home in my heart and become a part of me. Since we started this… Hallie’s become my best friend. The one I go to about everything. The first person I want to tell when I have a good day or something exciting happens.

Jesus, all the signs were there, and I ignored them because I went and fell in love with a guy who would never feel the same way.

“I knew it from the start, Viv. I knew better than to fall in… fall in love with him. You warned me, and I didn’t listen. He’s… him, and I’m me. I knew better. I knew, and I still let him in.” “You are amazing, Hallie. Incredible. You’re the best girl I know, and if he’s foolish enough to let you go, then that is a him problem. Do you hear me? It would be the biggest fumble of his life to lose you.”

The tears come when the realization hits me that I won’t ever get to wear another shirt of Lane’s.

“Baby?” he says as he strolls through the door, shutting it behind him. “Why did you leave? I looked everywhere for you. I was worried.”

“I had a headache, so I asked Viv to take me home.” The space between his brow furrows in confusion as he steps closer. “Why wouldn’t you find me to bring you home? What’s going on?”

“I think whatever this is between us is over, Lane,” I say as I chew my lip, willing the tears to hold off until I’m alone. “We did exactly what we said we would, right? The proposal… it always had an end date.”

Clearly, he wouldn’t be if he was trying to pick up another girl, right?

“Look, this is exactly what we discussed, right? We said that when it was over, we’d walk away. You’ve got your life, and I have mine. I think it’s time that we cut the ties and move on. No hard feelings, right?”

“No hard feelings? Fuck that. I have hard feelings, Hallie, and I’m not walking away from them. Why does this have an expiration date?”

“Because you and I were always temporary.” For a second, hurt masks his features, and he’s silent, his jaw working.

“Hallie… we are not temporary. This—” He gestures between us. “—is not fucking temporary.” “Of course it is!” I cry, my voice breaking.

“Lane, you never once looked at me until the night of the proposal. You have never once shown interest in me aside from the fact that I’m your little brother’s best frie...

“Where is this coming from? What happened at the party because we were fine, and now this.” “I was reminded of who you are and who I w...

“I will never be the girl that you need, Lane. I’ll always be the weird girl. The quirky girl because people seem to think that it’s nicer to say than weird. And you know what? I love myself. More than I love anything else. I love who I am. I am proud of who I am. I fought for the girl I am today. And that means that right now, I am going to choose me because you and I? We don’t fit together.” I shake my head, swiping at the traitorous tear that has fallen.

“Fuck, Hallie, don’t cry, baby. Please,” he pleads. “What do you mean we don’t fit together? We’re fucking perfect.”

“You’re the all-star jock. The life of every party on campus. I’m the conspiracy theorist who chooses Bigfoot documentaries over a night at Kappa. The one who wears too much black and the same pair of dirty Vans. That girl, Lane?” I pause. “She doesn’t end up with the campus heartthrob because up until recently, she cou...

“Who cares? Who cares how other people think we fit, Hallie? Who cares when I know you fit me better than anyone else ever will? Who fucking cares what they think? What they think isn’t w...

“I have to protect my heart because… this? It already hurts more than anything I’ve known, and I have to keep my heart safe because no one else will,” I whisper.

Stepping closer, he frames my face in his hands. “I will, Hallie. I’ll keep it safe. I want to protect it at all costs, protect you. But you’re not letting me.”

“We did everything that we said we would. You taught me about myself in ways that I will never forget, and I can never repay you for everything that you’ve given me, Lane. But it’s over. I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head, his lip curling. I can see the hurt in his eyes, and it wounds more than anything. “Just so we’re clear, Hallie. This is you pushing me away and not me walking away. Because I’m not fucking walking away. Not now and not ever.”

“Lane…” He swallows visibly. “It’s not over. I’m never going to be finished with you, Hallie. You want space? Fine, I’ll give you space, but this isn’t about space. It’s about how we work together.”

