Page 74 of Stolen Bases

It’s only six in the morning, which means it’s three in the morning on the West Coast.

Fuck it. I shoot him a text, asking him to call me. Putting my phone aside, I stretch and wait.

Mase:Why the fuck are you texting me at three in the morning?

Cam:Why the fuck are you answering me if it’s three in the morning?

Mase:Touché.

Cam:Can you talk?

My phone rings in my hand. I tap my earbud, answering Mason’s call.

“Is everything okay? Are you hurt?” His worry-filled question makes me feel like an ass for freaking him out.

“Shit, Mase. Yeah. I’m good. Didn’t mean to worry you. I just… I need to ask you something.”

“Must be important if you’re calling so early. Hold on.” I hear the bed shift. Emery groans in frustration, and Mason whispers, “Sorry, baby doll.”

Envy grips me with piercing claws as I listen to my brother coax his wife back to sleep. I’d love to wake up with Talia in my arms. Fuck, I’d like to just take her out on an actual date. We haven’t even had that yet.

I can’t be in love, can I?

“Cam, you there?”

“Yeah, I’m here.” I tug at my hair and lie back on the yoga mat I’m using in the hotel gym.

“What’s so important you needed to talk now?”

“Nothing. Never mind. I was being stupid.”

“You’re worrying me.Just tell me.”

If there is anyone I can talk to about this, it’s Mason. For a long time—after all the failed dates and relationships—he was jaded as hell. Now, he’s all loved up and the happiest I’ve ever seen him.

I know our experiences are different, but in a way, they are also similar. My experience with women hasn’t been the best. The women who throw themselves at me only want me for one of two things—to either fuck me or marry me for my money.

I’m in uncharted territory with Taila. I don’t know what she wants, and my feelings for her have a forever kind of sentiment attached to them.

“How long did it take you to fall in love with Emery?”

Mason chuckles. “That’s what all this is about? You met someone?”

“Yeah, kind of.”

“Who?” he asks.

“I can’t tell you.” My palms sweat as I look around the empty gym, making sure someone hasn’t come in and is listening to me.

“The fuck you can’t. We tell each other everything.”

“Do we?” I fire back.

Mason is an elusive fuck. He can be cagey with his personal life and feelings. It took the three of us to figure out what happened when he fucked it all up with Emery last year. And the three of us to help him get his act together and win her back.

“Yes, you dumb fuck. I know I’m not the best at expressing my feelings, but you are. You talk to me; I listen. That’s how we do. I know you, and I know you’re not the manwhore everyone thinks you are. And to answer your question, two and a half hours.”

“What?”

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