Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2)(81)

Hello. Could this be the brother Ryan was all torn up over      in the barn? But curiosity gives way to nerves. I’ve never met a guy’s family      and I don’t know a thing about etiquette. “Nice to meet you.” There, isn’t that      what proper girls say?

“Are you sure? I’ve seen worms on hooks happier than      you.”

My lips twist up. “I’m Beth and we’re just friends.” Friends      who are dating, but I don’t need to broadcast my insecurities.

“Huh,” he drawls. “Ryan doesn’t bring friends to games. He      calls people distractions.”

Not sure how to respond, I focus on the game. Mark lowers      his voice. “Am I making you uncomfortable?”

I might as well be honest. It’s not like I could pass as      respectable for long. “Guys who invade my personal space generally make me      uncomfortable, but I don’t blame you. Ryan has space issues too. Must be      genetic.”

Mark laughs and it’s a boisterous laughter that causes      people to stare—even Ryan from the mound. Ryan’s eyes flicker between his      brother and me. A shadow crosses his face as he focuses on Mark. Not liking the      hurt he’s wearing, I give him a halfhearted wave and he gives me his      heart-stopping smile in return. Heat creeps along the back of my neck and marks      my face.

“Yeah,” says Mark. “You two are just friends.”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” I mutter.

Mark laughs again, but not as loudly. “My mother must hate      you.”

I should be insulted, but I’m not. If she ever met me, she      probably would. “Don’t know.”

“That’s okay. I like you.”

“You don’t know me.”

Mark gestures to the scoreboard. “We’ve got a few more      innings to rectify that. So, tell me, how did you meet my brother?”





Chapter 43

Ryan

UNLACING MY CLEATS, I stare      at the bleachers. Mark is here and he’s talking to Beth. Actually, he’s laughing      with Beth. Jealousy lurches inside me and I’m pissed at both of them. I’ve      texted and called Mark for months and I got shit. Beth smiles once and he’s      rattling like he’s on a talk show. And to top it all off, Mark’s talked to her      for a whole twenty minutes and Beth’s already laughing. It took me weeks to get      her to laugh with me.

I slam my cleat against the bench to knock the dirt off. Mark      is my brother, therefore he wouldn’t steal my girl. Not to mention that he likes      men. Several of the guys glance at me when I hammer my cleat against the bench      again. Logan raises a brow. I shake my head to stop him from speaking to me.

Resting my arms on my knees, I try to suck it up. Beth’s not      really my girl. We’re just friends who date because I screwed everything up with      her from the beginning.

“Ryan?” Coach waves me over to him. I shove my feet into my      Nikes and toss my bag over my shoulder. He probably has plenty to say to me. I      pulled the game out, but I cost us two runs in the last inning. Mark and Beth’s      friendly interaction distracted me.

“Yes, sir.”

Coach nods to a man in his thirties and a woman standing next      to him. They’re dressed in Sunday casual—jeans and nice shirts. “I’d like you to      meet Pete Carson and his wife, Vickie.”

I shake the extended hands—Mr. Carson first, then his wife.      “Nice to meet you.”

“Pete is a scout with the University of Louisville.”

I glance at Coach and try to keep the surprise off my face. He      knows how Dad and I feel about playing pro ball after I graduate. Mr. Carson      clears his throat. “Ryan, I’ve been scouting for the early draft and your name      is the one on everyone’s lips. I was wondering if you’ve given any thought to      our school.”

“No, sir. I plan on joining the pro draft after      graduation.”

“That would be a waste.” The words rush out of his wife’s      mouth. The three of us look at her and she laughs nervously. “Sorry, but it’s      the truth. I should introduce myself appropriately—I’m Dr. Carson, dean of the      English Department at Spalding University.”

“Uh-huh.” A very un-grammatically-correct response. Why do I      feel cornered?