Page 67 of Truth or Tequila (Grand Slam 1)

“You’re turned on by weird things,” she laughs. “And I definitely looked at you before you even saw me.”

“Really? I thought you said you didn’t know who I was.”

“I had no idea who you were, but I still looked at you.” She nuzzles in closer to me. “I mean, c’mon, Seb, you’re beautiful.”

“I don’t know about that, but if you were interested in me, why’d you roll your eyes?”

“Because I thought you’d be a total asshole. Honestly, I still can’t believe you’re not.” She looks up at me. “I didn’t expect this guy at all. You’re so sweet.”

“I’m sweet to people I care about,” I say, brushing her hair out of her eyes. “And, Soph, I care about you so much. I don’t know what it is about you, but God, I’m falling hard for you. Does that freak you out?”

“No,” she whispers as she lays her head back down on my chest, “it doesn’t freak me out, but you already know, I’m just getting out of a bad relationship. I think I’m a little tentative to get back into something serious. I already had trust issues, and after what happened, they’ve gotten worse.”

“I know, baby,” I say, wrapping my arms around her tightly. “I will never lie to you or do anything to hurt you. I promise. Do you believe me?”

“Yeah, I guess.” She pauses for a second. “I mean, I don’t have any reason not to believe you. It’s just going to take some time for me to be fully in, you know?”

“You take all the time you need.”

“I think maybe after I’m done working for the team, I’ll feel a little bit better about pursuing something with you.” She looks up at me again. “I mean if that’s what you want.”

I lift her chin and lock my eyes with hers. “That’s what I want. I don’t play games in personal relationships. If you ever want to know where I stand, just ask me. One hundred percent, I want to be in a relationship with you—a committed relationship.”

She nods, her eyes getting wider.

“I’m not trying to pressure you,” I say, stroking her cheek. “Really, I’m not. Take all the time you need. I just want you to know where I stand. I haven’t felt this way in a while, and I’ve never felt this way so fast. Not even close. I like you—every single thing about you.”

She smiles. “You didn’t really like my catching phobia. You were kind of grumpy about it.”

“I’m a catcher, Sophie. I can’t have my friends, much less my girlfriend, not knowing how to catch.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Yeah, I mean that’s what I want,” I say. “It’s okay if you’re not there yet.”

“I’m not there yet,” she says. “I like you, but I need to take it more slowly. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“I’m absolutely fine with that. No pressure. Okay?”

She nods. “Okay. I trust you. I think. It feels weird, but I think I might.”

“I will never give you a reason not to trust me. Never. I promise.” I roll her over and spoon her to me. “Now as much as I’d like to do some hard work again—”

“Stop it, Seb—”

“Last pun, I promise. As much as I’d like that, we both need to get some rest.” I pull her into me. “Do you think you can sleep now?”

She wiggles back against me. “Yeah, I think I can. I like when you’re wrapped around me like this. I feel safe.”

“You are safe, baby. You’re always safe with me. I’ll never hurt you or let anything else hurt you. I promise.”

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