Hard Pass by Sara Ney Page 0,40

room, but I can’t tell who because they immediately scurry away like a rat.

My lips clamp shut—I refuse to give them the satisfaction of knowing Buzz Wallace hit a home run with this one.

“What did she say, bro? Do not make us tackle you to the ground for that phone because God as my witness, we’ll fucking do it.”

Around the room, they mutter their agreement.

“This is for your own good, amigo,” Espinoza says, nodding. “What did the chica say?”

I need them both to stop talking so I can figure out what to fucking do.

I cannot tell her I was not the one who asked her on a date, not after I lied about Wallace being me and sending him to get that card and fuck what am I going to do?

“I hate you right now.”

He is unperturbed. “You say that at least once a week.”

“This time I mean it.”

“She said yes, didn’t she—don’t lie to us.”

I hate him even more now that the entire team is on his side.

“You have to start dating, bro. You need a good woman in your life.” This from our third baseman, because suddenly everyone is a goddamn expert on what I need.

“Thanks, but if I wanted to date someone, it wouldn’t be difficult to find someone.”

A few shakes of their heads. “If you’re talking about groupies, get your head out of your ass. He means someone you’d bring home to your mama.” Darren Dafke isn’t wrong, but I’m not admitting that, either.

“You can’t ignore her.” Wallace begins his walk past me. “You’re gonna have to text her back sooner or later.”

“I’m telling the guard gate you’re not allowed in anymore” is my only response.

“But not until after tomorrow morning—I’m coming for breakfast.”

“No you’re not!” I tell his back.

He laughs. “Get almond milk!”

10

Miranda

He hasn’t texted me back since I said yes.

Yes. I think that would be fun.

It’s been hours.

I check my phone millions of times (definitely not exaggerating the number) and message Claire and Emily a few hundred times each. Both of them tell me to chill out and relax: he asked me out—why would he change his mind?

Because. This is Noah we’re talking about. He is big and adorable, but painfully shy, as I’m slowly discovering. A man of few words and many thoughts who hides behind the cover of his phone, who was so afraid to meet me he sent his friend instead.

He hasn’t admitted that to me officially, but I suspect that’s the case.

I wear a path across the carpet from my spot on the couch to the place in the kitchen where I set my phone, determined to leave it alone, but failing on a colossal scale. Why am I bothering to even try?

One hour turned into two.

Two hours turned into five.

Why hasn’t he messaged me back yet?

Has he changed his mind?

I preoccupy myself by binging a series about daters who can’t see each other’s faces—they’re hidden behind walls and it reminds me of Noah hiding behind his phone. And his friend. Which only makes me think of him again and has me getting off my ass to grab my cell.

You are an independent, grown-ass woman, Miranda Pressinger. Call him.

Why am I so nervous?

Because you’re afraid of being rejected.

But he’s the one who asked me on a date!

Right, but he could have decided that was a terrible idea and now his plan is to ghost you.

“Why are you talking to yourself? Get a grip!”

I inhale, heart racing a mile a minute as I suck it up and search for his number. It’s one of the last ones I dialed and we all know how that conversation ended.

The call connects. The phone rings.

Then…

“Hello?” I shiver at his greeting, his voice so deep it has me like woah.

“Hey Noah.”

He pauses before saying, “Hey Miranda. I was…going to…I was just about to text you back.”

This has me chuckling softly, the liar. “No fibbing.”

“Okay. I wasn’t just about to text you, but I was going to text you back, I swear.”

“Alright.” I let the silence sit, not wanting to fill it with idle chatter or babble. I want him to say what he has to say, even if I have to wait all night.

Admit you changed your mind.

It would suck, but at least I’ll know.

“I wanted to figure out a few nights for me that would work to go out before throwing anything out there. My schedule is pretty hectic right now, so I had to look at my calendar first.”

At least he didn’t say