Page 56 of Baseball and Shifters

Liam’s eyes grow impossibly wider as the idea sinks in. “I really said all that to her? I would have never said the things I said if I had known I was really saying them to her. I thought it was a dream. No way would she beg for me like that. Not after how I’ve treated her.”

“She needs you just as much as she needs us, Liam,” I say with conviction.

He paces the room until he suddenly stops and swears.

“I have to get out of here. She’s going to wake up soon and if she sees me… If she finds out the dream was real… I don’t know what I’ll do. I’m not ready yet, guys. I’m trying.God, I’m trying. But I don’t want to rush it. I don’t want to hurt her again,” he mutters.

“Considering what an ass you’ve been, I’m sure you will. But don’t worry, I’ll be there to kick your ass every time you do,” D smirks.

And with that ever so pleasant threat, Liam is running… again. At least this time no doors are slammed.

“I’ll go after him.” D says, shaking his head. “You guys have a fun day planned today, right? Going to the market? Here, buy my Emerald something pretty.”

He tosses a few bills on the counter between us before dumping his coffee into a travel mug and following our reluctant pack member out of the dorm.

Walking into the farmers market, Rachel’s eyes go wide with excitement as she takes in all of the booths. I can’t help but pull her into my side and plant a kiss on her forehead. We take our time strolling past the vendors. Rachel’s joy is contagious and I feel the bond vibrate in my chest with her happiness. The bond has gotten stronger since last night and I wonder for a split second if the dream has anything to do with that. Her head’s on a swivel as we walk, trying to take in all that there is to see. Fresh flowers, handmade candles and soaps, jewelry, clothing, and even some cool looking spray paint paintings.

“Anything catching your eye, Moonbeam?” Lucas asks, voice teasing as he pulls her into his side.

“Everything looks amazing,” she says in awe, eyes darting around. “But I think I want to check out the food vendors first. I’m dying for a coffee, think they have some?”

“That’s the best thing you’ve said all morning,” Lucas jokes, rubbing his stomach.

“The best?” Rachel snarks back, raising an eyebrow. “I seem to remember you being pretty intrigued by some of what I had to say this morning.”

Lucas’s cheeks turn red confirming my suspicion that they weren’t sleeping when I knocked this morning. The two of them make such a pair, her in that soft purple dress that makes her glow and Lucas, always effortlessly charming in his casual jeans and worn hoodie. They’re light and dark in every way, and somehow it works. I’m so happy to see Rachel coming out of her shell and accepting us as her pack that I can’t even find it in me to be jealous. We weave through the crowd, the scent of some sort of sweet treat beckoning us forward. Turning the last corner we can finally see the row of food trucks and booths laid out before us. There’s so many options, I’m not sure where to go, but a squeal from Rachel tells me the decision has been made.

“Are those crepes? I’ve read about those before! Can we get some please?” Her excited rambling is adorable and I know there’s no way Lucas or I would say no.

I could never deny her anything she wants but especially not when she looks at me like that.

“Of course, Firefly, want to start with crepes or coffee?” I ask.

“Ummmm…” Her pink tongue pops out adorably as she weighs her options.

“How about you and Bas go grab us some crepes and I’ll go get coffee.” Lucas offers.

“Perfect, thank you!” She exclaims with a little hop before she plants a soft kiss on his cheek.

I feel a flash of jealousy at their easy affection. But it’s quickly wiped away when she wraps herself around my arm and tugs me towards the food truck aptly named Crepe Expectations. When we get to the window to place our order, her eyes go wide again. They have a menu of about fifty predesigned crepes and a wholebuild your own option as well. I can see the gears in her head turning as she considers which one to get.

“How about you pick out three for us all to share, so that way we can all try more options?” I offer hoping to help her make a decision.

Her eyes light up at that suggestion and this time I'm the one awarded a cheek kiss.

“Thank you, Bas, that’s a great idea,” she says to me before turning to the woman standing behind the window waiting on our order. “Hi, can we please get one Cheddar Affair, one ChocoBerry Dream, and one Cereal Killer.”

The woman jots down our order and takes my card before directing us over to the pick up window to wait for our order. Standing in the bright morning sun next to my mate definitely makes the waiting more fun. The way she looks in the pretty purple dress she’s wearing today nearly steals the breath from my chest. Her black hair is pulled up in a messy bun on top of her head leaving her neck, and by default my mark on her, fully displayed. My eyes trace up the tiger slinking down her neck before landing on her face where I find her chewing on her lower lip.

“What’s on your mind, Firefly?” I ask, gently prying her lip free and planting a soft kiss on her abused lip.

“I already saw something I’d like to get Lucas for his birthday, but I have no idea what to get for Liam. I feel bad, I want to get him something but we haven’t had much time together and I’m not sure what he likes.”

I can’t help the grin that spreads over my face. We are so lucky that fate gave us such an amazing mate. Even with the way Liam has been acting, she’s still concerned about picking him out the perfect gift.

“Liam’s not as complex as he wants everyone to think, Firefly. You want to know what he loves?”

She nods her head enthusiastically.

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