Page 52 of Single Glance

It wasn’t even a close game. We couldn’t pretend that a couple of wrong moves caused the loss. There were so many errors, it was hard to keep track. And a lot of them happened in the outfield, the blame landing squarely on my shoulders.

My whole body sagged as I dropped my head between my knees. The rest of the team filed out when the umpires called the game, ready to hit the showers and wash away our defeat. But I remained, looking out at the field, wondering if I just hammered the final nail into my coffin. A small, pathetic part of me wished other teams would give up after my poor performance. However, a much larger part of me wanted to earn my place on the Hawks, to prove that I was an asset on the field.

Our social media manager, Melanie, walked out ontothe field, her heels clicking in a strange rhythm on the grass. She let out a quick breath when she spotted me. “Oh good, Cam. Weber wants you on camera. Media room in five minutes?”

“Do I have to?” I ran my hand over my face. “I can’t promise I’ll play nice tonight.”

“Try.” Melanie gave me a tight-lipped smile. With her wavy black hair tucked into a tight bun, and her signature dark red lipstick, she might have looked like a corporate angel, but there was no messing with Melanie’s work. She was the first one to get players in line and made sure we were cordial with the press.

Without another word, I rushed into the locker room, taking a quick shower before making my way into the media room. The Hawks logo behind the table felt like a mockery, our mascot hung his head in shame.

As the media pestered me with questions, I tried to keep on a placid expression, one that showed my disappointment, but made the fans believe I’d be back in it next game. But would I have the chance to redeem myself? Or would there be another closed door meeting in my future, where I was told to pack my stuff and head off to some other city?

After the last reporter finished questioning me, Melanie unceremoniously dropped me back at the locker room, muttering something about wrangling interns as she stomped past.

When I walked inside, my teammates sat silently in front of their lockers. Normally, we’d chat and talk after the game, whether we won or lost. Each win was celebrated, and the losses were a chance to grow and improve. Not tonight. Instead, the air in the clubhouse clawed at my throat, heavy as fuck and thick with the sting of this loss. And sure, there were two more games left in the series, butthe first one set the tone. The Rebels kicked our asses, and we couldn’t even blame it on their superior skills.

I gathered my stuff and muttered a quick goodbye before rushing out to the crowd, hoping that there wouldn’t be too many fans waiting for me. All I wanted was my girl. Like that ray of sunshine at the end of a rainstorm, Hadley’s face was the first one I saw. She said nothing as I walked up and pulled her into a tight hug. No, she just let me hold her, not caring who watched us. Her nails ran through the back of my hair when my head dropped onto her shoulder, and her spring scent washed all my worries away. She didn’t say a single word as I held her, didn’t even squirm, even though I held her too tight.

This was something.Wewere something. No matter what happened next, this thing between us had to be enough to overcome it. Because seeing her here, giving me exactly what I needed, was the best thing that had happened in a long time.

Even if the worst happened, and the Hawks traded me, this brief period would be worth it because I got to be with her.

Hadley pulled back and brushed her fingers along my jaw. “Ready to get out of here?”

I nodded and took her hand. We walked side by side down the hall toward the player parking area. Once we cleared security, I tugged her back to me and kissed her lips.Quick, soft.Nothing like what I’d planned to do to her tonight. But right now, my head was too messed up to even think about anything more.

“About tonight…” I shook my head. “I’m in a shitty fucking mood, Hads. If you want some space?—”

She placed her hand over my mouth. “I don’t care, Cam. If you need space, I’ll give it to you. If you want to beat thecrap out of a pillow and gorge yourself in chips and dip, I’ll do that too.” Hadley pulled her hand away, but ran her fingers over my jaw. “Just let me be there for you.”

I took her hand in mine and kissed her fingertips. How had I been so wrong about this girl? I wanted to go back and kick my past self for my assumptions about this girl. Hadley was the opposite of flighty and weak. She was a well of strength, and instead of hoarding it for herself, she used it to help others.

“You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time, Hadley McKay.” The words came out quietly, almost like a solemn oath between us. Her deep ocean eyes flicked up to meet mine, and her mouth fell open. Maybe it was too much too soon, but I no longer cared. Everything else in my life was up in the air. My housing, my career, shit, even the next day, wasn’t guaranteed. The only thing I knew for sure? I wanted Hadley in my life.

For the longest time, I’d convinced myself that all I needed was Emilia and baseball. As long as I had those two things, nothing else would matter. I buried any doubts and loneliness down so deep, even I’d believed the lies. At least, until Hadley showed back up in my life. And the moment that we’d connected, all the answers became clear. It wasn’t about having a person by my side, a nameless person to slide into the role—I needed Hadley.

I reached down and tugged her into my arms. Once Hadley wrapped her arms around my neck, I lifted her up in the air, carrying her over to my truck. She smacked me on the arm. “Cam! Let me down! You’re going to hurt yourself.”

“Baby, you’re out of your mind if you think that’s the case.” I placed her in the passenger side of my truck and used my body to cage her in. She beamed up at me, herlower lip tucked between her teeth. I used my thumb to loosen it, then traced the indents left behind. “You sure you want to stay with me? If you’d rather go home, I understand.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Cam? You’re not getting rid of me.” She rolled her eyes, but a smile played on the corners of her lips. “Better get to used to having me around, you stubborn ass.”

“Yup,” I smirked as I leaned down to kiss her. “And you have no idea how much I like the sound of that.”

Thankfully,I’d already checked into the hotel before the game, so we avoided the crowds in the hotel lobby. Word had spread among some fans that some of the team crashed at this hotel on game nights, and the bar was likely already full of people hoping for autographs or more. Most nights, I didn’t mind. Hell, it was an honor to sign their balls or other mementos from the game. But tonight, I had zero interest in reliving the evening, recounting all my fuck-ups for the world to tear apart. I just wanted to be alone with Hadley.

As the elevator doors closed, she let out a quiet sigh, and I reached out and took her hand. Even with just the two of us, she didn’t breathe easily until the doors opened and she scurried off into the hall.

I took an extra second to watch her walk away. After a few steps, Hadley paused, realizing I wasn’t with her. She turned back to me with an uneasy grin. “You okay, Cam?”

No. Not even a little. The trade conversation had fucked up my head, and there was nothing else I could do. It hung over my head like an axe. Every time my phone jostled with a message, I bristled, wondering if this was the moment everything changed.

But as I stared at Hadley with her welcoming smile, and for the first time, I wondered if it was all worth it. If I’d be willing to give it all up for her and Emilia. What would life be like if I weren’t a baseball player? I’d never imagined doing anything else, but it might be time to reconsider. If playing the game meant another five years of moving around the country, never sure when I’d see my family again, then I wasn’t sure I could do it.

Hadley’s brow furrowed, staring at me like she knew where my thoughts had wandered. I swallowed, the weight of my words settling heavily on my tongue. All I wanted was to tell her the truth, to lay everything on the line. But everything was so new, and I didn’t know where Hadley stood. She’d already proven to be a flight risk, and I didn’t want to push her until she was all in like me.

So instead of laying all my secrets at her feet, I stepped off the elevator and took her hand, expecting her to lead me down to the room. But even as I moved, she stayed planted in the same spot, tugging me until I had no choice but to pause as well.

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