7. Chapter 7
I swing and hear the crack of the bat connecting with the baseball.
“Dang, you’re even hitting Fletch’s slider.” Hayden Patterson, the Mustangs’ designated hitter and relief pitcher, pushes off the backstop and saunters over.
He’s got his baseball cap on backward, per usual, and some of his wavy blond hair is sticking out. Hayden probably weighs the most out of anyone on our team, but the guy’s all muscle and just a couple inches shorter than me. “What’s gotten into you?”
Our starting pitcher, Cornelius Fletcher, is a bit of a playboy—always pictured in the media with a different girl—but he’s also one of the best pitchers in the league.
I’m glad I’m on his team and not trying to hit off his pitches in games.
His slider is next level, but I’m connecting with just about every pitch he’s throwing my way in practice today.
It’s probably because I’m still trying to get rid of the weird feelings lingering from last night. I worked out for three hours after Alyssa went home, but it didn’t help clear my head. If anything, it made my thoughts more prominent.
Even now, with each swing of the bat, they’re still there.
I don’t understand why I can’t seem to get past the fact that Alyssa is talking to Rhett Hayes.
“Guess I’m on fire today.” I’m usually not short with my teammates, but I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone right now.
“Nah.” Hayden stops in front of me and holds up a hand to Fletch before he can throw another pitch. “You’re good, but you’re not that good.”
I scoff. “Gee, thanks.”
He shoots me a look. “You know what I mean. I’ve been watching Fletch. He’s locked in, and no one hits that many of his pitches in a row. Not even me.”
I tighten my grip on the bat. “Luck, then.”
Hayden’s gaze narrows. “No, something’s up.”
“Nothing’s up.”
“It is.” He taps his temple. “I have a sixth sense about these things.”
Fletch jogs toward us, combing back his sweat-soaked dark brown hair with his free hand. He has a superstition that if he cuts his hair during the season, he’ll lose his mojo, so it’s pretty long now that we’re mid-season. “What’s the holdup?”
“Austin’s hiding something from us,” Hayden explains.
I groan.
“Hiding what?” Fletch crosses his arms, which looks pretty funny since he’s still wearing his glove.
“Valuable information for why he’s got a stick up his butt.”
Fletch raises an eyebrow. “Is it the same reason he’s hitting my slider?”
“That’s what I’m thinking,” Hayden says.
“That’s a relief. I was starting to worry I’ve lost my touch.” Fletch turns to me. “So, who is she?”
I roll my eyes. “She isn’t anyone. Nothing’s going on.”
Hayden nudges me in the ribs with his elbow. “But you want something to be going on with her.”
“Just tell them who she is so we can get on with practice.” Our starting catcher, Cooper Sinclair, pulls off his face mask and shoots us all a look that reads disapproving father.
He’s the oldest guy on our team by a few years, and we never let him forget it—or his slightly receding hairline. But he loves us anyway.
Hayden startles. “Dude, you gotta announce yourself next time.”
Cooper stands and joins our group. “I’ve been here the whole time.”
“You’re quiet.” Fletch shifts on his feet.
Hayden nods. “Like a giant mouse.”
“He’s not a mouse,” I say. “Have you seen how hairy he is in the locker room? He’s more like a sloth.”
Cooper shakes his head, but I don’t miss his smile. “I don’t know about y’all, but I’d prefer to stay on Coach’s good side before the game, which means actually practicing and loosening up.”
“Did you not see Austin hitting out of his mind?” Hayden turns to face our catcher. “If his limbs were any looser, he’d be Jell-O.”
“He’s just frustrated that his position has been unnecessary while Austin’s been up to bat,” Fletch teases. As the pitcher and catcher, they have a bit of a love-hate relationship. I think it’s mostly love. Probably.
“He hasn’t hit every ball.” Cooper smirks. “Besides, that says more about your pitches than me.”
Fletch’s jaw ticks.
Luckily, Dawson Clarke, our center fielder, chooses this moment to jog in from the outfield.
His hair, so dark it’s almost black, blows in the slight breeze.
His clean-shaven face makes him look like a teenager, although I suppose he is the youngest guy on the team since he just got called up this year. “What’s going on?”
“Austin’s hung up on a girl,” Cooper says. I wasn’t expecting him to join in with this ridiculous allegation.
“You, too?” I wheel on him. “I’m not hung up on anyone.”
Dawson smiles. “We’ll be the judges of that.”
“Tell us who she is,” Hayden says.
I look around at my teammates gathered around me—the four other single guys on the Mustangs.
The other guys are either in the batting cages or doing their pregame rituals elsewhere, probably calling their wives or girlfriends.
