Page 73 of Stolen Bases

Am I being too flirty? Playful? The last thing I want Talia to think is that this is all I am. Just some jokester playboy. That I’m not serious. My insecurities get the best of me. “Do you want me to stop?”

“Cam,” she whispers as regret thickens her voice. “Don’t do that. I like it when you tease me and we flirt back and forth. You make…” She pauses, and I can tell she’s choosing her words wisely.

All these butterflies come to life in my stomach.

“You make me feel things I’ve never felt before. So, no. I don’t want you to stop. I know there is so much more to you.”

“You do?”

“Of course I do. I wouldn’t risk everything to sneak around with you if you weren’t special.”

My nose tingles, and the urge to cry hits me like a line drive to the chest. I don’t think anyone aside from my parents has called me special. Talented? Hot? Funny? Sure. Special? Never.

“You think I’m special?”

“Stop second-guessing yourself. You didn’t let me when I was worried about my test, and I won’t let you do that now.” She stares at me through the camera.

I don’t know how she does it, but she amazes me at every turn with her ability to truly see me for me. To understand me.

“What about Rhys? I know for sure he thinks you’re special.”

My earlier insecurities are dead and buried as this gorgeous woman builds me up, reminding me of the man I am deep down, not the one the world sees.

I’m more than a baseball player. I’m hers.

“He thinks I’m a rizzler, actually. Doesn’t sound good.”

“A rizzler, huh? I can see it.” Talia chuckles as she lies on her arm, staring at me with that penetrating gaze of hers.

Once again, I’m wishing I was on the bed beside her, holding her close as we talk.

“Just so you know, rizzler means charismatic. So, basically, he thinks you’re amazing. All the kids at the hospital say that. Only worry if he calls you a skibidi toilet.”

“I’m going to need you to keep teaching me this stuff.” And I’m not talking about Gen Z slang.

She nods, oblivious to what I really mean, which is good for now. She tells me story after story of learning teen speech.

When we get on the topic of her job, she lights up, and I can’t stop from falling further into her spell as I listen to the excitement in her voice. I absorb every word. I love that she’s so passionate about her work. How much she cares about people. Everything she’s sacrificed to accomplish her dreams. All of it, further confirming how fucking amazing she is.

I think I’m done falling for this woman. I’m hitting the ground without a safety net.

I think … I think I’m in love with her.

nineteen

Cameron

After last night’s conversationwith Talia, I’m still reeling. Realizing that I might be in love with her has me questioning everything.

My feet hit the treadmill a little harder than usual.

Is what I’m feeling really love? I’ve never been in love before. I have no fucking clue what it’s supposed to feel like or what the hell I’m supposed to do now. Do I tell her?

Why the fuck is this so hard?

My alarm beeps, telling me my hour is over. I decrease my speed and walk the last half mile, bringing my total to eight. Not my best, but not my worst. Considering how much I had on my mind, I’m surprised I didn’t slip and fall off.

The need to call Mason is strong. I know he’s back from his honeymoon, but I can’t remember if he’s back to traveling for work or not. He cut back on his hours and traveling when he moved to Oregon to be with Emery.

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