Page 66 of Rounding Third

I spin around and face him, finding the entire starting lineup in the locker room with smiles on their faces.

“We’re hoping you’ll do interviews with us first, Lils,” Wheeler smiles.

“I hear Jax and Cody are interested too. You could probably get a lot of the Pythons players on there too,” Wyatt adds.

“I have some friends on the Tigers football team. One of them just had some bad press put out about him. I’m sure he’d be interested in you interviewing him,” Jackson speaks up, peeking his head between the guys so I can see him.

“So, what do you think, Lils? Do you accept the job?” Owen smirks, knowing there’s no way I’d turn this down.

“Absolutely.”

Chapter 33

Smithy

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Winnie stands behind me with a grimace on her face.

“Are you kidding me right now? Who even invited you?” I glare at her as I continue stringing up the lights in the trees. I want to make sure this gives Liliana a fairytale feel.

“You did, stupid. I'm still a little hurt I wasn’t asked to keep Liliana busy while you set up. I am her best friend, ya know?”

“Yeah, but you also have a huge mouth and don’t know how to keep it shut,” Wheeler mutters loud enough for Winnie to hear.

She spins around and glares at him, but he doesn’t care one bit. He kisses her forehead before walking past her and into the kitchen.

“He’s such a jerk,” she huffs.

“Yet you keep hooking up with him,” I singsong. “It’s been what… six years since you broke up, yet you still come back every time you need a scratch itched and don’t have anyone to do it.” I grin as her mouth falls open.

“At least I didn’t chase him for ten years, too scared to make a move.”

“Is what I did actually worse?” I arch a brow. “I knew what I wanted, I just didn’t want to lose Lils. You on the other hand say you don’t want him, yet you won't let him go. What are you going to do when he finally gets a girlfriend and they’re serious? You told him you didn’t want to be one of the W.A.G.S., yet that’s basically what you are.”

“I am not!” She lets out a shriek of frustration before stomping inside the house. I'm sure she’s going to take her anger out on Wheeler.

“What the hell did you say to the ice princess? She’s particularly pissy right now,” Covey murmurs as he places a tray of food on the table.

We’re setting up a surprise party to celebrate Liliana’s first big sponsorship for her podcast. She started two months ago and she already has a huge list of athletes wanting to be interviewed. Some are looking to set everyone straight with what actually happened, while others just love the idea of what Sweets is doing and they want to be a part of her podcast. Either way, she’s thriving and I couldn’t be prouder of her.

“I called her out on basically being Wheeler’s girlfriend even though she refuses to accept it.”

“Yeah, she really needs to shit or get off the pot.”

“Let’s not say that phrase at the party.” I grimace, knowing Lils hates it. “Lils should be here in ten minutes.”

I spend the rest of the time trying to get everyone into the backyard and turning off lights in the house. Right before they’re about to arrive, I text Liliana.

Smithy: Can you come around back when you get home? I got you something for your studio.

Liliana: What is it?

Smithy: You’ll have to come see.

Liliana: Two minutes.

“Shhh, she’s pulling in the driveway now!” I yell, getting everyone to quiet down.

As soon as she steps on the back porch, I flick the strung lights on and we all shout “Surprise!”

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