Page 48 of The Strike Zone

“So I’m saying with my qualifications?—”

“Of liking me?”

“Yes. In my qualifications of liking you, I can wholeheartedly say that you will be awesome for this job. And you know what else?”

“What?”

“You’re a Lion. We were born out of adversity. We rise to a challenge, and we usually come out on top. If we don’t, then at least we tried. If you don’t want to apply for the job, then don’t apply for it. But don’t not apply because you’re worried you won’t be able to do it.” He sat back again, his eyes darting to the doors before back on me. “I have no doubt that you can.”

My cheeks burned at his compliment. “Thanks, Parker. I appreciate the support.”

“Hey,” he shrugged, “what are friends for?”

Smiling, I picked up one of the packets of Twizzlers and thrust it at him. “Want one?”

“Thought you were never going to offer.” He grinned, easing one out and biting down on it with straight white teeth, shining through his perfect smile as he stared at me.

It should have had my nerves in a tizzy with how intense it was, but perhaps my nerves at figuring out this job description had all been used up because I did nothing but smile and stare right back as the pair of us chewed down on our Twizzlers.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure?” he replied.

“Why didn’t you ask me out last year?”

A laugh bubbled up from his chest. “Because I’m an idiot.”

“Seriously—”

“Yeah, seriously because I’m an idiot.” He grinned again, though taking in my raised eyebrow, he leaned forward. “I guess the long version is that last season was hard. Ace started so badly, and we’re a team. The two of us play so closely together, and he was hurting. It was hard when he got benched. I wanted to give him all my support. If I’d asked you out, then I would have wanted to spend all my time with you, when Ace needed me and the boys. Then when he started pitching again, and I went to ask you out, you were dating Rangers Douche.”

I blinked a couple of times. “Oh.”

“So, I waited.” He stayed there, once more holding my gaze, until he pushed out of his chair. “I need to head to practice before my coach sends out a search party.”

“Okay.”

“I’m okay with waiting for you, Davison. I’ve already gotten good at it. Once you have the job, and you’re ready to date me. I’ll be here.” He winked.

My mouth dropped.

By the time he’d disappeared out of sight, I still hadn’t closed it.

It took a lot to shock me into silence, but Parker King seemed to have been managing to do it for the best part of a month.

And when the afternoon rolled around, a box arrived on my desk filled with Twizzlers and a note signed,For your next construction project,I realized how truly screwed I was.

THIRTEEN

PARKER

“Doc…you’re…killing…me…”

“One more minute,” Dr. Marnie Matthews replied, not showing any signs of giving a shit that I was about to die.

“I’m…gonna…be?—”

“Parker, if you stop talking it’ll be easier. Not to mention I can’t hear you through the mask anyway.”

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