Foul Ball

By Amber Kuhlman

Macie

I expect Jayce Gregory to be an entitled college athlete when I agree to tutor him. Instead, he is kind, hardworking, and handsome. I long to feel his touch, his lips on mine. And before I can think twice, I’m falling for him, and things have never felt so right.
Just as I begin to believe in a happily ever after, I am diagnosed with leukemia.
Jayce is too special to me to put him through such an ordeal and derail his baseball career. Breaking up with him is a decent thing to do, but it's easier said than done ... especially when true love prevails.

Jayce

I have never been interested in dating, especially since most girls only want to date college athletes, not the real people underneath the jersey. My life changed when I meet Macie, my private tutor. This sassy, sweet, and gorgeous woman rocks my world and teaches me what true love is.
When it's my turn to support Macie, she pushes me away. Unfortunately for her, I've already made up my mind. Macie can count on me to stand by her side until the very end, whether she likes it or not. If she goes down, I’ll go down with her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amber Kuhlman
• Release date: Aug 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005583798

Amber Kuhlman

Amber Kuhlman is a Five-Time Amazon #1 Bestselling Author in Contemporary Romance under the pen name Amber Thielman. A witchy woman with an undying love for pumpkin-flavored anything, traveling, autumn, and boozy concoctions, Amber has written everything from spicy contemporary romance to upper YA, and sexy paranormal. There’s something for everyone!Despite her adoration for a HEA, Amber grew up reading too much Stephen King and spent endless lake-front summers devouring every Fear Street novel R. L. Stine ever wrote. She lives in Idaho with her husband and their two beautiful boys.You can find Amber on social media when she's not writing the pretty words. Come say hi, and stay up to date on new releases, teasers, and special giveaways. Amber loves getting to know her readers!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoramberkuhlman/Twitter: https://twitter.com/kuhlambeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramberkuhlmanReader’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authoramberkuhlmanTikTok: @authoramberkuhlmanIf you'd like to reach out to me personally, drop me a line. I answer everyone and I love speaking to my readers: [e-mail]

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Foul Ball

A Sports Romance

Amber Kuhlman

Copyright © 2021 by Amber Kuhlman

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Contents

1. Jayce

2. Macey

3. Jayce

4. Macey

5. Jayce

6. Macey

7. Jayce

8. Macey

9. Jayce

10. Macey

11. Jayce

12. Macey

13. Jayce

14. Macey

15. Jayce

16. Macey

17. Jayce

18. Macey

19. Jayce

20. Macey

21. Jayce

22. Macey

23. Jayce

24. Macey

25. Jayce

26. Macey

27. Jayce

28. Macey

29. Jayce

30. Macey

31. Jayce

32. Macey

33. Jayce

34. Macey

35. Jayce

36. Macey

37. Jayce

38. Macey

39. Jayce

40. Macey

41. Jayce

42. Macey

43. Jayce

44. Macey

45. Jayce

46. Macey

47. Jayce

48. Macey

49. Jayce

Five Years Later

Also By Amber Kuhlman

About the Author

Chapter one

Jayce

The campus library was nearly empty as I stepped through the front doors and paused inside the building. It was late for a school day, after seven, and only a few stragglers were left, cramming for tomorrow morning’s exams or panic-writing a term paper. It was only the start of the semester, but the good kids were already taking advantage of study time.

I looked around the enormous library, feeling out of place and lost. I hadn’t stepped foot in a library for years, let alone this one, and I almost turned around and bolted right back out the door. I could be practicing right now instead of hanging out at the damn library.

Hey, someone called from a small roundtable, raising her hand in the air to beckon me over. Are you Jayce?

That depends on who’s asking, I cracked, but the girl didn’t smile. Tough crowd.

I’m Macey, she said, standing from her chair as I walked across the library floor to join her. I’m your English tutor. You’re late.

Or maybe everyone else is early, I said with a grin, and Macey frowned at me, less than impressed. I sat in the empty chair across from her, digging into my bag for my laptop. Macey watched me as I did this, her deep, topaz blue eyes searching my face. Elbow-length, straight, dark brown hair was loosely braided and flowed to one side of her neck. Thick reading glasses sat perched on her nose, making her look more intimidating than she probably was, and the old jeans and tie-dye t-shirt she wore were simple, but the outfit complimented her curves nicely. As I laid my laptop on the table, Macey shoved her hand over the table for me to take. When I touched her, her skin was surprisingly soft and warm, and it molded well into mine.

Jayce Gregory, I said, holding her hand for a moment too long.

Macey Britton, she said. It’s nice to meet you finally.

Finally? I said with a grin. Have you been waiting long?

You mean, besides last week when we had a tutoring session scheduled, and you didn’t even show up? Macey asked, blue eyes flashing.

Oh, I said slowly. Right. Sorry about that. My practice ran a little late.

