𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝
a/n: it's so long you guys I have no comment. I hope you'll enjoy it anyway. inspired by I would by One Direction. Jazz was supposed to be meaner in this one, but I love my man too much.
summary: Ben falls head over heels for you, but you're dating Jazz. Will he finally see you realizing leaving his teammate and falling in l-o-v-e with him instead?
Lately I found myself thinking
Been dreaming about you a lot
Ben knew he was gone for you the second he saw you. It hit him when he least expected it. Just like they said it would. His siblings, his mom, his teammates even. It's gonna come to you when you least expect it.
He wasn't a person to be late to things, but he was this time. And maybe if he wasn't he wouldn't allow himself to fall for you.
Jazz invited him and the rest of Yankees to his annual event for his foundation. Ben heard about it and he was excited to attend as his teammates always have been coming up with something fun.
This time he circled back to his favorite one, which was of course fashion show. PR was there, photographers and a carpet, like a mini All Star weekend. And Ben was running late to that carpet.
At least he wasn't alone. He was driving with Cabby and they were stuck in traffic. Out of all people Judge was late too and he was right behind them in his car.
They've literally run to the carpet. Three of them got out the same time and run like they would if bases were loaded.
Jazz was waiting for them, wheezing with Giancarlo that stood next to him. Max had a little more sympathy for the late three musketeers and covered the smirk on his face with the back of his hand.
"C'mon let's take some pictures" Jazz said pointing the wall.
"There's still time?" Ben asked, still catching his breath.
"Yeah, chill man. They're not gonna start without me, but we have some time left anyway."
"You told us to come earlier so we're not gonna be late?" Aaron asked taking picture of Jazz, Rice and José, infielders present.
"Nah, cuz you are late. They are just readjusting some fits, so it bought you some time" Jazz explained and everyone cackled at Aaron's expression. Then Giancarlo took a pic of Jazz and Aaron together.
"But okay, let's actually get to our seats now" Jazz said leading the way.
"Are you walking today?" Ben asked the 2nd baseman.
"Not today man, gotta let the other star shine tonight" he chuckled and Ben rose his eyebrows, intrigued. Giancarlo said something to Aaron and he just whistled quietly. Ben had a hunch they knew who Jazz was referring to, and he shook his head. Jazz lately provided a lot of gossip and drama and sometimes it was hard to keep up with his personal life.
Ben was curious but now he just wanted to seat down and watch the fashion show, even if he wasn't the Yankees biggest fashionista, it was always entertaining.
Ben noticed most of the models were either black or latine. Some of them he recognized from Jazz stories, his cousins participating, his younger sister too, wearing a custom Bahamian bomber jacket. Latine models had flags of their countries incorporated in their outfit. Some of them on the back of their jackets, some in form bandanas, or silky scarfs.
And there she was. After a segment of outfits with mostly denim, navy and white Yankees colors, she appeared in a tangerine dress. A traditional dress, from which country Ben couldn't remember at first, but then he saw Escarra stood up and clap and it clicked. Bata cubana.
Ben found himself standing up, clapping hands along with everyone else in the room. She looked stunning. The dress fitted her like a glove, and she literally looked like a rising sun. He had to talk to her. At least ask for a name, who she even was.
He decided to ask Jazz beforehand, so it any misunderstanding wouldn't occur. Like if she was already taken, which he wouldn't be surprised. But hey, maybe universe would be on his side.
A quick glance to his right where Jazz sat, to strike up a conversation about her. But Ben realized seat on his right was empty. Everyone was clapping and cheering. Models walked down the runway, waving. The show has ended and she was the closing look. No wonder, Ben thought to himself.
He put a smile on his face, waiting for her to show up again right before Jazz, as it was all in all his show. And boy oh boy, she showed up. Right before Jazz indeed. Ben cheered, as the applause grew louder, but just then we felt like someone poured a bucket of cold water on him.
Jazz followed right after her, catching up to her as she smiled, beautiful and bright. He stood right next to her, arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her in for a short kiss.
Audience went louder, someone whistled, probably José or Escarra, didn't matter. Universe 1, Rice 0.
And up in my head I'm your boyfriend
But that's one thing you've already got
Ben knew no one even saw what went in his mind, what just happened. Well nobody except for him saw that, but he was crushed. Internal crashout over someone who he saw for the first time for like what? 5 minutes? Four? Tick tock tick tock, c'mon Madonna. He needed to shake this, he didn't need Justin Timberlake and Madonna adding to his internal monologue.
