Page 98 of Face Off With Fate

Then Itzel’s brows arched so high they disappeared into her curls. “Okay. So.” She held up a hand, composing herself. “You know he likes you. You like him. Why aren’t you doing something about it?”

My chest seized, the truth sitting too close to the surface.

“Because I like him more than I should.” My voice was quieter than I’d meant. “I don’t think I want a fling or a hookup with him...”

I think I want more.

Neither of them said anything.

I needed air. I needed the exit. I needed a cabin somewhere in the middle of nowhere with no cell service and absolutely no blue-eyed hockey coach to look at.

My gaze drifted back to the stage before I could stop it, because apparently I liked hurting my own feelings by looking at things I couldn’t have.

Blue eyes locked onto mine across the set like everything else in the room had stopped existing. His mouth moved, slow and deliberate, forming words I didn’t need to hear to understand.

We’re talking. Today.

THIRTY-TWO

MONROE

“DON’T BE A LITTLE BITCH, MONROE.”—ALL OF US.

The interview that morning had gone fine.

Better than fine, actually. Other than Graciella bolting on me.

I’d been halfway through pulling off my mic pack when I’d spotted her sliding out the side door. She’d vanished before I could talk to her.

And I needed to talk to her.

Which made standing on the mound at SAP Park in front of forty thousand people feel like a giant cock block.

“Coach Monroe of the San Jose Stars, everybody!” the announcer boomed through the stadium, dampening the rumble of the crowd.

SAP Park stretched around me in a sea of red and gold, the smell of garlic heavy in the evening air. The Miners mascot was beside me, hyping up the crowd more, but my attention drifted to the dugout.

Itzel and Graciella stood at the edge of the field. Their phones were raised, one filming me with an obnoxiously proud grin. Graciella looked beautiful in her skin-tight shorts and the Miners jersey that hung off one shoulder.

I adjusted my cap and stepped onto the mound, attempting to focus. The roar of thousands of people pressed against my chest. It’d been a long time since that noise had been for me. Heard it multiple times a week during the season, but it was for my guys.

Not me.

I caught Graciella’s eye, a smile spreading across her face as she sent a wink my way.

She’d cheer for me.

The crowd faded. Nothing existed but her, and I wanted her to always be there, on the sidelines, cheering me on. Same way I’d do for her.

I threw the pitch, nearly taking out my shoulder with how much effort I’d put into it. The thud of the ball hitting the leather catcher’s mitt had the stadium erupting. The catcher tossed me a thumbs-up as I jogged off the field.

Noise chased me as security led me back down the tunnel to our seats behind the dugout. My heart sank a little at the sight of Itzel sitting there—alone.

She had her hands folded in her lap, head turning toward me as I made my way to her.

“You did great out there,” she said, a shy smile splayed across her face.

“Thanks.” I dropped into the seat beside her and exhaled hard.