Page 89 of Pitcher Us
Callie turns to cuddle up next to me. “Will,” she mumbles. “Thank you. I’ve never had this. Before you, my ideas were always shut down and that’s me talking about normal stuff outside of the bedroom. I thought it would have gotten better when I got into Yale, that maybe they just needed that superficial proof that I was competent. But I’ve never had someone that doesn’t look at me like I’ve lost my head when I talk or suggest something until you. You make me feel safe to be myself no matter the context.”
My entire being hates that her independence and outspokenness were viewed so negatively—to me they’re everything.
“That’s their loss. To them you’re Calliope, but to me you’re my Callie. I love when you let me take care of you. If there ever comes a day when you don’t speak your mind or tell me you want something, I’m going to handcuff you and give you so many orgasms you’ll be blurting out every thought in your head just to make me stop. But then that won’t work because I love to hear your voice.”
Callie snorts a small laugh but doesn’t say anything.
“Oh, are we looking for that punishment now?” I tickle her side, and her laugh comes out loud and beautiful.
“No, please stop.” She giggles and tries to push away from me.
I chuckle at her fighting me, but when she gets even an inch away, I stop and pull her back to my side. My hand runs up and down her back as she tries to even her breath, and I'm reminded that she’s still wearing my jersey. “When did you steal this?”
Callie’s arms tighten around me as she snuggles deeper. “I might have stolen it after saying bye to your sisters. It was in the bag by the door! It was too tempting.”
“It looks good on you, Callie. I don’t know how I’m going to put it on tomorrow and not get immediately hard at the reminder of you in it.”
Callie shrugs and I can hear the smile in her tone. “Maybe you’re just really excited about baseball?”
“I’m really excited about something.” I kiss the top of her head.
“Hey, Will,” she whispers. “I’m impatient too. Let’s tell everyone this week.”
Chapter 37
Callie
“So, you’re sure about this?” Will asks as he pours me a cup of the lemon ginger tea thathe madefor us first thing this morning.
My heart swells in my chest as he hands me my mug before he grabs another for himself. His sisters stopped by before their drive back to Rowley. Before they could even step in the door, Will informed them he wasn’t sharing me this morning.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” I say, taking a small sip. My eyes shut briefly as I feel the burn all the way down. “Mmm, I know you’re just a delivery boy, but I think you need a promotion. This has got to be one of the best cups of tea I’ve ever had.”
Will chuckles. “I think you just like to inflate my ego.”
“I like to inflate something.” I dance my eyebrows at my innuendo, and he just laughs.
Will takes a small sip of his tea before setting the mug down and making his way around my island to the back of my stool to wrap his arms around me.
I lean back and let my head rest on his shoulder. “I don’t want to keep this a secret anymore and I’m okay with the consequences, but I can’t make that same decision for you. I know the no-trade is important to you for your family and losingthat is the best-case scenario, Will. You could get traded to another team or even sent back to assignment if Olsson wants.”
Will sighs and kisses my temple. “Callie, at the start I told you I didn’t know where this could go, but not anymore. I can picture it. I can picture us in every scenario you could possibly think of.”
Will takes my mug out of my hand and spins me around so I face him. He cups my face so gently. “There’s nothing more important to me than having you in my life. We’ll get through this week of games and on our day off we’ll both go in and talk to Olsson. We’ll make it work no matter what.”
My heart swells in my chest. “Okay.”
The smile on Will’s face and the relief in his eyes at my admission threatens to bring tears to my eyes. I meant what I said last night—I’ve never had anyone like Will. I know Adam loves me and he’s done a lot for me, but Will’s made me his priority, even when we were “just friends.”
I go to pull him closer as he leans in and kisses me slowly, passionately.
It’s a kiss that I never want to end, but unfortunately for us we both have to be at the stadium in a couple hours.
“Hey, I have to take a shower. Wanna join me?”
“What kind of question is that?” Will kisses my forehead. “I’ll get it started. Drink some more of your tea.”
I smile as I watch him make his way back to my bathroom. When I turn back around, I reach for my mug as soon as my phone starts to vibrate on the counter. When I register that the name on my screen reads Mom, I freeze. I know Adam told me to block both of them and after my run in with Nic, I did find the strength to block our dad.
