Page 99 of Off Pitch

I grab a cup of coffee before sitting in front of the plate of French toast, taking the spot across from Cole.

“So, what are your plans for the break, Cole?” Lucia asks from beside me. “Anything fun?”

“Still going to be spending some time in the gym,” he replies, stuffing a piece of bacon into his mouth. “Gotta keep up if I want to keep playing well.”

“I still can’t believe you weren’t invited to the All-Star Game,” Rory says from beside Cole.

“I mean, it would’ve been nice,” he says, “But I’m not one of the best shortstops. There are plenty of guys better than me.”

“Don’t be humble, Cole,” I say. “I run a damn blog with player stats—you’re not giving yourself enough credit. You say you’re not one of the best when you’re the number five shortstop for the entire league.”

“Honestly,” Lucia chimes in, “It’s a crime you’re not there with Lane and Knox.”

Cole lets out a breath. “But I keep to myself, so I’m not a very popular player. I know that hurts me with things like this, but it’s hard to give up my privacy. Maybe next year, though.”

“Have you talked to Lane yet today, Rory?” Lucia asks.

She laughs. “Like three times already. He’s been away from Sage for barely twelve hours now, and he’s already missing her like crazy.”

“Who wouldn’t miss her?” I say. “Sage is the cutest fucking kid.”

Cole laughs. “Lane’s gonna be fucked in another year with all the swearing Sage hears.”

“Most of what she hears is from Lane himself,” Rory replies. “Mouth of a sailor on that one.”

“I think that could describe literally every one of us,” I say with a laugh. “Hell, we might just make some sailors blush.”

“We’re notthatbad, Lo,“ Cole responds, slightly offended.

Lucia chuckles and says under her breath, “That’s because you haven’t heard Knox in bed.”

“Lucia!” I shout.

Cole groans. “How the fuck do you even know what he sounds like in bed, Luc?”

“Because your sister tells me everything,” Lucia replies with a smirk.

“And I’m regretting that right now, believe me.”

“Speaking of Knox, though,” Rory interjects. “Have you heard from him yet today, Lo?”

“Not yet,” I say as I sip my coffee. “But he’s got some things to do this morning to prepare for tomorrow’s game, and then he’ll be there to watch the Home Run Derby tonight. I probably won’t talk to him until after that.”

“How ever will you survive?” Cole says with a smug look.

“I’ll be just fine, Cole.”

“You sure about that?” he asks, eyeing me.

“Yes, I’m sure,” I reply. “It’s not like I’ve never been away from a boyfriend before.”

“Harlow,” Rory says, catching what I accidentally said. “You just called Knox your boyfriend.”

“That was just a slip of the tongue.”

“Is it that,” Lucia asks with a serious look, “or is it because this isn’t so fake to you anymore?”

“Umm…” I manage, trying to hold back… but it’s futile. “It could be that…”

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