Do Not Fall For The Baseball Captains novel Chapter 28

2 Likes

Miles Between Us

Miles Between Us

Victoria’s POV

‘Just listen to what he has to say, Vic. I don’t wish to come between you two, but he’s been blowing up my phone all morning.‘

I sighed, staring at the text message from Willow before sliding my phone deep into my cardigan pocket.

All week, Caleb had been trying to breach my space. Now that I was ignoring his calls, he’d apparently decided to go through my sister instead.

I really hoped he hadn’t told her anything substantial.

After our run–in at the restaurant that day, I had carefully managed the conversation with Willow, keeping my answers as light and surface–level as possible.

She was too smart; if I let her see even a glimpse of the truth, she’d connect the dots and realize how deep my feelings for Caleb actually ran.

As for Caleb, I didn’t know how much longer I could keep dodging him, but one thing was certain: I needed a serious reserve of willpower before I could even think about facing him again.

Lost in my head, I kept my eyes pinned to the concrete path as I crossed the campus quad.

Because of my distraction, I didn’t notice the tall figure stepping directly into my line of travel until I collided with a solid shoulder.

“Sorry,” I mumbled quickly, barely looking up as I immediately took a step back, intending to pivot around them and continue on my way.

But the person shifted with me, effectively cutting off my escape route.

Looking at the dark athletic jacket and the heavy build, I knew it was a guy from the athletic department, and I was entirely unprepared for any college–boy shenanigans today.

I drew a deep breath, steeling myself as I raised my eyes to tell him off.

The words died in my throat.

It was Matt Calloway. He was a prominent fixture on the baseball team and one of the guys who had loudly insulted me the night of the bonfire.

My gaze instinctively fell to his jawline, where a fading yellowish bruise still lingered- the remains of the punch Elijah had landed on him weeks ago.

The fact that the mark was still visible meant Elijah’s knuckles had carried some

serious force.

Miles Between Us

Matt was a notorious asshole, and the moment he realized who had bumped into him, a sneer twisted his lips.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” he whistled, his voice carrying easily across the open walkway.

A couple of passing students slowed down, glancing our way.

“The little shadow finally came out to play without her master.”

“Let me pass, Matt,” I said, trying to keep my voice even, though my face was already warming with embarrassment.

“Or what? You’ll call Carter to come handle your light work again?” he mocked, stepping closer and intentionally blocking the path.

“You think you’re untouchable now just because you’re riding his coattails? You’re a joke, Victoria. Everyone on the team knows you’re just a toy he’s using to pass the time.” A few more people paused to watch the confrontation, whispering among themselves

The public attention made me feel incredibly small, the humiliation pinning my feet to the ground.

I hated that I couldn’t find a cutting retort, hated that my immediate instinct was to scan the crowd, silently praying for Elijah to walk around the corner and save me.

But Elijah didn’t appear.

And in that agonizing beat of silence, a strange realization clicked in my mind. In a moment of absolute vulnerability, my brain hadn’t looked for Caleb–my lifelong protector. It had looked for Elijah.

Before I could dwell on how terrifying that shift was, a tall figure pushed through the small crowd, stepping directly between Matt and me.

“Get away from her, Calloway.”

It was Miles. Elijah’s best friend. He stood like an iron wall, his broad back completely obscuring my view of Matt.

Matt blinked, surprised by the interruption, before letting out an arrogant chuckle.

“Oh, look. The deputy is here. What’s the deal, Miles? Are the two best friends sharing the nerd girl now? Come on, tell me what the bet was about. Is she really that sweet down there, or are you guys just desperate?”

The crude words made my stomach turn. Before Matt could even finish the sentence, Miles’s shoulder pulled back, his arm cocking to throw a massive punch.

“Miles, don’t!” I cried out, instinctively reaching forward and grabbing the sleeve of his jacket.

2/4

Miles Between Us

‘Please, just don’t.”

Miles paused, his fist hovering in the air. He tilted his head slightly, looking back at me over his shoulder.

Seeing the panic in my face, the tense muscles in his arm relaxed just a fraction.

He lowered his hand, turning his full attention back to Matt, his jaw locking into a rigid line.

