Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains (Victoria and Elijah) novel Chapter 146

16:04 Wed, Jul 29

Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Hi, everyone!

I’m sorry I didn’t update yesterday. Exhaustion finally caught up with me, and I really needed the rest.

To make up for it, I’m aiming to post five chapters today.

Thank you all for your patience and continued support. I hope you enjoy today’s updates!

Victoria’s POV

The cool night air smelled of freshly cut grass, beer, and the lingering smell of sweat that always seemed to cling to an ice rink after a game.

The post-game celebration had spilled onto the large lawn behind Elijah’s apartment building.

Surrounded by towering oak trees, the space was alive with people. It felt like half the neighborhood had shown up to celebrate the Crosswell Blizzards’ win.

Neighbors stood in small groups, laughing and talking with players still dressed in oversized team jerseys.

Kids darted across the grass, weaving through the crowd as they played tag, while music blasted from a pair of giant speakers set up near the porch.

Everywhere I looked, people were eating, drinking, and soaking in the night’s excitement.

I was standing near the edge of the crowd, taking in the scene, when a warm hand slipped around mine.

Elijah pulled me through the swarm of cheering fans, his grip firm and grounding.

“Come on,” he muttered, bending down so his lips brushed my ear. “There’s someone you need to meet.”

He led me toward a tall man standing near one of the picnic tables, holding a tumbler of bourbon.

When the man turned around, my feet almost glued themselves to the grass.

Up until now, I had only seen Richard Carter on televised news clips or sports interviews, but standing right in front of him was startling.

Elijah was literally the spitting image of his father; the same carved jawline, dark eyes, and confident posture,

Seeing the two of them side by side made one thing completely obvious: our baby was inheriting some ridiculous genetics.

16:04 Wed, Jul 29

Chapter 146

“Discard formalities darling. Call me Richard.”

I smiled, easing up as I wrapped my fingers around his. His handshake was strong, welcoming.

He released my hand, glanced over at Elijah, and let a knowing smirk play at the corner of his lips.

“You’ve done well for yourself, son,” Richard said, giving Elijah an approving look before turning his full attention to me.

A warm smile spread across his face.

“So, Victoria, tell me about yourself. How are you doing? And more importantly…” He leaned in slightly “How’s my son treating you? Is he behaving himself?”

“Dad,” Elijah groaned, shaking his head. “You don’t have to interrogate her.”

“I am not interrogating her.”

Richard didn’t even spare him a glance.

“I’m conducting a performance review. I need to know if you’re treating her right so I can decide whether you deserve a pat on the back… or if I need to whoop your ass.”

A laugh slipped out before I could stop it.

Elijah sighed dramatically and shook his head.

“You two have fun. I’m going to see the guys.” He gave my waist a gentle squeeze before stepping away. “And Dad, try not to scare her off.”

Richard waved him away without missing a beat.

“I make no promises.”

Left alone with Richard, I found myself straightening instinctively.

I’d seen him countless times on the news and splashed across the pages of business magazines.

Richard Carter was always described as ruthless. Cold. The kind of man who could dismantle a company before finishing his morning coffee.

I’d expected him to have the same intimidating presence in person.

Instead, standing beneath the soft glow of the patio lights with a glass of bourbon in one hand, he reminded me of my dad. Calm. Grounded. Comfortable to be around.

“So, Victoria,” he said, gently swirling the bourbon in his glass. “You’ve officially graduated. What’s next for you?”

I leaned against the brick pillar, feeling myself relax.

16:04 Wed, Jul 29

Chapter 146

“I’m starting my master’s in Civil Engineering at State this fall.”

His eyebrows lifted with interest.

“Oh?”

69 voucher

“I want to specialize in structural engineering,” I said. “The kind of work that’s behind bridges, commercial buildings, major infrastructure… making sure everything is safe, efficient, and built to last. I know it probably sounds a little nerdy.”

He chuckled.

“Not to me.”

That made me smile.

“I’ve always liked figuring out how things work. Civil engineering is basically solving problems before they become disasters.”

Richard’s dark eyes locked onto mine, his chin tilting up slightly as his full attention focused on every word like it mattered.

He didn’t check his phone, glance over at the crowd, or swirl the ice in his glass. He just listened, his head nodding in steady, deliberate beats as I mapped out my focus for the upcoming graduate program.

When I finished, he reached into the inner pocket of his tailored jacket and pulled out a sleek, matte-black business card, handing it to me.

I took it, my eyes tracing the clean, gold lettering across the heavy cardstock: Halcyon Infrastructure & Engineering.

My eyebrows pulled together in confusion as I looked up at him. “Wait… Halcyon? You own that?”

He nodded. “I do.”

“I thought you owned Carter Motors.”

A knowing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Carter Motors is the name everyone knows. Halcyon does most of the building behind the scenes.”

I frowned.

“The highways… the port expansion… those were Halcyon projects?”

“They were.”

“But everyone thinks Halcyon is independent.”

Richard’s smile widened.

16:04 Wed, Jul 29

Chapter 146

“Most people do.”

I stared at him, completely speechless.

Richard let out a soft chuckle, clearly entertained by how impressed I looked.

“When Carter Motors needs a new manufacturing plant, a proving ground, or another facility, people assume we hire outside contractors.” He took a sip of his drink. “Sometimes we do. A lot of the time, Halcyon wins the bid.”

“So you’re…”

“Hiring myself?” he finished with a smirk.

I couldn’t help laughing.

“That’s… actually brilliant.”

“I prefer efficient.”

His expression softened as he looked at me.

“Which brings me to why I gave you the card.”