“Ben, Ben!” he turned around, feeling somebody tugging his arm.
“Rice come on, JC asked you for like the third time if you want to get a drink” Caballero teased him. “Max already went with our captains”
Three of them went to the bar and JC was fixing to order two Corona’s for him and Ben and Cabby was going to be Ben’s driver.
“I want tequila” Ben blurted out.
JC raised his eyebrows. He didn’t expect that tonight, but if it was tequila instead of Corona, he certainly didn’t mind.
They were just two shots in, laughing at Cabby’s jokes when the rest of their party joined them. Jose joked something to Aaron about having to drive these kids home later.
“Ayy, eres menor que yo” J.C. called Jose, turning around to order more shots for him and Ben. Giancarlo saw the rest of his teammates still joking about something, and he stepped closer to Ben.
“Rice, if you want to make a decent impression on this girl, you better hold at these two shots” he said in a lower voice, but loud enough for Ben to hear him. He looked up at him and blinked.
“Wha...what girl?”
“You’re barely tipsy kid, don’t play coy” Giancarlo smirked at patted Ben’s shoulder. “You almost fainted when she walked out”
Ben was glad he wasn’t sipping anything because he would for sure choke on the drink. But he already felt heat on his cheeks, and he knew it wasn’t for tequila.
“Shut it, G” he slurred, but pushed the next shot to JC and went to the restroom. He looked fine, Giancarlo must have been just playin, but he did have a point. If by any chance he gets to even introduce himself to Jazz's girlfriend he needs to stop his fun now.
You took a dress off, putting on a skirt, the same one as the dress you just wore to the show. You're still excited, pumped with the positive feeling of being around your friends, Jazz's family.
It's all so familiar and new in one. You knew Jazz's family, met him through his sister back when he was still in highschool and coming to Florida from time to time. He wasn't your best best friend, but has been around for over a decade now, a part of your friend group and keeping in touch with you after you moved to New York and he was still playing for the Marlins.
Jazz as your friend was familiar. Jazz as your boyfriend was a new thing. Now, you were not only the part of his private life, but also work life. You still had your thing going on and no way you'd be at every game home, going on a roadtrip. But you wanted to participate. Wanted to get to know this side of him, his teammates, people working for his foundation.
And tonight was the perfect opportunity to start.
An hour later you already made up your mind on some people. You already couldn't wait for next time you'll talk to some of Jazz's teammates and their spouses. Some of them you'd always share a smile and polite small talk but nothing else, but others you could see befriending.
Jazz excused you to say goodbye to his mom and grandma, who were leaving the city that night. You were conversing with the Grishams and had the best time to be honest.
"I have a feeling you're gonna fit right in" Megan said, clinking a glass. You smiled back at her. "I was a little nervous when Trent got here, pinstripe pride and everything, but there was nothing to worry about"
"We're just a bunch of goofballs who play baseball" Trent added and you laughed. "Look at our inflied trio" he pointed out the table occupied by 6 Yankee players.
You recognized Stanton and Judge, JC Escarra, fellow cubano and the rest of them you knew, but couldn't remember their names.
JC was explaining something to the other guy, (Caballero, but you've always been mixing him up with Cabrera) moving his hands a lot and Trent couldn't help but just wheeze.
"Rice is so tired of his bullshit, he should've kept drinking with him" Trent said.
Then it hit you. The guy between JC and Caballero was Ben Rice. Now you remembered Jazz mentioning him. That he went to Dartmouth, spoke Spanish and given that he asked you not the yell at him in Spanish in front of Rice.
"Jazz, like half of the team speaks Spanish"
"I know, but not half of them were majoring in psychology, I'm not going to couples therapy after one month of dating you"
"We've known each other for ten years, if we were to go to therapy, that wouldn't be from us dating" you shoved his side and he kissed your nose in response.
"Maybe I should say hi, put the end to this discussion. Doesn't do any of them good" you suggested.
Trent nodded. Rice looked like he regretted stepping back form tequila, Judge and Stanton ignored them totally and JC was getting frustrated.
"We're going with you"
Amy Cole had the same idea as the three of you as she joined the table with Gerrit the same time as you.
"Coleee my MANN" JC stopped his rant right when he saw him, and hugged him, clearly more than tipsy at that state. Your presence unnoticed at first as everyone was cackling at Escarra's state.
