Page 20 of Stolen Bases

I need to get away from her.

“Cam,” Talia whisper-shouts.

Ignoring her is impossible as I look back at her.

“I’m sorry. I—”

“It’s alright, Talia. This isn’t your problem.”

“Tell me why he hates you so badly.”

Even if I knew the answer, I’m not sure I’d tell her. I don’t want her getting involved in whatever this feud is with Nico. He’s her brother, and she will always side with him. I don’t need her digging and Nico thinking something is going on between us.

Besides, it’s like she said—nothing can happen between us anyway.

Even though I like the way she looks at me. Me, Cameron. Not me, the MLB pitcher with a huge bank account. Or me, the playboy who has a different girl on his arm every week.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure it out.” My reply is shorter than I intended, but if it keeps her away, maybe it’s for the best.

“He’s not a bad guy once you get to know him. And now, I know neither are you.”

With a nod, I rush towards the glass door that opens directly into my room, leaving Talia behind. Her words follow me as I battle the pull she has on me.

Fuck, I’m so screwed.

After taking a shower, to rinse the jacuzzi smell off my body, it's too late to call Jace, so I dial Eli instead.

“‘Sup, dude? How’s AZ treating you?” he asks.

It’s quiet in the background, and I can picture my brother sitting in his leather chair at the office. He pretty much lives there.

“Hot as fuck. My balls can’t stop sticking to my leg,” I joke.

Eli chuckles, and sure enough, I hear the squeak of his chair.

“I, uh, kind of have a problem.”

Eli’s voice turns serious, his fix-it instincts taking over. “What do you need me to do?”

Damn, I love my brother. He doesn’t even bother asking what’s wrong; he just asks how he can help.

Expelling a breath, I let the stress drain from my body. “I met this chick at the restaurant I was supposed to meet Romero at. We hit it off, but—”

“Please tell me you didn’t fuck this girl in the bathroom or something. I’ll throw up.”

I bark a laugh, thinking about finding Jace and Rylann in a similar compromising position.

“No, nothing like that. We just kissed.”

“So?”

“So … I, uh, kissed Nico’s sister.”

He shouts into the phone, “Are you fucking crazy?”

Yes.Because I want to do it again.

“Don’t even think about it,” he grumbles, reading my mind.

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