Page 25 of Stalked By the Third Baseman

“You’re ridiculous. A year of you following her around, even popping by here and⁠—“

“What?” I asked, cutting her off.

“And you’re just going to let her go on a date with a hot hockey player? After everything I did so that you would finally get your head out of your ass?!” she blurted quickly, then immediately covered her mouth with her hands.

I wasn’t having such a hard time processing what she’d said now.

“You knew I was sneaking in?” I asked quietly. It wasn’t something Callie knew about just yet.

“It was my key you copied, wasn’t it?” I blinked. Holy shit. She’d known. Hell, I think she’d set me up! “You think I didn’t notice you take my keys? Really?”

“Roxie.”

“And now this?!”

“You knew I was following her around campus?”

“Jesus! That’s what you’re focused on? Adam, you’re six four and look like that.” She pointed at me, giving me a look that shouted I should know better. “Callie likes to live in her head, and it’s scary how unaware of her surroundings she can be, but I’m not. You’re pretty easy to spot. even in the shadows. And full disclosure, I saw you watching her and Trevor at the bench.”

“So, you, what? Asked him to ask her out to make me jealous?”

“No, actually, I didn’t ask anyone to do anything.”

“Why do I have a feeling you might not have, but someone did it for you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She shrugged. “All I know is, he didn’t have to be asked twice. He was already planning on asking her.”

“Who talked to him?”

“It doesn’t matter. They did me a favor.”

“And what do you owe them for that favor, Roxie?”

“None of your beeswax, Adam. You should be thanking me! I knew the moment you saw someone interested in her, you would pull your head out of your ass! But I guess not all the way out, huh?”

“Rox,” I sighed. “If I ask her not to go with him, she’s always going to wonder if she could have done better.”

“Done better?” she scoffed. “Are you insane, Adam?”

“I’m not going to be some fancy lawyer when we grow up like she is, Rox.”

“So? You’re going to be a professional baseball player.”

“Maybe. You know, just like I do, those kinds of dreams can disappear in an instant.”

“So?” she asked, and I blinked. Is she not getting my point?

“I get it, Adam. And more than anyone, you know I understand what you saw growing up. Your dad… he’s a piece of work. But you’re not him. Not anywhere close.”

“Rox—“

“What would you do if you don’t go pro?”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“I’d work on cars.” I shrugged.