Right. Macey flashed me a smile that might as well have been deadly, then cleared her throat and pushed her own textbooks aside so we could focus on my English paper. It didn’t matter. I could only focus on her, this strange girl sitting in front of me. She didn’t care who I was. Hell, she apparently didn’t even care to know who I was.

What a breath of fresh air.

Had I known how cute you were, I wouldn’t have missed our session last week, I said with my best golden boy smile. Macey stared at me silently, and not even a single smile cracked onto those plump pink lips.

Cute, she said instead, her voice dripping with sarcasm. I heard you were like this. I’m so glad that it’s true.

Wait. I leaned forward, resting my palms on the tabletop in front of us. You’ve been asking around about me?

Oh, God, no, said Macey. I heard your name and asked some friends if they knew you. Turns out, they did.

And what exactly did these friends of yours say about me? I asked, wondering if I should be offended or not.

They said a lot, Macey said with a shrug. But why do you care?

I don’t.

Good. Then let’s get to work, shall we? She adjusted the spectacles on the bridge of her nose, eyes narrowing in my direction, and all I could do was sit there and stare at her. She wasn’t my usual type, but something about her was drawing me in. Hello? Macey said, waving one hand in front of my face. I blinked once and then twice, tilting my head to the side to scope her out.

Let’s start over, I said finally. I want to give you a better first impression.

I don’t care about first impressions, Jayce, she said. I care about getting on with this so I can get back to my night.

Did you have big plans?

Sure, if you consider big plans to be vegging out in front of the TV with textbooks, then I had huge plans. Macey smiled then, barely, but it was gone before I could even confirm it was there.

By all means, don’t let me keep you. I grinned and winked to show her I was kidding, but no single hint of a smile appeared anywhere.

I was told that without tutoring, you might just fail English, she said, taking a crotch shot. Is that still the case?

That’s what they keep telling me, I admitted. But I think they just like to believe that since I’m a jock, I’m an idiot.

And you’re not? Macey asked, her expression never wavering, even for a second.

No, I’m not. My playful mood was fading quickly. This wasn’t as easy as I had hoped, and it wasn’t even the homework I had to blame.

No? Macey said, and this time she did smile. She smiled big, mocking almost. You’re not an idiot? Then prove it.

And that’s all it took. All I needed, really. I laughed, shaking my head. Macey watched me silently, eyes narrowed. I liked this girl. I liked her a lot. And when Jayce Gregory wanted something, he got it.

Macey Britton would soon be mine.

Chapter two

Macey

G o on a date with me, Jayce said, sliding his laptop across the table, out of the way. He leaned forward, supporting his elbows on the table.

What are you talking about? I demanded. "I can’t date you. I’m your tutor, Jayce. You don’t even know me." I shook my head, reaching to twirl my braid between my fingers, a nervous habit I’d had since childhood.

Hence the date, he said with a shrug, leaning back in the seat to secure his hands behind his head as he looked at me. You’re cute. So, how about that date?

How about I pass?

Easy now. Jayce rocked forward, placing the palms of his hands on top of the table. You’re gonna break my heart.

Can we discuss the actual reason you’re here? I said, leaning back as he leaned in. You’re here because you need help passing your classes. Because what happens if you don’t pass your classes?

I lose my scholarship, Jayce said with a slight shrug, but he looked away from me when he said it, convincing me that it meant more to him than he wanted to let on.

Very good, I continued. Now, wouldn’t it be a sad day for you if you could no longer play…football?

Football? Jayce repeated, and now it was my turn to shrug.

I took a chance, sorry. Swimming?

Do I look like a swimmer?

Hockey.

I play baseball, Macey. Baseball.

I cringed, mostly because out of every boring sport to watch and hear about, baseball was at the top of my list. That wasn’t saying much, though, because I had yet to find an enjoyable sport.

I saw that, Jayce said, brow furrowing as he leaned closer to me. Not a baseball fan, I take it?

Must I be to get you to do your work? I asked.

Probably.

Still no, not a baseball fan.

That’s because you haven’t seen me play. Jayce winked, which sent me into a small fit of laughter that only seemed to offend him more.

Do you use that line on all women? I asked. And better yet, do they actually fall for it?

Jayce pinched his lips, folding his arms across his chest. It was difficult not to notice the toned muscles in his arms pop as he did this or the way his short brown hair perfectly completed his complexion. Still, I forced myself to look past all that and focus on the issue at hand, even as the slight tingling between my legs became more prominent.

Yes, he said finally. Yes, they do fall for it.

And you expect me to fall for it, too?

I expect nothing of the sort. He winked again, leaning forward to rest his forearms on the table. You’re different from the others. My charms would have already worked on them by now.

Maybe I’m not like the others, I said softly, drawing a smile from Jayce.

Neither am I.