Big G was the first one to look away from them and notice you.
"You must be Jazz's girlfriend" he said extending his hand, voice smooth. "Giancarlo Stanton, nice to meet you"
"It's so nice to meet you, I was a big fan of yours at the Marlins" you answered, stunned with seeing him and Judge in person.
"Oh, me in the Yankees not so much?" he teased and you let out a nervous laugh, aware of more glances turned to you right now.
"Oh god no, that's not it. Just I'm big Marlins fan, I lived in Miami until high school"
"So not a big New York fan?" Aaron reached to you, introducing himself after the question.
"Hey, I'm wearing the pinstripes, got nothing on me" you raised your hands and they laughed.
Introductions were made and conversation flew easily. You talked to them about baseball, how you got together with Jazz, where you were from (at that information JC lit up again, telling you that he instantly recognized the dress).
"Oh the dress got some applause. Or we should say the model and the dress, right Ben?" Giancarlo spoke, and the attention went to him.
"Yeah, yeah.. the dress was beautiful, model too, I mean, you" he stuttered a bit but you've hit him with the same smile he saw on the runway and he calmed down when you said thank you. You've said it like you meant it, not like it was just another compliment. It was sincere.
You didn't even knew how, but time went so fast. Jazz texted you in the meantime saying that his father's car broke down, so he had to drive to the airport. You'd rather have him next to you, but Trent's wife was right, you fit right in and had a nice time.
Marissa left to the bathroom and you noticed Ben sitting on the couch, JC sleeping next to him. You laughed at the view and Ben looked up, waving at you.
You approached them, and Ben carefully moved JC's head from his shoulder to switch places. He was now in the middle and you sat on his left.
You haven't expected that, but he was the one to start a conversation and you found him different from before. Earlier he stuttered under Stanton's gaze and now he was comfortable. Sure a little reserved and not as outspoken, but conversation flew easy, no awkward silence.
He was in the middle of a story when Escarra snored. You two looked at each other and snorted as quietly as you could.
"Good thing Wells is in the lineup tomorrow" Ben let out.
"And you?"
"Should be DH"
"Oo, that's nice" you smiled at him. Jazz told you Rice was doing great, having almost as much home runs as Judge so early in the season. "I had a little break from baseball, but I wanna catch up"
Ben nodded.
"You're gonna stop by the practice someday?"
"Uh huh" you smiled, taking a sip of your mocktail "tomorrow actually, Jazz asked me to"
Ben's lips streched in a small smile.
"Where'd you lost him by the way?"
"LaGuardia. He had to drop of his family"
"At least you know, me and JC lost Cabby, God knows where"
"Well, if he's not gonna show up, we can drive you home. Jazz should be here in couple minutes"
Ben thanked you and you asked him to come back to the story he was telling you before. You listened with attention and laughed at joke he made.
Jazz's sister joined you, and snuggled to your side on the couch, so you had to get closer to Ben and JC shifted in his nap, his head again at Ben's shoulder.
The three of you talked, Marissa dozing off, but adding to the conversation anyway. You were so invested in it, you haven't notice your man walking up to you with Caballero.
"So you took up on babysitting while I was gone?" Jazz smilled at you and bend down peck your lips.
"That provieded me top entertainment tonight" you smiled back, shaking Marissa's shoulder. "Cabby was gone, didn't want to leave them alone" you pointed to your right, but gave Ben a wink when Jazz and José laughed at were trying to wake JC up.
"Thanks for keeping me company" you told Ben when he got up.
"Oh no, I should be the one thanking you, honestly"
You turned to your boyfriend's direction, he was laughing at JC' confused expression.
"Are we gonna get some tacos?" he asked José and Jazz wheezed.
"Ben help us get him up" he called to him. JC leaned on Ben's shoulder, finally convinced to move.
"But you promise me to get tacos?" he looked at Cabby, eyes big and hopeful.
"Yeah man I promise, just come on, get to the car"
"Hell yeah, I'm goinnn. Who are we going with?" he turned to Ben with this question and before he could answer he turned to you. "We're going with you? You must be the prettiest driver Jazz ever hired" you all cackled at his statement.
"Dude, that's his girlfriend, you met her" Ben tried to scold him, but couldn't stop laughing.
"I did? Oh wait, I did, she was on the runway and you.. OW ¿que estas haciendo?" he looked at Caballero, who dropped his bag directly on JC's foot.
