Pitcher (Aaron Nola Phillies)

Catching Up

Aaron POV

The challenge was trying to bring my attention back to the game that was currently going on in front of my eyes. We were winning 4-2 in the top of the sixth. Our team was still in first place in the division, just a couple of games away from the postseason. Austin made an amazing dive for a hard hit ball, which helped him complete the double play. I heard Abigail let out a small cheer as I did too.  Don't look back at her! I turned my head to look at her yet again. She was smiling a bit until our eyes locked and she looked away. I was tempted to shout an apology at her. Listen I am sorry! I was just frustrated. Frustrated with what, with who? Was I jealous of Austin, why would I be jealous of Austin? Was this all because of me having a crush Abigail? Do I have a crush on Abigail? She did look gorgeous and whenever I was with her, I was in heaven. Sometimes I honestly couldn't think straight when I was near her. I loved her personality and have never met a girl like her. A girl who understands my love of baseball, because she herself is obsessed with the sport as well. She used to love me, I know that. Or was that just something she said to bring me back. There is no way she  still likes me, she hates me now, but I don't. I think I may actually like her, like more than a friend. 

Abigail POV

I stood by the fence that separated the dugout from the field. Austin looked amazing out there but we were better. We won 4-3 and Austin even hit an RBI which infuriated Aaron. As for myself, well, I was pretty pleased with him. After the game, Austin found me and let me know that the media hadn't released anything, yet. He also let me know that he had some dinner with his parents and I was invited. Naturally, he never mentioned that Aaron would be present too.  

"Hello, Ms.Smith," Aaron  said when we arrived, he was smiling fakely at me. He made sure to keep his voice relatively monotone and I noticed that quickly. 

"Austin! We're so proud of you! So kind of you to join us, Abigail!" The parents both said when they got up to greet us. Austin was standing close to my side and our shoulders touched lightly. 

"Thank you for inviting me!" I said politely as we sat down for our meal. There was a different feel to this meeting with his parents as opposed to the meeting we had just a couple of months before. Before I loved Aaron and he was all I could think of. Austin had flirted with me and I had slapped him away. Now Austin stood by my side, tall, strong and protective as ever. I had never been more thankful for Austin in my life. I gave Aaron a slight glare to reply to his slight glare, it was simple really, I hated Aaron and he hated me. 

"It's so amazing to finally get to watch all three of you play at the same time! We have been waiting for this moment for a while! As soon as they started playing baseball actually! And, Abigail, you are an amazing, unexpected bonus that we never knew we would get!" His mom said while we waited for the food. Then she smiled a bit more mischievously and glanced between Aaron and Austin, she giggled slightly when she got to me. "I keep secretly hoping that one of these two will decide to marry you, purely so you can become a member of our family!" She said a bit quieter and Austin and I both blushed more than Aaron who remained emotionless. 

"Yeah well it means a lot to me, to be so  included with this family and your sons have made my career so much better and more fun!" I said smiling, more so because Austin's hand had just slipped into mine under the table. Everyone nodded, Austin more than everyone else and Aaron much less than the rest. 

"So boys and girl, what are the plans for after game 162?" Their dad asked, changing the subject. Although Austin's hand still clutched mine, secretly under the table. Austin was slowly beginning to bring our hands more clearly into the vision of the others. We couldn't hide forever. 

"Postseason!" The three of us all said excitedly at the same time. I looked over at Aaron and for the first time in what seemed like forever Aaron smiled and laughed. None of it was fake at all, it was all the real genuine, Aaron Nola, laugh, and smile. It surprised me how happy it made me see him. 

"I'm sure Ab and I can make sure of that!" Aaron said smiling slyly at me in a good way, not a bad way. I loosened my grip on Austin's hand and he struggled to hide his disappointment. It was the first time he had actually directed something real at me, since the fight. He had this look in his eyes that I missed, oh god, I missed it so much. I don't think I had realized how much I had missed having him to gush over. 

"Yeah! That's right! Aar and I will bring Philadelphia a long overdue trophy, I bet!" It felt so good to use his nickname again and to hear him use mine. 

"Not I bet, I know!" I nodded, and looked at his parents who clearly just thought that we had been this close this whole time, they probably had no idea how awesome and how important this moment was to the two of us. Although I looked over at Austin and his face, showed clear disappointment at least compared to his expression earlier. 

"Nah! I'm betting on  the Miami Marlins taking the trophy home this year!" 

"Shut up, Nola!" Aaron and I both said to him in sync and Austin looked at the ground,now he was hurt. But he'd get over it, I mean, it's not like he has actual feelings for me, this is just a crush. 

"Okay guys, calm down a bit! We still have plenty to catch up on!" His dad said, to quiet us all down a bit. I could tell that everyone else had noticed Austin's disappointment. We all hushed and looked at the parents. 

"Yes, we do." His mom smiled as though she knew something that we didn't. 

"Like what else?" Austin asked slightly ruder than I or anyone else  had expected.  

"Like, do one of you two boys have a girlfriend yet?" As soon as she asked I could feel Austin's heart begin to race and I swear I heard him gulp. Aaron just sat there, emotionlessly and I swear he looked at me with the same look of love and admiration he had on his face back in New Orleans. What was happening? Did he forget we hated each other? Does he like me? No, no and no, that was impossible, I am crazy this is all just an act he's putting up for his parents. "Oh, come one at least one of you should  have one? Abigail, are you dating anyone or one of them?" I just shrugged awkwardly. "That's right, none of you will tell me." 

"I do, I have one." Austin spoke and I stared at him, shocked, was this a joke, did he even care bout me? Why would I care? 

"Who?" Aaron asked rudely.

"She's right next to me." Then Austin put his arm around me and I caught the hint. They were all slowly catching the hint too. Aaron's face quickly returned to the same harsh expression and I swallowed. What on earth am I going to do?