Beyond the Game

“Stop.” I laugh. “He wanted to put a label on it, and honestly, he’s hard to resist.”

“So, last night?”

“He said I was staying with him or he was staying with me. He was adamant about it, and well, I chose here.”

She nods. “And today?”

“He insisted on making me breakfast, and afterward, he wanted to hang out. So we just watched a movie at his place, and then we went to work. Oh, and he insisted we ride together too.”

“It’s great you two are together, but I don’t want you to lose yourself in him either. You have choices. Cameron’s bossy self is just going to have to deal.”

“I know. It’s not like that, though. He’s confident in what he wants, and he wants what he wants, but tonight when he thought he was pressing too hard, he backed off.”

“Pressing too hard?”

“We had dinner with his mom. She was in town for his game.”

“Wow. He wanted you to meet his mother?”

“Yep,” I say, popping the p and tilting my head back to stare at the ceiling. “Fast, huh?”

“I mean, not really. There are no set parameters for a relationship. As long as you’re both on board with the pace, I say go with it.”

“You know this means he’s going to have to officially meet my dad, right?”

“Ah, and how do you think Daddy dearest is going to take the fact that his princess is in a relationship?”

“You know the answer to that question.” I raise my head to look at her. “He ended up being cool with the kiss. My dad, I mean. So, maybe there’s hope that he’ll be cool with Cameron too.”

“I don’t know. Remember prom?” She laughs.

“Don’t remind me.”

“I thought Nick was going to shit his pants when your dad asked him his intentions with his daughter. And then when he asked him if he not only carried protection but how old it was and if he knew how to put it on. I swear, I’m surprised I didn’t piss my pants.”

“Can we not go down memory lane?” I beg.

“Easton Monroe is not only a badass on the baseball field. He’s lethal when it comes to the women in his life.”

“That.” I point at her. “That is why I have never brought a guy home. Not after senior prom.”

“You never really had a boyfriend in college, P. Sure, you dated, and there was that what six-month stint with Henry, but you never labeled him as your boyfriend. No matter how hard he tried.”

“Yeah, well, Henry wanted to get to my dad, which is why he never did. He was going to school to be a sports agent.” I can’t help but roll my eyes as I think about Henry, the asshole that he was. He was pissed when I called off our little “fling” I guess you could call it. I intercepted a text message of him telling his friend that as soon as he and I quote “met the rents,” he was in there, and his career would be launched. Needless to say, he never got to meet my parents, and I kicked his using ass to the curb.

I wish I could say that Henry was the only guy who tried to use me to get closer to my dad, the league, or my uncles, but I’d be lying. Maybe that’s why I’ve been letting my guard down so much with Cameron. He’s already playing in the majors. Sure, his spot isn’t a definite as he fills in for Hastings, but he’s here. He doesn’t need me to help him.

It’s refreshing.

“Tonight, Cameron’s mom told me he had a poster of my dad on his wall when he was little. I started to freak out. I thought that I hid it well, but his mom pretty much nailed my mood and immediately put my mind at ease. I really think Cameron is with me for me. Not for my dad, my name, or any potential connections.”

“Has he asked to meet him? Your dad?”

“No. But he has said that he knows it’s going to happen, and he’s ready for anything Dad happens to toss his way.”

Willow tosses her head back in laughter. “He doesn’t know Easton Monroe like he thinks that he does.”

“Right?” I smile. “Thanks for listening. I should let you get to bed. I know you have to be up early tomorrow.”