Dare You to Fall for the Catcher (Rock Valley High 3)

“You know what? You’re not allowed to look at me like that, either,” I snapped, my cheeks blushing. “Just...stop. I can’t think.”

He grimaced as if he were about to burst out laughing, but this wasn’t funny. He’d unraveled an entire string of questions that were bouncing around my head, demanding to be answered. I huffed and turned to walk away again, not sure where I was going.

Anywhere but here.

He grabbed my arm just as I passed by the oak tree and pulled me to a stop. “Mandy, wait. I’m sorry. I’ll do whatever you want. Just talk to me.”

“Fine.” I crossed my arms tightly over my torso and looked up at him, my anger melting away into desperation and confusion. Jayden had been so nice to me lately. I wanted to believe that he was this new person, but I couldn’t help and worry that this was some kind of an elaborate setup. “But if this is one of your games, please don’t. I won’t survive it. Don’t tease me. Don’t make me say something I’m going to regret.”

Sorrow flashed in his eyes. He reached up with his right hand and cupped my face, causing me to sharply inhale. The touch of his skin against mine was electric, sending little waves cascading down my neck and spine.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” His thumb traced a path on my cheek, leaving a scorching trail behind it. “When it comes to being around you, I’m an idiot. I say all the wrong things. And that only pushes you further away. Honestly...I think I do it because I’m afraid.”

My eyes widened as I stared up at him, almost too nervous to ask the simple question in my head. “Why?”

His lips quirked. “Because, there’s no way you could feel the same way as me.”

It was like a belt had been strapped around my chest, making it hard to breathe. “And...how do you feel?”

“You’re really going to make me say it?” He leaned down, touching his forehead to mine. His eyes closed, splaying his dark lashes on his cheeks. I resisted the desire to reach up and run my finger down the strong planes of his jaw as he chuckled softly. “Okay. Here goes nothing. I like you, Mandy Hale. I think you’re beautiful, and smart, and fierce, and totally out of my league. How’s that sound?”

Stars seemed to burst in front of my eyes. Every cell in my body rejoiced at his confession. But even as the urge to move toward him returned, I took a step back, his hand dropping from my face.

“But, you make fun of me, all the time.”

The accusing tone was back. I couldn’t help myself. None of this seemed real. The sweet and caring Jayden I’d come to know over the last couple weeks was completely different from the image I’d built up of him inside my head.

His eyes narrowed to slits and he nodded solemnly. “I’m a guy. We do stupid things.”

“Are you sure? Are you sure that this is the way you feel? Maybe you hit your head during the game on Friday. Are you experiencing some kind of amnesia? This is me and you we’re talking about.”

An incredulous smile appeared on his sculpted lips. “Yes, I’m a hundred percent sure. And no, I didn’t hit my head. But what about you? What do you feel?”

I stared up at him in desperation, knowing that I could no longer dodge my own feelings. It had become clear over the last two weeks that I felt something more for Jayden than just irritation. There was something strong and magnetic between us. A force that constantly kept him in my thoughts. And when I looked at him, like I was now, those thoughts took on a warmth that made me want to dive down deep inside of them.

Jayden was strong and kind. He connected with me on a level unlike any guy I’d ever known. I liked spending time with him. Whenever I wasn’t near him, I missed his teasing smile and his deep laugh. The hungry way he looked at me with those blue eyes made me tremble. And when I thought about the ways he’d been there for me the last two weeks, it was enough to make my heart break into song, as if this were some kind of Disney movie.

I shifted my feet and grimaced at him in defeat, running my hands through my hair. “Ugh, Audrey is never going to let me live this one down. She’s so annoying when she wins an argument.”

The light in his eyes changed. A disbelieving smile played on his lips. “Does that mean...?”

I reached out and took his right hand. It was cold, compared to mine, but touching him still raised my body temperature. I ran my thumb over his skin, mentally noting every little callus and scar. No doubt, most of them were probably from playing baseball. I liked the silent story they told. Someday, I’d ask about each and every one of them. But for now, I let his fingers curl between mine and held them tight.

“You’re really going to make me say it?” I asked, smiling up at him.

Joy flashed in his eyes before he shut them and grimaced. “I’m pretty sure I’m going to wake up and find out this was all a dream. Don’t pinch me. Let me sleep. I never want to wake up.”

My smile stretched clear across my face as I stared at him. He looked so vulnerable and cute. This was the Jayden I remembered from the game of Dare in sixth grade. The boy that had timidly taken my hand in a darkened closet and softly pressed his lips against mine. Nothing like the guy who’d teased me consta

ntly for so many years.

I reached out and gently placed my hand against his cheek, feeling the rough bit of stubble along his jawline. His eyes snapped open, piercing me with a longing gaze.

“You’re already awake,” I said softly.

He swallowed hard, his chest rising with a deep breath. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“If you were sleeping, you wouldn’t feel this.” I reached up to run my fingers through his hair. It was soft and fine, like the down from my pillow. I could touch it all day. And then, with a sudden streak of courage, I raised up to my toes and brushed my lips gently over his. “Or, that.”