Page 50 of Bad Ball Hitter
That’s it. I’m done waiting on the sidelines while Lila gets everything she didn’t even want. I will sort this out once and for all.
A cold, cruel smile forms on my lips as a vengeful idea forms in my mind. I’ll confront them tonight and make them face their unresolved feelings for each other. Let them rip each other apart while I watch the game from the sidelines.
The old Miranda would have cringed at such a spiteful plan. She wanted genuine, honest love, not some twisted game of power and control. But that Miranda is long gone, buried under disappointment and betrayal.
My gaze flickers back to the space where Drake and Lila had stood. My heart lurches painfully as I realize I’ve been made a fool.
Well, it’s high time for this fool to get her revenge.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Lila
I want to shout from the rooftops as I step into the late summer heat, clutching the best news of my life. The late summer sun warms my face, but the joy quickly chills as I realize I have no one to share this moment with—no one except my roommate’s boyfriend.
When did I become so isolated?
No best friend is waiting with a bottle of champagne.
No special guy is sweeping me off my feet with a congratulatory kiss.
No family is enveloping me in a tight, proud embrace.
The realization hits harder than I expected—a punch straight to the gut. The funniest part, perhaps the saddest, is that I never cared. I’ve been so consumed with putting in hours, saving every dime, and being a mom to Jake that I didn’t notice the world closing in.
I’ve been so focused on the goal that I forgot about the journey. The sacrifices I made, the connections I lost, all to get to this point. And now, standing here with zero friends around me, I feel the weight of those choices. There’s supposed to be a balance, right? A way to achieve your dreams without losing yourself in the process.
I haven’t found that balance yet.
But maybe it’s not too late. Perhaps I can start working on that now, open myself up to meeting new people, dip my toes back into the dating field, and reconnect with the world around me. It just won’t be with the guy standing next to me.
“So you’ll get me that business plan next week, and we’ll proceed from there.”
I smile up at Jett. “Yes, I’ll get the proposal to you next week.”
“And are you sure I can’t change your mind about next Friday?”
The date.
This is tricky. I didn’t want to chance Jett denying my loan request, but he doesn’t seem like the type to blackmail women into dates. He’s a good-looking guy who went through a divorce two years ago, all of which I found out over coffee.
I turned him down by using the age-old excuse of not mixing business with pleasure. I thought it had worked. Guess I should’ve known better.
I open my mouth to turn down his offer, but Drake steps beside me before I have a chance to speak.
“There you are.” Drake places his hand on the swell of my back and turns toward Jett, his free hand extended for a shake. “You must be the guy making our girl’s dreams come true.”
Our girl? What the hell is he getting at?
A noise that vaguely resembles a laugh escapes my lips. My smile is tight as Jett gapes at Drake.
“Y-y-you’re Drake Gunner.” His gaze bounces from Drake to me and back to Drake before registering Drake’s gesture. As if snapping from a trance, Jett shakes his hand, rushing his words. “Yes, yes. I’m getting Lila all squared away. She’s a hard worker, and I think she has what it takes to make things happen.”
“She sure does.” Drake draws the words out, and I can practically feel his smirk as he stares at me. I don’t know whether to be charmed or pissed. I’m leaning toward the latter. But the slight pressure from his fingers against my back awakens my desire, and I have to fight the urge to lean into his touch.
“Well, I can see why you turned me down.” Jett winks. Drake’s body stiffens. And I want to melt right into the concrete.
Not thinking, I say, “Oh, we aren’t?—”