Page 19 of Scoring Position

He scoffs playfully. “Only the best movie ever.” As soon as the opening scene begins to play, I laugh. I may not be into professional baseball that much, but I’m a sucker for good cinema when it comes to the sport.

“Rookie of the Year?” I question. “Ace, this isn’t even the bestbaseballmovie ever. Now you have me concerned about your taste. You said I was the prettiest girl ever, but then you turn around and snubThe Sandlotin the next breath. I don’t know if I can believe you.”

He looks down at me, shock written across his expression. “First of all, my taste is impeccable. Look at you. Secondly, maybe I was exaggerating a little, but the owner in this one reminds me of Mr. Durst. He owns the Fury, and he’s always wearing his three-piece suit with a bag of Cracker Jacks in his hand. So, I guess I’m a little biased.”

“Okay, fine,” I say on a sigh. “But next time, I’m choosing. Benny was my first crush as a little girl, and I won’t have you disrespecting him.”

He chuckles, leaning down and dropping a kiss to the top of my head. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Sweets.”

TWELVE

ACE

“How’dit go with the tutor?” Riggs asks, plopping down in the empty seat next to me. We’re on the team plane, headed back to Daytona after a rough loss earlier today, but I’m still pretty giddy about my night with Lark. I should be mad about the fact that we got shut out and I went one for four, but I’ve been holding back a smile that’s been trying to break free since I woke up this morning with her in my arms.

As I told her I would be, I was on my best behavior all evening. After the way our kiss got hot and heavy so quickly, I knew I needed to respect her wishes to slow things down, or I’d scare her away. We were both pretty vulnerable sharing things about our pasts, and maybe she was right that we need to think before we act. I honestly wasn’t expecting to put everything that happened with the video out in the open like I did, but when she was second-guessing whether she could make a difference, I knew I had to prove that there are people out there whose lives she could truly change. Had I had a therapist who specialized in sexual trauma and overcoming issues like mine back then, maybe I wouldn’t be a twenty-one-year-old guy who’s absolutely terrified to go any further than kissing with a stranger.

I know my teammates have one-night stands all the time. Before Riggs had a girlfriend, he’d find someone new in every city. The options have always been there for me too, but I’ve just never been able to get over the fear of being violated again. I haven’t really had the opportunity to build that kind of trust with a woman, considering my career has been on the fast track since the day I was drafted.

“Really good,” I say quietly. The guys are split in how they treat me when it comes to sex. Some think I’m this huge playboy, while others—like Riggs—razz me for usually leaving the bars and clubs alone. I always make excuses about not wanting to hook up and get distracted on the road, but for some reason, I feel like he sees through them. “I convinced her to stay the night in my room. We watched a movie and fell asleep.”

He raises a dubious brow. “That’s it?”

“Yep,” I reply. “It was fucking amazing, but I think it scared her a little. She kept trying to come up with reasons for why she had to leave, but I knew she didn’t really want to. She thinks because she’s older than me and at a different stage in her life, that we couldn’t be more than friends. But I’m telling you, man—there’s something about her. Underneath that serious, reserved exterior is a carefree girl just dying to have fun.”

He shrugs, playing with the straw wrapper from his drink. “Women are complicated, dude. But trust that instinct. If you’re seeing something, don’t let it go. Sometimes they just need to know you’re there and that you’re not going anywhere while they work through shit.”

“Is that what it was like when you first met Monroe?” I ask. They seem like they’re perfect for each other, from what I’ve seen.

He huffs a laugh. “That girl turned my world upside down the second I laid eyes on her. She’s a fucking hurricane, but I wouldn’t trade her for anything. I’d spend a lifetime peeling herlayers back if it meant showing the world how amazing she really is.” He looks over at me. “If this girl needs some fun in her life, I can’t think of anyone better to show it to her. But be patient. If she’s anything like Mayhem, she’ll fight you tooth and nail to prove that what you’re seeing is wrong.”

I give him a tight nod, understanding what he means. Lark thinks that because she’s thirty-one and unsure about her future, there’s no time to let loose. I’m grateful that working for me is taking some of the financial burden off her, but I’m sure she’s worried about the long-term stuff. I get that, but she still deserves all the experiences she never got when she was married. It’s never too late to live your life.

“When do you see her again?” he asks.

“I have an assignment due soon and a quiz to study for, so she’s coming to my place tomorrow to see how much we can get done. The work for this course comes in so fast that we have to fit it in every chance we get. I was thinking I’d cook her dinner and ask her to hang out after. I doubt she’d be comfortable staying the night at my apartment, but I want to keep her there as long as possible.”

He grins at me. “I bet you do. Sounds like you have the whole thing planned. If she’s as smart as you say she is, I think she’ll love it.”

I force a laugh. “I hope so.”

LARK

HAILEY:

So, how’s it going with the hottie baseball player?

LARK:

It’s going fine. Thanks for springing that on me with no warning, by the way.

How’s the office? Everything going well?

HAILEY:

Eww. Fuck that place after what they did to you. If selling feet pics was as lucrative as reality TV makes it sound, I’d have walked out right behind you. But the rent’s due on the first of every month, so here I am. Also, you’re welcome for springing him on you. I googled him after we hung up that day and again, YOU’RE WELCOME.

LARK:

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