Page 78 of Tagging Bases

Danielle gasps and claps her hands. “Of course, of course! Youmustgo. Family is everything, and it’s important to make a good impression on your future in-laws!”

I shift in my seat, uncomfortable with the realization that she’s made an incorrect assumption. “Uh, Danielle? I’m not dating just Charlie. I’m also seeing Daniel.”

I brace myself for her reaction. For a moment, she’s silent, which is a rarity for her. She stands there, unmoving and not blinking. “A throuple?” she finally says with awe and concern. “Harrison, honey, that’s quite a leap from your usual modus operandi.”

“I know it’s sudden, but trust me, it feels right. Charlie and Daniel aren’t flings. This is different.”

Danielle studies me intensely. The sunlight catches the glitter in her eyeshadow, making her gaze even more penetrating. “Different, how?”

I rub my chin, trying to find the right words to convey the depth of my emotions. “When I’m with them, I don’t have to put on a front or be anyone other than myself. They accept me, flaws and all.”

A smile spreads across her face, softening her features. “That’s wonderful, Harrison. Really, it is. I’m so happy you’ve found that kind of connection.” Her brow furrows slightly as concern creeps its way back in. “I want to be sure you’re taking care of yourself, though. A throuple dynamic can be quite complex, especially for someone who is used to keeping things casual.”

I reach across the desk and squeeze her hand reassuringly. “I appreciate your concern, I do. But I promise you, I’m okay. More than okay. For the first time in my life, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

“If you’re happy, then I’m happy. And I have to say, I’m impressed. It takes a great deal of maturity to enter into a relationship like this.”

“Thank you, Danielle.”

She waves off my thanks with a fluttering hand. “Nonsense, darling. That’s what friends are for.”

The rental carhums steadily as we cruise down the highway. I lean back in the passenger seat, letting the cool breeze from the AC wash over my face. It’s a welcome respite from the sweltering heat outside. It might only be May, but it feels like August.

I glance over at Daniel behind the wheel. His face is serene, and his strong hands grip the steering wheel at ten and two. But it’s his bare foot pressing on the gas pedal that gives me pause.

I raise an eyebrow. “Since when do you drive like a hippie?”

Charlie snorts from the backseat, and Daniel shoots me a quick grin. He shrugs as if it’s the most normal thing in the world to drive barefoot.

“A man’s gotta air out his feet sometimes.” He looks at me sideways, eyes twinkling as he wiggles his thick toes. “Plus, we’ve got a long drive ahead. Might as well get comfy, right?”

I can’t argue with that logic, even if the method is questionable. At least he’s wearing shorts, so the whole barefoot thing sort of fits into a summertime convenience theme. I shake my head, laughing at how unsurprised I am by all of this.

Daniel reaches for the dial and turns the volume up on the Niall Horan song playing on the radio. Staring out the window, the towering skyscrapers gradually give way to neatly trimmedlawns of sprawling suburbia before stretching out into wide-open fields under an expansive blue sky.

My shoulders unknot more and more with every mile we put in the rearview mirror. As much as I love the concrete jungle, sometimes a guy needs a break—a chance to slow down, breathe in some fresh air, and remember what quiet is.

I twist in my seat to face Charlie. “Is there anything I should know about your family that you haven’t already told me before we get there?”

Charlie rubs his hands together like a madman. “My parents are going to love you, H. I mean, if they can love this lug.” He reaches over Daniel’s headrest to ruffle his hair. “Dad’s a real salt-of-the-earth type. Tough as nails but a real softie deep down. And Mom’s the heart of the family. I hope you’re a hugger, because she hugs everyone who walks through the door.”

“They sound wonderful,” I say, genuinely warmed by the affection in Charlie’s voice. “What about your brother, Roy?”

Charlie’s smile turns wistful. “Roy is about eight years older than I. He’s the best brother a guy could ask for. You know he’s the reason why I got into baseball, right?”

I nod. “And does he love Daniel as much as your parents do?”

“Well…” Charlie’s eyes flick to Daniel, who stiffens at my question. “They’re not besties, but they’re not enemies, either.”

“Frenemies, then?”

“Eh…what would you call your relationship with my brother, Danny Boy?”

“Nonexistent.” His eyes remain on the road, and his knuckles turn white from gripping the steering wheel harder than necessary.

“Did you piss him off or something?” I ask, genuinely curious to know why Charlie talks about his brother as if he’s God, but Daniel acts as if he’s Satan.

“You’d have to ask Roy that one, Price. For as long as I’ve known the guy, he’s been cold toward me.”

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