Chapter 3

THREE

Kaitlyn

I saunterthrough the buzzing crowd at Hawkins Stadium, the late afternoon sun casting a lazy glow over the field. The air is thick with the scent of popcorn and anticipation, but I"m not here for the game.

I"m here because it"s where life seems to happen in our little town. And maybe, just maybe, because he"s here.

"Go, Bulldogs!" someone shouts from behind me, and I can"t help but roll my eyes. It"s always about the Bulldogs, isn"t it? Nate"s team. But as much as I want to deny it, my heart skips a beat every time they play. Not for the sport—hell no—but for the chance of spotting him again.

Jake.With his umpire uniform hugging his body in all the right places, he"s like an accidental fantasy sprung to life in the middle of small-town America.

"Kaitlyn, over here!" I hear my name and turn to see a cluster of familiar faces waving me down. I flash them a grin and make my way over.

"Wouldn"t miss it," I quip, sliding onto the bleacher with practiced ease. My gaze, though, instantly flickers back to the diamond, searching for that familiar stance—the way he holds himself when he"s calling a shot.

"Your brother"s on fire today," one of the girls comments, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Is he?" I feign interest, my lips curving into a smile that doesn"t quite reach my eyes. Nate"s athletic prowess is old news, but Jake...seeing him out there, authoritative and focused, sends a thrill straight through me. It"s a dangerous game, this crush on my brother"s friend. Forbidden fruit never tasted so sweet, and I"ve been starving for a bite.

"Come on, Kaitlyn, pay attention!" another friend teases, nudging me playfully.

But I can"t, not really. Not when every cell in my body is attuned to him, to the way his arms move as he signals another strike.

It"s ridiculous, this pull he has on me. Even though I'm still a virgin, I've had boyfriends and crushes before. I mean, guys have come and gone, but none have stuck like this relentless attraction to Jake.

Every stolen glance, every brief conversation with him is etched into my memory, stoking the flames of a desire I"m not sure I can control.

"Damn," I murmur under my breath as he bends over to dust off home plate, giving the crowd a prime view of his assets. A flush creeps up my neck, and I fan myself with my hand, pretending it"s the summer heat that"s got me all hot and bothered.

"Hot out, isn"t it?" I say to no one in particular, hoping my friends attribute my flushed cheeks to the weather rather than my raging hormones.

"Sure is," they agree, blissfully unaware of the internal turmoil I"m experiencing. They chat away about post-game plans, but I barely register their words. My mind is busy painting scenarios that would make even the sultriest romance novels blush. Scenes of tangled sheets, whispered promises, and Jake looking at me like I"m the only girl in the world.

I internally chide myself, trying to shake away the images. But it"s no use. He"s under my skin, and I can"t ignore it any longer. Maybe this time, I"ll find a way to breach that invisible line between us.

Because if there"s one thing Kaitlyn Hawkins isn"t afraid of, it"s going after what she wants.

And oh, do I want him.

As the final inning draws to a close and the roar of the crowd crescendos into a triumphant cheer, I find myself already edging toward the dugout. My heart races, adrenaline mixing with raw attraction. Nate"s team has won, and the atmosphere is electric, charged with excitement and the sharp tang of victory. I clap my hands, my gaze locked on Jake as he makes his way off the field, his uniform clinging to his muscular frame in ways that command attention.

"Great game, Jake!" I call out, a little louder than necessary, my voice lilting playfully. He glances up, those piercing blue eyes locking onto mine for a brief moment, sending a thrill spiraling down my spine. My breath catches as his lips quirk into a small smile before he returns to discussing some plays with another umpire.

Not wanting to miss my chance, I stride confidently towards him after he"s done debriefing. The ground under my feet feels like clouds. I"m barely aware of anything but him. "Hey," I start, trying to sound casual but probably failing miserably. "You were really something out there today."

Jake wipes his brow with the back of his hand, and damn if even that small gesture doesn"t seem sexy right now. "Thanks, Kaitlyn," he says in that deep voice that rumbles like distant thunder and seems to vibrate right through me. "Hot day for a game, huh?"

I nod vigorously, moving a step closer. "Definitely hot." I pause for emphasis, biting my lip slightly as I add, "But I think it just got hotter." Cheesy? Probably. But it earns me another of those half-smiles that tell me he"s not entirely immune to my charms.

His chuckle is low and intimate. "Is that so?"

Encouraged by his tone, I lean in slightly. "Yeah. And you know what would cool everyone down? A celebration at my brother's place. He's throwing a victory party." It's bold to invite him without confirming with Nate first, but sometimes you have to take risks.

Jake raises an eyebrow—a look that"s somehow both skeptical and intrigued. "Is Nate okay with his sister inviting rogue umpires over?"

"I"m sure he won't mind," I reply quickly, giving Jake a mischievous wink.

Seemingly convinced or perhaps just unwilling to resist the promise of more interactions laced with this palpable tension between us, Jake nods slowly. "Alright," he agrees mildly. "Sounds like a plan."

Flushed with success and the prospect of what the evening could bring—laughing under the stars and playing flirtatious games by the poolside—I pull out my phone and text Nate.

Throwing post-game bash at your place. Invite your team!

By the time I look up from sending the message, Jake's watching me with an intensity that suggests tonight might just be more eventful than any victory party could be on its own.

I sure hope so.