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I bit my bottom lip and nodded. “Do you think… I mean…” I took a deep breath. “Do you think he’s too old for me or something?”
Parker laughed again, shaking his head. “No. Why? Did someone tell you he’s too old for you?”
“I just wonder sometimes. He’s forty-five. Fifteen years is a lot.”
Just then, Jared called Parker’s name and told him to get his ass up to kick next. Parker stood and glanced back in my direction. “It’s only a lot if you think it is. You’re both adults. Do what feels right.” He hurried out of the dugout and up to the kicking box to take his turn.
I turned my attention back to my phone for another few moments as it vibrated with an incoming text.
Dex: What are you up to right now?
Bennett: Kickball game.
Dex: Am I distracting you? Shouldn’t you be focused on the field?
Bennett: I am focused. Sort of. It’s almost my turn, though.
Dex: Make me proud.
Before I could text back, Jared barked my name, and I tossed my phone aside and rushed out to take my turn. The first toss was clearly a ball, thrown to the outside of the kicking box. The next one, though, was straight down the middle, and I kicked it as hard as I could. The ball went sailing into right field and I sprinted down the first base line, rounded the corner to second, and then, as the other team made an error when their second baseman missed a catch, I kept running all the way to third. Panting, I turned to find Levi giving me a huge grin and a thumbs-up as he took his place in the kicker’s box. He kicked a double, sending me to home plate to score a run.
By the time the game was over, our team was up fifteen to three and we were all riding the high of yet another win.
“Jock Strap?” Levi asked as we packed up our gear in the dugout after shaking hands with the other team. Most of the guys cheered their agreement, but I stayed quiet. I wanted to go home and chat with Dex. I didn’t want to be one of those guys whose boyfriend took over their whole lives, but I was quickly morphing into just that.
“I don’t know. I’m kind of tired.”
Parker shoved my shoulder lightly. “Don’t lie to us. You just want to go home and sext with your guy.”
I rolled my eyes and flipped him off. “Don’t judge just because your relationship isn’t shiny and new anymore.”
“Hey now. No low blows.” Parker gave me the finger right back.
“Fine, fine.” I shouldered my duffel bag. “So what if I want to go home and talk to this guy? For the first time in a really long time, I’ve met someone who likes me. I like him a lot. What’s wrong with wanting to spend time with him?”
Parker shook his head, and so did the other guys. Theo was the one who spoke after a moment of silence. “If he’s so great, invite him to hang with us.”
My stomach dipped and twisted at the idea. “Really?”
Levi nodded. “Sure. Why not?”
I bit my lip again, considering their offer. Would Dex want to meet them? Was I ready for that? Would they judge me for dating someone older?
“I have a confession,” I said finally. “I need you all not to judge me.”
Cam frowned. “Okay…”
“Dex is fifteen years older than the rest of us. He’s forty-five.”
Nobody said anything for a few seconds. Finally, Levi spoke first. “What’s your point?”
Parker laughed triumphantly. “See? I told you nobody would give a shit.”
I let out a shaky, relieved exhale and nodded. “Okay, fine. I’ll invite him, but I can’t promise he’ll want to hang out with you maniacs.”
Jared shrugged and grabbed his own bag. “If not, it’s his loss.”
Once I was in my car, I pulled out my phone again and texted Dex.
