Page 68 of Baseball and Shifters

Everyone is silent as we each process what just happened. My happy-go-lucky mate walked right past me and locked himself away. Whatever he’s going through, he’s choosing to go through it alone and that breaks my heart almost as much as the quiet sobbing I hear coming from his room.

It’s dinner time by the time he emerges from his room. Bas tried to get me to go back to my dorm, promising to keep me updated, but I refused. I’m not going anywhere until I know Lucas is okay.

His sad blue eyes widen when they land on me sitting on the couch.

“Moonbeam. You’re still here?” He looks like he hasn’t slept, shadows under his eyes and a tension in his jaw that makes my chest ache.

“Your couch is more comfortable than mine.” I shrug.

“Liar.” His eyes sparkle. “They’re all the same.” He walks over and sits down beside me, pulling me into his lap and burying his face in my neck as he wraps his arms around me. “I’m sorry for how I acted earlier,” he murmurs into my neck.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s okay to need space sometimes.”

“Yeah, but not from you,” he mutters, tightening his hold on me.

“Yes, even from your mate,” I argue, running my fingers through his hair.

“I just can’t believe they benched me.” His sad sigh breaks my heart.

“Theywhat?” Liam roars.

Lucas pulls his head back as if just realizing we’re not alone. He looks around at his pack, taking in their concerned expressions.

“Someone filed a report. They’re saying I’m dangerous. I’m benched for two weeks until they complete their investigation, at which point I’ll find out if I’m to be expelled or not.”

Oh my God!

The volume level in the room rises as my other three mates respond to Lucas’s declaration. I know on a logical level that the ire and rage flying around the room isn’t aimed at me but that doesn’t stop my fox from scurrying to the far reaches of my mind as I curl in on myself.

“Hey, Moonbeam,” Lucas whispers at me in a conspiratorial tone. “You have dinner yet?”

I nod my head and whisper back, “yeah, Derrick made me eat, he said there’s a plate for you in the fridge.”

“Perfect, then how about you sneak off to my room and I’ll grab my dinner and meet you there? By the time they realize you’re gone it’ll be too late and I’ll get you all to myself for an extra night.” He shoots me a wink and that’s all the permission I need to get out of this room.

By the time I’m in comfy clothes and curled up in Lucas’s bed, he’s stepping into the room balancing a plate in one hand and a drink in the other all while trying to shut his door as quietly as possible. When he succeeds, he makes his way over and joins me in his bed. He settles in and turns on the next episode ofShifter Seasonbefore he digs into his dinner. I must be tired because he’s not even halfway through his meal when I feel my eyes droop as I drift off to sleep.

Despite the reason for it, this week has been the best of my life. I’ve been spending every evening at the guys’ dorm getting to know my mates and I think I’ve finally fully embraced all of them in my heart. Lucas is still the only one I’ve had sex with but the way it strengthened our connection makes me eager to do the same with all of my bonds.

With Lucas suspended, he can’t attend any practices or games, so I’ve been keeping him company while the others are busy with baseball. I like to think I’ve done a pretty good job distracting him this week, but today is the big day. It’s the first time he’s ever missed a game and I can tell it’s weighing on him. He puts up a good front, but I know he’s worried about letting his teammates down by not being there. Even though it’s not his fault. There’s no telling him that though.

I wake up early and get dressed, putting on my number sixty-four jersey. Seeing me in his jersey is a guaranteed way to cheer Lucas up. He definitely liked it a lot last week. Rushing out of my dorm, I give the girls a hasty goodbye before heading back to my guys. I normally wouldn’t be up this early on a Saturday, but I want to see all of my mates before they leave for the stadium and wish them luck at their game.

I walk through the front doors of the boys dorm glad it’s not spelled to keep the opposite sex out like the girls is. It means I get to surprise them at their door instead of calling and having to wait for one of them to greet me outside. I walk through the empty lobby straight to the elevator, immensely grateful most everyone sleeps in on the weekends. I only see one guy in the corner chair sipping coffee and reading a book.

I gently knock on the door, waiting less than a minute before Derrick opens the door shirtless, hair tousled, sleepy-eyed but grinning like I just made his whole morning.

“Emerald!” He pulls me into a tight embrace and I melt in his arms. There’s something about being in his strong arms that just makes me feel so safe.

“Good morning to you, too,” I laugh into his chest.

He kisses the top of my head before pulling away to close the door. “Missed you,” he murmurs as he gazes at me with his intense green and gold eyes.

“You just saw me last night.” I can’t fight the smile. I know exactly what he means. I missed him too. For someone who never wanted mates, it sure is hard to go any length of time without them.

“Anything more than an hour is too long,” he agrees seriously.

“You’re so silly. Where is everyone?”

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