“Stay away from Victoria,” Miles warned, his voice taking on a dark, threatening quietness that made the surrounding air feel instantly heavy.

“Leave her alone. She’s Carter’s girl, Matt. You know exactly how dirty things get when you cross him, and your spot on the roster is already on thin ice. You really want to find out what happens if he hears you’re still breathing down her neck?”

A chilling energy passed through the space between them.

Matt’s smirk faltered for a second, but he stepped forward anyway, trying to save face in front of the onlookers.

“I’m not scared of Elijah.”

Miles’s lips slowly curled into an eerie, cold smile.

“We shall see about that. But consider this your final warning. Stay away from her.”

Without waiting for Matt’s response, Miles reached back, grabbed my wrist in a firm but gentle grip, and led me away from the quad, his long strides taking us quickly toward the student parking lot.

Once we reached the relative quiet of the vehicles, the adrenaline left my system, and a stray tear escaped my eye.

I quickly wiped it away, looking up at him. “Thank you, Miles. Sincerely.”

Miles just stared at me for a moment, his expressive gray eyes filled with a complicated mix of pity, unanswered questions, and a strange sort of protectiveness.

He reached into his athletic bag and pulled out a clean, folded white cloth.

“I don’t have a handkerchief, you know,” he said, his mouth twitching into a grin that instantly broke the dark mood.

“I am not a corporate gentleman. I am an athlete, so I have a training towel. If you don’t mind, you can use it to wipe your tears. I promise there’s no grime on it. I’m quite a clean guy.”

A small laugh escaped my lips, a mix of relief and lingering anxiety. I took the towel from him, wiping my face.

“Thank you.”

3/4

Miles Between Us

“Get into the car,” he said, gesturing toward a sleek black sedan. “I can drop you off t your place, or if you have plans to go over to Elijah’s house, I can take you there”

“No, I just want to go home,” I murmured, staring at the ground.

“Are you done with classes for the day?” he asked, walking over to the passenger side. “No, but I can’t stay on campus right now. I just need to get out of here.”

Miles looked at me, his expression softening, and nodded.

He pulled the passenger door open, executing a dramatic, over–the–top bow with one hand swept across his chest.

“Your carriage awaits, my lady. Step inside.”

Despite everything, I smiled, climbing into the cool leather interior.

As he walked around to the driver’s side, a thought popped into my head.

Did Elijah tell Miles about our fake relationship arrangement, or did Miles genuinely think I was Elijah’s actual girlfriend?

We started driving, leaving the campus boundaries behind. Miles immediately went to work trying to cheer me up, talking in a relaxed, easy flow,

田

Subscribe

2 Likes

You’re important to Carter

You’re Important to Carter

Victoria’s POV

“Look, Calloway is a total dickhead,” he said, keeping his eyes on the road. “You shouldn’t waste a single brain cell worrying about him. He’s just bitter because Carter owns the field right now. Just remember, me and Carter have your back.”

He glanced over at me with a mischievous smirk.

“And next time we aren’t around, don’t be afraid to just kick him right in the balls.”

I burst into a genuine laugh, the ridiculousness of the image easing the tightness in my chest.

“Sorry,” Miles mumbled, clearing his throat with a sheepish grin. “Probably a bit crude with my words, but you get the point.”

“It’s fine,” I laughed, shaking my head. “I’m used to it. My roommate, Eva, swears like a sailor when she’s stressed. Your vocabulary is practically holy compared to hers.” As we passed a small, retro–style diner on the corner, Miles slowed the car down. “Hey, do you need to stop for anything? Have you eaten?”

I shook my head. “No, I’m okay.”

Right on cue, my stomach let out a loud, traitorous grumble that echoed perfectly in the quiet car.

Miles immediately burst into a loud, booming laugh, and I buried my burning face in my hands, completely mortified.

“Right, ‘you’re okay,” he mocked playfully, pulling the car into the diner’s parking lot. “I’ll just get you something light to hold you over. Wait here.”

He hopped out of the car and headed inside the diner. I leaned my head against the passenger window, watching him through the glass as he stood by the counter.

A quiet wave of melancholy washed over me. I couldn’t help but wonder why Caleb couldn’t be like Miles.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify