looking down at all the cleat marks and a couple of stray bats and balls.
I’m not going to lie, I’ve been on a few dates in my day. I’ve been on dates with jocks and bad boys and those in between. But I’ve never been into a guy like Grant before. He’s part jock, part shaman to hear him tell it, and no matter how hard I try to figure him out, there always seems to be some deeper layer I can’t unravel.
And…wait. Into him, Maya? What are you even saying? I’m getting way ahead of myself. I’m not fully into him, am I?
Maybe, though. Staring at that ring on Skylar’s finger, I can’t help but let my mind wander. I like dating around, but if I were to settle down, wouldn’t Grant be the ideal candidate?
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Throw on the damn brakes, Maya.
Think of the babies. They’d be outrageously gorgeous.
The Waters’ genes could finally get that height we so desperately desire.
“Hey, got your text.”
The voice surprises me so much, I jump to my feet from the dugout. When I look to my left, I see Grant standing near third base in a t-shirt, athletic shorts, and gym shoes.
“How long have you been there?” I ask breathlessly.
“Couple minutes.” He winks, and steps into the dugout with me. “You’re so cute, sitting in the dugout all alone. Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not.”
I sit back down, and he sits down next to me. “You okay?”
“Pretty pissed, to be honest.”
“You’re absolutely right. Why did Coach Johnson put Dunne in?”
Grant shakes his head. “I don’t know. But Dunne certainly doesn’t know how to get it…wait for it…done.”
Laughing, I shake my head and go to slap my knee, except that I accidentally slap Grant’s knee. “Oh. Sorry,” I say, then slide my eyes up his body until they reach his eyes.
“You love caressing my legs. You can admit it.”
“Guilty. I just love the feel of a man’s kneecap. It really turns me on.”
I dramatically run my fingertip over his knee, and he cracks up.
“Oh, Maya,” he breathes. “I love you.”
I dart him a look. “Excuse me? Did you just tell me you love me?”
“You know, like in a platonic way. Just like I love...lamps.” He points to the lights of the stadium that are beginning to illuminate the field as the sun lowers. He clears his throat and there’s a new resolve to his voice. “So, I was thinking about that ten grand, and…”
“Stop right there. Great news. My dad is going to pay for my tuition! This term, at least. He works in sales, and had a really good month, so he said he will cover it. Can you believe that? Problem solved!”
Grant’s entire body lights up, his body language changes. “So, you’ll be around?!”
I press my hands up in a ‘pump up the jam’ motion. “Till the end of the term, baby!”
“Fuck yes!”
His eyes sparkle as he hugs me. He’s so happy he lifts me up from my seat and twirls me. My pulses speeds as I grip my arms tightly around his neck and shoulders.
“Well, someone’s excited, aren’t you?” I grin.
He puts me down, and the adrenaline from the twirl still rushes through me. “I just love having you around.”
“Don’t lie,” I wink. “You’re in love with me, you said so yourself.”
I look up at him, my eyes drift to his lips, and his to mine.
Grant’s Adam’s apple bobs in his throat, and my heart starts to race.
We lean in toward each other.
Closer. Closer.
What is happening?
What happened to friends?
I feel like I’m under hypnosis.
Just in time, I smile and shake my head, forcing the intensity of the moment away for both of our sakes. “I’m really sorry you didn’t get put in by the way, that’s bullshit.”
My chest feels like it might cave in, and everything is slow motion. I register a million different emotions on Grant’s face.
Grant pulls away.
“Did we just almost kiss?” he says, ignoring my comment meant to break up the conversation.
Oh God, he’s calling it out.
“Did we? I didn’t notice.” I feel my face heat up probably to about two-hundred degrees right now.
He shakes his head. “Sorry. I’m feeling all sorts of weird right now. I’m probably off in my own world. Oh, your phone fell out of your pocket,” he points and walks back over to the dugout to pick it up.
Dammit. We’re back on the friend merry-go-round again. Is this always going to be the way it is with us... Almost on, then