Page 38 of The Love We Make

“I will,” Aaron bit his lip, trying to suppress a smile as he eyed me.

“How about a drink tonight? Back at the hotel?” Aaron asked.

“I’d love to,” Ethan answered, even though Aaron wasn’t asking him.

“You two have fun. I am headed back and going to bed,” I faked a yawn for good measure. I liked Aaron, but apparently Ethan had a small problem with us hanging out. If Ethan wasn’t offering to take my virginity—or pitching tomorrow—I wouldn’t have cared what he thought. But I couldn’t risk him backpedaling now that I was more sure than ever I wanted him to be my first.

I also couldn’t risk him sucking it up on the mound. Not having drinks with Aaron was my duty to the team.

To the league.

I made my way out of the stadium and into the tunnel where a line of cars was ready to take players to and from the hotel. I hopped in the first one I saw and didn’t bother waiting on Ethan. He would end up having half a beer with Aaron and turning in for the night. I knew him.

Our hotel room was a standard hotel size with a little bit of luxury. We had two beds and a large bathroom. A small balcony that overlooked the city streets below and a bar with all the drinks and amenities one could hope for.

I had opened the door to the balcony and was listening to the city as I laid in my bed later that night. The room was dark and the warm summer air was blowing into the open doors.

I heard the door to the room open behind me and knew Ethan was finally back. I didn’t look his way, too content to move.

“You awake?” He asked.

“Yeah, just so comfy.”

The bed dipped behind me and he climbed in fully clothed. With two beds, we hadn’t been sharing a bed since we got to New York so I was confused about why he was getting in my bed.

“You ok?” I asked.

“Of course,” he answered. “Just missed you. You disappeared quick.”

I laughed a little, “Just left you two guys to reminisce.”

“We didn’t reminisce. AJ just kept repeating that he couldn’t wait to ask you out next week and I kept telling him to fuck off.”

I turned to face him. He was on top of the covers, propped up against the headboard with one arm behind his head. After I left, he had changed from his uniform that he wore back into his jeans and T-shirt.

“Why do you care?” I asked sincerely. I assumed it had something to do with two of his friends going out and possibly making things messy for him. But his response threw me into a tailspin.

“You're mine.”

I raised up on one elbow and eyed him. “Just because we plan on having sex tomorrow, doesn’t mean I am yours, Ethan.”

He smirked and looked down at me. “That isn’t why you are mine, Maddy.”

Before I could ask him to explain his reasoning, he added, “Besides, we have it all worked out now.”

“If he asks, I won’t say no. I like Aaron. He seems great.” I was playing with fire. I didn’t want to rile Ethan up before tomorrow, but seriously,what the hell?

“He won’t ask. So we are all good.”

“Why won’t he ask?”

“We made a bet. AJ hits fifth for the American League. That means, at the very least, he will hit second in the second inning. Right?”

“Right…?”

“I already know I am pitching the first three innings. So I will definitely face AJ.”

“What does this have to do with anything?”

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