Operation: Third Base

I never thought I'd be the kind of person to go full spy mode, but here I was, hiding behind the bleachers during varsity baseball practice, heart pounding like I'd just stolen something. Which, technically, I had—Jace's attention, even if he didn't know it yet.

My cat Milo would be so disappointed. He was out there living his best life, probably judging me from wherever cats go when they vanish for hours. Meanwhile, I was crouching behind cold metal, trying to figure out if the way Jace adjusted his baseball cap meant he was gay or just habited.

"You gonna watch all practice or actually play?"

I practically jumped out of my skin. It was Chloe, sliding into the spot next to me like she'd been there the whole time. "What are you doing here?"

"Could ask you the same thing." She raised an eyebrow. "Also, you're blocking my view of Riley."

Oh. So we were both pathetic. Honestly? Relief washed over me. "He's got that arm though," I admitted, nodding toward where Jace was pitching. "Like, actually insane."

"Riley's better," she countered automatically. "But yeah, Jace is..."

"Different."

"Yeah." She pulled out her phone, cables dangling from a portable charger. "Wanna sit together at the game Friday? We can suffer through not talking to them together."

I laughed. Maybe I wasn't such a loser after all. "Deal."

Later that night, Milo finally returned, looking ridiculously pleased with himself. I scratched his ears. "You know what you little fox?" I told him. "I think this might actually work out."

He purred like he knew something I didn't. Probably did. Cats are sneaky like that.