A tense silence settled over the table, and I watched Jayce look down at his hands, wishing I could hear his inner thoughts. Was he this cocky all the way through? Did he have a good side, a human side?

Well, I said finally. We make quite the pair, don’t we?

Yes, Jayce said, stunning gray eyes meeting mine. We do. So, how about that date?

I laughed mockingly, throwing my head back for effect. Pass on the date, I said. But you’ll get me in trouble if you don’t pass your classes, so let’s focus?

I’ll focus today if we can circle back to the date thing later, Jayce bargained. Otherwise, I’d like to spend the entire hour flattering you until you just say yes.

Shaking my head, I reached for his laptop and set it in front of him, ignoring the puppy dog eyes he gave me as I opened a notebook and took out a pen for notes.

He was good, but I was better.

Work, I said. And not another word until we’re finished with this paper.

***

It was late, after ten, when I finally stumbled through the doors of the on-campus apartment I shared with my roommate, Kylie.

Look what the cat dragged in, Kylie teased as I kicked my shoes off by the door, dropped my pack, and crossed the floor to collapse onto the couch, physically and emotionally drained but too tired to make it up the stairs and into bed.

Tell me about it, I mumbled, slapping my arm over my face. I feel as bad as I look.

It’s late, Kylie said, going to the kitchen for two beers. You’re never out this late. Did something happen?

No, just tutoring. Kylie plopped down next to me on the couch, setting her own drink aside. I sat up and gratefully took the can she offered me, popping the top to take a sip, relishing in the bubbly carbonation.

Tutoring, she repeated. I almost forgot about that. Anybody we know?

His name is Jayce Something. He plays baseball.

Jayce Gregory? Kylie asked, turning her body towards mine, eyes growing wide.

That’s the one.

Dude. Jayce Gregory is, like, really popular around here. Kylie shook her head, looking disappointed in me.

Really. I rested my head against the couch and closed my eyes, wishing I wasn’t too tired to haul my ass to bed.

Yes, really, Kylie said. He’s a notorious bachelor. All the women want him, but he doesn’t really date because it takes away from baseball.

We must be talking about two different people, I said with a chuckle. The man I met tonight had zero reservations about hitting on me.

He hit on you?

Yes, I said. Don’t look so surprised, Kylie, jeez.

I’m not surprised because it’s you, my friend said, but somehow, I didn’t believe her. I’m just surprised because Jayce Gregory doesn’t hit on anybody. As I said. He’s the primetime bachelor at Eagle River.

Meh. He wasn’t really my type. I rubbed my hands over my face and pushed myself off the couch, anxious to fall into bed, refraining from telling her that Jayce had not only hit on me but had asked me out on a date, and I’d turned him down.

But he’s so cute, Kylie said, standing up to follow me up the stairs. And I’ve heard he’s super sweet, not so arrogant like the others.

He seemed just like any other over-inflated jock, I muttered, pushing open my bedroom door. Kylie followed me in, still talking, but I started to undress anyway, pulling on a pair of sweats and the t-shirt I always slept in.

When will you see him again? she asked as I went to the bathroom to comb my hair and brush my teeth.

The schedule varies. It depends on his practice schedule.

"God, I am so jealous."

Of what?

Of all the quality time you get to spend with him! Kylie wailed. Don’t you know that every girl at ERU just wishes they could spend that much quality time with Jayce Gregory?

They can have him, I said with a shrug, side-stepping Kylie so I could fall face-first onto my cozy queen bed. I kept my face hidden in the pillow, hoping she’d get the hint and go away. She didn’t.

I’m just saying, consider yourself lucky, said Kylie, and when I finally looked up from my pillow, I found her checking herself out in my vanity mirror.

Goodnight, Ky, I said with a groan, reaching for my bedside lamp to switch it off. I’ll see you in the morning, okay?

I’m just saying, said Kylie, backing out of my room. You could do worse than Jayce Gregory.

Repeat his name and I might just stamp it on your forehead, I said with a yawn. I didn’t tell her that ever since leaving the library, I couldn’t get Jayce Gregory off my mind. And I knew damn well that the wetness between my legs had nothing to do with fatigue and everything to do with the golden boy himself.

Jayce Gregory.

Chapter three

Jayce

My mind was still reeling with thoughts of Macey as I climbed the stairs inside the campus hall to make my way to my apartment for sleep. I lived in the Rendezvous Building, an ERU lecture hall slash cafeteria slash housing unit. All the athletes got their own apartments on campus, as close as possible to the classrooms and food so all we had to do to get to class was roll out of bed and walk downstairs. It was convenient, cozy, and much easier than driving from off-campus daily.

The apartment I had to myself was quiet and empty. It would have made a nice bachelor pad of sorts if I ever actually had the time to hang out and make it my own. I guess the perks of being a student-athlete were only perks if you could enjoy them, but that was the catch; there was no time to enjoy it. There was only time to study, train, and work.

