Page 17 of Crew
While everyone continued to get ready for the game, I found myself lost in thought. Hooking up with Stratton had been fun. It was probably the most fun I’d had in a long time, but as much as I enjoyed having him in my bed or spending time in his, I couldn’t stop myself from wondering if I was letting him distract me from what I really needed to focus on.
Because baseball was the only thing that truly mattered.
7
CREW
I was finallyhome and waking up in my own bed. We were starting a seven-game home stand the following day, and while most of the time I wanted to relax at my place on an off day, I also wanted to know what Singleton was up to.
Before we’d left Arizona to head back to Denver, I’d grabbed his phone and sent a message to myself so we had each other’s number. While lying in bed, I debated texting him for all of three seconds before sending a simple:
What are you up to?
It took him less than a minute to respond:
Nothing. You?
Same. Want to grab something to eat?
Since we’d been on theroad for more than a week, I didn’t have any food at home. I told myself having lunch with a teammate was normal.
Yeah where?
I suggested a burger place close to downtown, and he agreed.
I got there first and grabbed a booth near the back, where it wasn’t as busy. A few people looked my way when I walked in, but no one approached.
Singleton strolled in a couple of minutes later, wearing jeans and a lightweight hoodie with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. It was warm enough to skip a jacket, but not quite short-sleeve weather. He slid into the seat across from me, his blue eyes flashing mischievously before he smirked. “Wasn’t sure you’d actually text me.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” I tilted my head slightly. We’d been messing around, and I was enjoying what we were doing, so why would I want to stop?
He shrugged. “Seemed like you might try to play it cool and only want to see me after games or when we’re on the road.”
I scoffed playfully. “Maybe I just wanted a burger.”
“Uh-huh.” His grin didn’t fade as he picked up the menu. “So, this is what we are now? Lunch buddies?”
I chuckled, flipping open my own menu. “What? You want me to wine and dine you instead?”
He pretended to think about it. “I wouldn’t say no.”
The waitress came by, and we placed our orders. The second she left, Singleton stretched out his legs, bumping mine under the table. It wasn’t an accident.
And I didn’t move away.
“You really just wanted a burger?” he asked, his voice low, teasing. “You could have texted anyone else on the team, but you chose me.”
I held his stare, keeping my expression unreadable. “What do you think?”
“I think you like hanging out with me.”
I shrugged. “You’re not the worst company.”
He beamed like he knew exactly what game we were playing. And maybe I did like hanging out with him. More than I should.
The food came, and we ate while talking about baseball, random stuff, and anything easy. Anyone looking at us would see two teammates, nothing more. But under the table, his leg stayed pressed against mine. A small thing, but it sent a rush through me because it was our little secret.
After we finished eating, I tossed some cash onto the table, and we stepped outside.
