Page 84 of Left on Base

Uhhh, what? Is he actually about to approach me in public? Walking together is one thing, but half his team is here.

Wait… he is! Oh my God.

Shit. Act normal.

I inhale fast and try to act casual. I probably look jittery as hell. At least Nathan bailed when he saw Jaxon coming.

“Hey,” Jaxon says, calm as hell, so unlike me right now. “Can I talk to you?”

“Yeah. What’s up?” That’s chill, right? Maybe he won’t notice I’m freaking out since a guy was just asking for my number. The only reason I gave Nathan my number was because Jaxon was with Inez, and I honestly thought they came together—or wereleaving together. And now he’s coming up to me in public, so I have no idea what to think.

He drags his stunning blue eyes over my body but doesn’t smile. He looks upset, though I can’t tell why. “Oh, uh.” He shrugs, but this time there’s a smirk. Then: “I just didn’t want you talking to him.”

Jealousy looks good on him, not gonna lie. “Jaxon.”

“Who is he?” His breathing shifts, and I swear there’s a flicker of sadness in his eyes.

“Who’s who?”

“That guy.” He nods at Nathan.

I fight off a smile. “Jax, that’s Nathan. You literally went to grade school with him.” I gesture to where Nathan stands in the corner.

He glances over. “Oh. Huh. Guess it is.” Silence. He sighs. “So, are you talking to him?”

“I mean, just now, yeah.” I shift my weight, aiming for relaxed. “He asked when opening day was.”

“Why?” The way he’s staring at me makes my stomach flip. “He doesn’t even like softball.”

“I don’t know. Maybe he wanted to go?”

He tilts his head, chin up, watching me with that sharp intensity. Then he smirks. “Orhe wants to fuck you,” he says, totally matter-of-fact. The words just hang there, electric.

I stare at him. I kinda want to punch him. (I have, before. Story for another day.) “Jaxon, not all guys want that.”

“From you, they do.”

My cheeks go hot. Embarrassment, shock—both. “Wow.” I fold my arms. “You’re such a dick.”

He looks sad, like he knows he screwed up. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

I look away. “Then how did you mean it?”

His eyes meet mine. “Just that you’re hot.”

I hold his gaze, trying not to lose it. “Well, it sounds like you’re saying nobody would date me for my personality.”

“I’m sure guys would—but you don’t let them see your personality. Unless it’s me.”

“Whatever.”

“I wasn’t saying you’re not beautiful and cool as fuck, Cam.” He leans in, our shoulders pressed together. “I’m just saying you get their attention first with your looks.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Can you blame me for being annoyed? Am I overreacting? Probably. I’m worried that’s the only reason we keep falling back into this situationship. That he only wants me because I’m hot and he wants the sex. Deep down, I don’t think that’s it—but doubt is a bitch.

“Shit.” He sighs, hangs his head. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I didn’t mean it as a bad thing.”

“I know.” I force my shoulders to relax. I’m clearly reading into this too much.

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