Page 15 of Things I Wish I Said

Chapter eleven

GRAYSON

We’re in the lead with five runs by the time we leave the outfield for the bottom of the sixth, after I caught a line drive headed straight for my kidneys.

I jog into the dugout and reach for my water, taking a long pull before capping it and glancing back into the stands where I know she’s sitting. Despite taking me a minute to recognize her with the wig, I can’t seem to take my eyes off her.

She’s wearing a Nike baseball cap. Long, dark locks spill over her shoulders, and her skin has a little more color than when I saw her last.

She looks good, better than she did in the hospital and I’m glad to see it. Anyone else looking at her from this vantage point would think she’s just like any other girl here. They’d have no clue she’s sick.

A throat clears beside me, and I jerk my gaze away from her to where Cameron is watching me with a shit-eating grin.

“Damn, man. You’re here, you’re sober, and you’re playing like you used to.

I’ve been wondering what the special occasion is but didn’t wanna jinx it by asking.

But then I’ve watched you stare at that pretty little thing in the stands for the last hour, so I guess I already know. ”

I eye him warily. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready to bat?”

“Nah.” Cameron spits a spray of sunflower seed shells on the ground in front of me, removes his ball cap, and rakes a hand through the messy black curls. “We’re in the bottom of the lineup, which means we won’t bat for a while, which also means I have plenty of time to find out who this chick is.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, doing a pretty shitty job feigning ignorance.

He arches a brow in a look that tells me to cut the bullshit. “The hot brunette who’s been glued to my uncle’s side since the first inning.”

As if on cue, a tinkle of laughter floats into the dugout, drawing my attention. I tell myself not to look, but I can’t seem to help myself.

I glance at the stands, finding Ryleigh with her head tipped back, laughing at something Buddy said.

“Well?” Cameron crosses his arms over his chest, a smug smile playing on his lips.

I swallow, wondering what the hell to tell him.

When she first said she’d come to my game, I was at the lake, feeling guilty about Hannah.

Then I found out about her chemo, and I hadn’t given the game much more thought.

Including what I might tell my friends about her.

And now that she’s here, I find myself wholly unprepared to face the onslaught of questions I know are coming.

My gaze drifts to the right, and my stomach sinks. Hannah Waters is sitting only a foot from her. I pray she doesn’t approach me after the game. Even though I didn’t sleep with her the other night, Ryleigh doesn’t know that, and I don’t want her making assumptions.

“She’s just a girl I met,” I say, focusing my attention back on Ryleigh like it’s no big deal.

“Just a girl you met,” Cameron repeats, eyeing me closely. “Interesting, considering the girl you left the lake with is sitting just feet away from her, and I haven’t noticed you glance her way once, yet you’ve been staring at this chick all afternoon.”

Of course he thinks I left the lake with Hannah.

There’s no way for him to know I turned her down, then went home.

As for Hannah . . . well, I can’t speak for why she didn’t go back to her friends.

Maybe she wanted everyone to think we hooked up.

It wouldn’t be the first time a girl used me for bragging rights.

My gaze is cool, indifferent, as I say, “You’re exaggerating.”

“I’m not. You totally have, bro.”

“Whatever.” I grumble at the same time Ryleigh rises from her spot in the stands, drawing my gaze like a bullseye.

I track her movements, the blood in my veins heating when I get a glimpse at what she’s wearing.

The tight black biker shorts, paired with the black cropped tank, give me an excellent view of her body.

“Damn,” Cameron mutters beside me, and my head jerks .

Scowling, I fight the urge to tell him to keep his eyes the fuck off her, but snapping at him will only prove him right. Besides, I barely even know her. I have zero right to feel possessive, so why the hell do I care?

Maybe seeing her in the hospital spurred this feeling. I’m just being protective. Yeah, that’s it.

Ripping my eyes off her, I focus back on the game.

Thirty minutes later, after a win, we leave the team huddle and spill out of the dugout with our gear in hand.

“De Leon!” Coach calls.

I glance back at him, waiting expectantly as I sling my gear bag over my shoulder.

“I just wanted to say it’s good to have you back. I think that’s the first glimpse I’ve had of the Grayson I know in a while. Let’s keep it that way, huh, kid?”

“I’ll try, sir.” I swallow, unsure if I have it in me to keep it up or not as I step out of the dugout and behind the field to the dispersing crowd.

Hannah finds me first, flinging herself at me and curling her arms around my neck in a tight embrace. Behind her, Cameron’s eyes twinkle as he mouths, Clinger alert .

