Home Plate (Easton U Pirates 2)

When Girard dropped my hand, I felt bereft without his warmth.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to speak for us. I just thought—”

“Everything you said was perfect,” I said in a hoarse voice as our gazes connected, and we did that staring thing where we were communicating with our eyes.

A familiar squeal came from behind, and then we were surrounded by Kellan, Donovan, Jasmine, and Tanya, whom I’d only met one time before in passing. She was a pretty, blonde girl who seemed as into Jasmine as Jasmine was into her.

“Holy shit. You came,” Jasmine said, then leaned closer. “Does this mean…?”

“Nothing,” I muttered. “It means nothing.”

“Not true.” She scrutinized me. “It’s a step, an acknowledgment.”

I motioned with my thumb. “He convinced me.”

She winked. “That’s not a bad thing.”

“Glad you showed up,” Donovan said, thumping me on the shoulder. Apparently, I surprised everyone, even myself.

The music changed to a pop song I recognized, and as the bass thudded in my ears, Kellan lifted his arms in the air and swayed to the music. That was when it dawned on me that he had on a crop top, and was that glittery makeup? Yes, yes it was. And he looked…good. Couldn’t believe I was admitting that. But as I glanced around the space, I noticed that his makeup and outfit were understated compared to others in the club. Damn, it was pretty cool to see these guys just owning it. It made me want to be brave, too, but the idea still curdled my stomach.

“Wanna dance?” Jasmine said, gripping Tanya’s hand while Kellan pulled Donovan toward the mass of sweaty bodies.

When Girard glanced at me, I shook my head. “You go ahead.”

“Not yet,” he said and waved them off. “We’ll watch for a while.”

I followed Girard to a back wall near the dance floor, and watching our friends dance and sing at the top of their lungs and grind against each other was surreal. There were also other kinds of grinding going on all around us, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say my pants were getting uncomfortably tight as I watched the different pairings and groups.

“Does this mean we can make fun of Donovan forever?” I said close to his ear.

“Probably.” He grinned. “Or at least until the end of postseason.”

My stomach throbbed even considering it. Not only because baseball would be over and I’d be looking for a job and a place to live, but also because of Girard. We’d never said it aloud, but we both knew this thing we were doing together had a time stamp—likely the end of the season. It made me want to experience everything I could where he was concerned before it was too late.

We were accidentally jostled by a couple practically eating each other’s faces beside us, and I couldn’t take my eyes off them. Not that I hadn’t seen guys making out before. I’d done my own research since I’d gotten home from spring break. You could definitely find a hell of a lot on the Internet. My skin prickled at the idea of either of my roommates walking in on me as I’d used my hand, and fingers, on myself.

“Do you ever wonder what it would be like to kiss another guy?” Girard asked as he watched the couple move on toward the exit. No doubt they’d be hooking up tonight.

“Is this your way of asking me to kiss you?” I quipped, even as my head swam and my chest thudded with the possibility.

“I always got the feeling you were holding back every time we were…together.” He shrugged. “I didn’t want to push it.”

Damn, how did he read me so well?

“Kissing makes it more…real,” I replied. “I think I’ve been afraid to take that leap. You know, the usual with me.”

Though I definitely thought about it every single day.

Girard arched an eyebrow. “Afraid you’ll fall madly in love with me?”

I snorted. “Afraid you’ll be a terrible kisser.”

“You fucker.” He pressed his shoulder against mine. “You’re probably the bad kisser.”

“Am not,” I scoffed.

“Guess we’ll never know since you won’t—”

Before he could get another word out, I hemmed him against the wall because no way I would lose this challenge. And just as his eyes widened and he released a startled gasp, I firmly pressed my lips against his.

His mouth was soft, and I felt his groan down to my bones.

When his fingers clasped my waist, I grabbed hold of his hands and pinned his wrists against the wall, which only deepened his sound of approval. I liked surprising him more than I was willing to admit.

My tongue flicked against his mouth, teasing and testing the waters, then lashed past his lips to get a taste. The moment our tongues met, the hair on my nape stood on end, and all I could think was holy fuck, I am kissing Girard. I also wanted to curse myself for holding back all this time. Turned out, kissing him was the hottest thing on the planet.