Page 52 of Wild Card

“Hey…that guy keeps looking toward us.”

I followed her line of sight, and sure enough, there he was—Elias Matthews. Tall and broad-shouldered, maybe from throwing all those fastballs, or the steroids. Either way, the guy was stacked like crazy. I internally compared him to Decker. Maybe I shouldn’t have, but Decker was a permanent fixture in my head and would forever be the standard I measured all men against.

“He’s smiling at you.”

Yes he was. What a flirt.

Hillary’s face whipped my direction only to return forward, facing the field.

“What’s going on?”

“He asked me to come watch today,” I explained, like that could answer all her questions. She knew he’d talked to me at that party, but she didn’t know about the grocery store. She was teamditch Deckerthough, so I had that going for me at least.

“How does this work into your plan?” my best friend whispered conspiratorially, brushing up against me.

“If you keep doing that, Miranda is going to kick my ass.” I leaned away from her.

“She doesn’t think there’s anything going on between us—she knows you’re straight.” She waved me off.

Yeah right. Hillary had just started seeing Miranda. My best friend didn’t know that her girlfriend had made it very clear that if I made any physical contact with Hillary at any time for any reason, she would cut that part off of my body. Girl had issues.

“So, what…is Elias your new lead?”

“I think so. There’s a story there…I just need to dig it up.”

“No.” Hillary stood and started stomping down the metal bleachers.

“Wait—where are you going?” Hil! Oh my gosh, stop.” I nearly fell face first into the dirt toward the bottom of the bleachers. Coordinated I was not.

“You aren’t risking your heart or your pussy for this story, not more than you already have. You can’t tell, but you’re already changing.” She stomped ahead, crossing her arms over her chest.

I quickly looked around to ensure no one had overheard her little tirade before running to keep up with her.

“Hil, what are you talking about?”

She spun on her heel, her face set in hard lines, her mouth a firm dash against her softer face.

“You spent last weekend with Decker…in his house. You talk about him more than you realize, you light up when you tell me the details about this little deal—but you also look like you lost your puppy when you explain the Taylor part of the story. And the fact that he totally ghosted you! You’re in pain over it, and here you are risking even more.”

I watched the grass at our feet as I considered her words.

“Yeah, maybe so…but I know the deal. This will actually help me distance myself from him. He’s not the only one who can spin a deal to his advantage.” The hairs on my neck rose as if I was being watched. I took a second to twist my neck and look behind me. Elias was watching us, but so was someone close to the dugout. A clipboard was perched in front of him, a dark ball cap covering his dark hair, and from where I stood, it looked like a glacial stare was aimed my way. I didn’t care. I couldn’t.

He’d ignored me for days, and now that Elias was smiling at me and—fuck—jogging over, he suddenly cared.

“He’s coming over here.” Hillary gripped my arm.

“Ow, tone down your grip, crazy.” I pulled my arm free, rubbing it.

“What are you going to do? Is that the other guy? He’s running over here too—my anxiety can’t take this.”

I reached down, threading my fingers with hers to hopefully help keep her calm. Hillary was ahit first, ask questions laterkind of person. Decker ran behind Elias as the captain slowed to a light jog in front of us. The fence separated us, but I could see his flirty smile and appreciate the way the sun glistened off his sweaty neck and face. He had a group of freckles along his cheeks and nose, which was cute. They paired nicely with his navy eyes.

“Party girl.” He beamed, grabbing the bill of his hat.

I shifted forward, about to ask if that was his intended nickname for me because it wasn’t my favorite, but my tongue wouldn’t work as I noticed Decker’s speed. His face was set in hard lines as he drew closer and closer until he rammed his shoulder into Elias’s side, forcing him a few feet away.

“I fucking warned you, E. Don’t.” Decker’s tone cut the distance; his eyes could have killed someone on the spot. His mossy green gaze narrowed, his dark brows forming a shelf, highlighting his dipped expression and severe jaw.

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