Over and over again.

I dropped my baseball bag by the door and kicked my shoes off, tossed them aside, and locked the front door behind me. Going to the kitchen for a water bottle, I yanked open my refrigerator, exposing a near-empty icebox of, well, not much of anything at all. A few water bottles and a single near-empty pizza box were all that was there. Shaking my head, I grabbed water and the pizza and took the last single slice from the box, savoring the stale junk food the best I could. I made a mental note to go grocery shopping over the weekend, regardless of knowing that deep down, I wouldn’t be doing anything that even resembled shopping if I could avoid it.

I pulled my cell phone from my pocket to check for missed calls, noticing that my mom had left a message. As I ambled into my bedroom to change, I dialed my mom and pressed the phone to my ear.

Hello, my son, Mom said on the other end of the line. She sounded good and happy to hear from me.

Hey, ma. Are you working?

Yes. Working the night shift, but it’s slow. How has school been?

Fine. I sat down on the edge of my bed and peeled my shirt off, tossing it in the general direction of the dirty laundry basket. Practice is good. Coach thinks we’re going to have a good season.

How’s your schoolwork?

I had to get a tutor, so I don’t fail English. Despite how much I wanted to tell my mom about Macey, now wasn’t the time. We’d only just met, and why should I? I didn’t make it a habit to tell my mother about every friend I made.

I had to have a tutor in high school, Mom said. There’s nothing wrong with that. Your strengths are elsewhere.

Thanks, ma. I just got home, so I need to shower and get into bed, but I’ll come to see you this week.

I love you, J.

Love you, too. Tossing my phone aside, I stripped the rest of the way naked, still thinking of Macey, the only woman I’d ever met in my life who had somehow been able to intrigue me from the very moment I had laid eyes on her.

That was weird. That never happened. In fact, I hadn’t been this interested in a girl since middle school, when I thought I was in love with Katie James, who was in love with the neighborhood bully, Micah. After that heartbreak, my focus turned to baseball. It stayed there until I became good, then great until ERU sent me an invitation to attend their prestigious university and take their baseball team to the top. My focus stayed there after that-parties, late nights, challenging classes, and friends…

And then, tonight, my focus shifted. I didn't think about baseball for the first time in a long time. Not even a little bit, not even for a second. I thought about Macey. Only Macey.

Get a grip, dude, I muttered aloud, cranking on the shower's hot water as my prick began to stiffen, yearning for the woman I’d only just met. I stepped into the shower and let the hot water pour over my body as thoughts of Macey intruded my mind, seeping into every pore of my body like a drug I’d just been introduced to, chasing the high of this new, dangerous thing.

I wanted her.

No, I needed her.

But why? Why her, and why now?

What in the hell was so special about Macey Britton?

Chapter four

Macey

Ihad a shift on the ambulance Wednesday before my first class of the day, so I was up around four in the morning and over at the firehouse by four-forty-five. My partner and Paramedic in Charge, Addy Connor, was already there, per usual, ticking off supplies on the list when I arrived. Ever the hard worker and determined soul, Addy smiled over at me as I approached, her kind expression putting me at ease at once.

Hey, lady, she said. Now that the semester has started, I wouldn’t have judged you for taking some PTO, you know.

I know. I handed Addy the cup of coffee I’d brought her, then took a seat next to her in the back of the ambo. I appreciate it, I continued. But honestly, I need to keep my mind busy. As soon as I start taking time, nothing gets done.

I know that feeling all too well, Addy said with a laugh.

How’s Jay? I asked, referring to Addy’s fiancé, Jay Dexter.

He’s doing great, thanks for asking. He’s actually thinking about coming here to try out for the fire department.

He’d do well, I said with a shrug. Hansen says they’re always looking for great new recruits. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the wall of the ambo as a wave of exhaustion overtook me, consuming me almost entirely. I’d been feeling so fatigued recently, but I knew the start of the semester was to blame. It almost always was.

When is your first class today? Addy asked as we finished checking off the supplies.

Not until noon.

Are you enjoying your classes?

Oh yeah. Histology is the coolest class I’ve ever taken, I said.

Really?

No, not really. It’s horrible. I’m ready to be done with my undergraduate and into medical school.

Laughing, Addy handed me the clipboard to sign off on. We were just about to hop out of the back of the ambo when my uncle, Erik Hansen, captain of the fire crew, came in through the back door, holding two plates piled with eggs and bacon.

Who’s hungry? he asked, balancing the plates on each hand like a world-renowned chef. I made breakfast.

Oooh, thanks, Addy said, taking one of the plates and a fork from him.

Mace? Hansen asked, offering me the plate. I started to reach for it, then stopped when the smell assaulted my nose, making me nauseous. Bile rose in my throat, and I looked away.

Ugh, I said, shaking my head. "Sorry, H. I must have had something bad