Catching His Heart (Love And Baseball Book 1)

by Kelsie Swaney

  “Why is this so important to you,” I said as I put the jacket on.

  “I don’t like how Clay reacted when he saw you,” he said quietly.

  His comment didn’t quite register in my mind at first but when it did I smiled. He really was jealous! He didn’t want anyone else looking at me the way Clay had. He selfishly wanted to be the only one who got to look at me like that, and honestly, that’s what I wanted too.

  I turned around and cupped his cheek. “You don’t have to be jealous Carson. I’m wearing your jacket, I’m going out with you tomorrow night, and I only want you looking at me the way Clay did.”

  I brought his lips to mine for a sweet kiss, which made him smile. He grabbed my hand and dragged me to our regular seats. Now this class was one I could focus in. I may not be hardwired for English but I soak psychology up like a sponge.

  Class started and I took notes, paying special attention to names and theories. After about twenty minutes I couldn’t focus, which is weird because I loved this class. Learning how the mind works fascinated me. Today though, I had Carson’s hand reaching over to hold mine, which demanded all of my brain’s attention.

  An hour later I hadn’t learned a thing, except that I love the feel of Carson’s thumb brushing over the palm of my hand. We walked out and I knew I had an hour until my last class. I decided to just hang around with Carson for another half hour before I had to go. That half hour flew by, and I knew I had to go, but that didn’t stop me from pulling him close for one last lingering kiss.

  I waved goodbye after kissing him and ran off to my next class, which was back in the building by where I had parked my car. When I got to class I took out my phone, I realized I hadn’t checked it all day, and thought maybe I would have a message from my parents. Instead, a text from Carson made me internally squeal in delight.

  Miss you firefly. I’m sorry I had to postpone our date when all I want is to be there by your side. I’ll come get you at 8 tomorrow night. Could you please wear those shoes? You know that they drive me crazy.

  Woah, yeah, definitely wearing the shoes tomorrow night, I decided. Just the mere mention of our date tomorrow caused butterflies to break loose in my stomach. I read his message a few more times before I remembered that I hadn’t replied yet.

  Miss you too. It’s ok, I know you would be here if you could. I hate that baseball is getting in the way of something so special though. I can’t wait to see what you have planned!

  Don’t worry baby, it won’t always be this way. College is almost over, and with it, baseball. After that you’ll just have to stick by me through the even tougher part, medical school.

  Don’t remind me! I know that’s going to be even worse, especially when you start your rotation at the hospital. It’s gonna be lonely nights and lots of missing you.

  I know, but we’ll get through it. It’s us against the world baby. For now though, you are supposed to be focusing, you are in class! Get to work. I know how hard research methods is for you, and I don’t want to distract you!

  I put my phone away and made an honest effort to focus. Carson was right. I do need to focus because my research methods class seemed to be the hardest class I was taking this semester. Let me tell you, I am far worse at doing psychology-related math than I am at English. Just like this morning, I couldn’t focus. My head was just too full of Carson to hold onto any information about statistics.

  After my class was over, I slowly walked out to my car. I had nothing to hurry for today. When I made it home I dropped my bag by the door and went upstairs. My mom and dad had gone out to dinner because they like to do date night at least two or three times a week, so I was on my own. I laid down on my bed and stared at my phone, missing Carson.

  My phone rang, and it was almost like I had conjured Carson’s call with my thoughts. “Hey sweetheart,” he said when I picked up.

  “Hey yourself stranger! I miss you,” I said with a pout.

  “Don’t pout honey, I know. I’m sorry. If it makes you feel better I’m stuck on a bus full of guys when all I want is to be with the most wonderful girl in the world,” he groaned.

  “It only helps a little. It’s whatever Carson, as long as I get my date, I’ll be ok. I just need us to have some time together that baseball can’t ruin. I don’t want to lose out to a sport.”

  “Honey, you could never lose out to baseball. You are the most important thing in my world, you always have been and always will be. You were there before baseball came into my world, and you are going to be there long after it leaves.” He took a deep breath and continued. “What I’m trying to say is that I know I’m not giving you the time you want right now, but you have me for the rest of forever, so overall you win. Baseball has nothing on you.”

  I heard the guys yelling in the background, telling him he was whipped. I smiled into the phone, knowing that he was going to get mocked for his sweet words. His words calmed me, showing me that he really wants to be here. He wants this just as much as I do.

  “Is it tomorrow yet,” I asked hopefully.

  “Not yet. I have to go baby, we are almost there and I need to get into the zone.”

  “Alright, text me and let me know how it goes.”

  “Will do baby. Dream of me tonight,” he said, his smile shining through.

