Page 26 of I Wish He Would

“He’s not a rock star,” I mutter. “He’s just a country singer.”

Fletch shrugs. “Even better. There are lots of country love songs he can serenade her with.”

The image of Rhett Hayes serenading Alyssa onstage has me gritting my teeth.

“I think you struck a nerve there, Fletch.” Hayden smirks.

I sigh, tired of them trying to make something out of nothing. “There’s no nerve to be struck.”

“Maybe you’ve convinced yourself of that, but I’m not buying it.” Dawson reaches out and claps me on the shoulder again. “I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, man, but you’re in love with her.”

I sputter. Baseball has always been my main focus. Between practices, workouts, and games, I never made time for dating. Not even necessarily for my sake, but because I’m scared of that commitment being too much for someone, given how much time I spend away from home. When I date someone, I want to be able to give them the attention they deserve, not have them feel like they’re coming second to my career.

I’m not a date virgin by any means, but once I made it to the minor leagues, I decided to close off that side of my life to focus on my career. It’s worked out for me thus far, since my determination and grind got me to the majors. Yes, I make time for Alyssa, but I don’t understand why they think I could be in love with someone I’m not even dating.

“I don’t—” I shake my head. “I can’t.”

Hayden pats his own chest. “The heart wants what the heart wants, dude.”

I look around the group, waiting for anyone else to side with me. To tell me it’s a horrible idea to potentially ruin the friendship Alyssa and I have. But they all seem to be in agreement with Hayden.

“Think about it.” Cooper grabs his face mask from the ground. “You hang out all the time, so you already know that you like each other.”

“But how do I— How am I supposed to—” I drop my bat on the ground and clasp my hands behind my head. “Are there—I don’t know—signs that would tell me that I like her as more than a friend?” If everything about dating was described in baseball terms, it would be much easier to understand.

Where’s a first-base dating coach telling me what to do when I need him?

“We’ve got you covered, man.” Dawson rubs his hands together like he’s warming up for his big moment. “Do you think she’s beautiful?”

I raise an eyebrow. They’ve seen her, so I’m not sure why that’s even a question. “I mean, I have eyes.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Dawson smiles. “Does she make you feel butterflies?”

“Do guys even get butterflies?” I’m half joking, half serious.

“I don’t,” Fletch scoffs. “But I’m sure someone like Dawson here does all the time since he buys into all that romance mumbo jumbo.”

Dawson frowns. “Hey, most women are impressed with my knowledge of rom-com movies.”

Fletch tilts his head back and laughs. “You should never admit that out loud again.”

“Boys, focus.” Cooper sighs before looking at me. “Tell me this: Why do you find something wrong in every guy she dates?”

“I don’t,” I say.

Hayden tilts his head like he’s not buying it. “One time you said you didn’t like the guy because of the way his cowlick flipped.”

I cringe as I recall him. “It was right at the front of his hairline. Alyssa’s a hairstylist—it wouldn’t have been a good look for her.”

“Can’t you see, man?” Dawson blows out a low whistle. “You’re always going to find something wrong with any guy she dates because they aren’t you.”

Before I can think about the implications of what he said, Fletch jumps in. “Have you ever felt hot all over just looking at her? Or even thinking about her?”

I don’t want to answer the question. Because I don’t like the answer.

Fletch quirks an eyebrow and smirks like he knows the answer anyway. “Have you ever thought of kissing her?”

My cheeks flame.