DEAN

"You must be Dean." Seth's lip curls.

I clear my throat and put out my hand to properly introduce myself to the man at the door. I gulp, "Y-yes sir. I am Dean, it is nice to meet you."

"Seth, you leave the poor boy alone." A blonde girl dictates.

She steps in front of the brown-haired man and gives me a friendly smile.

"Hi Dean, don't mind this guy right here." She elbows Seth and giggles. "This is Seth, Scar's brother, and I am Valerie. I am Seth's girlfriend. Come on in."

"Thank you." I step into the small but quaint threshold. There are pictures framed everywhere, mainly black and white photos. I glance at the one nearest to me on the left and it seems to be the only one of color. It is a picture of Scarlett, Seth, and two other people that I presume are her parents. She looks beautiful in the picture and has the most jubilant smile plastered across her face. I wish she would smile like that more often. It is breathtaking.

"Dean, would you like anything to drink while you wait? She should almost be done." Valerie asked as I look away from the picture.

"No, thank you though."

"That was the last family picture that was taken before our parents died." Seth states as he stands next to me holding his glass of water.

"I am sorry about your folks. I kind of accidentally found out the other night when my mom was talking with Scarlett at dinner." I look back at the photo. "She looks so happy here."

"Yeah. She hasn't exactly been the same since it happened. You know what's even more crazy to me, is she hasn't even played since it happened. There wasn't a day where she wasn't pitching, especially when my pops was still here. I have never seen someone her age so devoted or in love with a sport. Literally, it was eat, sleep, softball for Scarlett. And when the accident happened, it just stopped. Almost like a part of her died with our parents."

I don't want to pry about how exactly their parents died so I don't ask. "I didn't know that she played ball." I admit, much to my dismay.

"Oh, fuck yeah she played." Seth boasts. "Here, let me show you a video of one of her games." Seth pulls out his phone and scrolls though his gallery and finds the video. "Here."

I watch the one-minute long video, becoming even more impressed with this amazing girl. "God, she has a fucking beast of an arm...oops sorry. Excuse my language."

Seth chuckles and pats my shoulder. "Dude, you are fine. I don't mind the language. Just take care of her alright. I really haven't seen her this happy in months and it gives me hope that the old Scar will emerge one day."

My body loosens and I give him an assuring smile. "I will, don't worry. I really care for her...oh wow!" My jaw drops as soon as I glimpse at the stunning girl in the royal blue dress. Her hair is straightened with a half-up, half-down look. The dress she has on is flawless on her, accentuating her toned legs in the front, and with the heels she has on, her 5'5 self will be able to reach my neck. I am 6'3, so her height is even more adorable to me. "Excuse me." I finally say to Seth as I walk over to Scarlett.

I put my hand over my chest as I am about to have a heart attack. I mean, it could happen as I stand here completely breathless. "You look remarkable." I mutter. Fuck, she's gorgeous.

She bats her eyes and I watch her eyes examine my outfit. I wore dark blue jeans, with a black button under shirt and a gray vest with a royal blue tie, and black dress shoes. I looked inadequate next to her. "You too." She mutters with a smile.

I reach my hand out to her as I gesture towards the door. "Well, shall we?"

She nods and kisses her brother's cheek and gives Valerie a hug goodbye. I shake their hands and promise to get her home safely.

The dance was hosted at the basketball gym and the decorations were plain, to say the least. This school went all out for proms, not so much for homecoming, clearly. I sit at the table with Dex and Caleb as we watch the girls dance under the DJ lights. Dex ended up bringing some girl he hooked up with over the weekend and Nina and Scarlett instantly befriended her, pulling her out to the dance floor.

"At least the music isn't so bad." Dex yells over the loud music.

"Yeah its's alright." I shrug my shoulders. I really only came for Scarlett, and because I have to be here for the damn homecoming court...

"Okay, we are now announcing the homecoming court winners." The principal states on the microphone, the music stopping mid-song. The girls join us back at the table and I grab Scarlett's hand. She has small sweat beads beginning at her forehead and she wipes it away and fixes her now frizzy hair. She had been dancing the entire time and she still looks amazing. Every guy in here took a second glance when she walked in a few hours ago, and she didn't even notice. She really doesn't see how fucking breathtaking she is.

"Do you need a drink?" I say into her hear.

She nods as she grabs at her dress pulling it in and out, fanning herself off. "Yes please!" She pants.

