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I can see players on the field warming up. The Mavericks throw the ball around in their white uniforms with the black numbering and letters. Inside the box, televisions broadcast the field, and you can hear the announcers through it talking about the line up and the record of each team.
The three guys stand by what looks like a small buffet of food off to the side of the box. The walls are painted black with the team logo in red. An outline of a horse is drawn in. There are white shadows around the red to pop the logo.
Music booms from outside all around the stadium as people start to fill the seats. People can be seen dancing to the music, waving their blow-up baseball bats. Kids and some adults have baseball gloves with them, and I turn to Phoenix.
“Why do some people have their gloves with them in the stands?”
“Oh! Well, sometimes players will hit what’s called a foul ball, and it will go off into the stands.” She points to the bleachers out in the distance. “The people sitting out there, behind what’s called the outfield, hope to catch a home run ball.”
“Home run?” I crinkle my nose.
“Oh, Raelyn, I’ve got so much to teach you! Drew needs to just bring you to every game so we can hang. I will get you to be a baseball pro in no time.” She gives me a genuine smile. “A home run is when they hit it over that wall in the outfield. Then they can run all the bases, and when they get back to home plate, they get a run, or they score I should say. Sometimes there can be other players on the bases, and they all run in to score too. Andif we’re really lucky, the bases are loaded when a home run is hit, and that is called a grand slam.”
“That’s… a lot,” I admit, trying to piece it all together.
Phoenix laughs and nods. “There will be a pop quiz later.”
A laugh bubbles up from my throat, and suddenly, I feel more relaxed than I have in quite a while. Actually, that’s not true. I have felt this relaxed around Drew and the guys, too. Well, everyone except Cameron.
Sometime later, much later, the game ends, and I am in complete awe. It was fucking amazing. The Mavericks won, destroying some team called the Ducks or the Bucks? I have no idea. But either way, we destroyed them. And Drew killed it with his pitching, according to Phoenix.
Her husbands were pretty nice, too. They kept their distance, letting Phoenix and me talk and knowing I may be a bit uncomfortable with all the newness. And I am. So I appreciated them for that.
We make our way to the locker room, and I hesitate for a moment. Phoenix feels the hesitation and pulls me off to the side.
“Hey, you okay?” she asks softly.
“Yeah. I just, I don’t know. Something feels off, or weird. My head is messing with me.” I hesitate. “I may just be scared to go into a locker room with all of them.”
“Well, they aren’t running around naked right now, so all should be good. Coach will usually have a wrap up, and I come down to talk to the team to let them know how amazing they did. Then they do all the showers and stuff,” she reassures me.
I nod, and she leads me into the locker room.
The noise instantly assaults my ears, along with the sweaty man smell that attacks my nose. I crinkle my face and wonder how anyone can stand here for too long.
We walk further in, and I spot Drew. He gives me a big smile and waves both Phoenix and me over. Then he leans in and gives Phoenix a hug, whispering something in her ear.
“Hey, Rae. Did you get to watch the game?” Kayce appears from somewhere, and I turn to find him shirtless and sweaty.
My mouth instantly dries and drops open. And zero words form. And all Kayce does is laugh and wink at me. I can feel my face instantly heat up.
“Anderson, put some fucking clothes on.” My head snaps to Cameron, who scowls between me and Kayce. I swear I have no idea what his problem is with me, but he seems to hate me more than anything.
“Hey,” Drews voice pulls me back from the scowling asshole. “How was watching the game?”
“Uh, it was pretty awesome. I mean, I didn’t get most of what was going on, but it was fun to watch. You won, so that’s a good thing,” I admit.
“They were easy to beat,” Cameron grunts.
Suddenly, I feel eyes on me. A chill runs down my spine, and I turn my gaze towards a pair of piercing blue irises.
Tristan.
He studies me, not moving his eyes off me. I don’t understand him. He’s so quiet yet always there in your presence. I always just feel him around me; I get goosebumps along my skin, a shiver, and my heart races. His presence consumes my senses.
“Well, easy or not, we played hard and crushed them,” Drew adds as he pulls his shirt off.
And holy smokes, I realize I am in a room with men made of perfection. Drew’s abs are so well defined. His arms, fuck me, his arms are big and muscular. There is an urge to reach over and just touch them.