Friends Don't [Bo Bichette x OC]

Part 9: Heartbreak Weather

Notes: Sorry, sorry. I know it's been almost a month since I updated this. Life was pretty crazy and I really just didn't have the motivation to post much fanfiction. But I'm here, I'm back, and Bo and Jess are having some angst in this part (if the title didn't give it away lol)

Jess watched the Blue Jays do live BP in LoanDepot Park as the late-afternoon sun beamed down on the field. With a notebook and pen in her hands, she stood in the dugout, making notes and brainstorming for future articles. Though she was trying to remain impartial and make notes on the whole team, her focus kept drifting to one member in particular.

The same member who held her pinned against the bed earlier. The one she didn't exactly know what she felt towards.

Bo had his hair back in a bun—a great look in Jess' opinion. He wore a tank top—also a great look—and his muscular arms were definitely the cause of some of Jess' distractions.

But it was more than just his appearance.

It was everything about him. His work ethic, his talent at the plate and in the field, his athleticism, his kindness, his humour, his generosity...

"Crap," Jess muttered under her breath.

She couldn't be falling for him. She just couldn't. Cavan said he wouldn't mind if they dated, but it was more than his opinion. If she and Bo dated, they would be vulnerable to the opinions and comments of the entire fan base and franchise. Jess worked for the Blue Jays. She didn't even know if she'd be allowed to date a player. And even if she was, she doubted the fans would like it. A lot of them already didn't like her, and she could only imagine how much worse it would get if she and Bo started dating. Not that there weren't already rumours about that, but still...

A shadow moved over Jess' notebook and she looked up at Santiago.

"You're blocking my light," she said with a forced smile.

Santiago's eyebrows raised. "For your drawing?"

"What? I'm not drawing," Jess said.

He smirked and tapped the page.

Jess looked and a blush rushed to her cheeks. Beneath her notes was a large scribbled heart. "I... just doodling," she stammered.

Santiago's smirk widened. He moved around the railing of the dugout to step into it. "Thinking about someone, are we?"

Jess opened her mouth to protest, but no words formed. He'd seen them at the party. He'd seen her asleep on Bo's shoulder. He'd seen them in the hotel room. She couldn't exactly deny all of those interactions.

So she shrugged.

He moved to a cooler and grabbed a bottle of water. "Does he know?"

Jess frowned. She closed her notebook. "Does who know what?" she asked innocently.

Santiago deadpanned at her. "Bo." He lowered his voice until it was just a whisper, though they were the only ones in the dugout. "Does he know that you're in love with him?"

Jess forced out a laugh, but it fell short. "I'm not..."

"Uh huh." He took a drink. "You can lie to me, but don't lie to yourself."

Jess frowned. She had no response. She just shrugged again and avoided meeting his eyes.

Santiago patted her shoulder as he walked out of the dugout. "My lips are sealed."

"Thank you," she muttered.

Santiago walked back to the batting cage, and Jess was left with her thoughts.