Page 59 of Rain Delay

Chapter 20

Wyatt

I DON’T REMEMBER FALLING ASLEEP IN ELLIE’S BED. I remember her and I talking until she eventually fell asleep against me. I must’ve fallen asleep not too long after. I couldn’t move. Not that I wanted to.

As much as I wanted to keep her in bed all day, I had other obligations that took up my schedule.

I got showered up and changed into some comfy clothes before making my way over to the stadium. It was another day game, and I was getting there earlier than usual. I wanted to get some early indoor batting practice in before the field practice.

The stride into the ballpark was a breeze. Everything just felt right. I was nodding at security, flashing small smiles to employees as I walked past them on the way to the clubhouse.

I woke up in a fantastic mood; it was as if feelings never left and we needed to act on our feelings to get that spark going again. My feelings for Eliana never changed; I just had to suppress them for years. I made a promise to myself back then — I would eventually find my way to her again, no matter what it took.

It was hard to picture a life like this could exist again. I kept having to remind myself to keep pushing, because maybe one day it would come back to me.

I tried going on dates with other girls. I tried talking to other girls, tried giving them a chance. None of them ever compared. None of them ever matched the girl that was living in my mind rent-free.

If it wasn’t Eliana, I didn’t want them. I always thought about her. She occupied my thoughts more than I’d like to admit.

I pushed through the doors of the clubhouse; the scent of many colognes, pine tar, and the sound of music and chatter filled the air.

“Well look at you,” a voice drawled near my locker. I looked over to see Liam with a grin on his face.

“What?” I asked, keeping my voice low as I set my bag down. I peeled my sweatshirt off, changing into one of my practice tees.

“You were humming when you walked in. You never fucking hum. You walk in this place looking like you’re planning to set the world on fire,” Liam says, stepping into my peripheral vision. “You look like you just won the lottery.”

I shrug. “Maybe I did. Or maybe I just slept great and had a good night.”

When my head poked through my shirt, Liam was closer. His eyebrows arched like he didn’t believe a damn word I said. He leaned in, sniffing the air around me.

“Is that…flowers? Why the fuck does your head smell like flowers?” he smirked. “That’s not your normal, Mitchell. Definitely doesn’t smell like someone who was studying film this morning.”

“Just a new shampoo, that’s all.” I snapped, though I felt my skin start to heat. I turn away from him, putting my cleats on.

“You totally got laid last night, didn’t you?” he blurts out, and my head snaps back at him. “Am I wrong?”

“And if I did?” I ask. “It doesn’t concern you.”

“Oh, it absolutely does!” Liam exclaimed. “My best friend got some action! Can I take a guess with whom?”

I shrug. “You don’t tell me all the names of the girls you’ve gotten with; why should I disclose mine?”

“Whoever it was, which I have a pretty idea of who, I have to shake their hand and thank them. You’re gonna have the game of your fucking life today.”

I grab my glove and hat, making my way down the hallway to the dugout.

“Does this person happen to have a history with you?” he nudged my shoulder. “Do they happen to have a name that starts with an E and is your hired professional stalker?”

“I have no idea who you’re talking about,” I said, keeping my stare straight ahead.

Liam leans against the wall, arms crossing over his chest. “You and Eliana totally fucked last night.”

“Can you not announce it to the fucking world?” I ask, setting my things in the cubby. “I’m going to get batting practice in.”

I was quickly becoming irritated with Liam practically antagonizing me over my night and shift in mood. Normally, I would’ve come into the ballpark stoic and focused as hell. Even the security guards took note to how I was, and they never interact with me on game days.

Once I took a couple of practice swings, I walked to the other side of the fence, looking up to see Eliana coming towards me.