I thought this group would be on my side, not pressuring me.
But I guess they could provide me with a new perspective on the whole Alyssa-and-Rhett situation.
Maybe it’ll make me feel a little less crazy.
Get out of my head before our game tonight.
“It’s Alyssa,” I admit before I can talk myself out of it.
Hayden claps loudly. “Thank you for finally admitting what we’ve known for years.”
My brows furrow. “What do you mean?”
“Dude, she comes to almost all of our home games,” Dawson says.
“Remember when she was on a date with the guy who got knocked out cold on the kiss cam?” Hayden roars with laughter. “That was epic.”
Fletch crosses his arms again. “It’s obvious, man. She’s the chick you ditch us to hang out with every week.”
“First off, she’s not a chick; she’s a woman. Secondly, I don’t ditch the guys every week.”
Dawson purses his lips. “I think the man doth protest too much.”
“Yeah, you haven’t joined the past few video game nights,” Hayden adds.
I look to Cooper for confirmation since he hosts guys’ nights.
He’s the oldest player on the team and also the glue that holds us all together.
The day I got called up, he reached out to welcome me to the team.
He’s all about being inclusive regardless of whether a player’s been here ten years or a week.
Plus, I know he’s a no-nonsense kind of guy who will give it to me straight.
Cooper tilts his head. “It’s true, man.”
“I didn’t realize.” I pull my ball cap off and run my fingers through my hair. “Sorry, guys. I’ll make sure I’m there next time.”
“We’ll hold you to it.” Fletch shoots me a wicked grin. “If anyone knows you can make time for the bros and the ladies, it’s me.”
“Trust me, we know.” I sigh. “I’ve seen more of you online than I ever wanted to.”
Dawson grimaces. “It’s like watching a reality dating show through new pictures every week.”
“What can I say?” Fletch shrugs. “The ladies love me.”
Hayden shakes his head before turning to me. “Now, back to Alyssa. How long have you been hung up on her?”
“Are you guys not listening? I’m not hung up on her.”
“Then why did you bring her up?” Cooper asks. I should’ve known he would be the perceptive one of the bunch. They already know something’s up, so I may as well tell them the truth.
I sigh. “She’s seeing someone famous.”
“Are we talking MLB player or A-list celebrity famous?” Dawson asks.
“Definitely more famous than any of us.”
Dawson claps my shoulder. “Isn’t it a good thing that she found someone?”
“I think so.” I tighten my grip on the bat.
Cooper eyes me warily. “Then why do you look like you’re about to go all Hulk on your lucky bat?”
“Because he doesn’t really think it’s a good thing.” Hayden’s eyes twinkle with mirth. “Not when Austin wants her all for himself.”
“I don’t want her.” The words come out of my mouth fast, like I’m in full-on defense mode.
“Then what’s this all about?” Dawson adjusts the brim of his ball cap. “You can’t say she’s just your friend but also not want her to date anyone else.”
He’s not wrong. I know how unfair it is, but I want to spend as much time with Alyssa as I can since I never know when I could be traded to another team. Plus, I know her dating someone else will change the dynamic of our friendship.
“I want her to be happy, but I just…want her to not need anyone else.” I drop my gaze to the dirt. “That sounds horrible now that I say it out loud.”
Fletch blows out a low whistle. “Dude, that’s low.”
“That’s ironic, coming from you.” Hayden laughs.
“Hey, I’m upfront with all the ladies I”—he cocks his head—“mingle with. They know they’re getting into a no-strings-attached situation. But if that’s your best friend, you should want her to be happy.”
Hearing those words—especially coming from him, of all people—makes me feel even worse.
I rub the back of my neck. “I know it’s wrong. I just can’t figure out why I can’t seem to get past it.”
Cooper crosses his arms. “Why don’t you start by telling us what you don’t like about her dating this celebrity.”
I glance around the stadium. “He doesn’t live here. Plus, he’s on tour right now, so I’m not sure he’ll be able to give her the time she deserves.”
“She could always move to where he is or join him on tour,” Dawson suggests.
Fletch nudges me with his elbow. “Girls love the whole rock star vibe.”
“He’s not a rock star,” I mutter. “He’s just a country singer.”
Fletch shrugs. “Even better. There are lots of country love songs he can serenade her with.”
The image of Rhett Hayes serenading Alyssa onstage has me gritting my teeth.
“I think you struck a nerve there, Fletch.” Hayden smirks.
I sigh, tired of them trying to make something out of nothing. “There’s no nerve to be struck.”
“Maybe you’ve convinced yourself of that, but I’m not buying it.” Dawson reaches out and claps me on the shoulder again. “I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, man, but you’re in love with her.”