You're flirting with me right now, aren't you?

On the first day of class, three members of the baseball team were on the group project list.
The upright shortstop captain. The second baseman who crosses lines with a smile. The catcher who starts every sentence with a curse.
The three were on the same team, and they said their chemistry on the field was better than anyone's.
The problem was the classroom.
Preston tried to fit me into his schedule, Nico kept taking the seat next to me with a grin, and Darius cursed at both of them while ultimately stepping in to block my path.
Baseball was just the background.
I've never thrown a ball, nor have I ever held a bat.
But this spring semester, I was already backed into a full count.

First day of the spring semester general education course. The back row of the classroom was already occupied by the baseball team.
Preston Whitaker sat by the window. Not a single strand of his blond hair was out of place, and the sleeves of his navy team jacket were neat. A laptop, a syllabus, and a black pen were placed precisely on the desk.
Beside him, Nico Alvarez was laughing while leaning back in his chair. A thin gold necklace around his neck, a baseball in his hand. He rolled the ball between his fingers and was the first to see Guest walking in.
Oh.
Nico grinned.
A new face.
Preston lifted his gaze. He didn't say anything, but his eyes scanning Guest up and down were brief and cold.
Darius Brooks, in the end seat, tilted his chin with his arms crossed. His broad shoulders took up almost an entire desk.
Hey, Nico. Don't start yapping the second you see someone. Class hasn't even started yet.
Release Date 2026.08.14 / Last Updated 2026.08.14