"You were walking too slow" Caballero answered and Ben mouthed a thank you. JC muttered something under his breath, but your group finally got outside. Guys said goodbyes and see you tomorrow's to Jazz when they got JC to the backseat.
"Nice meeting you and thanks for looking out for them" José said to you.
"My pleasure" you smiled back and waved at them with Jazz and Marissa when they drove off.
"Now, as I'm the prettiest driver you've had" you said to Jazz "keys, please"
"Yes, m'am" Jazz complied "tho I'll be watching out for him, so he's not stealing you from me"
"Don't worry babe, JC's not stealing me from you" you told Jazz when you sat in the car with Marissa in the backseat.
You started the engine, turned the music and sang with your man all the way home, trying to drown out a small voice, sneering in the back of your mind. Yeah, JC's not the one to worry about. But that didn't mean Jazz was safe.
He'd kill me without any warning
If he took a look in my brain
You looked like hell. Well, okay you were exaggerating, but bags under your eyes were screaming at you. Your face was dry and puffy, but nothing good morning skincare wouldn't fix.
"You hangover?" you heard Jazz's voice first and then felt his hand on your hip.
"Thanks babe" you shoved him and he chuckled.
"Nah, I just saw you had trouble getting up" he said picking your hair up with a clip claw.
"I don't know, just couldn't sleep"
You were tossing and turning most of the night, and when you finally fell asleep morning came quickly for you. You woke up at a crack of dawn. Jazz was on his side, one arm under the pillow, the other hung on your waist.
You were staring at the ceiling, guilt eating you from the inside. You had done nothing inappropriate, but you felt awful. Here you were, playing with your man's hair as he was sleeping soundly next to you, excited to go with him to the stadium today. Excited because his teammate is going to be there.
A guy you've just met yesterday, but the one who's words and stories you've played in your mind when you went to bed last night.
It wasn't butterflies. You've met a guy and you liked him. Not liked liked, but it clicked. Like a person who could be your friend. Normal reaction.
On the other side of town, there was no denial, but no panic either. Ben knew he was screwed the minute he saw you on the runway. And he went to bed with that thought.
Million thoughts went through his mind at the party, before you joined him and snoring J.C on the couch. He expected to be nervous and awkard, but he started the conversation.
And his intuition hasn't failed. You were great. Funny, charming, attentive, making his mind calm when. But you weren't his. You were somebody else's, his teammate's girlfriend out of all people.
So he decided to enjoy the conversation with you. Enjoy your company tomorrow at practice. Maybe it was gonna go away. Maybe it was just a crush. Maybe...
"Maybe it's not gonna last long" Caballero said to him when he stopped the car at Ben's building.
"What?" Ben let out, snapped out of his thoughts.
José shook his head with a small smile.
"Look, I wish Jazz the best, and he is great guy and all, but we all know his dating life has been a little..."
"Crazy?"
"... bumpy, but whatever you say, Arroz. I wouldn't write it off, if I was you"
Ben smiled a little when he remembered last night's conversation with Cabby. He could be right. But today he wasn't going to go insane. Just act cool. Not nonchalant, but not overly eager. He could do this.
Would he hold you when you're feeling low?
Baby, you should know that I would, I would
He absolutely couldn't do this. You showed up and it was already worse. Wearing baby tee and baggy pants, hair last night in a blowout, today in two loose braids. To Ben's eye no make up on either, and you were radiant.
"I'm not going to any more events with you" he muttered to Caballero when they were halfway through the practice. José looked in her direction, to the dug out where you chatted with Giancarlo.
"You've got it bad" he chuckled.
Ben sat down in the dugout, hiding from the sun. You still talked to Giancarlo, but excused yourself when her phone rang. You smiled, but it faded away slowly.
At first Ben didn't hear anything, as Jazz and Volpe were goofying around, but she waved her hand at her man and they went to the field. You started to walk in circles, your whole vibe different now as Ben heard an annoyance in your voice.
“Pero ¿por qué importa el color del vestido? No mamá, yo lo escogí no el... lo que sea” (But why does the color of the dress matter? No mom, I chose it, not him... whatever)
You ended the call and sat on the bench. Ben looked at you and you turned to look at him. Eyes glassy and Ben felt awful for you. Short phone call, but loaded with emotions and baggage, that Ben was sure the dress was only a tip of an ice berg.
