Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 122219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“Seems like the right choice to me.”
“Same here. So.” She handed me a fork to taste the rice dish in front of her. “Tell me how everything’s going with wedding planning. We’re right around the corner, huh?”
“Yup, and I am not ready.”
She smiled. “We never really are.”
We talked the rest of the evening about anything and everything—except for Nathan. I was happy his name didn’t circle back around. The last thing I needed to do was speak more about his bubble butt.
And yeah, okay. I’ve seen the behind of Nathaniel Pierce once or twice as he walked away.
Those two cheeks of his might’ve made me want to do a few squats, too.
After working so hard to avoid Nathan, I’d now have to spend time with him at least five days a week. I felt a strong amount of annoyance every time I saw his face. Each time I saw him, I was reminded of how he walked out on me and chose baseball over our love.
I hated him.
I knew it was silly, and I should’ve gotten over it after all these years, but there was something so cocky about him reappearing in my life, getting a job on my team, and acting like we were just supposed to be good friends after all that transpired between us.
I knew Yara was into her enemies-to-lovers romance novels, but this felt more like a lovers-to-enemies plotline without a cheesy happily ever after.
Everything about him made my skin crawl.
I hated how the guys on the team idolized him. How their eyes lit up with interest whenever Nathan spoke to them. I hated how he smiled his cocky smile whenever he’d teach the guys something, and they’d excel at it. I hated how he told me I was doing a great job.
Screw you, Nathaniel! Of course, I know I’m doing a great job!
I didn’t need his praise. If anything, I needed him to shut up.
I loathed that man. I hated how he smiled, how he spoke, how he smelled like oak trees soaked in lemon drops. I hated how he chewed gum. How he clapped his hands. How he wore a backward baseball hat. I hated his breathing pattern, and his eyes, and his stupid dimples.
How he cleared his throat.
How he snickered.
How he patted me on the back whenever I made a good call.
Don’t touch me, Nathaniel!
I hated everything about that man. I honestly didn’t know hate could be so strong, which made it quite confusing to me when my stomach would sometimes flutter whenever he was near me. Then again, there were those small glimpses of him that I didn’t completely despise. Those quiet moments when he interacted with the guys on the field.
After Nathan’s first few practices, I stood back and studied how Nathan coached Jackson Perk on Friday night. The practice was over for the rest of the team, but Nathan volunteered to stay back to help Jackson out.
Jackson was a solid player but he never enjoyed the attention. Nathan took notice of him, though. Nathan focused on the guys who hung out in the shadows more than the others who shone in the spotlight.
Jackson was quiet. I hardly ever heard him make a peep all practice, and he’d been on my team for the past three years. Yet as I watched Nathan teach Jackson how to reposition his batting stance, I noticed Jackson’s eyes sparkle with interest more than ever before.
“It’s all about the follow-through,” Nathan explained to Jackson as he held a bat in his hand, flexing every muscle in his arm as he demonstrated the swing in slow motion. “And don’t hold the bat too tightly. I know that’s a normal habit, but loosen up, and you’ll see it soar. Here, you try,” he told Jackson, handing him the bat.
Nathan placed a ball on the batting tee in front of the two, and Jackson got into place. With a slight sigh, Jackson rolled his shoulders back, gripped the bat, and swung as Nathan had instructed.
He struck the ball, and it went flying across the field.
Well, I’ll be damned.
I smirked, seeing the pride that shot through Jackson’s system. It was as if a wave of confidence filled every inch of his being.
“Hell yeah,” Nathan said as pure bliss fell against his face. He playfully shoved Jackson. “How did that feel?”
“Good,” Jackson quietly said with a nod. “Great.”
“Good, good.” Nathan placed another ball on the tee. “Now do it again and step into it more. Don’t be afraid to follow the swing.”
Jackson nodded in understanding and hit the ball with even more power. The smile on his face grew bigger. “Holy crap,” he breathed out, shaking his head in disbelief.
Nathan stood there proudly. He seemed to believe in the players more than they believed in themselves. “Told you. You got this, buddy. So it’s time you stop playing it small, all right?” He patted Jackson on his shoulder. “You are a star. Time to start shining brighter.”