Bat Boy (Easton U Pirates 1)

“Knock it off,” I said through clenched teeth. “It’s obviously me who likes to bug him. He doesn’t want anything to do with a bunch of smelly guys in the locker room.”

“True, you do stink the worst. Must be why he turns you down all the time,” Maclain replied with a smirk. “Why go out of your way with him if it’s not to get on Coach’s good side?”

“What kind of team captain would I be if I wasn’t also the welcome wagon?” I shrugged. “Besides, he’s a cool dude, and it’s probably hard to put up with someone as grumpy as you.”

The other guys snickered, and I even got a shadow of a smile from Maclain.

“Christ, what’s next, you gonna check his phone records to see who he talks to?” Hollister said. “What’s with the inquisition lately?”

Maclain motioned with his arm. “Relax, I was just messing with him. No need to start eviction proceedings.”

Don’t I wish. He could’ve saved all this shit for home, but I could tell he liked having an audience. He was a piece of work.

When another teammate pointed out something funny a student was doing at the other end of the Greenhouse, everyone’s attention was thankfully diverted over there.

Hollister leaned over and said close to my ear, “He’s got a point.”

“Seriously?” This was bullshit. What the hell did they care if I was trying to be friendly with our bat boy? Sure, he was the coach’s son, but the season had been a long one, and there was no way to avoid him. “Want me to start scrutinizing everyone you talk to around here?”

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, likely because Dawn was sitting beside him, but she didn’t seem to be paying attention. “Okay, I hear you, but you are weird about him.”

“No, I’m not.” I took my last bite of nachos.

“Yeah, you are.” He crinkled up his wrapper. “And I think I know why.”

I froze in place as my thoughts slammed together. Had I given myself away? It wasn’t like I couldn’t confide in my best friend, but I wasn’t ready for that. Not yet. I didn’t even know what to do with this…this crush or these feelings. And not during the final third of baseball season when we were so close to finals and regionals. Maybe by the end of summer this will all have been a blip on the radar and I’d get over this shit, or at least understand it better.

“It’s because of Ricky,” Hollister said, and I breathed out. Goddamn, I thought my stomach was going to drop to the floor.

“What about Ricky?” I asked in a protective tone.

“You know what I mean. He goes out of his way to talk to your brother. And I think…well, I think you appreciate that about him.”

“Hell yeah, I do. Anyway, like I said, I think he’s a cool guy. Can we freaking drop this now?”

“Yeah, sure. Sorry.”

Once Hollister turned back to his girlfriend, I fell silent because I didn’t want things to get awkward between us—between any of us. And now I wondered if I was making trouble for Kellan by going out of my way where he was concerned. I definitely didn’t want him to catch more flak. But I couldn’t seem to help myself.

I glanced over just as Kellan and Jasmine had finished paying and were heading our way with their trays of food to look for a place to sit. Normally, I’d motion them over and invite them to share our table, but not after that exchange. Except, if I stopped being myself, they might suspect something too. Why was I so jumbled up inside over this guy?

“Hey, Jasmine,” Dawn called out, waving in their direction. “We have a class together.”

They made a beeline for us, Jasmine smiling at Dawn, Kellan looking slightly uncomfortable. By now I’d have said something stupid just to make him smile or roll his eyes, but I was on high alert and feeling scrutinized by my teammates.

Jasmine and Dawn talked about their upcoming assignment in their communications class, and after Kellan politely greeted the players with a wave, he just stood there saying nothing. Fuck, this was ridiculous. I needed to snap out of it.

I reached over and snatched a fry from his tray, then shoved it in my mouth. That definitely broke the ice, and he scoffed at me. Back to a level playing field.

“Do you make a habit of grabbing food off people’s plates?”

I motioned to his tray. “It was hanging off the edge and about to fall on the ground. I’m just keeping the area clean.”

“Oh, I see.” He smirked. “Just helping the environment?”

“Exactly. Besides, I’m a growing boy. I need to eat.”

He looked at my plate, which was practically licked clean. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I am.” I lowered my voice. “But you like it.”