“I am not wearing that,” I argue, shaking my head.
“You have to!” she begs.
“What? No. Why?”
“Haven’t you ever read a sports romance?” Liz asks.
“Why on earth would I have ever read one of those when I didn’t know the first thing about sports until recently?” I reply dryly.
“It’s not about the sports; it’s about the romance! It just happens to take place in a sporty setting. But that’s not the point.The point is that the guyalwaysreverts to factory settings when they see the girl in their jersey,” Liz rambles on with literal heart eyes.
“Excuse me?”
“What Little Miss Sunshine is trying to say is that the man goes all feral caveman when they see their name across the girl’s back. Makes them want to take you back to their cave or something,” Jordan explains with complete seriousness.
“And that’s… a good thing?” I ask, genuinely confused.
“YES!” they scream at me in unison, making me wince.
I let out a resigned sigh, knowing they’ll never let up. “Fine. I’ll put on the jersey.” I snatch the black jersey from Liz’s hands and throw it on over my top, leaving it unbuttoned down the front.
“You’ll thank us later,” Jordan says with a smirk.
Liz wasn’t jokingwhen she said she snagged some incredible seats. We’re only a few rows behind the home dugout. I’m settling into my seat when the guys run out for batting practice.
Jordan sighs, a note of wistfulness to it as she makes moon eyes at the players. “I’m so glad we came early enough for batting practice. More time to admire their asses in those baseball pants.”
“Jordan, don’t objectify them,” Liz scolds.
“Ugh, fine. I’m going to get a beer,” she says as she stands from her seat. “Anyone want anything?”
“I’ll come with you!” Liz says, popping up next to Jordan.
“Isa, you want anything?”
I don’t take my eyes from the field where the guys are still trickling out. “I’ll take a cider if they’ve got it.”
“Your wish is our command,” Jordan says.
I hear their retreating steps, but I’ve finally spotted Ryan, and I can’t seem to pull my eyes away. I rarely get the opportunity to simply watch and admire him without him knowing. Or my crew. It’s nice. And the longer I look, the more I realize how attracted I am to this man. How much I want him.
He’s following along with Austin and Cooper as they head toward home plate, but his focus isn’t on them. Instead, his eyes track across the field, looking for something.
Or someone, a voice in the back of my head teases.
I see him deflate a fraction when he doesn’t find what he’s looking for. Batting practice flies by with Jordan and Liz still off getting their drinks and concessions. I slide down in my seat a bit as I watch the guys file off the field so that Ryan doesn’t spot me. Not yet at least. I don’t let myself straighten up until they’ve disappeared into the clubhouse. With nothing else to occupy my attention, I pull out my phone and start scrolling my various social media feeds.
My phone buzzes in my hand.
Ryan
Dick’s working the game again tonight :’(
I snort a laugh at his message
Isabella
I’m sorry, who?
