I know I don't personally know Anthony well enough to say that he had a bothered look on his face but I know those weren't the same eyes I stared into back at the hotel.
I waved excitedly at him and his half-smile back confirmed that he didn't like what he saw. Fuck. Dammit Maddi, I didn't even wanna talk to them.
We found our seats which were aisle seats in the first row right behind the dugout, towards third base side. It was a perfect view of Anthony at short, as well as in the dugout.
We exchanged glances several times as the pre-game activities happened and I noticed his face look a little lighter each time. Especially after a talk he had with Judge and Dugie.
Anthony waved his head at me with a shy wink , signalling me to come over to him by the edge of the dugout. I did so, praying that I don't say or do anything else to fuck this up.
"Hey.. Saw you talking to Tatis and Machado earlier.. You know them?" His face was serious and it was kinda hot seeing how other men talking to me bothered him.
"No and it wasn't my idea to go over there. Maddi thinks they're hot so she freaked when they called her over."
"Do you think they're hot?" He said in an even quieter voice. His question caught me off guard. Almost like he cares what I think. He was being so fucking adorable I wish I could have hugged him and told him everything would be alright.
"Not at all. They're nowhere even close to the man standing in front of me." I tilted my head staring into his eyes, searching for some kind of relief in his. A wide grin grew on his as he looked down to hide the small hint of red in his cheeks.
"I know the game will finish late, and my parents wanted to have dinner after, but I'd love to hang out later if you're gonna be up." Somebody pinch me.
"There's a bar in the Gaslamp Quarter that we were gonna check out after this but I'll be available for you whenever if you're not too tired by then." God I hope that didn't sound as thirsty as I heard it.
"I'll never be too tired for you." His soft, raspy voice and the gentle, squinty eyes he gave me awoke a million butterflies within my body.
I could feel eyes on me from the dugout and was not surprised to see Judge, Rizzo, and Stanton all looking at us. I smile and wave at them in which they returned. I knew Anthony had to get back to the team so I put my hand up against the net for a goodluck high five.
:•:•:•:•:•:
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Anthony was happy to finally see Aria after waiting all afternoon. But it did trouble him to find her and Maddi talking to Fernando and Manny. A funny feeling occured in his stomach. He couldn't pinpoint the emotion attached to it. Anger? Sadness? Jealousy? He answered no to all of those possible answers, simply because how could he feel that way so soon about someone he just met?
Judge noticed a change in Anthony's face.
"What's up kid?" He asked noticing Anthony looking in the direction of the padres players with the two girls.
"Nothing.." His voice was quiet, emotionless.
"Don't sweat it man. You heard her friend, she's in love with YOU." Judge nudged him on the shoulder trying to uplift him.
The girls started making their way to their seat when Anthony's eyes caught Aria's across the distance. She gave him a smile and a wave, the joy across her face from seeing him was very clear.
He still was hesistant and forced a half-smile. Anthony didn't like feeling vulnerable. Another one of the many reasons he didn't pursue relationships.
Dugie and Stanton joined in noticing the group of guys watch Aria walk by.
"Damn Volpe I can't believe you're gonna smash that tonight." Dugie said still looking at Aria.
"Geez Dugie have some respect. Can you see if her friend wants to smash though?" Giancarlo joked, kinda. The guys laugh.
"She is super hot. I don't understand how you didn't try already." Rizzo laughed.
"You better hurry up before Aaron gets to that. He was all over her from the jump in the elevator." G joked.
"Maaan, you know I got a thing for the short ones like that. But she wants Volpe, so she's Volpe's. All you horny bastards better back off." Judge joked back. Anthony was amused, it almost sounded as if it was a game.
"Yeah, I hate to disappoint you guys but I don't see it happening. My parents wanna have dinner after this. It'll be late by then."
"Bro, that's prime smash hour. You gon' hit her up with the late "You up?" text." Dugie said in a silly tone making the guys laugh at the agreeable comment.
This was nothing new to them, but certainly very new to Anthony. Plus, the idea of sneaking around with a girl while his parents were in the same hotel began to give him a little anxiety. It's not that he let his parents control his life, he just loved them so much that he could never stand to see them disappointed in him.
"Did you even ask her out yet?" Said Rizzo.
"No, maybe tomorrow.." His reponse was answered with disgruntled noises from the guys. They were truly rooting for him.
"Time to bring the dawg outta you Volpe! The daawg!" Dugie shouted doing his infamous curl flex as he walked away with the rest of the guys laughing and following him.
"Tomorrow because?" Judge stayed behind to talk to Anthony.
"I don't know that thing with Tatis threw me off a little. I don't need anything messing with my head." Anthony was too serious and Aaron really wanted to crack up at his response.
"AV we're not asking you to marry the girl," Aaron laughed placing his large hands on Anthony's shoulders. "Just talk to her, hangout... whatever.. You're doing big things out here, you deserve to let loose a little, enjoy being a big leaguer."
Anthony was so greatful for Aaron always being a rock and mentor for him. Whatever he was encouraging Anthony to do, he trusted him. Aaron was smart and always seemed to be right about most things.
Volpe made his way to the end of the dugout, signalling Aria over to the net where he stood. Time to man up and bring the dawg out, he thought to himself.
"Hey.. Saw you talking to Tatis and Machado earlier.. You know them?" Anthony asked..
[ ••••• ]
hii everyone. so hopefully you guys aren't having a problem understanding how the story switches pov! it goes back and forth between Aria's pov and third-person pov. so some parts looks like its been repeated but its just a change of pov. i was seriously debating doing AV's pov but i would have to put too much thought into it and then this book would take me forever to finish. let me know what you think so far! thanks guys <3 xo: Evie 🔆
