Page 8 of Stalked By the Umpire

I drive, and then I wind back up at home at Nate’s mansion. I still haven’t talked to my brother. I can’t. The shame eats at me.

Not shame for what I’ve done. I don’t regret being with Jake. No, I’m ashamed that he doesn’t want me forever. That I was just a one night stand to him.

So, I avoid my brother. I don’t come home until I know he’s gone.

My room feels foreign as I step inside, a sanctuary breached by the ghost of Jake’s presence. I toss my keys on the dresser and head straight for the shower, eager for anything to wash away my feelings.

Hot water pelts my skin, but it can't wash away the doubt seared into my mind. The image of Jake freezing, his piercing blue eyes wide with something akin to fear, burns behind my eyelids.

I watch the steam as it twists and turns before disappearing. I don’t want him to feel like I’m that girl, the one trying to trap him into something.

The way he froze…it was humiliating.

I wrap myself in a towel, the fabric a barrier between myself and the world.

I slip into bed, the cool sheets a contrast to the lingering warmth on my skin. Closing my eyes, I summon a mask of indifference, an armor forged from the hurt and humiliation of that night.

Sleep doesn't come easy, but when it does, it's devoid of dreams. No whispers of desire, no illusion of love. Just darkness—a welcome reprieve from the mess of my reality.

When morning comes, I rise with a single purpose. Retreat from love. Shields up.

I'm done with Jake Reynolds.

He's just another strikeout in a game I'm no longer playing.

CHAPTER

SEVEN

Jake

The crowd buzzes with anticipation, but my heart's pounding out a different rhythm. I'm not seeing the diamond, the fans, or the players—there's only Kaitlyn up in the stands, her blonde hair catching the stadium lights like a halo.

"Play ball!" someone shouts, but I don't budge. Screw protocol.

"Sorry folks," I say into the mic, my voice echoing around Hawkins Stadium. "There's something I gotta do."

I toss the mic down and hustle across the field, eyes fixed on Kaitlyn. I can’t believe she’s finally here. She hasn’t been at the last three games, and it’s been killing me. I tired to readh her phone, but I kept getting sent straight to voicemail.

I couldn’t go over to Nate’s. Not only is he still pissed at me, but I didn’t know if Kaitlyn would even see me. The way she ran out of the room that night like she was ashamed of what we’d done…

It tore me up inside. I’ve been a wreck ever since.

All I can think about is her.

And now that she’s here, I’m not letting her slip away again.

I glance over at Nate, and he’s glaring at me, but I don’t give a fuck. He might be my best friend, but his little sister is my eveything, and I can no longer live without her.

Her gaze meets mine, trepidation written all over that beautiful face.

"Kaitlyn Hawkins!" I call out to her.

Her eyes are wide. She looks terrified, but I can’t stop now. No matter what her answer is.

“I am so in love with you, and I need you more than I’ve ever needed anything! You are my world, beautiful. I need you to know that!”

I’m at the edge of the field now, right below her seat. Without another second's hesitation, I drop to one knee. The crowd gasps, a wave of whispers crescendoing into a roar.

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