Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains (Victoria and Elijah) novel Chapter 166

Maple Syrup and Mayhem

Victoria’s POV

86

65 vouchers

The morning sun flooded through the high timber windows, painting the cabin’s kitchen and dining area in a warm gold.

The aroma of sizzled bacon, toasted maple syrup, and dark coffee filled the air, making the entire place feel alive.

“Pass the maple syrup!”

“Hey, leave some bacon for the rest of us, man!”

“If you touch that last pancake, Nate, I swear I’m taking your baseball glove.” Adele yelled.

Plates clattered, forks scraped against ceramic, and laughter echoed off the wooden beams overhead.

I sat near the middle of the long dining table, completely content to just soak in the warmth of the room.

Beside me, Elijah shifted in his seat, leaning his head down until his lips were barely an inch from my ear.

His hand rested lightly against the small of my back, fingers tracing slow, comforting circles through the fabric of my sweater.

“How are you feeling?” he murmured, his breath brushing against my neck. “Any nausea? Headaches?”

I couldn’t help the chuckle that burst out me. I turned my head slightly, meeting his dark, attentive eyes, which were filled with an almost comical amount of concern.

“Elijah, I’m completely fine,” I whispered back, a soft smile tugging at my lips. “It was just a slight stomach bug. You’re going to make it painfully obvious to the entire team if you keep hovering like this.”

Instead of looking guilty, a sheepish grin broke across his handsome face. He reached up with his free hand, gently pinching my cheek before trailing his thumb down to my jawline.

“I can’t help it,” he admitted quietly, his eyes softening as he looked at me. “I have to make sure my babies are taken care of.”

A warm flush crept up my neck, spreading straight to my cheeks.

I ducked my head, focusing intently on spreading butter across my toast to hide the blush, though the small, victorious smile on Elijah’s face told me I wasn’t fooling him for a second.

Before he could tease me any further, Natasha stood up at the head of the table, tapping her glass with a butter knife.

“Alright, listen up, everyone!” she called out, her voice easily cutting through the morning chatter. “Boys, girls, pay attention!”

1/4

14:45 Tue, Aug 18

Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains

The clinking of silverware slowed down as heads turned toward her.

86

55 vouchers

Natasha folded her arms, looking around the room like a drill sergeant inspecting her troops, though a bright, excited spark lit up her eyes.

“Starting this afternoon, the actual fun begins,” she announced, pulling a small folded piece of paper from her pocket.

“I’ve spent the last three weeks putting together a master itinerary for this trip, and I expect full participation from every single person in this room.”

Jace leaned back in his chair, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he crossed his arms behind his head.

“Nat, just a quick reminder–we’re all twenty–one and older here. I really hope these games of yours are designed for our maturity level…”

Without missing a beat, Natasha grabbed a thick slice of dinner roll from the bread basket and hurled it straight across the table.

Jace ducked with practiced agility, bursting into a loud laugh as the roll bounced harmlessly off the wall

behind him.

“How old do you think I am, Jace?” Natasha shot back, raising an eyebrow. “Trust me, the schedule is fully approved for adults.”

“Does this itinerary include mandatory naps?” Miles called out, his mouth half–full of waffle. “Because that’s my main priority.”

“No naps, Miles,” Natasha said, shooting him a warning look before looking down at her list. “We’ve got an ocean party, a bonfire, a lakeside movie setup under the stars…”

She paused, her voice softening just a bit as she leaned against the counter.

…and a dedicated night set aside for a hearty one–on–one session. It would be a night where everybody gets a chance to sit down with someone in the group–or a few people–and say what hasn’t been said. Clear up past friction, talk out old misunderstandings, or just express some appreciation for each other before life takes us in different directions.”

The whole table quieted down, the idea settling over the group.

Surprisingly, nobody groaned or cracked a joke. Everyone seemed to instantly agree, nodding along with the

concept.

My heart squeezed gently in my chest. I actually found myself looking forward to that night.

With everything shifting so fast between us: graduations, future plans, new relationships–a heartfelt, honest conversation was exactly what half the people in this room needed.

Natasha smirked, shifting her gaze directly onto Jace.

2/4

14:45 Tue, Aug 18

Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains

“So… do I have a little more credibility now, Jace?”

:

Jace threw his hands up in peaceful surrender, laughing.

“Yeah, yeah, alright. I take it back. You brought out the big guns.”

80

55 vouchers

Coach Miller chuckled, stepping up beside Natasha. He wrapped his arms comfortably around her waist, pulling her back against his chest as he looked out over the table.

“Never doubt her, boys. She runs a tighter ship than I do.”

A collective, dramatic groan immediately erupted from the entire group.

“Ugh, Coach, please! Not while we’re eating!” Nate covered his eyes with a napkin.

“My eyes! They burn!” Nate winced, slapping a hand over his forehead.

Coach Miller didn’t even blink, looking completely unbothered by the dramatic reactions around the room.

“Keep complaining and I’ll make you all run laps around the lake,” he said easily, planting a quick, loud kiss right on Natasha’s cheek while a few crumpled napkins flew their way.

Natasha laughed, swatting his shoulder gently before turning back to the group with a bright grin.

“And… saved for our very last night here–we’re throwing a massive cabin party and inviting the neighboring groups down the lake.”

A collective roar of approval went up around the table. The guys slammed their hands against the wooden table, making the glasses rattle.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify