"Rosette. Nice to meet you." She smiled, hesitating slightly before accepting the handshake.
Dranred's eyes immediately fell on their hands. Nathan's grip lingered a second too long, and without thinking, Dranred gently drew Rosette's hand back toward himself.
Rosette blinked, startled, and looked at him questioningly.
"You know," Nathan said, studying her face, "I think I've seen you somewhere before."
"Me?" Rosette asked, genuinely surprised. Where could he have seen her? It hadn't even been a year since she'd regained her sight. Maybe it was just one of Nathan's lines — he did seem like the type to charm new acquaintances. Still, she couldn't deny that he was strikingly handsome.
"Careful, Nathan — you say that to every girl you meet," one of the teammates teased, making the others laugh.
"Don't believe him, Rosette," another added. "That's exactly how he acts when he likes someone."
Rosette forced a polite smile, glancing briefly at Dranred. His face was blank, expressionless — and somehow, that disappointed her. She'd hoped for a flicker of something else.
"I remember now," Nathan said suddenly, his eyes lighting up. "You're the younger sister of James Christopher — the former basketball player."
Rosette nodded.
"It's unfortunate his career ended so soon," Nathan continued, his gaze shifting toward Dranred.
"I don't think James has any regrets," Rosette replied calmly. "He once told me those were the best days of his basketball life. Even if it was short, his last game was against a player who never held back. He gave it everything he had because of that person."
Her eyes met Dranred's as she spoke.
"Sweet talker," Dranred said with a faint smile, resting his hand on her head.
Nathan noticed the gesture. His smile didn't falter. "Would you like to try pitching?" he asked.
"Me?" Rosette blinked, pointing at herself before glancing at Dranred.
That made Dranred look sharply at Nathan, his jaw tightening. The nerve of this guy, he thought.
"Yes," Nathan said easily. "You're the first visitor we've had here. Consider it a treat from the team. Right, guys?"
"Sure thing," the others chimed in. Nathan raised his hand proudly. "If it's okay with Dranred, that is."
Dranred's grip tightened around the baseball in his hand. "If she's fine with it, then I don't see why not," he said evenly.
"What do you say?" Nathan asked Rosette. "Want to give pitching a try? Do you like baseball?"
"Don't talk to her like she's a kid," Dranred muttered, looking away. His hand clenched the baseball tighter.
Rosette glanced at him, noticing the irritation written all over his face — and for reasons she couldn't quite explain, her heart skipped a beat.
"Just throw the ball toward my mitt," Nathan said, standing on the mound with Dranred and Rosette. "Think of it like we're just playing catch."
Rosette hadn't been able to refuse Dranred's teammates — and truthfully, she was excited. It was her first time playing baseball again in ten years.
Back then, Dranred used to be her partner in catch. But after the accident that took her sight, that part of her life vanished — until now.
"Just relax," Nathan added. "I'll catch anything you throw."
He was about to place a hand on her shoulder when Dranred suddenly intercepted, catching Nathan's wrist midair.
"Go take your position," Dranred said flatly.
Nathan's jaw tightened, but he smiled anyway before walking off to the catcher's spot.
Dranred turned to Rosette. "Do you still remember how we used to do it?"
"I think I do," she said softly.
"Then just throw it. Aim for his mitt."
He placed the ball in her glove and stepped back.
Rosette glanced at him one last time before winding up. She still remembered how he taught her to throw — where to look, how to feel the rhythm of the movement. With that memory steadying her, she released her first pitch.
"Nice ball!" Nathan called as the ball landed perfectly in his mitt. The rest of Dranred's teammates applauded, and Rosette smiled, glancing at Dranred.
He smiled back and nodded approvingly.
"All right, one more!" Nathan said, throwing the ball back.
But Rosette wasn't ready. She watched the ball coming toward her — fast, bright — and at the last second, she flinched and shut her eyes.
Nathan froze. So did everyone else.
"How are you supposed to catch it with your eyes closed?" Dranred's voice cut through the quiet.
Rosette opened her eyes — and gasped. Above her, Dranred's arm was outstretched, glove catching the ball inches from her face.
She turned toward him. His expression was unreadable, but his voice softened. "You okay?"
Rosette nodded quickly.
"Sorry — did I scare you?" Nathan called, jogging toward them.
"No, it's fine," she said. "I just wasn't paying attention. Thank you for letting me play."
She smiled and began removing her glove.
"You're done already?" Nathan asked.
"Next time," she replied. "I have to head back now."
"I'll ask Peter to drive you," Dranred said. "I can't leave yet — we still have practice. I'll pick you up later."
"Thank you," Rosette said. "But you don't have to. Estelle and Dr. Bryan will pick me up. They're moving into their new house today."
She paused, meeting his eyes. She could tell he was thinking about it — about them.
"Don't look at me like that," Dranred said, flicking her forehead lightly. "You worry too much."
"I do not," she protested, turning away. Why did it feel like he could always read her mind?
"Hey," Nathan interrupted, watching the two of them with growing curiosity. "We have a game coming up. Think you'll come watch?"
He noticed how close they stood, how easily they spoke — and couldn't help but wonder if there was something more between them.
Dranred's irritation toward Nathan only grew. It felt like the guy was stealing his spotlight — and worse, he could sense that Nathan liked Rosette. The thought alone made his chest tighten.
"Yeah," Rosette said. "I made a promise that I'd watch the game."
She glanced toward Dranred as she spoke, and secretly, he couldn't stop the small spark of satisfaction in his chest. She's watching for me, he thought. That's already a win.
"Whatever your reason," Nathan said, smiling, "I'm glad to hear you'll be there. Makes me even more excited to play."
Rosette smiled politely.
"Will someone be driving you home?" Nathan asked.
"I will," Dranred said before she could answer.
Nathan turned to him. "You?"
"I know where she lives," Dranred said evenly. "And we're friends."
"Are you saying I can't be her friend too?" Nathan shot back. "You're a little too protective for someone who's just a friend."
"I—I'm not comfortable riding with someone else," Rosette interrupted quickly.
Nathan's expression softened. "I get it. Maybe I came on too strong. But the thing is… I don't like holding back when I'm sure about what I feel."
He met her eyes. "I don't know if you believe in love at first sight, but I think that's what happened when I saw you. So, no — I'm not pretending." He looked at Dranred. "And I don't think anyone should get mad about that."
Damn it. He's really pissing me off. Dranred's jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists.
"You're making her uncomfortable," he said, voice low but sharp.
Nathan glanced at Rosette — and saw the unease written clearly on her face. He sighed.
"Sorry. Guess I got carried away," Nathan said. "But I'm a straightforward guy. When I want something, I go after it."
He smiled again, lighter now. "Anyway, thanks for playing with us today, Rosette. I hope you visit again soon."
"I'll try my best," Rosette said with a small smile.