The Third Baseman (The New York Lions #1)

by Lulu Moore

This book is for everyone who had a plan that didn’t quite work out. Don’t give up. You might just have needed a different route.

Stars. Even from this distance, I could make out dozens of stars running up and down his heavily muscled arms, all different sizes, before disappearing under the fabric. Stars in between – I squinted – were they planets? Words? Squiggles?

It’s gonna be my number, Star. Five. I’m the fifth planet. And then he’d kissed me, and I forgot anything after that.

Private: We’re back in the same city, Star. Hope you’ve had a great first day. X

The Jupiter I’d known with his dimples, winks, and toothy grins was impossible to deny. The Jupiter with the tattoos and arrogance, all man and muscle, was becoming harder to ignore. A combination of the two was deadly. And it was anyone’s guess how much longer I’d be able to hold out.

“Starlight, star bright, you were the first star I saw tonight. Wish I may, wish I might, have this kiss with you tonight.” He smiled, nervously, “I changed the words a little.”

Using the tip of my bat I drew out the letter M. M for Marnie. I might not have known where she was for the past fourteen years, but writing her into the sand by the plate meant I had her with me.

“I got it the day after I was drafted.” Her eyes shot up, now shining with tears which made the green even brighter, because the alternate way to say that was the day after I broke both our hearts. The day after I left my heart with her. And that’s exactly what it was. On my left pectoral, above the heart beating for her right now… Thud. Thud. Thud. An intricate drawing of a brilliant star sliced in two, one half lying on the ground, and inside the other half was a beating heart. Hers. Mine. Our tiny initials intertwined in the middle. The exact replica of initials we’d carved into the palm tree I used to climb up to her room.

“I don’t give a fuck! The field is the only place I play fair. When it comes to you, all bets are off.”

“We’re not teenagers anymore, Marn. Spread your legs. I want to see what I’ve been missing.”

“Tell me who your pussy belongs to. Who it’s always belonged to.” “You, Jupiter… always you.” “Mine is going to be the only name you ever scream again. Understand?”

“Fourteen years, three months, and thirteen days, Marnie. That's how many days I've loved you, and you've been my first and last thought for every single fucking one. So I guess the question is whether you’re going to let me.”