Page 49 of The Third Baseman

“That science chick you have the hots for.”

“She’s Doctor Matthews to you, and she should have one; she’s on the exec board.”

“It’s right next door to yours.”

Huh. He’d been right. He hadn’t yet got to the best part.

My eyes shot to his. “What?”

“You guys are sharing a wall, and a connecting door.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“First off, don’t ever do that again. Second…”

What was my second point? Did I have one?

I’d seen Marnie a total of nine times over the past three days, six of which had been on the plane. I wanted to think it was down to the grueling schedule we had and not because she’d been avoiding me, but it was most likely fifty/fifty.

The upside, I wasn’t totally sure, but I’d almost convinced myself she was frowning less at me each time. In fact, last night, Stone had nudged me on the flight to Pittsburgh and said he’d seen her looking at me, but whenever I looked up, she was deep in conversation with Beulah Holmes. And I’d kept looking. I’d even made Stone switch seats so my eye line was more direct, but not once did I catch her.

The other three had been during our games. I’d figured out where she was sitting before each had started, and I made sure I found her whenever I went out to the field. Even from the distance we were separated, I was certain she’d been looking directly at me every time. And knowing she was watching had added a buzz to my game I hadn’t felt in a long time.

I’d made three direct catches and hit two home runs – because of her.

A tap on my shoulder from Sawyer James heading out to bat reminded me I was up next. And in case I needed another reminder, Coach Chase was making his way over with Tanner Simpson.

“Reeves, try aiming for left field, because there’s something up with his leg. No idea why he hasn’t been switched out yet.”

I ignored Ace murmuring “hip” under his breath.

“Yes, sir.”

Then he turned to Ace. “Watson, just a reminder – when I put something in your calendar, I expect you to make it.”

Ace’s eyes shot up in surprise. “Coach?”

Coach crossed his arms over his chest. “You were scheduled for your first meet with Doctor Matthews.”

I could almost see the entire situation taking place in slow motion, especially as that was the moment Tanner Simpson decided to input into the conversation.

“Is this the doc that Reeves said we couldn’t visit yet?”

Shit. I groaned internally and concentrated harder on the game than I’d ever concentrated on anything in my life. I could just make out the deep frown on Coach’s face from the corner of my eye.

“What? What does that mean?”

“Nothing, Coach. Sorry. I’ll make sure I go to the next one, and I’ll apologize.”

But Coach wasn’t listening to Ace’s slight panic; his attention was now fully focused on me.

“Reeves, what is he talking about?”

I rolled my lips and stayed silent. If I could hang on another ten seconds, I’d be on the field.

“Okay, Reeves, you’re up.” Coach returned to the other end of the dugout.

I stood up and reached into the cubby to grab my helmet.

“You’re going to get it after this game is done,” announced Ace, both unnecessarily and unhelpfully. “Better think up a good excuse.”

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