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Commitment issues. That’s good, right? Because all I want is a one-night stand, and even that won’t happen because he was just joking anyway.

“He told you this?” I ask, trying not to sound too interested.

“Not those exact words, no. But we had a good talk after he broke up with Jane, and this is what I concluded from it.”

“I guess that’s possible," Avery says. "So, we set him up with the right girl. Then he’ll fall in love for real and won’t want to run.”

“Or he’ll break both of their hearts,” Shannon interjects.

Avery makes a face at her downer attitude.

“Is it that bad?” I ask. “Why does he have commitment issues?”

“Probably because of his childhood,” Scarlett says vaguely.

No one talks about Blake, Bryce, and Brody’s childhood, but I know something bad happened. Something to do with their parents, I think. No one really likes to talk about it. And any time I’ve asked someone else in the group, they’ve told me that it’s not their story to tell. But I’ve never had the nerve to ask one of the brothers directly.

Chase runs back toward the bleachers. The game is starting soon.

Charlotte leaves the field too, after giving Ethan a drawn-out kiss on the mouth while his hand travels to her ass.

A lump forms in my throat, and it feels like every head in the stadium turns toward me. What is wrong with him? Does he not realize how insensitive he’s being?

“Gross!” Sophia, who’s sitting right below us, says. “You’re so much prettier than she is, Aunty Amelia.”

“Thanks, hon.” I squeeze her shoulder lightly to let her know I’m alright.

But her words don’t make me feel any better. If I’m prettier than Charlotte, then I must be terrible at something else for Ethan to leave me for her.

Charlotte finally lets go of Ethan and runs off the field to go sit with her group of friends.

Chase sits down next to me as the teams get ready out on the field. Ethan goes to the pitching mound. Chase practically jumps on his seat from excitement.

The umpire yells, “Play Ball!” and Ethan throws the first pitch.

The batter from Meadowbrook hits a single and the next batter steps up to the plate.

Chase talks to me excitedly, describing every play as if I wasn’t the one who’d taught him the rules in the first place. But I can’t stop smiling at him.

It’s the bottom of the seventh and final inning. The score is 6-4 for Meadowbrook. Luke is on third base, and Garrett is on first. Blake is the last one to bat.

He looks toward the bleachers as he steps up to the plate. I swear he’s looking right at me. My belly flutters.

“Blake is really on his game today,” Avery comments.

“He’s definitely going all out,” Scarlett agrees.

The Meadowbrook pitcher throws a fast one. Blake swings hard but narrowly misses the ball.

“Strike one,” the umpire calls.

Blake widens his stance, grimacing.

The pitcher throws. Blake swings. He hits the ball with a loud crack that has the entire audience holding their breaths. The ball flies over the outfield fence.

We all jump up.

Next to me, Chase screams.