Page 41 of Rounding Third

“Sure.” I snatch my phone off the nightstand and scroll through my contact list until I find Wheeler’s number. I press the button to call him and place it on speaker.

“What’s up, Smithy?” He asks, almost sounding angry.

“How long have I been in love with Liliana?”

“Uh, forever? You fell in love with her before you went pro. Probably in college. Hell, I think you fell in love with her the night you met her. You wouldn’t shut up about her.”

I could tell him to stop or I could get embarrassed about what he’s saying, but it’s all true. I talked about Liliana nonstop after we met. All I wanted to do was spend more time with her.

“Why?”

“Liliana’s naked in my arms and she doesn’t believe me when I say I love her.” I smirk when she lets out a groan and buries her face in my chest. Wheeler’s going to torment her about this.

“It’s about flipping time! You guys have been giving me blue balls for years. Wait… does she blush during sex?”

“Shut up, Wheeler!” Liliana sits up enough to grab the phone out of my hands and end the call to Wheeler cracking up laughing. “I'm punching him in the nose the next time I see him,” she grumbles under her breath.

I take the phone and dial another number. Then another, and another.

“So, you’ve finally done it?” Wyatt answers without saying hello.

“How’d you know?”

“Wheeler started a whole group chat. The entire starting lineup knows Liliana’s in your bed right now.”

“Oh my gosh! I'm going to kill him!” She hisses.

“Hey, Lils.” I can hear the smirk in Wyatt’s voice.

“Hi, Wyatt. How’s your knee?” She grumbles. I love how even when she’s mad, she likes my friends enough to check in and see how they are.

“It’s good. My beautiful physical therapist says I can play in the opening game of the season.”

“I'm glad. It will be good to see you back on the field.”

“Wyatt, how long have I been in love with Liliana?” I cut them off. They’re both too nice. They’ll go on and on unless I stop them from making small talk.

“I mean, I’ve known you for four years and you’ve been in love with her the entire time.”

“See? Can you stop questioning me now, Sweets? I'm allowed to say I love you even if we just started dating.”

“Ok. I believe you.”

Wyatt starts to say something, but I end the call. We can talk tomorrow, right now, I need to spend time with my girl and prove how much I love her.

“I love you, Smithy. I can call Winnie if you want and she’ll tell you I’ve been in love with you since we met.” She lifts one shoulder in a shrug.

“No, I don’t need to hear it from her. I just needed to hear it from you.”

“I can't just go to work with you!” She squeals as I throw her over my shoulder and carry her out to the kitchen. I place her on the counter, then step between her legs and press a soft kiss to her lips.

“Sure, you can. Charlie and Macy go to work with Wyatt and Cord.”

“Because they work there too!”

“Well, then I’ll talk to Owen. Maybe I can get you a job working for the Pit Bulls.”

“I would love that, but he’s not going to just give me a job!”

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