  With that we hung up and I somehow managed to talk myself into getting homework done before going to make a frozen pizza. After that I vegged out on the couch and watched some really trashy reality TV until my parents came home at about ten. The TV served to numb my mind and keep me from wondering what Carson was doing right that minute. At about eleven I got a text from Carson telling me that they won. I hated that he didn’t text me right after, but I knew he was probably celebrating with the guys. I smiled and shot him a text telling him I knew they would, then went up to bed. He sent me a picture of him and Reed before telling me he was going to sleep on the bus.

  Going to bed babe. I’m going to sleep so good knowing I’m dreaming of you.

  Goodnight Carson! I’m gonna get some sleep too. I’ll see you in my dreams.

  The next morning I woke up excited. I had dreamt of Carson all night, and now I was going to get to see him tonight. I looked at a picture of us that I kept on my bedside table. It was from the night of prom. We looked like we fit together perfectly. God, I miss him way too much right now! I heard my alarm clock going off and focused back on the present. I went through my routine as usual, knowing Carson wouldn’t be in class today. He always takes the day after an away game off because he’s always so tired. I knew he would be so happy after they won yesterday, and he was probably wishing that I was there. He’s so used to celebrating every win with me. Knowing this made my classes seem to drag on, but finally I was watching the clock slowly tick down in my research methods class.

  After my day was finally finished, I ran out and straight to my car. I hopped in and flew home. My parents were home and they both hugged and kissed me and asked about my plans. They were happy to hear that I was hanging out with Carson tonight. My dad once again told me that he had “always liked that boy” in that father-knows-best tone. I made myself a super-late lunch and did two loads of laundry. After all of that I had an hour to kill until Carson was coming to get me, so I went into the bathroom and took out my stash of makeup.

  I didn’t wear makeup too often and when I did it would only be for special occasions like, for example, the first date with the guy of my dreams. I was almost done when I heard a knock at my front door. Butterflies took off in my stomach and I almost felt like throwing up. I told myself it was weird to be nervous, because this is Carson, my best friend, and the guy I’ve known and liked since, well, forever.

  I finished quickly, grabbed my purse, and ran down the stairs to open the door. He gave me a devilish look, like he was going to eat me alive, which didn’t bother me in the least. He grabbed my hand and pulled me outside. He quickly closed the door before laying a kiss on me.

  “You look so a
mazing baby,” he said with his brightest smile. He liked the fact that I was wearing the heels that drive him crazy, a white tank top, and a pair of black shorts that showcased my legs. My hair was in perfect beach waves that framed my face.

  Carson calling me baby nearly did me in. I melted into him, but was startled when he slipped something over my eyes. I reached up to remove it, but he stopped me and picked me up in his arms. I couldn’t believe that he had just blindfolded me.

  “Carson! What are you doing,” I squealed.

  “It’s a surprise baby. I don’t want you to see where we’re going, or what we’re doing until we get there.”

  I heard the sound of the passenger door of his truck being opened before I was deposited on the seat. Carson buckled me in and kissed my cheek before running around to get in. He turned our favorite country station up and held my hand while he drove.

  Since I couldn’t see the look on his face when he had talked about his plan I had to rely on my hearing to help figure out what he was thinking. I had heard the happiness in his voice but I also heard his hopefulness. He was unsure if I was going to like what we were going to do. I almost laughed, but then wondered if he knew that no matter what it would be perfect as long as he was there with me.

  After about 15 minutes Carson put the truck into reverse, which I only knew because I could hear the gear shift as he moved it, and backed up before parking. He opened his door and promised to be right back. I fumbled around until I found the button to unbuckle myself. I knew I could have just taken the blindfold off and peeked, but that would ruin his fun. Two minutes later my door opened and Carson lifted me out, carrying me somewhere.

  When he put me down, it was onto something comfortable. He put his hand to my cheek and told me he was taking the blindfold off. When he finally took it off I gasped. We were at the lake, the stars were shining, and there were hundreds of fireflies all around us. It was a picture-perfect moment! It was only made more perfect when I noticed that we were in the bed of his truck, a mattress making this the perfect place to lay out and watch the stars. I noticed blankets sitting in one corner which made me smile because he knows I get cold easily. I squealed and laid back, feeling so happy.

  He pulled out a picnic basket and smiled. The boy had thought of absolutely everything! I sat up and pushed the basket to the side. He smiled and I pulled him in for a kiss. I let him go and laid down again.

  “What do you think baby?”

  I took a moment to look around, a tear almost stinging my eye, I couldn’t explain how happy I was in this moment. “I think this is the perfect first date,” I said simply. I stretched my arm out to him and grabbed his shirt, lightly tugging him to come lay beside me.

  “Only the best for my girl,” he said as he scooted a bit closer.

  He rested his arm over my stomach and ran his hand up and down my side as he started telling me about his day. I told him about my day and, because of him, my inability to focus. We talked until my stomach growled, demanding food. He just laughed and reached over for the basket. He pulled out meatball subs from our favorite Italian place and I squealed. The boy knows me so well it’s almost scary.

  “You planned the perfect date Carson I didn’t think it was possible. You’ve set the bar pretty high for next time you know,” I said before taking a bite of my sub.

