In the parking lot near the baseball diamond, Naomi tapped her fingers on her steering wheel. Greg's road bike was already locked up nearby, and while they'd talked since last week, they hadn't seen each other. Their changing dynamic was enough to navigate alone, but adding on a team of their friends intimidated her. Should she play platonic or affectionate?

It's a softball game. You're overthinking this. Just warm up and play ball. Plus, Ian is here.

After grabbing her bag and water bottle, she headed for the benches with players in blue jerseys. Her teammates greeted her with enthusiasm. She wasn't on the team only because it was a co-ed league and they needed women on the field; she rounded the bases faster than any of her teammates.

A man with sandy brown hair finished a sip of water and smiled at her. "Hey, Nomi. How've you been?"

This week it was a loaded question. Ian was a friend, but he was also Tara's younger brother, sharing the same pale, freckle-dusted skin.

"It's been good, busy at work, and you? How were those exams?"

He grinned. "Fairly brutal. Hopefully, my profs don't think so. I wish I had your job instead."

Naomi smiled. Working with dogs for a living was the main reason she loved her career. She couldn't imagine calculating and problem-solving as Ian did in his mechanical engineering program. "I'm sure you kicked ass. Like you'll do on the diamond tonight."

He chuckled and stretched his pitching arm across his chest. "How is the house treating you?"

"Love the space, hate the bills." Everyone said a home was an investment, but between property taxes, mortgage payments, hydro, water, and groceries, the cost was overwhelming. At least taking on a few private clients had helped.

"Nomi!" Greg's voice bellowed from the field.

She couldn't help but smile. Hopefully, Greg would see Ian and not make the situation too awkward. Even if Tara had broken up with Greg, siblings had different loyalty, and Naomi hadn't heard all the breakup details. As Greg's close friend, she'd always sided with him, but he likely contributed to that breakup too.

"I'll be out in a minute. Then we can run a few laps?" Naomi asked Greg.

"Of course." He returned to his game of catch with Marc. She grabbed her cleats from her bag and slipped off her sneakers.

Ian stretched his arms over his head and laced his fingers together. "Have you talked to him much since he and Tara..."

"We've hung out a few times. He seems to be okay. Still down about the split, but that's normal. How is she doing?" Naomi tied her first cleat.

"About the same. She might stop by the game tonight."

That was weird. Why would she drop by, knowing her ex would be here? Why not meet her brother afterward?

"Does Greg know?"

Ian grimaced as he leaned further into his stretch. "I didn't know how he'd react or if she's showing up for sure, so I didn't mention it. Things have been awkward with him since the breakup."

That was probably the best decision, although if Tara showed up mid-game, it would shock Greg and throw off his playing. While telling him would affect him, she knew how to put his mind at ease. Her stomach muscles tightened as if warning her to be careful. She finished tying up her left cleat then grabbed her glove and ran toward Greg.

"Can I steal him for a few minutes?" she asked Marc.

He gave her a knowing smile, his black eyebrows raising, and said, "Sure," while looking between her and Greg.

Her stomach somersaulted again with nerves. She brushed it off by jogging. As Greg matched her pace, she said, "So, you told Marc?"

"Have you not told Shivanna?"

"That's different. She doesn't play softball with us."

Greg's smile melted her heart. "I was excited. Plus, I don't want to hide this when you're at my place."

That was a fair point. As Greg's close friend and roommate, Marc would find out sooner than anyone else. "Let's tackle the long route today."

She and Greg ran past another diamond and rounded a corner until they were hidden from their teammates and the parking lot.

As she slowed down, he mirrored her speed. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." When she stopped, Naomi tried to catch her breath, not from the run but due to what came next. "I wanted to do this." 

Her muscles tensed, but she fought them to lean in and kiss Greg on the lips. The kiss was slow and almost hesitant from both of them. He brushed his fingers against her cheek and tucked her hair behind her ear but didn't rush like last time. By the end, her nerves had relaxed.

Greg grinned. "I could get used to that pre-game routine."

Naomi's cheeks grew hot, and she took his hand in hers. "Me too."

