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“Hater,” he coughs into his hand. I snort. “You’re so lame.” “That’s not what you were screaming earlier.”
“Is that going to be your comeback for every argument?” “Hell yeah, it is.”
“You can keep it as long as you want.” He looks genuinely happy, his entire mood more vibrant, livelier. “Are you liking what you’ve listened to so far?” “Yeah, ‘Wobble’ is a…masterpiece. It’s just what I needed. Really made my day.”
“You don’t speak. You listen.” He sits up straight, his body visibly rolling with anger. I’m sure like me, Bryson is scared as shit because Coach is a terrifying man. “I’m disgusted with both of your behaviors. So fucking disgusted, I was almost tempted to suspend you—” “Coach—”
“As of today, you two will be each other’s catching partners, sharing hotel rooms, and sitting on the bus and plane together. Really anything that involves two people. You will learn to get along and treat each other with respect.”
“As long as he doesn’t speak about Josie again, we’ll be okay.” “No girl is worth—” “I don’t mean any disrespect, I really don’t. I have nothing but an abundance of respect for you, but Josie is worth it. Consequences be damned.”
“There’s no pressure, but you know this is a good way for you to communicate directly with the teams and the MLB. This is an amazing opportunity, and I don’t want you to miss out on it.” He must sense my hesitation or I might not be hiding it well because he asks a question that makes my chest feel tight. “Regardless, if you decide not to fill out the form, you’re still eligible for the draft.”
“I just remembered something.” We came to the store to buy bookshelves and a few more things for the house. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Nothing you say is stupid. Unless you’re calling yourself hot.”
“I was just thinking of Adrian.” I clear my throat, but a rock lodges itself in the middle of it, making it hard to swallow. “Tell me about it.”
“Right here?” I look around. We’re in the middle of the aisle, but anyone could walk by. “Yeah, but no pressure. Just know that I’m here.” She smiles and on cue the fireworks go off.
“Really?” I rub the nape of my neck. “Yeah.” “You realize I’m no model and we don’t live in a penthouse?”
My priorities have changed. I don’t want any of those things. I want you. I need you, I want to say but my tongue feels heavy, stuck to the roof of my mouth. “Your house is the nicest place I’ve ever lived in, so it’s pretty much the same thing. And I’m living with the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”
“Hold on to those memories and make them a reality. Marry two models and buy the penthouse.” “My priorities have changed,”
“I don’t want that.” “What do you want then?”
“Because I see a life with you,” I say because I don’t want to lie. I don’t want to pretend like I haven’t thought about it. “Because you make sense. Because you make me happy and I hope I make you happy.”
“You make me happy.” She voices shyly, twisting her ring. “And you have a lot of great qualities I’d be dumb to turn down.”
“And I also like taking care of you. I like doing things for you, so we’re good. But just so you know, once we’re married, you can’t divorce me, Jos. I’m serious.”
“I’ll be okay here; I’ll save our spots. You shouldn’t go alone.” “Okay, you’re right. We’ll be back,”
“Have some decency and leave him alone. You know he’s done with you. I don’t know why you keep showing up and spewing out this bullshit.”
I miss you? No, congratulations? I’ve been gone for four days, Josie, and that’s the first thing you say to me?” “Congratulations, Cap. You kicked ass out there.”
“I missed you.” There’s a longing in his voice that grips my soul.
But I’m stupid because I want to be exclusive. I don’t want to share him. I don’t want to wonder if he’s making someone else come
and giving them his shirt and socks
“I—” My mouth goes dry. I’m in too deep; this isn’t okay. He’ll leave soon and I’ll be alone again.
“You didn’t have to come.” “It’s been four days. Unless you physically tell me you don’t want me around, I’m not going anywhere,”
“Are you sleeping with other people?” My cheeks flame at the stupid question. I can’t believe I succumbed to this, but I really need to know. “No.” He doesn’t miss a beat. “Answer my question.” But I don’t. “Why not?”
“Because, Josefine, you’ve rewired the way I feel touch. Touching anyone that isn’t you feels overwhelming and so wrong. It’s like my brain can’t process that it’s not you. I don’t know how to make sense of that but I don’t want to touch anyone that isn’t you. You’re incomparable. And no, I haven’t touched anyone to find that out. I just know. I can’t and won’t touch anyone that isn’t you. Does that answer your question? Can you answer mine now?”
“I don’t care about the other guys.”
“Tell me. Do you not want me around?” “I always want you around.” “Why did you let him get so close to you?”
“You were watching me?” “I’m always watching you.” Oh. “Because I wanted to stop thinking about you.”
“I’m always thinking about you.” “Did you miss me?”
head, focusing on three words. “All the time,” I awkwardly admit. “But I don’t want you to think I’m going to start being clingy. I promise I’m not. You were gone for a while, and it was weird not having you around, so don’t think too much into it. I missed you, but it’s not a big deal, so don’t make it one.”
“But I don’t want you to think I’m going to start being clingy. I promise I’m not. You were gone for a while, and it was weird not having you around, so don’t think too much into it. I missed you, but it’s not a big deal, so don’t make it one.”
“You’re a big deal to me, so I’m going to make it one. And I want you to be clingy, just for once, be clingy for me, Jos.” I grimace, hoping that hides the blush on my face. “That’s embarrassing. No thank you.”
“Even when you’re not around,” I reiterate, pecking his lips because I can’t help myself anymore. “Happy?” “Always with you.”
We said we were going to head back to where everyone is at, but every time we move, his lips find mine. I’d stop him but I haven’t found the will to let that happen.
He keeps his eyes on me, still softly stroking me. “You look beautiful.” My lips quirk. “Say what you really want to say.” “I’m trying to be respectful.”
“But you also look really fucking hot. You’d drown me in holy water if you saw what’s inside my head right now.”
“Your body is so accessible to me. I could easily push you into that restroom. Lift your skirt and pull your shirt up, bend you over, and eat you out or fuck you. Or do both.”
His fingers graze the top of my ass cheeks and hook under the waistband thong. “What color is it?” he asks.
“Y-yeah,” I sputter. He smirks and leans down until I feel his breath on my ear. “Hurry up and come.” “Why?” I stupidly ask, feeling dazed. “Because I said so.”
“If another guy comes up to you, I want you to remember this and feel what I do to you. Because only I can do this to you. Only me.”
“No! I’m not upset you hurt him. I’m upset, I’m annoyed, I’m frustrated that you could’ve gotten hurt. That you could’ve gotten in trouble.” Oh. “You’re worried about me?” “Yes! I worry about you because I care about you! You could’ve broken your hand or gotten suspended, or hell if I know but don’t do something stupid like that for me ever again.”
“You say I’m stubborn, but you should look in the mirror. You’re worse.” I’m smiling again. “For you, I’ll be whatever.”
She shakes her head in disbelief. “I am. I like you, Josie, and I really want to stop pretending like I don’t.” She pulls away and paces, bringing her hands behind her head. Is she…freaking out? Fuck, what did I do?
am not someone you should like.” I wrap my arms around her shoulders, holding her firmly against me. If only she saw how dark it can get in my head, she’d be the one running. “My heart begs for you.” “Maybe it’s heartburn?” she mumbles into my shoulder.
“I don’t want to lose you as a friend. I don’t know if I want to take a chance on my feelings, knowing there’s a possibility of losing you if things don’t work out.”
“That’s not going to happen. We’ll take things slow, we don’t have to label this, share beds, or change anything. We’ll take it day by day.”
“Okay but…sharing beds wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.” I draw back, looking down at her. “I want that as long as you want it.” “I do,” she abashedly admits.
