Page 131 of Lucky In Love

I could feel my cheeks heating when one of my neighbors walked by when we were still kissing, but didn’t feel shame or embarrassment. Everything about being with these two felt right for me.

They invited me to Sunday brunch, as Liam’s bar schedule that weekend would be busy. Donovan was going to help the Cruisers with some base coaching, as one of their coaches was out with illness.

My heart was still racing when I leaned against my condo door after the date. I could definitely get used to this. I couldn’t wait until Sunday.

The next morning, I had an emergency call from the baseball league. I was asked to go out to Kentucky right away, for a bonus, to work with the team posting inappropriate things. It meant I would have to reschedule my date with the boys, as I’d have to drive early on Sunday. I felt ridiculously disappointed despite only having had one date with them so far.

“It's okay,” Liam said, when I talked to him. I’d texted both, but Donovan was coaching that morning. Liam Facetimed me. “We totally understand. We were both baseball guys, and as it is, I think Donovan is going to have to go out of town, too.”

I felt relieved, but also a bit worried. “You guys said you never could keep a relationship going when you were on the team.” I didn’t mean to blurt that out, to force him into a relationship talk when we’d just started dating, but whatever was happening here felt important.

“Donovan and I lost touch before. I don’t want that to happen again.”

“Well,” he said, “Maybe that was our mistake, giving up too easily. Or maybe we needed this shared arrangement. Of course, I didn't have the right person to want to make me want to try before, either.”

It was amazing how I blushed and wondered if he could see it through Facetime. Normally, I wanted to text everybody, but I enjoyed seeing his morning scruff and hearing his low, raspy voice.

I told him which team I was helping, knowing he wouldn’t spread it around.

Laughing, he agreed they needed me. “Oh, those guys have gone rogue on social media. I think it's working for their tickets, though. I'd heard their rap about drinking beer at the stadium on TikTok before somebody took it down.”

“Yes, that was definitely colorful. I think it inspired them to hire me early,” I said.

I had gotten the files on that today, and listened to it, and while it was brilliant, it wasn’t great pr for the team.

“I bet you already have ideas,” Liam said.

“I do,” I said. “I'd love to talk them over with you after I meet with the people. Do you think Donovan will be busy all weekend?”

“I think he is,” Liam said, “but why don't you go ahead and text him? I'm sure he'd love to hear from you.

“I'll do that,” I said, blowing him a kiss as we said goodbye.

When I hung up, I held my forehead in my hand. What was I doing? This was never the way I did things. Chad and I dated for months before we slept together, which probably would have been a sign for me. He kept pushing it, and I was putting it off.

Donovan was in my memories as a sweet, funny guy, and that hadn’t changed. I remember meeting him at a coffee shop where we were both studying. He helped me when I spilled all over my notes. He jumped up and saved my laptop. Athlete reflexes. I wonder if he still had those reflexes, and how else they would be useful. And Liam looked at least as athletic as Donovan.

I forced my mind to stop the slippery slope towards fantasies. I wasn't sure what was going to happen with these two guys.

Maybe I could go to Hopeton or meet with Mandy and see how other poly groups worked. I knew there was another group in my building, but I mean, you can't really knock on the door and say, hey, how does sex work with three people? How does it work with dating? How did you all get together or are two of you married? No, I would have to find a nice way to ask Mandy about it.

I texted Donovan and wished him luck with the team and told him I had to travel and would miss our date.

He said he was sorry to miss it, but also had to work all weekend now. He said we could reschedule as soon as I got back.

Maybe I'll even cook for you guys. I texted. I used to love to cook. Chad was never fond of my cooking. There was always something he didn't like in it, or something not done to his specifications. Again, I should have had another sign.

If anything, offering to cook for these guys helped me see that I was definitely getting over Chad.

Chapter Four

Donovan

Two Months Later

Coaching was almost as hard on my body as playing. I sank into the small tub of my hotel room and tried to remember what day it was. I knew the Cruisers had just finished a three-day winning streak in Ohio, but other than that, I wasn’t sure.

My eyelids closed. Then they opened. Tomorrow I’d be home, and Saturday, Margot was going to cook for us. We’d had a few quick meals and lots of kisses during brief visits home, but in two days, it would be our first big date together.