Page 35 of Switch Pitching

Okay, I’ll admit that Carter’s attractive as hell. I can’t fault Ethan for being into him, but I also can’t tell if the smile he’s returning to Carter is excited or just polite.

My face is giving everything away, though, because when Ethan glances over to check in, he motions for Carter to wait and rushes over immediately.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” asks Ethan, sounding concerned.

Shit. I look like an asshole. “Huh? Nothing, I’m fine.”

I’m fine except for the fact that I purposefully took you here because I wanted you to get some but then the minute someone starts working you over, I feel like crap and wish that we could just leave?—

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m doing okay, I’m just?—”

Ethan’s expression is blank, and he’s probably wondering what the hell is going on.

“—kinda tired. I’m going outside to get some air.”

At that, I turn around and head for the door.

I step onto the sidewalk and start walking toward Wellesley Station. Maybe I’ll walk all the way home and clear my head.

Suddenly, someone grabs my shoulder. I swivel my head back, and it’s Ethan.

“Dude, it looked like you were about to pass out in there,” he says. “Did someone make a move on you and make you uncomfortable?”

Yeah, I made myself uncomfortable and I never do that. What’s going on with me?

Ethan senses my confusion-slash-discomfort and puts a hand on my shoulder again. “Look, don’t feel bad. Besides, nothing was gonna happen between me and that guy.”

“Really? You two seemed into each other.”

Ethan scratches the back of his head. “Yeah, he was hot, but he kept telling me a bunch of filthy things that he wanted us to do. He was coming on way too strong.

“Isn’t filthy good?”

Ethan huffs. “Yeah, but I’m not about to go back to a guy’s house five minutes after meeting him, then lock him in a box.”

“He actually asked you to do that?”

“Yeah. I mean, I’m not one to kink-shame, but I don’t like the idea of going that far when we don’t know each other.”

Letting that sink in, I exhale. “I guess I should get better at picking men for you?”

Ethan lets out a single laugh and punches my shoulder. “I don’t need your help with finding men, James. I appreciate it, but I’m okay to take care of that myself.”

“Ethan? Are you keeping secrets from me? I thought tonight was the first time you talked to a guy in ages! Are you secretly tearing up MeatMarkt without me knowing?”

“I’m honestly a little concerned that you even know what MeatMarkt is. Besides, I’mnoton it, let alone tearing it up. Our contract might have something to say about us using depraved hookup apps.”

The tightness in my chest loosens as I let out a laugh. It’s cooled down outside, which helps lower my temperature, but I still can’t shake the weird feeling from before.

As we walk in silence, I try to convince myself that it’s just me being protective of Ethan. That’s it, right? Yeah. It’s because I care. I’m protective because we’re close. And if he ended up with someone weird, I’d have to hear about it, deal with it, and watch out for him. That’s all it is.

13

ETHAN

This is just great. Somehow, during the first home game after our road trip, I manage to sprain my leg. Everything hurts. My instructions are clear: one day of complete, uninterrupted rest. At least we’re back in Boston, so I can sleep in my own bed instead of on some strange hotel mattress with scratchy sheets.

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