Page 66 of Praising the Pitcher

Besides, Benny has been nothing but sweet since our very first encounter. So, I nod with a smile.

“Sounds great.”

I know I’ve spent too much time with Noah and now my heart is confused, thinking it wants him. But maybe, if I get to know the man in front of me better, I’ll like him more.

“Well then, let’s go check out some cookies,” he drawls.

Pushing his chair out, he stands, and I don’t miss the two girls in the corner openly ogling him. It’s not surprising, because he’s an attractive dude with a certain aura to him that’s hard not to notice. But unlike when women ogle when I’m with Noah, this time, I simply giggle to myself instead of grinding my back teeth together. A true tell of how I feel.

I follow his lead and we walk out the door. Maybe not every relationship is like my books. Perhaps it’s not always fiery and instant the way it is in the pages I’ve read or the way my body has reacted since the get-go with Noah.

Maybe things can be built up from simple respect and friendships, because since day one, Benny has been so incredibly kind to me and always made me feel good.

So perhaps I can build on that … and if I’m lucky, I’ll stop thinking about Noah freaking King.

NOAH

I stay in my bedroom, happy to be back from visiting family because I’m just not in the mood for it. Every second has been spent thinking about Benny fucking Baker’s hands on Gigi’s body or his lips on hers.

Her perfectly plump lips he has no right kissing—and yet, I’ve pushed her right into him by telling her to go for it.

What a dumbass I am for that.

It was the right thing to do. Upon asking around and doing my own research, he is a good guy. He comes from a respectable family and genuinely seems interested in her. She deserves to be adored by someone, and while I don’t think relationships can fix everything, right now, she has no family left. So, maybe a love interest is what she needs.

Even if I fucking hate it.

I toss the football into the air, letting it fall back into my hands before repeating it over and over again. In just a few hours, everyone will arrive for the Yankee Swap, and I don’t even know if she’ll come back for it.

She’ll probably family hop and ditch mine for the fucking Bakers …

My half-open door pushes slowly the rest of the way and Haven strolls in. She’s decked out in what looks like the ugliest sweater I’ve ever seen, and she’s holding another in her hand, grinning.

“Got you something,” she singsongs, tossing it onto the bed. “I got everyone one actually.”

I hold it up, my eyes instantly hurting from how awful it is. It looks like it came from the toddler section—a dinosaur with a bunch of bows on it in every color possible.

“For real?” I groan. “Why?”

“Because every year I say we should wear ugly sweaters to the Yankee Swap party the following Christmas. And every year, you all say yes, thinking I’ll forget.” She grins, plopping down on the end of the bed. “And this time, I didn’t forget.”

“Great,” I murmur, knowing most days, I wouldn’t give a fuck about wearing an ugly-ass sweater. Usually, I’d put it on with a smile because who actually cares? But right now, something as simple as a dinosaur on a Christmas sweater is pissing me off. “Couldn’t have at least gotten me one without T-Rex?”

“You used to love dinos.” My sister grins. “Remember your dino bedding?”

“Yeah, when I was, like, four.”

“More like seven,” she deadpans but then grows quiet. “What’s the deal with you today? You’re so grouchy. That’s usually my specialty, not yours.”

I’m sure as hell not telling my sister why I’m in such a piss-poor mood. Especially since she’s the one who played Cupid to begin with. Unfortunately, growing up only a year apart in age, we can read each other’s minds like a set of twins.

She rolls to her side, propping her chin up with her fist.

“Oh, I get it,” she says, and I cringe inwardly. “You have a stick lodged up your ass because Gigi is on a date with the handsome Ken doll.” She pauses, pretending to feel bad. “Don’t worry, I’m sure she won’t get naked with him. At least … not on the first date.”

“Shut up, Haven.”

“Why? Because you like my friend and you want to keep playing it off like you don’t?” She shrugs. “News flash, I’ve known for a while now how you feel about her.”