Beyond the Bases (Out of Reach 1)

“I guess we should park over there.” I don’t wait for his reply. Instead, I climb into my truck and drive around the lot. I park beside the Impala, and Drew parks beside me. I know I should have let him be right next to her, but he has an advantage over me. One, he knows what she drives, and two, she’s more than willing to go out with him. I’m not that lucky.

Climbing out of the truck, I round the back and drop the tailgate. Drew joins me as we wait for the girls to get off work, while Fisher and Carr head to Shorty’s. I’m sure I’ll get shit for it later. Drew, on the other hand, will not. He’s waiting for his hook-up. Me, I’m just waiting for a girl who apparently wants nothing to do with me. We’re in the middle of debating our rookie outfielders this season when the back door of the restaurant opens and slams shut, the sound echoing through the night sky.

“Go time,” Drew says, rubbing his hands together.

I don’t take my eyes off her as she walks toward us. Her step falters when she notices me. I hop off the tailgate and meet her halfway. “Hey,” I say, stopping in front of her. Her hair is falling out of her ponytail and into her eyes. Reaching out, I tuck it behind her ear. “Long night?” I ask like an idiot. Nothing I say works with this girl.

“You could say that,” she admits. “What are you doing, Easton?”

“I wanted to see you.”

“You’ve seen me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really need to go.” She moves to step around me, and I follow her. She stops next to an older model Ford Escape.

“Tell me what I need to do.” I step up next to her. “What’s it going to take for you to give me a shot?”

“There is no chance.” She sighs and turns to face me. “Look, I’m sure you’re a great guy, but my life is complicated. I can’t let myself get wrapped up in you. I don’t have time for the heartache.”

Heartache? This feeling deep in my gut tells me that any amount of time spent with her would be my undoing. This would be more than just a one-night stand. Reaching out, I catch her hand and lace my fingers through hers. “Who says it’s going to end in heartache?”

“Let’s be real here, Easton. You’re a major league baseball player. I’m just a girl trying to make ends meet while working toward her degree. Our lives are too different,” she says. I can tell she means it; she truly feels like our lives are too different, but her reaction to my touch, the fact that she doesn’t pull away… the way her eyes are pleading yet hopeful at the same time…. That tells me more than her words ever could.

“Not so much. My job doesn’t define who I am, Larissa.”

“Maybe not, but it’s a risk I can’t afford to take.”

My first thought is that she’s been hurt in the past. Why else would she label me… us a risk? She thinks her words will push me away when in fact they just pull me in closer. I want to know her past. What has happened in her life for her to be so guarded? What can I do to take that fear away? “Just one dinner.” My voice is pleading, and I realize how pathetic it makes me look, but I’m desperate for more time with her. She’s bewitched me.

“I’m sorry.” She smiles sadly. “I just… can’t. Thank you for the offer.” My heart sinks and I know I’ve lost her. There’s finality in every syllable. “It’s flattering.” It’s with those parting words that she climbs in her SUV and pulls out of the lot.

I stand and watch her go. When her taillights disappear into the dark of night, I head back to my truck. Drew and Chloe are already gone. At least they weren’t here to witness my epic fail. Then again, even if they were here, it wouldn’t stop me from pursuing her. She needs to know I’m not a man who gives up that easily. I have no problem fighting for what I want. She’s what I want. I just have to find a way to show her my words aren’t empty. I mean everything I say. Speak from your heart, my mother always used to say. Climbing in my truck, I head toward home. It’s time to figure out my next move.

I tossed and turned all night. I kept seeing Easton and those big brown eyes as he pleaded with me to give him a shot. Turning him down was hard, but it’s what I needed to do. He’s too charismatic, too gorgeous. I could get caught up in him too easily. I’m not ready for that. I have a plan and need to stay focused.

The house is quiet, normal for six in the morning. My alarm’s set for six thirty, so I reach over and turn it off. No use in trying to go back to sleep, not after the restless night I had. I can’t stop thinking about him. The way his eyes roam over me, both sexual and in a way no one has ever looked at me. The way my skin heats and prickles with awareness anytime he’s near. Easton Monroe is a hard man to resist. Throwing off the covers, I head to the shower. I might as well get moving. Maybe I can get some studying in before I have to leave for class.

On the way to school, I call Mom and check in on things. “Good morning,” I greet her.

“You sound tired,” she answers. I never could get anything past her.

“I didn’t sleep the greatest last night.”

“What’s going on?” Concern laces her voice.

“Nothing, just couldn’t sleep. How are things?”

“Good. Getting ready to fix us some breakfast. Did you eat?” She’s always worrying about me.

“I grabbed a granola bar on my way out the door. I only have morning class today and then I’ll swing by your place. I have to be at work at four.”

“I still think you should move in here, let us help you while you focus on your degree.” This isn’t a new conversation. It’s one we’ve had many times over the last few years.

“Mom, I appreciate that more than you know. You already do so much for me and I like having my own space. It’s good to know that if I need to, I can always come home.”

“If you change your mind….”

“I know, thank you. I’m at school. I need to get to class. I’ll see you later.”

“Have a good day, sweetheart.”