"Just my mom, having one of her days" you said to him, trying to hide a sniffle.
"Just wanted your dress to look different, huh?" he asked.
You look at him, confusion flashes on your face for just a second.
"God, I keep forgetting you're fluent" you let out a nervous laughter and sit down next to Ben. There's a moment of silence between you two and you finally break it looking towards the field.
"My mom despises Jazz" you say, your voice having this worn out tone.
Ben eyes open wide and his head snaps toward you, but you keep looking ahead, where your boyfriend is talking to Caballero. He wishes to do something, but just waits.
"It wasn't always like that. Jazz and I know each other since high school, maybe you know that. But Jazz' family was always more my father's friends than hers, you know? And after the divorce she became so bitter to things my dad brought to my life, bonus points if it made me happy"
Ben felt a small crack in his chest, something twisting in him as it always did when he found people he cared about had to struggle like that wth their own families.
He recognized hesitation in your eyes, like you were wondering if you have overshared.
"Well it was bearable, but she went crazy when she found out we started dating. Now she's whining about it everytime she calls me. Criticizes everything that Jazz does. Just like the dress. She called me to say that it should have Cuban flag colors. Only because I wore it at his event, you know?"
He's about to say that he's sorry, before another pause gets too long, but you open her mouth first, finally looking at him.
"Don't mention it to anyone on the team, okay?" you ask, but there's no plead in your eyes, nor are there tears anymore. You look at him like it's his business not to tell anyone, not to betray your trust.
Ben nods his head, he gets what you mean. He will keep it for himself. He'd rather relive 2024 WS than disappoint you.
You didn't give him much opportunities to disappoint you, as it turned out. The vibe between you shifted after that conversation in a dugout. Or could even Ben call it like that, after literally two days of knowing you.
The next practice you showed up to was a week later. You've attended two Yankees game and then Ben hasn't seen you for two weeks. You guys did follow each other on Instagram tho, but it didn't seem to matter.
You've come around later, not avoiding him, but you were careful not to be alone with him as Ben noticed.
He finally got to talk to you after a Sunday game with the Rays, when Jazz took an awful lot of time, talking to one of his friends. You were waiting for him and Ben just had to break this uncomfortable silence.
"Hey" he said approaching you.
"Hi" you answered, giving him a small smile and you've began to toy with your bracelet.
"I know it's not like we're friends and we don't know each other for that long, but I need to ask..."
"I'm sorry, Ben" you interrupted, looking up to meet his eyes. "I shouldn't have become so distant"
"It's because of that phone call right?"
"Mhm" you nodded. "I felt embarrassed. We've knew each other for a day and I dropped toxic mother lore on you"
"There's no reason for you to feel like that. On my end"
"Yeah, but it is on mine" you gave him a tired smile and he kept looking at you with understanding in his eyes. "I felt.. I don't know, like you wouldn't have judge me, you know? And I was right, but I don't know I felt like I've got too comfortable"
"I would take that as a compliment" he smiled.
"Yeah, rightfully so" you chuckled. "Just sometimes I trust people too early" you muttered more to yourself but he heard that. "But that's my issue. And I shouldn't have avoided you. I like your company" you let out finally.
"So do I" Ben's smile grew wider and for the first time in a couple of weeks he felt hope rising in his chest.
"Starting over?" you reached out a hand and he shook it with a smile.
"Starting over"
Feels like I'm constantly playing
A game that I'm destined to lose
Ben thought you two starting over was the thing he wanted. And don't get him wrong, things were going much better than they were when you were avoiding him. But God did it hurt.
He never experienced this type of pain.
Everything else was going better than he would imagine. On the field he was on fire. He was healthy. Yankees were doing great, and the chemistry on the team was great.
Peak social life as after games he hung out a lot with his friends, family and teammates. That obviously included Jazz and you. He even met your family too. Your sister and dad came to one of the games and they were cool as you were. One of the best summers he'd had.
Except for the fact that after every time he saw you, he was coming home and stared at the wall. Screamed in the pillow sometimes.
And little did he know, that you'd feel the same way. Not for the same reasons as he did, but fate has it's own, tricky ways.
You'd felt even more frustrated this summer. Like Ben's you could've call it one of the best summers, for same reasons. Career life and social life was just what you've wanted. Whereas your relationship... what's not meant to last, would always crack under a certain amount of pressure.
