Page 97 of Stolen Bases

I’m not a dad, but if someone said shit about Rhys, I’d be ready to clobber them like the Hulk. Coincidently, that’s how Rhys looks right now.

Talia’s mom crouches down. “I’m Caterina. What’s your name?”

“Rhys.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Rhys.” She holds out her hand, and they shake. “I’m sorry my son was mean to your uncle.”

“He should say sorry. It’s the right thing to do. That’s what my mom says I have to do when I call my cousin Lily a mean jerk.”

“You’re right; he should.” She stands, hands on her hips, waiting for her son to comply. I’d take great pleasure in this if it wasn’t embarrassing for the both of us.

“It’s all good,” I interject. “Just some good ribbing between teammates, right, Romero?”

Nico lifts his hat and runs a nervous hand through his hair. “Yeah. All good.”

Caterina glares at him.

“Sorry, Miller.”

“Thanks,” I mumble as Nico spins around and stalks off.

Caterina turns to me and the rest of my family. “I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day.” She rushes after Nico, and the rest of the women in her family follow.

Talia and I stare at each other for a fraction of a second. So much unsaid. I fucking hate that I can’t go to her. Talk to her. Hold her. Kiss her. She’s my fucking girlfriend, and it’s killing me to have to pretend she’s nothing to me.

A woman who looks like Nico’s mother, only a touch taller and leaner, drapes her arm over Talia’s shoulders. I catch eyes with the older woman, who flashes me a wicked smile before winking at me. She pulls Talia away, whispering in her ear as they walk away.

Weird.

“Well, that was fucking weird,” Eli says exactly what I’m thinking.

“Eli!” everyone shouts.

“Yes,” Rhys yells, pumping his fist. “I get another swear present.”

Everyone groans. I guess we’ve all received the swear present consequence instead of the swear jar.

Eli lifts Rhys overhead. “How about some ice cream and we call it even?”

“Deal!” Rhys squeals as Eli tickles his sides and carries him away.

Everyone follows, and I’m left scratching my head.

What the fuck just happened?

Mason places a hand on myshoulder. “So that’s her, huh?”

“What?”

“Kid. I’m not an idiot. I’ve seen you watching her all day. And the way she reacted to her brother talking to you like that was a dead giveaway.”

I don’t bother lying. It’s not worth it. Besides, I’m tired of keeping this to myself. If I had my way, Talia and I would just rip off the band-aid and tell everyone about us already. “Do you think anyone else noticed?”

“Do you mean did her brother notice? No. He’s a bigger idiot than you are.”

“Hey. You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“I am. You’re still an idiot for falling for his sister. That dude fucking hates you.” Mason chuckles.

---