Page 83 of Hiding in the Outfield

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Barnes

I am cackling so hard right now.

Stone

Lord save me.

Just to be clear. If you touch my man, Olander. I will kill you.

TWENTY-NINE

JACKSON

I storm up the front steps of the townhouse, leaving the rest of the guys in my dust. I don’t think I’ve been this excited in my entire life. Not when I got drafted to play pro-ball. Not when I got the call-up to Triple-A.

Two fucking weeks. Our longest road trip of the season. And Frankie was in San Francisco. I don’t know why that made the distance harder, but it fucking did.

I throw open the door, and a thrill shoots through me. It was unlocked. Which means he⁠—

I pull up short. Frankie leans casually against the corner wall. His lips are curled in a soft smile.

Fuck me.

I charge forward and scoop him into my arms. His arms fly around my neck, legs locking behind me. I cut off his laughter with a kiss as I stride toward the stairs. My knee connects with the kitchen table. I curse and reluctantly pull back from kissing Frankie until I navigate us safely to the stairs. He tries to slip down, but my hands tighten.

“Nope. You’re not going anywhere.”

He chuckles. “Don’t be daft. You’re not going to climb the stairs with me. I may be lean, but I’m still a big man. I’m heavy.”

I start up the stairs. “What I’m hearing is you think I’m weak. Sounds like a challenge.”

He grins down at me. “You’re ridiculous.”

I pick up my pace and lift my brows.

“I swear, if we fall and break our necks, I’m blaming you. My mother won’t forgive you, Jackie-boy.”

We reach the landing. “See. Safe.” I start down the hall. “Don’t doubt these strong arms. They’re very capable of keeping you safe. Your mother can rest easy.”

The gold in his eyes flickers brighter, and my heart runs rampant in my chest.

“Speaking of my mother… The guys usually join me and Pao Pao at my parents’ house the beginning of All-Stars week. Would you want to come?”

I stumble to a stop just inside his room. “You want me to meet your parents?” I wince at how squeaky my voice came out.

He chuckles, and the low sound drips over my skin. “Breathe, dolcezza. It’s with the crew. Nothing serious. No labels. No pressure. Just…friends and family.”

Oh. Duh. Obviously, nothing serious.

I nod. “Yeah, I’d love to join.” I really, really would.

The beaming smile he sends my way has my world tilting off balance. I kick the door shut and make for his bed. I toss him on it, then blanket him with my body.

Then I finally kiss that smile.

It’s my favorite one. It’s not his teasing one. Or his seductive one. Or his sassy one. No, it’s his happy one. And I’m responsible for that.