Page 50 of Baseball and Shifters

I shrug because, well, he’s not wrong, and flip him off over my shoulder as I make my way back to the kitchen. Figuring I can just camp out in my room while Rachel is here, I begin to gather some snacks and a drink to take back with me. I’m leaning over, head buried in the back of the fridge, looking at the offerings when a knock on the door makes me jump and whack my head on the top of the fridge. I right myself rubbing the spot on the back of my head that will surely be a goose egg by morning and I hear D answer the door inviting Rachel inside.

I turn to face them, arms wrapped around the pack of hard salami, bag of cheese cubes, and sleeve of crackers I intend to take with me but when I see her it’s like my heart stops. I can feel myself go slack-jawed, as my snacks hit the floor. Rachel is absolutely gorgeous. I have never seen her in anything other than the long sleeves and full coverage she prefers but tonight she is wearing a Nightclaw baseball jersey with my brother's number on it. Her golden skin looks sun kissed and her bright smile makes her face even more alluring than normal.

My wolf whimpers in my mind, begging for a chance to make her smile like that because of us. The thoughts that raced through my mind on the ride home flare back to life with avengeance. I have to get out of here. Hurrying to gather my fallen treats and my drink I try to slide past D and Rachel and make it back to my room unnoticed. I’m almost in the clear when I hear my mate call my name.

“Liam,” she calls out softly and I turn to meet her eyes. “Is it okay that I’m here? Would you prefer it if I left? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable in your own dorm.”

“No, stay.” I snip at her.

When she flinches at my tone my shame deepens. I’m not trying to scare her. Do I remind her of her father? If I do I definitely don’t have a shot in hell at making this right. This is all too much. I turn to leave but this time I feel a hand on my arm just above my elbow stopping me. The second contact is made, a warmth floods my soul and I know without a doubt that she is my mate as the bond flares to life. Turning back to her I see the shock in her eyes at what she’s just done.

“I-I just wanted to say thank you. For, you know, saving me from Trent the other night. So, um, thank you,” She murmurs.

I look to where her palm still rests on my bicep only to see the most beautiful watercolor fox wrapped on my arm. The playful expression on its face makes me smirk and I love that she is wrapped protectively behind a large black tail. Moving slowly so I don’t spook her, I set my drink on the nearby table, grabbing her hand, I gently flip it to see her mark. From the palm of her hand to almost the crook of her elbow, a large photorealistic black wolf covers her arm.

Oh no, it’s huge. How is she going to cover this? I just put my mate in so much more danger.

For the second time tonight, my snacks fall to the floor as my heart seizes in my chest. Taking a move from my mate’s playbook, I turn towards the front door and run. Within seconds I’m down the stairs and bursting out the back door of the dorm. I don’t stop until I’m fully in the woods. Shifting, I let my wolf takeover for a while as I curl up in the back of our mind and berate myself for endangering my mate.

I don’t deserve her and never will.

Rachel

Derrick and I stand in awkward silence for a minute after Liam storms out. My heart pounds in my ears, the slamming of the door echoing in my chest. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until Bas’s door opens.

“Did I hear the door slam? What’s going on?” Bas asks as Lucas joins us, towel still slung over his shoulder.

“Where’s Liam?” Lucas asks, frowning “Was that him, slamming things? If he’s being an ass again I swear I’ll kill him.”

“Well, Emerald here got her last mate and then he ran.” D supplies causing me to hang my head.

“I thought that was my job,” I say with a self-deprecating chuckle. “I think I messed up big time, guys. I didn’t mean to force him into something he wasn’t ready for.”

The words taste bitter on my tongue and my chest burns as I remember the look of fear and dread on Liam’s face. Bas makes his way over to me and wraps me in a hug.

“He’ll be okay, Firefly. Just give him time to come around.”

My system calms a bit when I’m in his arms, I feel like I can breathe again after whatever that was. Pulling back, I run my eyes over him. He’s wearing grey sweats and a fitted white T-shirt with his hair still damp and damn does he look good.

I look around, appreciating my guys, and it only takes me a moment to realize I’ve missed some sort of grey sweatpants memo. Lucas and D are dressed almost identically to Bas and I have to swipe at my mouth to make sure I’m not drooling.

“Did you guys plan this?” I ask, gesturing to their outfits.

“Plan what, Moonbeam?” Lucas asks with a smirk, tossing his wet towel through his doorway to land in a heap on the floor of his room before he stalks closer to me.

“You did, didn’t you?” I gasp in mock outrage.

“Not sure what you mean. I just threw something on. I can take it off if that’d make you more comfortable,” Lucas offers, pulling his shirt up.

I have no doubt he would completely strip right now if I let him, so I hastily grab his arm, halting his movements. I’m hot enough with them all fully dressed. I don’t want to think about how turned on I’d be if they took it off!

“That’s ok! You can keep it on,” I all but shout as his warm laugh lights up his eyes.

“You sure, Firefly? I don’t mind walking around shirtless if it gets your eyes on me,” Bas chimes in unhelpfully.

“Hey! It’smybirthday! If she should be ogling anyone, it’sme,” Lucas grumbles.

“She’s got your number on her back. I think you’ll live if she checks out her other mates.” Derrick rolls his eyes.

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