Cause I can't compete with your boyfriend
He's got 27 tattoos
By the end of summer Ben felt like it was completely hopeless. You and Jazz caught the attention of the media and became fan favorites. And Ben couldn't blame them. You were both so electric, so bright. What could he bring to your life that Jazz hasn't already?
Only Jazz and you knew that it wasn't as perfect. You've had more fun than you had during the time you knew each other, but you both begin to feel like you're circling back to being friends more than lovers.
It lacked depth. You haven't talked for hours before falling asleep like you've had. You haven't been as giddy and excited to see each other after away games. You thought maybe it just was an end of honeymoon phase, but it was something else.
Jazz noticed it when you've become distant. Like you're body was there, but mentally you were somewhere else. You could've spend days working, getting busy, just to curl up next to him in bed and crying softly in his arms.
He'd always asked what was wrong, pulling you closer and stroking your hair, but you rarely answered. Just saying that you were tired.
Then you acted like a life of the party at games, hang out with Yankees and the other wags, but home you've been getting quiet. You'd still talk to Jazz, kiss him back, but it felt to him like you weren't there with him.
"Just tell me what is it" he asked one evening after a night out with friends. He stepped out of the shower and found you in the same place you sat 15 minutes ago. Purse clutched in your hand, heels still on, head down.
"It's my mom" you said, looking at him.
"What's she on again?" he asked and the tiredness in his voice ticked you off.
"I'm not even gonna bother to explain" you sighed, getting up.
"Why? Lately it's the last thing you wanna do, it seems. Talking to me"
"Because you don't even understand, Jazz"
"You never give me a chance to"
"Is that true? Everytime my mother does something like that, you brush it off" you said voice getting higher and louder.
"Because if I'd analyze her behavior everytime, I'd go insane. You have to let go. She caused you enough pain"
Tears appear in your eyes, threatening to spill and your throat tightens. Jazz is right and you know that. But the tone he says that with, you can't stand it. It's calm it's not mocking and it frustares you even more. He wants to help you. But he never could understand. Things like this are too easy for him, but sadly not for you.
"Not everyone is as good at not caring as you" you muttered
"What's that suppose to mean?" his demeanor changed as he felt attacked. "Hey I've listened to you. I've held you while you cried" he began to list things off when you haven't said a thing. "I even talked to her. Asked her to give us a break. I wanted to help you but all you do is pushing me away"
"You just... just" your voice begins to tremble "it's so easy for you Jazz. You expect me to be like you in that matter. And god I wish I could've been. But that's just one thing where we differ and, and it had been killing me lately. We're good when the things are good, but when there's a problem that cannot be solved right away we just..."
"We go apart" Jazz said.
"Yeah"
You're breathing slowed down as Jazz was walking in circles slowly. He walked up to his rag and goes through jackets, trying to get his thoughts together.
"It wasn't like that before" he finally let out.
You shook your head and your eyes met.
"We weren't putting such responsibility on it. It comes with certain pressure, relationship I mean"
Jazz noded and sat cross legged across you.
You kept looking at each other, bitterness and annoyance slowly leaving as for the first time in weeks you've felt like you were on the same page.
Your boyfriend spoke first.
"I guess I've never stopped looking at you like the female version of me" you snorted, because you knew what he meant. "Like there's a little more under that carefree facade you hide behind. Just haven't learned how to deal with that"
"And I've actually felt better when I had you as friend only. Before I've put this belief in my head that now you're my boyfriend you will fix my whole world"
"So I assume you want me to drop the "boy" from boyfriend" he chuckles after a while.
Your laugh is shaky when you say yes and you don't even know when but he pulls you into a hug. The smoothest break up for you both. Because it was going back to being each other's friend instead of boyfriend and girlfriend. Like it was meant to be.
Would he touch you? Would he need you?
Would he love you like I would?
You show up less and less on games. Your still present but not how you've used to. Your text with Ben become more frequent, but he rarely gets to see you and he feels like he might lose his mind any day now.
He feels like he knows you quite well, but it frustrates him because he never even was alone with you, so it doesn't feel accurate.
He would love to go out with you. To have you close for one evening. It doesn't even have to be dinner and a movie. Could be just a movie. You wouldn't even need to talk to him. He could just admire you in a light coming from a silver screen and it would make him the happiest.
