Page 42 of Switch Hitter

“Yeah. I did.”

Andres’ eyes flick to Jackson, then back to me. He steps closer, voice calm, the kind he uses when he’s talking someone down from a ledge.

“Then don’t sabotage it,” he says simply.

Kai points at me like he’s calling a play. “If you want him and you want to be with him, do it. Fuck everyone else.”

I bristle. “You make it sound so easy.”

Gael’s gaze goes steady. “It can be.”

His voice is gentle, not accusing. “Faith isn’t punishment,” Gael says. “It’s not supposed to be.”

Jackson’s eyes soften. “You’re allowed to be loved out loud.”

I stare at him, because hearing that from someone on my team, someone who knows what it feels like to be scared, makes my chest ache in a way I don’t have a defense for.

Andres steps in last, quiet but firm. “Give your family a chance before you decide they won’t support you,” he says. “I know how Catholics make it seem like it’s eternal damnation,” he continues, and there’s something real in his eyes now. Something that tells me he understands more than I thought. He glances at Jackson, then back at me. “But honestly? Sometimes love surprises you.”

Jackson’s hand brushes Andres’ for a second, like an agreement.

“He’s worth it,” Andres adds.

Something in my chest cracks because I realize Emiliano is worth it. And I’m tired of living like my happiness is something I have to earn through suffering.

“I know he is,” I whisper.

Kai claps his hands once. “Okay! Great emotional growth! Now can someone please explain to me why Brooks and Mike have been acting like a married couple for the past two months?”

Gael sighs like he wants to disappear. Jackson snorts, and Andres’ mouth twitches.

I blink. “What?”

Jackson gives me a look like I’m behind. “You seriously haven’t noticed?”

“No,” I say, because apparently I’ve been busy losing my mind.

Right on cue, Brooks and Mike walk into the lobby arguing over something stupid, like always. Brooks is grinning and Mike looks like he wants to murder him.

Brooks sees us and immediately narrows his eyes. “Why do you all look like you just had group therapy without me?”

Kai points at him. “Because we did. Also, you and Mike are obvious.”

Mike freezes and Brooks blinks.

“We’re what?” they say in unison.

Gael mutters, “Oh my God.”

Jackson laughs quietly.

Andres leans toward me, voice low. “See? Not just you.”

Brooks turns to Mike, eyebrows lifting. “Are we obvious?”

“If you would shut the fuck up half the time, maybe it wouldn’t be.” Mike’s ears go red.

Brooks’ grin turns delighted. “Oh, we’re so fucking obvious.”