After he leaned in for a gentle kiss she easily reciprocated, she leaned into his warm body. "I have to tell you something."

"Why do I sense it's bad news?"

"Tara might be at the game today." Naomi didn't miss how Greg tensed against her, so she squeezed his hand. "That's why I wanted to show you we are good. And if you want to hang out after the game, I'm all yours."

"Thanks, Nomi." Greg pulled her into a hug that she could finally snuggle into the way she'd longed to for years. His warmth and softness made her melt.

"Have I ever told you this is one of my favourite feelings in the world?" Naomi whispered.

"Hugs?"

"Your hugs."

"They are pretty amazing with you."

He squeezed her tighter, and she pressed her head into his chest to enjoy the moment of bliss. For a few seconds, it didn't matter that his ex still shook him up, or that Naomi feared her asexuality would ruin this. She had to tell him soon, but he already had plenty on his mind with Tara.

She reluctantly extracted herself from his embrace. "We should head back. This arm won't warm itself up."

"I can help." 

He placed his arm over hers, entwined their fingers, then pulled it into a throwing position before stretching it gently back out. Her muscles were far more focused on the warmth of his touch than on game preparation.

"As nice as that is, we have all the time in the world after the game."

"Promise? You won't let the team sway you with celebration drinks?"

"Not this evening."

"Thank you." He kissed her on the cheek and broke out in a run toward their diamond. "Winner buys snacks tonight."

"Not fair, you cheater," she yelled as she chased after him with a grin. They always had friendly races and tried to trick each other.

As she caught up to him, he smiled. "That's the first time that worked. You must like me or something, eh?" He stuck out his tongue.

"Not as much as you'll love staring at me as I pass you by." She sprinted the last section toward the outfield.

After she reached Marc and slowed to a stop, Greg flew by and whispered, "Worth it."

As they played catch with Marc, Naomi struggled to reign in her excitement, her body still humming with the energy of Greg's kiss and flirting. From the looks Greg kept shooting her, he must have been similarly affected.

Marc chuckled at the two of them as he threw to her. "Have fun on your run?"

"Yeah, Greg's a great running partner."

Marc's broad shoulders shook as he laughed. "I'm sure he feels the same about you."

"Without a doubt." Greg's gaze was as soft as his tone.

Ian ran up to join their warm-up, taking a spot near Naomi, and she tossed him the ball. "Hey guys, been a little while."

"We missed you at the bar a few weekends ago," Naomi said.

Ian threw the ball to Greg. "Had to study. But I heard you hit it off with someone. About time, eh? It boggles my mind that you're single." Ian grinned at Naomi.

She tensed. Did he know about her and Greg?

"Sorry?" she asked.

"Some dude with a tattoo and an eyebrow piercing."

As Greg wound up to the throw, the ball thudded into Marc's glove with a loud smack that made him wince.

"We chatted a bit. Nice person, but nothing came of it. Didn't even get his name."

Greg's eyebrows lowered and were drawn together. "You could do a lot better."

Ian looked between Naomi and Greg. "What was wrong with him?"

"He was some weird-looking overweight guy. No one Naomi would date," Greg said.

Would he be that shallow if her appearance ever changed? Her metabolism kept up with her food binges, but how would Greg feel about her if it didn't? Or was this just his jealousy showing?

"I'm attracted to the whole person, not their appearance. I hope other people are too."

He smiled at her. "Definitely."

Ian's gaze caught something in the distance. "Thanks for the warm-up. Catch you on the field." He sprinted off.

Once the game started, Naomi's energy had another outlet as she hit doubles and triples throughout the first few innings. The cheering from her teammates only enhanced the sensation of walking on air she'd gotten with Greg during their run. It didn't have the same effect on him as he hit foul balls or singles. 

Tara had shown up to cheer on her brother. Even in a casual hoodie and jeans, her brown hair's effortless loose curls and flawless face elevated her to be very noticeable in the crowd. Greg froze when her voice travelled to the bench. Naomi wanted to grab his hand, but too many people could see them. His reaction wasn't boding well for their odds of winning, nor the odds of her and Greg's closeness being more than a fling.