I chuckle and head to the table to grab her some punch when I hear my name over the microphone. "Dean Connors and Phoebe Tillman. Congratulations. Please come forward for the tradition dance." Before I can protest, Phoebe is tugging on my arm and pulls me to the dance floor. I stand with her and force a smile for the yearbook photo, just for the homecoming court and try to walk away.

"Dean!" She hisses. "We have to dance."

"Fuck." I say under my breath when I see the principal mouthing for me to dance. I just need to get this over with and then I am out of here.

I grunt as I walk back to Phoebe and grab her hand and place one of my hands on her waist. She smirks as she tries to lean her head on my chest.

"Nope. Not happening Phoebe. I am with Scarlett now, so stop."

"Oh, come on baby. I know you miss me. She won't be able to make you feel how I did." She says in a seductive voice. She tilts her head and whispers into my ear. "Just remember all the things I used to do for you. I know what you like and how you like it." She trails off by trying to nibble on my ear lobe. Before, yes it was a turn on, though she was my first. I think it is normal for a hormonal teenager to get turned on like that. But now I am completely grossed out by her.

"May I cut in?" Scarlett asks. Thank the fucking lord almighty!

"Um. It is the winner's dance. I am the Homecoming queen, not you. So, looks like you need to wait until the song is over." Phoebe snarks and purses her lips. Her lips immediately turn to a frown once she realizes the song is ending.

"Well, would you look at that? Song is over. Move it." Scarlett snaps as she points her thumb back , gesturing to leave, and arches her brow. This jealous side of her is quite sexy. The fuck, who am I kidding? This girl is all around sexy.

Invitation by Why Don't We begins to play over the speakers. "Dance with me." Scarlett demands and I am quick to obey.

"What was that all about?" She whispers as if someone can hear us over the loud music.

I shrug my shoulders. "Phoebe being Phoebe." I chuckle. "She just thinks I am missing out on something. But as I have said before, the girl is in denial." I pull her in closer, both of my hands grabbing her waist, and her hands wrapped around the nape of my neck.

"So, you don't want to get back with her?" 

I search her eyes to see if there is a sign of sarcasm in there somewhere. "Are you joking?" I scoff. She continues to stare into my eyes, and I see her bite her lip. She is serious. "God, no Scar. Why would I? I have you...don't I?" I begged.

"Y-you called me Scar." She mumbles.

"Yeah, I heard your brother call you that and I kind of liked it. That okay?"

She nods. "Yeah. I am just not used to anyone else really calling me that." I notice her eyes wander off and I can tell that she is pondering something. I want to see the girl from that picture. The girl who looked so incredibly happy.

"What do you say if we get out of here? I want to show you something."

She ponders it for a moment and then reluctantly gives me a smile. "Sure."

"What are we doing here?" Skepticism fills her sweet voice.

"I am going to show you what I do when I need to let off some steam." I open the latch to the gate and lead her towards my back yard.

"Do I even really want to know what you do...to let off steam?" I can hear her hesitation.

I chuckle. "Nothing like that. Get your mind out of the gutter." I look over my shoulder to smirk at her. She returns my comment by sticking her tongue out and rolling her eyes. "Anyways." I pull the lever that is attached to the post, turning on the bright lights, revealing the batting cage. "I like to come out here and let out steam. Either this or a punching bag, but this is my favorite." I lift the net gesturing for her to come in.

I turn on the pitching machine and place a ball in, watching as the ball is thrown to the end of the batting cage. "What do you say? You want to hit a little?"

Scarlett glances at the machine and then to me. I can tell she yearns for it, just by the way she looked at the machine. But she was battling with herself, that was evident. "I...I don't have any steam to let off right now." She lies.

"Sure. Tell that to Phoebe. Pretty sure she was about to lose her head." I exclaim.

Scarlett folds her arms and mutters something under her breath. "My brother told you, didn't he? That I used to play?" She scowls. "Damn him."

"Yeah. I also seen a video clip of you pitching. I mean, damn. Do you know how fucking impressive that is? You have a real skill. I just don't understand why you don't use it."

"Just leave it alone alright. I don't play anymore, so that is that." She huffs, though I can see the water building up in her eyes. I don't want to upset her, but maybe this is what she needs. A push to get over whatever it was that made her stop playing.

"Why not? Why is it that you don't play anymore?" She shakes her head, unfolds her arms, and begins to walk away. I hold the net down so that she can't get out. I may be pushing a little too much at this point but I continue anyways. "What is it that you are so afraid of Scar?"

She turns her gaze to me, and I see the tears that have fallen to her cheek. My stomach drops at the sight. Fuck. I bring my thumb to her face to wipe her tears and then gracefully rub my thumb over her lip to stop her quivering. "Tell me." I say in a hushed tone.

