Bat Boy (Easton U Pirates 1)

“I’ve fallen hopelessly in love.”

Fucking Brady Donovan.

No doubt he thought I didn’t hear him, and I’d have to keep it that way, even though I’d likely obsess over those words forever. But calling him on it would only make things worse, especially since I’d want to say it back.

I’m definitely in love with you too.

And I certainly don’t know what to do about it either.

When I headed downstairs to get some caffeine, Jasmine was on the couch with a book in her lap—some thriller, I guessed. She loved reading, which was why she thought getting a job in a bookstore was kickass. But during the school year she’d complained that the only thing she’d cracked open was a textbook. Now that finals were over, she’d have plenty of time to catch up.

“You doing okay?” she asked, and I nodded. “I cannot believe that happened.”

I finished pouring myself a cup, headed to the chair across from her, and propped my feet on the coffee table. “Which part? My fainting, or the fact that Maclain—okay, never mind.”

“Fucking Maclain. He needs to get his shit together.” She sighed. “And for the record, we really are only friends. We connected on the shitty-parent thing one night, and it took off from there.”

“So, no hooking up?”

“Nope.” She went to say something else but seemed to think better of it.

Right then my phone buzzed with a message from Donovan.

Are you feeling better, or do I need to send over my teddy bear?

I grinned. Much better. Thank you again for taking care of me.

Of course. Just so you know, when your mom showed up last night, we had both fallen asleep on your bed. I didn’t mean to, and I hope that didn’t make things worse.

“Shit,” I said out loud, and Jasmine stared at me.

“What?”

“My mom was here last night?”

“She wanted to check on you. Duh, you fainted.”

I dipped my head. “Yeah, right, I know.”

My thumbs moved quickly as I shot off a return text. Worse how? Unless you were spooning me because you were trying to get warm again?

I felt flushed just asking the question, but I also hoped my mom didn’t walk in on us in some compromising position.

Nope. I was a perfect gentleman.

Maybe it’ll be okay then. Or I might get the inquisition. Let’s just play it cool until after the tourney. Dad doesn’t need any extra stress, and neither do we.

Sounds like a plan.

But I could almost hear the disappointment in his voice, and I felt guilty about, well, everything. That I’d allowed myself to get sucked into his orbit in the first place. And that he was bummed about the whole situation too. He deserved someone who could give him everything he’d dreamed of. So why did the idea of him being with someone else make me feel like I might faint again?

I could feel the heat of Jasmine’s gaze. “What?”

“Is that why you won’t admit you’re as into Donovan as he is into you?” she asked in her direct way, motioning to my phone, knowing full well I’d been texting with him. “Because of your dad? Or is this still about that jackass Bret from high school?”

“It’s complicated, you know that.” I made a frustrated sound. “Maybe Bret figured in at the beginning, but now…you know how strict my dad is about this kind of stuff. Baseball is his life. And it’s sort of become mine too.”

“Sorry it’s such a crappy situation.” She frowned, then brightened. “Maybe we need a night out. It’s been a while, and now that finals are over—”

“And before I leave for regionals.” I certainly wasn’t going to be hooking up with anyone. Brady Donovan had ruined me for other guys for a good long while. But drinks and dancing might do us good. “A night at Neon sounds good. Let’s compare schedules.”

I felt a bit ill, pulling into my parents’ driveway a few hours later, and not because I’d fainted last night. When my dad’s eyes filled with concern instead of suspicion, I puffed out a breath.

“You okay, son?”

“I’m totally fine,” I replied, then kissed Mom on the cheek. “Please don’t worry. You’ve got enough on your mind.”

“Still. I want you to go to the university clinic before regionals, just to make sure,” he said, and Mom agreed.

“Promise us?” she asked.

“I promise. I’ll go this week.”

I wanted to joke that they were as bad as Donovan, but that wouldn’t have gone over well.

Dinner was delicious, and after I had a second helping of Mom’s lasagna as well as more garlic bread, they could obviously tell I was feeling back to normal.

Afterward, we FaceTimed with my sister, and when my niece sang us some silly made-up song, I could tell how much my parents had enjoyed getting that small glimpse of their grandchild. Thankfully, they’d been here for spring break, and we planned to visit them for the upcoming holidays.