Page 13 of Stetson
Stetson narrowed his eyes at me. “Not if you’re about to make fun of me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. You and Levi have more in common than you think.”
“And what about you? What’s your thing?”
“I cook.”
Stetson fell quiet for a beat, then it dawned on him. “You’re the one who made breakfast?”
“Trust me, if Levi cooked you wouldn’t be here to tell the tale.”
Finally, the boy cracked a smile.
“Don’t tell him I said that.” I rolled my bottom lip between my teeth. “You really didn’t know?”
He shook his head. “I tore my rotator cuff five years ago. At the time, they didn’t think I’d play again. I sort of swore off all things baseball for a while.”
“I promise neither of us intended to keep it from you. I think we’re so used to everyone knowing who we are that it never crossed our minds to explain it to you. I’m sorry.”
Stetson didn’t respond. Instead, he returned his attention to his phone. I took that as a sign that our conversation was over. I stood, feeling the ache settle into my muscles. “Where’s your next game?”
“San Antonio. I fly out tomorrow.”
“You should go get some rest.” He still didn’t look at me, but didn’t tell me to fuck off again either. I took it as a win. “Please don’t let our ignorance factor into your decision. Levi really likes you.Ilike you. You were a spitfire out there today. You really made us work.” I started to back out of the room. “Plus, you’re kind of pretty to look at.”
That was a risk, but Stetson’s signature grin curled his lips. “Hopefully I’ll see you around, Stetson.”
8
STETSON
I watchedBarrett’s back until he disappeared from the clubhouse.
I worked my jaw, staring across the room at a scuff mark on the wall and trying to distract myself by wondering how it got there. It was in vain. Barrett’s words bounced around in my head like a bouncy ball.
“We both want you, Rookie.”
It just couldn’t be possible… could it? There’s no way both of them wantedme.Especially Barrett, since we were as good as enemies on the field.
The Thrashers and the Hellbenders had a long,longhistory of tension. Although, no one was sure why. It was something of an urban legend. But one thing about athletes: we’re insanely superstitious.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Nothing good could ever come out of a Thrasher letting a Hellbender take him to bed, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about it.
I remembered how it felt to be in Levi’s arms, to have him on his knees in front of me. I’d felt a connection, there was no doubt about it. But could I have that with Barrett?
The last of my teammates grabbed their things and left, and I muttered a half-assed goodbye to them before doing the same.
Georgia weather was unpredictable at the best of times but in the spring, it was like rolling dice while wearing a blindfold. All things considered, it was a nice night, so I decided to walk. It was late, nearing midnight, so the streets of Atlanta weren’t too busy. Busy enough, but dwindling significantly from the rush hour nightmares.
As I approached my modest apartment building, something in my chest ached. I longed for the plush mattress and silky sheets that Levi had in his guest bedroom. Then I wondered whathisbed would feel like. Banishing that thought, I let myself in.
Given that we were smack in the middle of the GSU campus, the building was typically reserved for college students. But since most of them either lived in student housing or with their parents, I got lucky.
My name may or may not have had something to do with it, but I digress.
Was it the best place? Not even close, but it had everything I needed. I’d toured a few houses and fancier apartments, but none of them felt like home. I could make excuses until I was blue in the face: the water pressure sucked, no room for a gym, or too far from the stadium. But none of those even came close to the truth: they were too big. At least, too big for one person.
