Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains (Victoria and Elijah) novel Chapter 188

Open Casting Call

Adele’s POV

:

$

41

20 vouchers

I stayed locked in my room until the afternoon sun began to bleed into the deep purple of twilight.

My head was pounding, a dull ache throbbing behind my temples, and my eyes felt heavy and swollen from crying.

I had spent hours pacing, sinking into the mattress, and staring at the ceiling, my mind running in circles. I was so confused.

The modeling industry had always been tough, and I was just starting to get my foot in the door.

If the people at Prisms were already pushing me to manufacture a fake persona just to land a contract, I couldn’t even imagine what worse things they’d expect from me down the line.

Out of all the agencies out there, I had held Prisms in high reverence. I thought they were different–that they cared about actual craft and editorial talent.

I didn’t think they were just like all the rest, chasing cheap internet metrics. But I couldn’t even blame them entirely. This was what the world wanted now.

Entertainment over substance. And if I wanted to be rich, secure, and fulfill the dream I’d bled for since I was a teenager, I had no choice but to succumb to the rules of the game.

I let out another long sigh, burying my face into the plush decorative pillow.

A sudden, aggressive thumping echoed against my bedroom door.

It was way too loud to be Nova, and there were only two people in this house crazy enough to knock on my door like they were breaking down a barricade: Nate or Miles.

I didn’t have the energy to open my mouth, let alone get up.

I just lay there on my back, waiting for whoever it was to either take the hint and leave or realize the latch hadn’t caught properly.

After a few seconds, the brass handle jiggled.

“I hope you’re not naked, Addy! I’m coming in!” Miles’s loud voice barked through the crack before the door swung open.

I didn’t even bother pulling the blanket up. I was wearing an oversized grey t–shirt that hung loosely down to my mid–thighs–no bra, no shorts underneath.

My nipples were visibly poking against the thin cotton fabric, but at this point, I couldn’t bring myself to care.

Miles was my best friend. He had seen me at my absolute worst over the years, and there was zero awkwardness between us.

1/4

Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains

Miles strode into the room, his long legs covering the space in three quick steps.

He paused in the center of the rug, taking a dramatic breath through his nose.

ཊྛ

41

20 vouchers

“Yo, why does this room ooze depression?” he asked, throwing his hands out. “Seriously, Addy, it feels like a mortuary in here.”

I rolled my eyes, pulling my knees up and turning my body toward the wall so he couldn’t see my swollen face.

Knowing Miles, the second he spotted tears, he’d start asking questions I didn’t have the energy to answer.

I couldn’t deal with an interrogation right now. If I acted like a bitch, he’d probably get the hint and leave me alone.

“Miles, go away,” I muttered against the drywall.

Instead of leaving, he walked over to the nightstand and flicked on the small bedside lamp, flooding the dim corner with a soft, warm glow.

He deliberately left the hallway door wide open behind him.

I groaned, shielding my eyes with my arm.

“Why did you turn the light on? And close the door!”

“What are you, a vampire?” he shot back, ignoring my complaint as he walked over to the side of the bed.

“Why are you even in here, Miles?” I asked, my voice muffled against the pillow.

“I should be asking you that,” he retorted, stepping right up to the mattress.

“Everyone’s downstairs. Coach and Natasha brought in a local private chef to whip up a massive seafood boil on the patio. Hearty food, fresh catch, the whole nine yards. I came up here to drag your fat ass down because I refuse to eat my weight in crab legs without my partner in crime.”

“I don’t want seafood,” I lied. “I want to be alone.”

Miles let out an annoyed huff. The mattress dipped heavily as he sat down on the edge right by my hips, hovering over me.

“Liar,” he accused. “They’ve got jumbo shrimp. Snow crab clusters. Smoked sausage. Sweet corn in garlic butter. You know, all the stuff you claim ruins your diet before you eat three plates of it anyway.”

I stayed completely still, refusing to take the bait.

Seeing that his verbal tour of the menu wasn’t working, Miles reached down and began aggressively tickling the soles of my feet.

Normally, I would have squealed and kicked him off the bed, but today my heart was too heavy, my chest too tight with anger and grief.

2/4

16:19 Fri, Aug 28

Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains

The tickling just made the frustration boil over.

:

164

20 vouchers

“Miles, stop!” I snapped, violently kicking the blanket off my feet and twisting around to sit up. “Just leave me alone!”

The harsh words died in the air the moment he caught sight of my face.

Miles froze, his hands dropping to his lap. The cocky, teasing grin vanished from his face, replaced by immediate concern.

“Addy?” he called softly, his brow furrowing as his posture softened.

Seeing the genuine worry in his eyes completely broke whatever wall I had left.

I sank back against the headboard, pulled my knees to my chest, covered my face with both hands, and burst into tears.

“I’m sorry,” I sobbed into my palms, my shoulders shaking. “I’m sorry for yelling at you. I’m just… I’m having a really bad day.”

“Hey, hey… don’t do that,” Miles said instantly.

He scooted all the way up the bed, wrapping his broad arms around my shoulders and pulling me flush against his side.

I buried my face in his neck, wrapping my arms around his waist as I cried.

He smelled comforting. It was a mix of fresh cedarwood cologne, sea air, and the faint aroma of garlic butter from downstairs.

He didn’t rush me. He just held me tight, rubbing slow, heavy circles against my back until my ragged breathing finally began to settle.

After a few minutes, I pulled back slightly, wiping my damp cheeks with the back of my hand.

Miles reached out, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify