Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains (Victoria and Elijah) novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Victoria’s POV

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The small hospital room was practically overflowing with people, but for the first time in days, the air didn’t feel so heavy.

Nate and Leo were standing near the foot of the bed, whispering back and forth while quietly arguing over who got to eat the rest of the steak meals Adele and I had prepped.

Adele sat perched on the right edge of my mattress, holding a warm bowl of soup, while Elijah occupied the chair on my left, his hand resting securely over my knee beneath the thin blanket.

We had just ended a video call with my parents. The second Elijah had realized I was stable, he had reached out to my mom and dad, filling them in on what happened.

My mom had nearly cried through the screen, fussing over me until Elijah gently promised her he had everything under control on this end.

“Open up, Tori” Adele instructed, lifting a careful spoon of chicken broth toward my mouth. “The doctor was very clear. You need actual nutrients, not just IV fluids.”

I pressed my lips together, shaking my head slightly. “Adele, I’m really not hungry right now.”

Before I could sink deeper into my refusal, Elijah shifted in his seat.

He didn’t say a word, but the stern, unyielding look he gave me was enough to make my protest die in my throat. I knew that look.

Reluctantly, I leaned forward and took the soup from the spoon.

Truthfully, a quiet, selfish part of me didn’t want to get better too quickly.

I was terrified that the moment I was fully back on my feet, the soft, attentive care Elijah was showering over me would vanish, and the icy distance from before would return to swallow us whole again.

I wanted to hold onto this closeness for as long as I possibly could.

A phone chimed from near the door. Jace pulled his mobile from his pocket, checked the screen, and let out a short sigh.

“Duty calls,” Jace murmured, slinging his jacket over his forearm. He looked over at my bed, offering me a warm, genuine smile.

“I gotta head out and take care of something before turning in for the night. Feel better, Tori. And don’t let Carter overwork your nerves while you’re lying there.”

Elijah shot Jace an immediate, icy glare from his chair.

I let out a soft chuckle, but the laughter faded almost instantly, replaced by a sudden, hollow knot of guilt in

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Chapter 142

my chest.

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“Jace… guys, I’m so sorry.” I spoke up, my voice dropping as I looked around at the room. “You’re all supposed to be at the house resting. The championship series starts on Saturday. You shouldn’t be wasting your energy sitting around in a hospital room because of me.”

“Are you serious right now?” Leo interjected, rolling his eyes as he stepped closer to the bed. “Tori, shut up, respectfully.”

“Yeah, pause on the guilt trip, Victoria,” Miles added, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “Do you honestly think any of us could execute a decent play on Saturday if we knew you were lying here alone? We’re a team. Your health comes way before some game.”

“Way before,” Nate agreed, giving my foot a gentle tap through the blanket. “Besides, watching Carter sweat through his shirt in sheer panic earlier was better than any pre-game workout.”

A warm, overwhelming surge of affection hit me so hard my eyes stung. These were the same guys I used to admire from the sidelines, never imagining I’d one day be part of their circle.

And now, here they were, standing around me like family. The way they showed up without hesitation eased something tight in my chest.

After a few more minutes of banter, Miles, Leo, and Nate said their goodbyes, promising to check in tomorrow morning before their final light walk-through on the field.

The door clicked shut, leaving only Adele and Elijah in the quiet room.

Adele set the empty soup bowl on the bedside tray, then reached over and squeezed my fingers.

I looked at her, watching the soft lamp light reflect in her eyes, and a quiet, profound wave of gratitude swept

over me.

Over the past few months, Adele had quietly transformed into the truest best friend I could have ever asked for.

She had held me while I wept, defended me when I was wrong, and stood by my side through every painful lesson.

Holding onto her hand with my weak fingers, I felt fresh tears slip hot and silent down my cheeks.

“Thank you, Adele,” I whispered, my voice thick. “For everything. I don’t know what I would do without you.” up with moisture, though she quickly shook her head, fanning her face with her free Adele’s own eyes welled hand.

“Oh, stop it right now, Victoria! You are not making me cry in front of your boyfriend. I have a reputation to maintain.

Despite her protest, she leaned down, wrapping her arms around my shoulders in a tight, affectionate hug I held on just as tightly, burying my face against her shoulder.

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