Page 21 of Baseball and Shifters
Professor Stone steps up beside me and takes a long moment to study the photo I'm pointing to.
“Ahh, yes,” he finally speaks, “young Ms. Anvers was such a light to have in class. One of my very favorite students of all time. And she was so in love with that St. James fellow. I should have put the pieces together yesterday, dear, but I'm afraid I didn’t.”
“Y-you knew my mom?” Shock ripples through my body at his revelation.
“Yes, yes, of course I knew your mother. She was the only shifter I’ve ever met that may well surpass my number of movies watched some day. She was a film buff and a joy to have in class. How many movies is she up to now, dear?”
“I-i d-don’t know,” I stutter out quietly as a tear slides down my cheek. “She died giving birth to me.”
“Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry to hear that. Look at me bringing up sad matters and completely ruining what you kids call ‘the vibe’. Why don’t I let you finish up what you were doing and I’ll just head back to my seat?” Without waiting on a response, he pats my shoulder and shuffles off.
Shaking my head to dispel that strange conversation, I make my way over to the concessions and order a couple drinks and fries to take back as an apology for ditching everyone. By the time I get back, I’ve missed half the game, but it’s been a productive evening. I’m glad I came.
“There you are! We thought you left,” Maya says as she stands to let me back in.
“Sorry. I was doing my own research. I didn’t mean to worry you. I brought snacks.” I lift my hands, showing off the drinks and greasy fries.
“You’re forgiven!” Aubree shouts as she makes grabby hands.
Laughing, I pass her the fries as I scooch past Maya, freezing when I feel my pants leg tear when it catches on the edge of a bolt sticking out of the rail in front of us. I fall into my seat and stare at the strip of skin now exposed on my leg.
No. No no no. This can’t be happening.
“Rach? You ok?” Maya asks.
I can’t answer that. My brain has shut down at the sight of my own skin.
What am I going to do?
“RACHEL!” Maya shouts. “Watch out!” Aubree adds. “Oh, shit!” Dallas joins in, seconds before someone lands in my lap.
My frightened screech is cut short when the baseball player looks up at me and smiles. I’ve never seen Liam smile before. It’s dazzling.
“You okay, Moonbeam?” His icy blue eyes seem to pin me in place and all I can do is gape at him with wide eyes while I try to remember to breathe.
“Yeah,” I squeak out when I’m finally able.
“Uh… Lucas? You wanna get off my friend?” Dallas huffs out breaking the moment.
Lucas. Right. He has a twin. A happy twin.
“I don’t know. Think I like it here, Dallas.” He smirks before twisting and pushing himself up.
His non-gloved hand slides right over the tear in my pants and my entire body shivers at the sudden skin-on-skin contact. In that split second, everything changes. My body’s reaction is instantaneous.
Mate.
“Lucas! Get your ass down here!”
He snaps his head around, breaking the spell he had over me with his intense eye contact and I jump up, pushing him off the wall onto the field before running like my life depends on it.
Orhislife depends on it.
Shit. This can NOT be happening.
“Rach? Where are you going?” Maya calls after me, but I don’t stop to explain. I have to get out of here. I have to get as far away from him as I can.
I found my first mate. How long until Father finds out and makes good on all his threats?