When Naomi she returned to the bench after scoring her latest run, she faced a not-so-satisfying string of high-fives.

"You're on fire, Nomi," Ian said.

"Thanks, you're having a good night yourself." He'd been striking out the other team with more frequency than usual.

The umpire yelled 'strike' as Greg lined up at the plate again.

Ian ran a hand through his light brown hair. "It's not Greg's game."

"I mean." Naomi's gaze wandered to Tara, who followed the action at home plate.

"She said they're going to stay friends."

"But wasn't the breakup her idea?" The broken-hearted party was more vulnerable and agreed to anything to delay the inevitable. She'd done it herself, and it wasn't pleasant.

"It was. Feels weird, doesn't it?"

Naomi withheld how much better it was to start the game by kissing Greg instead of watching him with someone else, but her presence hadn't affected him the same way. If she shared that information, it would travel to Tara, who he still cared for more than Naomi had expected.

"I guess. Did Tara say why they broke up?"

"Not exactly, but she mentioned Greg was more distant before they split."

Distant because of his feelings for Nomi or something else? The umpire called 'strike' for the third time. Greg stomped toward the dugout, tossing the bat against the fence before joining them.

"That's my cue," Ian said, trading his ball cap for a helmet. He passed Greg with a curt nod and continued into the on-deck batter box.

Greg tossed his helmet on the ground and plunked onto the bench beside Naomi with only curse words on his breath.

"Ref's been off with his calls this inning." She tried to reassure him.

He huffed. "Hasn't slowed you down."

"They don't call me Wheels for nothing," she joked.

That earned her a chuckle but no verbal response.

She glanced at Tara again, who was watching her brother. "It's unfortunate she came today."

"She's been following these games longer than we dated. It's not fair to ask her to stay away."

Two years ago, they'd met at a house party Ian had thrown. Greg had fallen for her fast, and they became a dream power couple: successful investor and talented rising chef. It had happened a month after Naomi's relationship with Luke dissolved painfully, so it stung that much more.

"She could have waited longer," Naomi said.

"It's her life. She'll do what she wants."

"And so can you." Naomi gave him a friendly smile.

Metal twanged as Marc's swing connected with the ball and soared into center field. The players on the bench cheered, and she hollered, "Go, Marky Mark!"

Greg shook his head and laughed again. "You're right, Nomi. I will do what I want." He turned to her and drew her into a soft kiss on the lips, which left her so shocked she didn't reciprocate.

She blinked at him, aware of each of their teammates' gazes except for Ian, who'd stepped up to bat. No one said a word. While it thrilled her Greg wanted their relationship in the open, she dreaded causing a rift between teammates. Tara was well-liked, and while Naomi was too, it looked suspicious to kiss her ex weeks after the breakup.

While no one said a word, she felt the unspoken questions in their quickly averted gazes and raised eyebrows. Would they assume that she was the reason that Greg and Tara broke up? He tensed as he noticed their attention too.

"You okay?" The hot air from his whisper burned her cheek unpleasantly.

She nodded even though she wasn't because she had no desire to have that conversation in front of their team. 

As the game progressed, the smiles and encouragement she and Greg typically got from their teammates dried up, not that either played well enough to earn it. Tara had come to the bench to talk to Ian, then left mid-game. Since then, the guy hadn't said a word to Naomi and kept glaring daggers at Greg.

When she and Ian were on the bench together again, she turned to him. "Are you mad?"

He sighed. "You're smarter than this, Nomi."

"I've liked Greg for years but have said nothing until this week. I didn't intend to stir up drama," she whispered.

"You really think he's genuine? That there's not more at play?"

"And what do you think is happening?"

"He's using you to get to Tara."

Naomi frowned. "I'm not naïve. He's not over Tara, so it's messy, but Greg and I are close and have had feelings for each other for years. That's not insignificant."

Ian shook his head. "That man will only cause you both pain."

Naomi had to believe otherwise. Greg had done nothing but support her for years and he would never treat her that coldly.

***

So Naomi still hasn't been completely honest and there are a few more obstacles. I'm curious what your thoughts are on the new supporting characters: Ian, Marc and Tara.