I flip him the bird, but all I can think of is how glad I am I didn’t fuck her. If she’s this clingy after making out, I don’t wanna know what she’d have done had we slept together.

Aware of our surroundings, I tactfully peel myself away from her, flashing her a polite smile before I take a couple steps back to put some distance between us. “Hey, Han. I didn’t know you were coming to the game.”

She shrugs, mouth tipping up in a smile. “I thought maybe we could hang out afterward? Maybe grab a bite to eat?”

I run a hand over the back of my neck, unsure of how to let her down without being a dick about it when someone nearby clears their throat.

Hannah turns at the same time I do, locking eyes with Ryleigh. Her pouty lips purse as her gaze darts between us, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes as she says, “She a groupie or something?”

My lips twitch while Hannah’s eyes narrow to slits. “And you are?” Her tone is bored, unimpressed, but I know better. Any girl with eyes can see how beautiful Sinclair is. Not to mention the air of confidence she wields like a knife, is every bit as sharp.

“Ryleigh Sinclair.” Her lips curve as she extends a hand to Hannah, which she takes with her fingertips, staring at Ryleigh like she’s not sure what to do with her.

That makes two of us.

“You lied.” Ryleigh turns her whiskey eyes on me.

I frown, assuming she’s talking about Hannah.

“I didn’t . . .” I shake my head, gaze fluctuating guiltily between the two girls, unsure if sex is what she’s referring to.

“You said you were decent at baseball.” She scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest in a way that reveals more cleavage. “I don’t know much about the game, but I saw enough to know that’s not true. Clearly, you’re talented. ”

“He’s going to George Mason on a scholarship,” Cameron chimes in behind me. “He even had the minors interested before he committed.”

I groan and bring a hand up to my face, though in truth, I’m relieved Ryleigh was referring to baseball and nothing else. “Seriously, dude?”

“What?” Cameron shrugs.

I grumble under my breath before I shake my head and glance back at Ry to see how she takes this. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to have your dreams ripped away from you, only to watch other people live them.

And I’m well aware I’m living Sinclair’s dream right now. It makes me feel even shittier for taking it for granted.

She purses her lips, her hazel eyes sliding over me. “You held out on me.”

“So, how do you know Grayson?” Hannah asks, her smile tight.

“Oh, Slugger?” Ryleigh grins. “He’s my baby daddy.”

I nearly choke on my own spit as Hannah’s jaw unhinges and Cameron snorts like a bull.

“Seriously?” Hannah croaks once she finally manages to pick her jaw up off the ground.

“No,” Ryleigh deadpans.

“Oh.” Hannah exhales while Cameron laughs like a fucking hyena.

“Dude,” he slaps me on the back, murmuring, “I like this chick. Where’d you find her? ”

“Yeah, Grayson. Where’d you find me?” Ryleigh coos, eyes sparkling.

Hannah glares at us before turning to me. “So, about dinner . . .?”

“Can’t tonight,” I say. “I already made plans. Sorry.” It’s the first time I’m grateful for the wish because avoiding Hannah seems prudent.

“Hence my presence.” Ryleigh smirks, catching on. “Remember that baby daddy comment I just made? I didn’t mean he was already, I meant we’re going to work on it.” She flashes me a megawatt smile as Hannah pales.

I open my mouth to speak, unsure of whether to buffer Ryleigh’s particular brand of humor or let it go when a red-cheeked Hannah tells me to call her, then stomps off in the direction of her friend.

“Oops.” Ryleigh watches her go, then turns back to me, nose scrunched. “Sorry. Hope I didn’t mess things up with Barbie over there.”

Cameron busts out laughing again, while I shake my head, my mouth a flat line.

I think if I expect one thing from Ryleigh, it’s to expect the unexpected.

“Are you ever serious?”

“Rarely.” Her smile is triumphant. “Maybe I read you wrong, but I don’t think you’re sorry you’re not having dinner with her.”

“No,” I say without hesitation. “I’m not. ”

“Then, you’re welcome.” She pokes me in the ribs, and I laugh, her touch lingering long after it’s gone.

“Dude, again, where’d you find her and where can I get one.”

“The want ads,” Ry replies straight-faced. “I applied for a fake boyfriend, and he answered.”

Cameron sputters out another laugh. “Good one.”

“Right?” Ryleigh laughs along with him, and I decide I don’t like the way he’s looking at her, not one fucking bit.

The interest I see there is a little too strong for my liking.

Ryleigh and I might only be together as a part of her wish, but it doesn’t mean I want Cameron moving in on her right in front of me.