Page 27 of I Wish He Would

“Dude, he totally has.” Hayden throws his mitt at me. “Look at him blushing like a teenager.”

I chuck the mitt back at him, and he catches it with a laugh.

I hold up my hands to stop their razzing. “Fine, I kissed her once.” I hold up a finger. “It was when we first met, and it was only to get her out of an awkward situation with an ex.”

Cooper furrows his brows. “Then why aren’t y’all married with a bunch of baseball-playing babies running around?”

“I had just moved here and wasn’t sure how long I’d play for the Mustangs.”

“And now it’s been years, and you still haven’t made a move?”

“I’m focused on baseball.” I shrug. “Besides, she’s always going on dates.”

“Because you haven’t made a move.” Fletch rolls his eyes.

“Come on, man. If you can’t admit it to us, you’ll never be able to admit it to her.” Dawson rubs his hands together like he’s teeing up a big question. “Give it to us straight. How do you feel when you’re around her?”

I hesitate. “You’re not going to make fun of me?”

“Oh, we’re definitely going to make fun of you.” Hayden grins.

Fletch nods. “We’re never gonna let you forget.”

“But we’re not judging, right, gentlemen?” Cooper eyes everyone with a serious expression, daring them to disagree.

“We listen and we don’t judge,” Hayden mocks.

“Youths,” Cooper mutters.

Once everyone is quiet, I clear my throat. “I always feel safe around Alyssa.”

“Aw, is the big six-foot-four man scared of being in his big mansion all alone?” Fletch teases.

I shove him in the shoulder, avoiding his pitching arm, but it only makes him laugh harder.

“It’s not that kind of safe.” I chew on the inside of my lip. “It’s the feeling of not having to worry that she’s going to judge me. I know she’s not going to sell pictures of me or stories I tell her to the media. I like that I can be my full self around her. With her, things are just easy.”

They all share matching grins.

Dawson eyes me. “And how would you feel if she were to marry this country singer and move away? If you didn’t get to hang out with her anymore or see her up in the stands.”

“I would miss her.” The words catch in my throat.

“Because…” The word hangs in the air, like he’s waiting for me to come to the realization myself.

I think back to the night I met Alyssa. The way she looked at me. Her adorable little happy food dance. The feeling of her lips pressed to mine. And the way she looked in that black dress a few weeks ago. Beautiful isn’t a strong enough word to describe her.

Hayden smiles wide. “Dude, you’ve totally got the hots for her.”

“You’re down bad,” Dawson agrees.

I blow out a breath because my friends are right. All of the tension I’ve been feeling releases from my body at the realization. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. But now there’s no going back. No more confusion. Only certainty.

I don’t have to say anything. My teammates grab my shoulders and shake me. I’m surrounded by a chorus of wolf whistles, told-you-sos, and good-lucks.

I’m certainly going to need it, because I’m the idiot that friend-zoned her three years ago.

Three Years Ago