Thank heavens, someone finally made him realize that it's totally fine for him to ask you out. Because your not Jazz's girlfriend anymore. You weren't for a month now, but poor boy was to busy with yearning and hitting homers to notice.
It happens at the party, two days after Yankees made it to October. Whole team is there, not only with wifes and girlfriends but family members too.
Ben is holding a wine glass in his hand, not really fond of it right now, but he takes a sip from time to time, pretending to listen to what Cam is saying.
Caballero interrupts Cam, and Ben doesn't even notice.
"Scuse me man, but lover boy here needs to be brought back to earth" he says and Cam laughs at now Ben snaps out of his thoughts, realizing his friends are grinning at him.
"I swear Arroz, if you're just gonna keep looking at her like that, not making a move again..."
"Stop fucking teasing me, Jazz is literally next to her" he bites back, surprising them with his tone.
They look in your direction and then at Ben. You're standing there in a group of four. Jazz is across from you, and you stand next to his cousin laughing at Jazz and Tim Hills conversation.
When Ben doesn't look away, Caballero decides he needs to put and end to this misery.
"Ben, they are not together. I'm not shitting you, they are not"
Ben's head turns to José with speed light, his eyes are wide as pies. For a second his mind is trying to trick him into thinking that his friend is like, but José looks dead serious. And then Fried says:
"Oh come on, even I knew that"
A little while later Ben finds you at the bar, looking at the NYC skyline. He says hi when he approches you and you smile, going for a side hug. He takes it as a sign from universe and good for him.
There's a comfortable silence between you for a while before he gathers the courage to speak up.
"I... I don't want to even embarrass myself any longer, so I-i, there's this thing I wanted to ask"
"Shoot your shot, Benito" you smirk. He chuckles nervously, but feels gets some assurance from the nickname you've called him sometimes.
"Would you go out with me? For a dinner. Or a coffee, or whatever you want honestly"
"Hmm, interesting offer" you hum. "For a date sounds like the best option tho" you flash him your pretty smile and he smiles back, teeth out and butterflies dance in your stomach. You loved his smile from the beginning.
He sits next to you, and your knees brush. You just look at each other, unaware of Cam, José, JC and Max watching you from the distance, happy smiles on their faces.
"Took you quite enough" you say quietly.
"I promise you, I'll make it worth the wait" he assures you and he sound so genuine, so excited. No cockiness under it and you love it. It's not what you're used to, but it feels so nice.
"I know you will" you say and lean forward to peck his lips. It's short, his brain even registers it.
"You can kiss me after our date" you murmur. "just little something to make you look forward to it"
You slide down from the bar stool as you whisper bye Ben into his ear. He watches you walking away and you turn around to wink at him. When you reach the stairs you can hear the guys.
Another celebration as they run to Ben. He sits on his chair, surrounded by four of his teammates who congratulate him, JC patting his back and Giancarlo joins them too, happy that an 6 month yearn finally seems to get Rice somewhere.
Somewhere that Ben exactly wants to be. You just agreed to go out on a day with him, hell suggesting it even. He feels like he'd hit a walk off, knowing damn well that tonight before he falls asleep he's gonna go through all of the first date options he's planned.
After the first date, he has a new thing to look forward to, besides next dates of course. The moments he's gonna tell you that he loves you.
He knew it long time ago. He tried to convince himself that he's not sure yet, but he's done fighting it and your date only justified it for him. He loves you, end of story.
And just wait when he finds out that you have the same conclusions. You knew it's going to be fast. You know you're not ready to say it yet, but there's no denying it, you're falling in love. With the person who's not your copy, but rather your half. Like the moon and the sun.
Would he say he's in L-O-V-E?
Well, if it was me, then I would, I would
a/n: if you made it here I respect and appreciate you so much! it would mean the world to me to see what you think of this fic🤍
taggin: @yearning4soto @peachmango-kombucha @jarrensweb @wildlaufey3 @diorjtrk @xoxokiaraaxoxo @ricevolpe @you-got-me-star-lost-16 @lani-i-i @retrohooks @caballeropilled @hockeygirlyyyy
divider by: @uzmacchiato
this was worth the wait & a great game cancellation activity 🫶🏽
love how the main cast got depth esp our girlieee
you wrote everyone to their characters & it was wonderful to see more of the underrated guys mentioned
oof not ben wanting to relive 2024 ws instead of disappointing reader (thats insane but he did not really have a role in it)
live long 1D & ben arroz!
