Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains novel Chapter 16

My Shift Was Over

Victoria’s POV

10 bonus

The video feed on my phone was grainy, but Genevieve’s face was clear enough to show every etched line of motherly

concern.

I held the device steady, panning it over the sterile white sheets of the hospital bed to show her the elevated leg and the heavy bandage wrapped around Caleb’s ankle.

“See? He’s in one piece, Genevieve,” I said, trying to keep my voice light and reassuring.

The doctors said it’s a grade–two sprain. No surgery, jost a lot of rest and absolutely no running for a few weeks.”

On the screen, Genevieve sighed, her hand fluttering to her chest.

Thank heavens you were there, Victoria. Please, keep an eye on him for me? You know how he gets. He can be such a child when he’s sidelined. He thinks he’s invincible until he isn’t.”

From the bed, Caleb let out a disgruntled grunt, shifting his weight and looking everywhere but at the camera.

‘I’m right here, Mom. I can hear you. I’m not five.”

I chuckled, angled the phone so Genevieve could see his brooding face, and then brought it back to mine.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll keep him fed and bored until he recovers. I’ll keep you posted.”

After the call disconnected, the room fell into that heavy, artificial silence unique to hospitals.

I dragged a metal stool closer to the bed and sat down, watching him.

Caleb had his arms crossed, staring out the window at the darkening sky with a scowl etched on his face.

‘Stop treating me like I’m in kindergarten,” he muttered, his voice tight.

‘I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t act like a toddler who tripped over his own feet,” I retorted, arching a brow. “You’re lucky it wasn’t a break, Caleb.”

He rolled his eyes and looked away, slipping back into a stony silence. I knew that look. I’d studied it for over a decade.

He wasn’t brooding over his injury; he was waiting. His phone sat on the bedside table, dark and silent.

You’re thinking about Lexi, aren’t you?” The question slipped out before I could censor it.

Caleb’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t deny it. He just let out a long, weary exhale.

The silence that followed was heavy and suffocating, the kind that made me wish I’d never asked the question in the first place.

Lexi knew he was here. She knew he’d fallen because of the stress of their argument.

And yet, her contribution to his recovery had been a generic bouquet of flowers delivered by a courier and a two–minute video call where she looked more interested in her own reflection than his pain.

She’d promised to come by hours ago. The clock on the wall kept ticking, but the door remained closed.

Even worse was the realization that Caleb had spent the last hour trying to reach her. Every call went straight to voicemail.

I sat there, watching him ache for a girl who couldn’t be bothered to show up, while I–the one who was always there–was practically invisible.

I wondered why I was still here, sitting on a hard stool in a room that smelled of antiseptic, playing the role of the faithful guardian.

I wanted to leave. I wanted to stand up, walk out, and let him realize what it felt like to be truly abandoned.

But there was this invisible thread, a stubborn, fraying cord of love that kept me tethered to the side of his bed.

I couldn’t leave him when he was down, even if he never bothered to show up for me in my worst days.

I needed to shift the energy in the room before I did something pathetic like cry. I cleared my throat, forcing a small, nostalgic smile onto my face.

“Hey, do you remember the day your family moved into the house next door?” I asked, my voice soft.

Caleb’s frown softened, a ghost of a smile touching his lins

“Yeah. I remember looking up and seeing this sl Successfully unlocked! ne second–story window like a little spy.” He let out a dry chuckle.

“Why did you do that anyway? Were you expecting the secret service or something?”

My Shift Was Over

I smiled, shaking my head.

#was painting in my room and heard the commotion. Word had already spread through the neighborhood that some ‘ultra- rich family was moving in. I was just curious to see if you had gold–plated shoes or something. I didn’t mean to get caught.” “You weren’t exactly subtle, Tori, he teased, his eyes finally meeting mine with a spark of the old warmth.

For a second, the tension vanished. It felt normal. It felt like us.

Encouraged by the shift, I decided to tread onto dangerous ground. I kept my tone playful, the way we used to jab at each other during long summer afternoons.

‘You know,” I said, poking his uninjured leg playfully.

With how much time we spend together, do you ever think about what would happen if the universe had different plans for Js? Like, if life had made us a couple instead of just best friends?”

held my breath, my heart skipping a beat as I waited for his response.

Caleb laughed, a loud sound that felt like cold water being thrown in my face.

Tori, no matter how this life turned out, we could never be more than what we are,” he said, shaking his head.

If anything, I think the universe would’ve made us cousins, or maybe brother and sister. Or yeah, definitely enemies, ›ecause you can be incredibly annoying when you want to be.”

The words were simple. They weren’t meant to be cruel, but they hit me with a bluntness that made my ears ring.

swallowed hard, forcing myself to laugh along.

Is that so?” I managed, my voice only slightly strained. “Why? Am I that terrible of a romantic prospect? I’ll have you know I‘ n very thoughtful. I’d take my boyfriend on trips, do the whole romantic candle–lit thing…”

Caleb looked at me, his expression almost pitying.

You’re great, Tori. Maybe for some other guy, you’d be the dream. But to me? You’ll always be my cute little sidekick. My avorite engineering nerd who keeps my life from falling into pieces. You’re the constant, you know?”

His favorite sidekick. His reliable nerd.

My legs started to tremble. It took every ounce of my willpower not to let the tears spill over right then and there.

‘he bitterness finally rose to the surface,

Well,” I said, my voice surprisingly steady, “at least Elijah seems to disagree with that. I guess that’s the only validation I

eed.”

he atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. Caleb’s smile vanished, replaced by a dark, simmering irritation.

le didn’t say a word, but the warmth in his eyes died out, replaced by a cold wall of silence.

he conversation was over.

retreated to the small vinyl couch in the corner, picking up my novel and pretending to read.

very few minutes, I’d glance over, hoping he’d say something, anything, to bridge the gap I’d just created.

lut Caleb remained silent, his gaze fixed on his phone, waiting for a queen who wasn’t coming.

le had mapped out my place in his universe, and it was nowhere near his heart.

r

in hour or so later, I drifted into a light, fitful nap, my head resting against the back of the couch.

woke to the sound of the door bursting open with a violent bang.

Caleb! Oh my god, baby!”

stood there for a long, awkward minute, clutching the strap of my bag while I watched them.

exi was draped over him like she’d been the one at his side all day, and Caleb was looking at her like she was the sun itself.

I’m going to go down and grab some food,” I murmured, my voice barely a ripple in the room. Neither of them looked up.

Caleb was too busy laughing at something she whispered, his hand already tangled in her hair.

made the trip to the cafeteria in a daze, picking out things I knew he liked, my hands moving on autopilot.

Vhen I finally pushed the door back open, balancing the tray, I expected the initial excitement to have died down.

t hadn’t. Caleb didn’t even glance toward the door.

set the food down on the rolling table, the plastic containers making a quiet clatter, but he was mid–sentence, recounting he accident to Lexi as if it were a grand adventure.

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