Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains (Victoria and Elijah) novel Chapter 194

A Better Man

Élah’s POV

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“It’s taking every single ounce of willpower I have not to grab your neck, throw you into that lake, and hold you under until you stop kicking,” I seethed, glaring at the guy sitting across from me.

Nate just sat back in his chair and offered me that annoying, handsome grin of his.

He ran a hand through his messy brown hair, looking unbothered by the fact that I was actively measuring how easy it would be to loss him off the dock.

“Hey, come on, it was just a stupid crush, man,” he raised his hands up in a peaceful gesture.

“I don’t look at Victoria like that anymore. She’s like a sister to me now. I mean, you’re my brother–in–friends, so by the code, she’s basically my sister–in–law–in–friend.”

I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt.

“Yeah, because that whole sister–in–law logic automatically erases the fact that you just admitted out loud you used to have a thing for my girl and wished you met her first.”

Nate let out a heavy sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yeah, fair enough. I should’ve definitely kept that one as an inner thought. But Coach said this was ‘Confession Night, so I figured I’d get all the old skeletons out of the closet.”

“Next time, leave the skeleton locked in the closet.” I muttered, shaking my head as I reached for my glass of wine.

Nate chuckled, the joke fading out as he looked out across the dark property.

Nate and I go way back. We had been running around together since we were kids–back when we were just a bunch of scrawny teenagers trying to figure out how to throw a baseball without falling over our own feet–and now here we were, college graduates standing on the edge of the MLB draft.

Nate leaned back in his wooden chair, his tone dropping the playful edge, picking up something grounded.

“Seriously though, El. I’m proud of you, man. For real. I’ve watched you go from dumb high school flings to finding the absolute love of your life. Now you’re about to be a dad. It’s wild, but you’re going to be great at it.”

I took a breath, letting his words settle in. A real, genuine smile replaced the irritation on my face.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate that. Really.”

I looked past him, taking in the wide, open stretch of the woods and the faint glow of the lanterns scattered around the

resort.

“Looking back at everything… it’s crazy how we even made it to this point. The journey hasn’t been smooth, but I’m just thankful I had you guys in my corner. You, Jace, Leo, Miles… the girls. Adele, Allison, Coach. We’ve been through some messy times, but I wouldn’t trade the crew we built for anything.”

I pointed a finger across the table at him, letting my sarcastic tone slip back in.

“Even if your specific ass happens to be an unbearable pain in my neck most of the time.”

Nate threw his head back with a loud laugh.

“Hey, somebody has to bring the sunshine and make sure you don’t take life too seriously, bro,” he defended, flashing that

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Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains

charming grin as he settled back in his seat. “Consider it my gift to the team.”

Speaking of which… the draft is getting closer. You nervous?”

“Not really,” I answered with a shrug. “Whatever happens, happens. I’m ready.”

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We spent the next few minutes talking about the draft, debating farm teams, and arguing over which city had the worst sports media. The usual stuff. Easy conversation, no effort required.

Eventually, I leaned back and looked him over.

“So… what about your nonexistent love life? You planning to keep the playboy thing going until you’re ninety?”

Nate laughed, exhaling a breath into the chill of the night.

“Let’s see how the draft goes first. Once we get signed, the possibilities open up. Maybe I’ll fall for a hot team physiotherapist, or one of those PR specialists they assign us. Or the sports reporters…”

“Snap out of it, asshole,” I scoffed, tossing a crumpled napkin at him. “You’re hopeless.”

Nate caught it mid–air, chuckling softly.

I leaned in a little, remembering the girl who had arrived with Lexi earlier in the trip.

“What about Maya, though? Lexi’s friend. I saw you two hanging out near the kitchen yesterday.”

Nate was taken aback for a second. He blinked, then slid a hand over his mouth, shaking his head with a small smile.

“Nah. We’re not… we can’t be a thing.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, genuinely confused.

“Are you trying to tell me you haven’t slept with her?”

Nate looked up, completely calm.

“Yeah, bro. I told you guys, I’ve actually got self–control these days.”

“Or she’s just not your type,” I countered, testing him.

“It’s got nothing to do with my type,” his gaze turning reflective.

“I’m just… trying to make a real change,” he pressed on.

“I don’t want to carry old, messy habits into the future. When I finally find my actual person, I want loyalty to be standard, not something I have to struggle to figure out. I owe whoever they are the best version of me. I don’t want them feeling like they settled, and I definitely don’t want to end up being a terrible partner. You know?”

He chuckled softly, looking down at his glass before meeting my eyes again.

“Look at you and Victoria,” he added. “I don’t know, man. I really admire your relationship. And, honestly, I admire you most of all. You had to change for her. I saw that. You actually let yourself change because you didn’t want to lose her. I respect that.”

I leaned back, caught somewhere between surprise, pride, and a strange sense of fulfillment.

Hearing that from Nate, the guy who usually turned everything into a joke, meant more to me than I expected.

“So you’re basically calling me your role model?” I teased, letting a smug smirk stretch across my face.

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Nate scowled, rolling his eyes instantly.

ow you’re pushing it.”

I laughed, the sound breaking through the cool night air.

When the humor faded, I stared across the table at him, feeling deeply appreciative and proud of my friend.

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“I’m glad to have been a good example, Nate. And I really hope you find someone good for you. You’re a great guy at heart- except for your whore personality, of course, which I’m glad to see you’re finally working on. I love that for you.

I expected him to laugh, maybe throw a crumpled napkin at my face, or fire back with a quick insult.

Instead, Nate froze. He slowly turned his head, scanning the dark patio and the surrounding trees as if he were frantically searching for a police officer to report a crime.

He looked like one of those hyper–strict citizens who called the authorities over a minor noise complaint.

“What is wrong with you?” I asked, watching his bizarre scan of the resort.

“I’m looking for a trusted adult,” Nate declared, his eyes still roaming the dark grass. “Coach, or maybe Natasha.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why’s that?”

He finally stopped searching and locked eyes with me, his face deadpan.

“Because something is clearly broken inside your brain. You need an immediate medical checkup. Or wait… maybe your wine was spiked.”

I hissed in annoyance, shifting in my seat.

“What the fuck are you on about?”

“You just gave me a genuine compliment,” Nate pointed out, glaring across the small table. “The sun is about to explode, Elijah. The end times are near.”

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