Page 115 of Playing Dirty

My head is anywhere but in the game as we enter the bottom of the seventh inning, and it’s never been more apparent than the moment my bat clips off the third foul ball in a row.

Damnit.

Leighton is currently clinging to a one-run lead over us by the skin of their teeth, and with two outs, I’d really love to start a rally for my guys by tying this thing up. Except, I can’t really do that if I don’t make solid contact with the goddamn ball.

I watch Coach’s signs from the left side of the plate, finding nothing of meaning in them other thanhit the damn ball.

Before stepping into the batter’s box again, my gaze instinctively flashes to Theo. It’s impossible to see his expression when he’s all the way out at shortstop, but it’s almost as if I can hear his words in my mind.

You’re leaning too far back.

Taking a deep breath, I recall Theo standing behind me while we were in the batting cages; his hands on my hips as he corrected my stance. My body shifts instinctively, almost as if his hands were still guiding me now, while I watch for the pitch.

The crack of the bat sounds a few moments later, sending a zinging vibration up my arms from the contact, and I take off down the first-base line in a dead sprint. Cheers erupt through the stadium, spiking the adrenaline already coursing through my veins as my feet pound over the dirt.

My eyes lock with my first-base coach’s, spotting the signal for me to head for second, and the moment I do, I find Theo already straddling the bag, arm extended and waiting for the ball. A quick look toward right field tells me it’s gonna be a close one, and as I draw nearer, I drop into a slide, feet first.

Theo’s glove hits my ankle seconds later, the ball tucked snuggly in the webbing, but not before my foot collides with the bag.

“Safe!” the umpire shouts.

From the look in Theo’s eyes when he meets my gaze, he knew it before the call was made, but it doesn’t stop the devilish grin from pulling at my lips when he pulls his glove away.

The umpire calls for a quick time out while he clears the dirt off the base, and I take the opportunity to pop up and dust myself off.

“Guess you should listen to me more often.” The teasing murmur comes from behind me as I take my place on the bag again. “I was waiting for you to whiff out or send a grounder to second before you remembered to shift your weight forward.”

My gaze flicks his way, where it collides with light-green eyes, two black lines smeared beneath them. “I wouldn’t sound so smug when youjust inadvertently assisted the enemy in getting a double.”

All I get in response is a little smirk before Dillon steps up to the left side of the plate.

Even with my attention locked on their pitcher, I can feel Theo shift behind me, ready to cover second on my lead off. It has the hair on my arms standing on end as I creep off the bag toward third base, watching and waiting for—

Leighton’s pitcher turns, rocketing the ball at Theo on second, but I’m there, my foot landing on the bag moments before his glove hits my thigh.

“You’re not picking me off that easily, Greyson.”

There’s a competitive edge to his tone when he slowly pulls his glove away and whispers, “Willing to bet on that?”

I should have, because when their pitcher goes to check me again, I once again make it back to the bag first. With ease this time, the ball hitting his glove a solid second after I’m already declared safe.

Theo lets out an annoyed little huff while tossing the ball back to the mound, and I flash him a winning smile.

“You better get your head in the game if you’re gonna keep trying this. Maybe next time I’ll actually make a run for third,” I taunt from the safety of the bag.

He arches a brow. “You’re not goading me that easily.”

“No, goading isyourspecialty.”

“It is, isn’t it?” A slow smirk creeps over his face when he moves behind me, whispering as he walks by, “And it’s a little hard to keep my mind on what’s happening on the diamond instead of my cum that’s probably leaking out of your ass right now.”

The dangerous gleam in his eyes sends a rush of energy through me—a bolt of adrenaline that has nothing to do with the game at hand.My cock twitches, the reminder of his release still lingering inside me doing something stupid to both my body and my brain.

“You’re lucky I’m wearing a cup, or everyone here would be getting an eyeful of myotherbat,” I utter just loud enough for him to hear.

He flashes me a quick wink before getting back into position. “Have fun trying to steal third like that.”

Fucker.