"I.... I...it's my fault Dean." She sobs and I wait for her to continue, my hands rubbing both of her shoulders. "My parents died in a car accident the day of my last game. A game that I practically made them come to. While I was pitching the game and getting infuriated with them for not showing up, they were fucking dying on the road. Dying, because their daughter made them feel guilty if they didn't show up. All because some fucking recruiters were going to be there...."

"Hey, hey, hey."  I hush to stop her sobbing. She is frantically wiping the tears that are leaking from her eyes and is now breathing heavily. "Scar look at me." She doesn't. "Scar, please look at me." I say once more, and she shakes her head gently. I tuck my finger under her chin and lift her head to make her look at me. Her beautiful hazel eyes now blood shot. My heart breaks for her and at the guilt that she feels. "It is not your fault. Do you hear me? It is not  your fault." I assure her.

"Death is on its own clock Scar, and there is nothing that you could have done. They could have said no to your game and could have been driving to work or wherever else, and it could have easily happened then as it did that day. I am so sorry that this happened to you. I truly am, but you need to stop feeling sorry and blaming something on yourself that you had no control over baby." I exhale. "But that video that I seen, the one where you are pitching. You looked wonderful on that mound. That is your domain Scar...you are in control on that mound and you look flawless and happy. And I am sure that is all that your parents would want to see if they were still here." She sniffles and another tear drops, but I have her full attention and I hope I am breaking through this wall she has up. "Don't ever let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game." I add.

She wipes the last of her tears and chuckles silently. "Quoting Babe Ruth? I like it."

I grin but I don't let her change the subject. "So, what do you say? You going to try playing again? Your parents believed in you, Seth believes in you and I do too. Seth told me your dad was your biggest supporter by having you practice every day. Well..." I gesture towards the batting cage. "We will begin that, by starting tonight. I mean, I am no bad ass, sexy pitcher like you...but I consider myself a sexy third baseman." I bring my hand to my chest and flutter my eyes. Trying to get the faintest of a smile from her.

She giggles and then surprises me by jumping up on me. I hastily move my hands to catch her as she wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck, my hands landing right on her ass to hold her upward. "Okay." She simply states. "Okay, I will try." 

"That's my girl." I say softly. Her forehead pressed to mine; she gives me a penguin kiss.

I look into her eyes before smashing my lips onto hers. Her lips moving in perfect sync with mine. She starts to run her fingers through my hair and something electrifying shoots up from my toes to my chest. My skin prickles at her touch. I gently squeeze her ass, playfully, and she lets out a soft moan and that does it for me.

I easily slide her down, setting her back on her feet but she holds her hands still around the nape of my neck. Yanking my head down she continues to kiss me, her breathing ragged and hot against my face. She slightly parts her lips, allowing my tongue access, so I slip it in and start massaging my tongue with hers. I glide my hands up and down her sides, feeling her delectable, curvy body, as I continue to kiss her. Hard. She lets out another soft moan as she presses her chest onto mine, making the proximity nonexistent. I want this, I do. But it isn't time.

I bring my hands up and cup her face, kissing more softly and then eventually pulling away, resting my forehead on hers. Both of us trying to catch our breath. I hear her let out a small whimper and I can't help the side smirk that appears on my face. The want I feel for her is undeniable at this point and my chest feels tight and I ache to be closer to her.

"Scar..." I linger. My breathing still ragged.

"Hmm?" Her hazel eyes gazing back at me with admiration.

"Will you be...my girl?" I close my eyes, feeling somewhat embarrassed and hoping I don't get rejected. Do guys even ask girls that anymore?

"Finally, you ask." She mutters and my eyes fly open. She is grinning and pecks me on the cheek, sure to feel the heat on them from my blushing.

"Don't think that this hot little make out sesh, and you agreeing to being my girl, means that your not hitting. You are going to play ball again. So, let's go. I will start loading the balls, you hit."

She rolls her eyes and giggles. She puts on the helmet and grabs the bat and begins to walk to the opposite side of the cage, but not before I lightly smack her ass. She gasps and turns around with darting eyes and I throw my hands up in surrender. Seeing her get ready to bat, wearing that dress is probably the most adorable thing I have ever seen. I adjust my pants, which got a little tight during the kissing, and start loading the pitching machine. My girl looks phenomenal. I repeat, my girl. That is my girl.

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This chapter is dedicated to OliveST. Thank you so much for everything!!