“We don’t fit. Not on paper. Not in any way people would expect. But one thing you’ve taught me is that being different isn’t wrong. Sometimes the pieces may never align, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be something beautiful. This may have started as me teaching you, Hallie, but it’s really you that’s been teaching me all along. You’ve been teaching me how to love.”

Lane: Heard this song this morning and thought of you. Attached is a song from Apple Music. 5535657270 Heaven: Bryan

“You know that I love you, right?” Pulling back, I nod. “Of course.” “Well, I feel like it’s my job as your best friend and someone who loves you a lot to tell you that I think you made a mistake. And yes, I’m talking about Lane, obviously, and no, I’m not just saying that because he’s my brother. Because you’re just as important to me, and you matter just as much. But Hal… Look at you. You look miserable. He is definitely miserable, and I hate seeing the both of you so upset.”

“I’m not here on Lane’s behalf. I mean, I did bring these stupid stuffed Bigfoot because he wouldn’t let me leave the house without them, but I’m here because I love you, and you’re my best girl.” Bigfoot?

My gaze flits to the bed, where there are two furry animals that do resemble Bigfoot. Viv tosses one to me, and I catch it, barely, holding it in front of me. It’s a Bigfoot holding a heart with the words “Love at first sighting” scrawled messily across the heart. Oh my god.

Look,” he starts while brushing away my tears. “When he first came to me, I wasn’t sure he could be what you needed. I was worried that he would hurt you, and it didn’t matter if he was my brother… I never want to see you hurt.”

“But I’m pretty sure my brother is in love with you. Actually, I am sure. And I don’t think there’s anything he’d ever do to hurt you. I’ve never seen him like this, Hallie. With anyone. I will stand by whatever decision you make, and I’ll support you even if you decide to never come home. I’ll hate it, but I’ll be there just like I always have been. But for the record, I think you’re making a mistake.”

My eyes widen. “You do?” Eli nods. “I do. I know you’re scared, Hal. Fuck, love is a scary thing. I get it. But I think you’re running from it because you’re scared, not because you don’t love him ...

you want things with Lane to be over?” “No, but…” He holds up his hand, stopping me. “No. That’s not what you want, and it isn’t what he wants either. I’m going to give you some tough love here, Hallie, because that’s what friends do. They give it to you straight. Pull yourself together, babe, and fix this. Because at the end of the day, you’re letting your fear and insecurities win, and I think you should just talk to each other. You owe him an apology for running, and he owes you an apology for things too.”

I pushed the one person away who has done nothing but prove himself to me.

“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer. “What is happening?” I say to Viv, who’s covering the smile on her face with her hand. When she shrugs coyly, I drag my gaze back out to Lane.

“What’s more important than baseball?” he says, spinning around, his eyes searching the stands. “Love. Something until recently I knew nothing about. You see, I fell in love this year with a girl who is so perfect that sometimes I can’t believe she even exists. And you’re probably wondering why I’m standing out here with a microphone announcing this?”

“I guess I can get to the point, but I can’t do that without having her here.” My eyes widen. Oh no. No. No. No. No. “Hallie Jo Edwards, would you please join me out here?”

He’s smiling, and the butterflies in my stomach are fluttering more with each step I take. I’m pretty sure I have never in my life been so nervous. My palms are clammy, and my heart is racing in my chest.

“Hi, my Hallie Girl.” My voice is shaky as I speak. “H-hi.” “I’m sorry that I had to bring you out on the field to say this, but I need everyone to hear it. It’s important. Maybe the most important thing I’ve ever had to say.”

“I know a lot of you here tonight are some of my biggest fans. But the truth is, I’m Hallie’s biggest fan, and I always have been. I need the world to know that I’m in love with Hallie Edwards, and I’m not afraid to say it to anyone.” Oh my god.

“I’m in love with you, Hallie. I love every single thing about you, and there’s nothing in this world that I want more than to be with you. For all of the world to see you’re mine… and I’m yours. You wondered if the way that I felt was true and if I ever noticed you before that first day. And the answer is yes.”