Page 42 of I Wish He Would

“I mean, you guys couldn’t have hit one pitch?” Fletch turns to Hayden. “Isn’t that your entire job?”

Hayden holds up his hands. “Don’t come at me. You’re just mad because it was Tucker that got a no-hitter, not you.”

“Freaking Tucker,” Fletch mutters.

“You both played college ball at North Carolina, right?”

“Unfortunately. He made everything a competition since the day I met him. I’m sure he’ll be laughing himself to sleep tonight.”

“We’re getting off track here, guys,” Cooper interjects, then turns to me. “The pep talk isn’t about the loss.”

“We thought you might need a bro chat before your trip with Alyssa.” Dawson rubs his hands together. “Tell us your game plan.”

“Game plan?” I ask.

Hayden takes a sip of the water I threw at him earlier. “You’re going on a five-day vacation with your best friend that you have feelings for and you don’t have a game plan?”

“She asked me right before we went on the road. With all our games and practices, I haven’t had a chance to talk to her, let alone had time to think about the trip.”

“Well, what did she say when she asked you to go with her?”

“It was kinda weird.” I close my eyes, trying to think back on our conversation last weekend. “Alyssa’s the one who called me, but when I answered, she didn’t respond at first. And when she did, she asked if I would go to the wedding with her.”

“Then she just hung up?” Hayden asks.

“Yeah. She texted me the flight info later that day, but like I said, we haven’t talked since.”

Dawson frowns. “That doesn’t sound like the start to a great romance.”

“I thought this was supposed to be a pep talk?”

“Sorry.” He grimaces. “But we need all the facts, man. Is she still talking to that singer you mentioned?”

I shrug. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“How are we supposed to help when you know nothing?”

“I didn’t ask for help,” I mumble, but they don’t hear me.

“You’re lucky we showed up.” Hayden gets up and stands in front of us. “Dawson’s right—we need more info before we can make a concrete plan.”

Fletch claps. “I didn’t know you knew such a big word.”

“I have some choice words for you.”

“Focus, gentleman,” Cooper chides.

Dawson comes over and sits next to me on the edge of the bed. At least he’s on top of the comforter. “Call her.”

“Huh?”

“Alyssa.” He nudges me. “Call her and see how she’s doing. Get things sorted for the trip.”

“And see if she’s dating the guy still,” Hayden adds.

I quirk a brow. “You all want me to call her…in front of you?”

“How else are we supposed to help you make a game plan if we can’t see where your relationship currently stands?” Hayden retorts.