Page 23 of Caught Stealing

A seemingly innocent grin appears on Holden’s face. “Well, I think a first date is a pretty special occasion.”

“I guess so.”

Keeping calm and composed is nearly impossible as the two of them chat amongst themselves about switching their dinner reservation to after the movie because of the delay. And though it was my intention to keep this date from even happening, I’m ready for the two of them to get the fuck out so I no longer have to be in Holden’s aggravating presence.

Thankfully, it only takes them a few minutes to head for the door, Kason calling goodnight behind him and saying he’d be quiet coming back tonight.

Well, at least he’s planning on coming back. That’s gotta count for something.

I wave him off, not bothering to respond, while I wait in silence for the telltaleclickof the door to alert me that I’m finally alone again. Only…the sound doesn’t come.

Instead, I hear the one sound that grates on my nerves more than all others.

“Oh, hey, Nixy?”

My lips roll into a firm, flat line as I slowly turn to look at where Holden lingers in the doorway. An arched brow is all I give him, not trusting myself not to pop off at the fucker.

“I left you something on your bed. You know, as a thank you for the clothes.”

A jolt of dread hits me in the stomach as my mind races through the hundreds of possibilities, each one taking a far worse turn than the last.

“Not necessary,” I tell him, swallowing down the bile in my throat.

“Regardless.” A smirk lifts the corner of his mouth before he adds, “And if you could put my bag back in the locker room before we’re back, it’d be greatly appreciated.”

And with that, he’s out the door and following Kason down to the car.

I’m quick to work up the courage and face the disaster sure to be left in Holden’s wake. Clothes strewn across the floor and every available surface, books ripped to shreds, the whole nine yards as retaliation for stealing his clothes.

Yet, to my surprise, my room is just as pristine as I left it. Not a single thing is out of place except Holden’sgiftsitting at the end of my bed.

It’s the glove he used to cover his junk while he trotted across campus.

But it’s only when I get closer and grab it off the comforter that I realize…

It’smyglove.

The one that’s supposed to be in my stall in the baseball team’s locker room instead of on my fucking bed, having just been used…

Ugh.

A Sharpie falls out of it as I go to flip it over, and my blood is set to a boil as my eyes trace over the words written in black ink on the back side.

Holden’s cock cover. Est. 2023.

I throw the damn thing across the room, where it hits the wall with athwack,and drop to my bed, frustration coursing through my bloodstream like a tidal wave.

Not only did I fail to ruin this date, but now I also have to break in a brand-new glove before the season starts.

That motherfucker.

I should’ve known from that day in class, we’d be evenly matched in this battle. It’s my fault for underestimating him, but never in my life did I think I’d be this severely outplayed.

Still, the score speaks for itself.

Holden: 1, Phoenix: 0.

Eight

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