  “So, there is going to be a second date,” he asked.

  I saw his triumphant smile and my heart did that cliché thing, you know what I mean. Don’t make me say it. Fine, it skipped a beat. He really was perfect for me, and there was no way I could stop myself from wanting this. I was going to take my grandpa’s advice and believe in me and stop being so scared. I didn’t want to deny myself this happiness. I ate as I contemplated how to best explain how I was feeling to him.

  “Yeah, there is,” I answered and continued to eat. “I still worry about what could happen, but I would rather be happy and worried than not have you at all,” I said when I had finished eating.

  He stared at me as I finished eating, his sub long gone. His smile was growing by the second as he laid down and patted his chest. I crawled up and laid my head on his chest, using him like a pillow. We stared up at the stars and talked about what we were going to do after graduation. I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do, but he did. He was going to Harvard for medical school, he had already been accepted into their program and everything.

  After a while we grew silent, holding each other and just staring at the stars. I wanted so badly to tell him, the moment felt right, but something stopped me. I didn’t want to ruin what we had going right now. I don’t know exactly when it happened but we both dozed off.

  When I woke, the first thing I did was grab my phone and check the time. It was 4 in the morning. I quickly shook him awake and showed him the time. I expected him to freak out, but instead he pulled me back down and told me to go back to sleep. I figured if my parents were already going to kill me for being out all night, I might as well go for broke.

  I was shivering, so Carson grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around us. After a minute, I was still shaking so Carson cuddled me closer. I kissed his cheek and laid my head back down on his chest.

  “I hope you know that if we keep this up I’m not going to be able to sleep without you in my arms firefly,” he said quietly.

  “That’s the plan,” I said with a smile.

  After that we drifted off again, waking up at 8. This time it was him waking me up with a kiss. I opened my eyes to see him staring down at me. The rising sun behind him made for a perfect background for his smile. He had his hands braced on either side of my head and leaned down to kiss me again.

  “Come on babe, time to get up. I’ve got to get you home so you can get ready for class,” he said before kissing from my lips down to my neck.

  “You keep kissing me like that and I won’t want to go,” I said through a moan.

  He raised up above me and grinned. He rolled away and laid on his back, just watching the clouds move. I stared at him, taking in how perfect he looked in this setting. He was meant to be lounging in the back of a truck, so it was a little weird knowing that I could also see him operating on someone too. He looked over at me and sighed before sitting up.

  He jumped down out of the bed of his truck and held out his arms for me. I didn’t want to go, I just wanted to stay here where everything was perfect. Here there was nothing that could go wrong. Here my worries were gone and it was just me and him. Here we were in our own little bubble of perfection.

  “Can’t we just stay here forever,” I asked as I hopped down beside him.

  “Nope, sorry baby. You can’t graduate if you stay here,” he said with a laugh.

  “Hmmm, I don’t think I care. I think I’d rather stay here with you.”

  “I’d rather stay here too but we’ve got to go back. We can’t just hide from the world forever,” he said as he opened my door for me.

  “But it would be nice if we could,” I said as I got in.

  “Yes, it would be,” he said quietly before kissing me.

  He got in and drove us home. When we got there, he opened my door and helped me down, holding me in his arms instead of letting me go. He buried his face in my neck and kissed lightly.

  “You have no idea how much I want to keep you with me. I don’t want to let you go, not after holding you in my arms all night baby,” he whispered.

  “Then don’t. Let’s play hooky, just get in your truck and go somewhere,” I whispered back.

  He pulled away and sighed, laying his forehead against mine. “That’s a beautiful dream baby but we have to go. We are so close to graduating and reaching this goal. I don’t want to stand in the way of you getting this because I know you’ve always dreamed of standing up on that stage and graduating.”

  I sighed. I hated when he acted rationally when all I wanted was to be wild and crazy. I understood but at the same time I just wanted to spend the day with him. I kissed him softly before sli
pping out of his arms. If he kept touching me then there was no way I could back away and go inside.

  He reached for me and I took a step back. He moved towards me and I just shook my head. He didn’t stop moving though, he kept walking towards me. I turned and ran, turning around when I made it up onto the porch. He was right behind me, and he kept walking towards me until he had me backed up against the door.

  “One last kiss,” he said as he leaned in.

  His lips were inches from mine when someone opened the door. Before I even heard my mom’s voice my face was bright red. When my mom spoke though I turned around.

  “Alara! Thank god! We thought something had happened to you when you didn’t come home last night.”

  “Sorry about that Lira, we were up late talking, and we crashed,” Carson said as he pulled me so my back was to his front, wrapping his arms around my waist.

  My mom’s eyes narrowed. She knew something was up by the way he had his arms around me. I had purposefully not told her that I was going on a date with Carson because I didn’t want her getting weird and parental on me. I just wanted to enjoy this time with Carson.