Riley: Hey! I’m heading out last minute to get a pedicure, would you like to come with me? My SIL might also join.
Reese: OMG! Yes! I need some pamper time. When are you going, and to what place?
Riley: Ummm… good question! I haven’t been to any of the places since moving here. Do you recommend a place close by that can take walk-ins? And I’m ready to go whenever.
Jillian: Cora will be here in about 10 minutes to watch the girls! So, I’ll be ready after that. Do you want to swing by and pick me up?
Riley: Perfect! I also invited Reese Blackwood; do you know who she is? I met her at the park yesterday. Justin was talking to her husband, Austin.
Jillian: She’s a sweetheart! You will love her! We’ve met at a few charity events the guys have all gone to, and I’ve run into her out and about in the neighborhood.
Riley: I asked if she recommended a salon nearby that takes walk-ins as I realized that I haven’t been to any since moving here.
Reese: There’s a place just outside of the neighborhood that takes walk-ins that I’ve been to a handful of times. Want to try them first? We can always go elsewhere if they can’t get us in.
Riley: Sounds perfect! I’ve got to swing by and pick up my SIL, and we’ll meet you there!
Reese: See you soon!
Riley: I’m on my way! Reese recommended the place just outside the neighborhood; I said we’d just meet her there.
Jillian: Sounds good to me, that’s where I go. See you when you get here.
I slip my flip flops on, grab my phone, wallet, and keys and head out the door. Less than five minutes later, I’m pulling in to pick up Jillian, who’s already outside waiting on me.
“Sorry, I figured if you came inside, the girls would want to hold us up leaving,” she says, getting in the car before I can get out.
“That’s okay,” I tell her before backing out.
“How’s your day going?” she asks as I make our way out of the subdivision. I catch her up on Justin’s parents arriving and how he is whisking me away for the night for a date night, how this outing was his mom’s idea and all about our conversation before I left.
“His parents are great; I’ve met them a few times,” she tells me as we pull up to the nail salon.
Reese is already inside, her feet in a tub of hot water. “Hey, girls!” she calls out once we are inside. “Grab your color and take a seat,” she says, motioning to the chairs next to her that are being filled with water.
“Hi, Reese,” Jillian greets her, “good to see you again.”
“This is your sister-in-law?” she asks me with excitement filling her voice.
“The one and only,” I confirm.
“So, your brother is Derek?”
“You are correct again,” I tell her.
“It’s all making so much sense now,” she says. “I think we’re all going to be good friends,” she states matter-of-factly as Jillian and I both select our colors and sit in the big massage chairs. I relax as my feet slide into the hot water, and the massage rollers start working up and down my back.
“Oh my god, this was just what I needed,” I moan a moment later.
“You and me both. I might need to make this a regular thing. Especially the farther along in this pregnancy I get,” Jillian says. I look over, and she’s got her eyes closed as the chair massages away at her back.
“Amen to that, sister. I came all the time when I was pregnant with Nicole,” Reese tells us.
“Do you know where JJ is taking you tonight?” Jillian asks once the techs start on our toes a few minutes later.
“He’s told me nothing except to be ready by five and to pack an overnight bag.”
“Ooh, sounds like he’s got some sexy times planned,” Reese teases me.
“I’m sure he does,” Jillian says, bouncing her eyebrows at me.
“You guys are almost as bad as he is,” I joke right along with them. “I’m guessing a hotel and dinner are involved, as well,” I tell them, “but without knowing where we’re going to dinner, I’m a little stumped with what I should wear tonight.”
“You need something sexy, make him sweat it out during dinner,” Reese suggests. “I know the perfect store, not far away, that we could go to after here and get you a cute little number for tonight.”
“I like that idea!” Jillian adds. “We could also grab some lunch on our way.”
“Is baby boy hungry?” I ask her, and she just shrugs her shoulders at me like, what do you expect, I’ve got a bowling ball in my stomach.
“Sounds like we’ve got more plans today!” I state, knowing it’s easier to just go along with them than to try and go against whatever it is that they are scheming up. “That won’t be a problem with the sitter, will it?” I ask Jillian.
“Nope, she said she was free all day. I’ll just send her a text that we’re going to grab some lunch and then stop at the store before coming back.”
“Okay,” I reply.
“And I’ll text my husband that he’s on Daddy duty for a few hours.”
“How’s he handling that?” Jillian asks Reese.
“Like a pro. He was so cute when she was first born with how nervous he was to hold her, but after a day or two he got over the fears and is just smitten with her. She’s definitely a Daddy’s girl.”
“Derek was the same way when Addison was born. When Penny came along, he was right in there as soon as she was born, taking over. It will be interesting to see how he is with a boy this time around.”
“I’m sure he’ll be just fine, and he’s going to be teaching that boy to pitch a baseball before he can even walk, you just watch,” I interject.
“Probably,” she agrees, knowing Derek as well as we both do.
“Do you think Austin will try and get Nicole to play hockey?” I ask Reese.
“Oh, he’s already counting down the months until he can go buy her first pair of skates. I think the moment will be more special for him than it will be for Nicole,” she says, chuckling.
“Are you working on any new music?” Jillian asks Reese.
“Yep, I have been writing like crazy with a handful of writers, along with my favorite two back in Nashville, Stacey and Lee. They have become a little popular in the last few years, but always make time for me, which I am so grateful for! The plan right now is to head back into the studio in the fall and start recording for a spring record release. Then I’ll head out on a full tour next year. I’ll have to probably kick it off before Austin is done with the season, so we’ll have to juggle that, but then he’ll just join us wherever we are once he’s done for the season. The same will go when he’s due back in the fall for camp and the start of the new season.”
“Do you have a nanny that travels with you, then?” I ask, not sure how that works.
“Probably. I have not gone on a full tour yet since Nicole was born, so Austin or my mom has just come along with me to take care of Nicole while I’m on stage. Once all the tour dates are set, and we know how much of them he cannot be with me, we will make that call. I would prefer to just have family since the bus quarters are tight, but I also feel bad asking my mom to come out on the road with me for weeks or months at a time. It can be hard to go from city to city, night after night. Eating catered food most days and sleeping weird hours while rolling down the road.”
“Makes sense.” I nod my head as I digest everything that she must have to consider now that she’s got a baby. “I never even considered everything that went into touring, especially with a baby and family.”
“It’s going to be different, that is for sure,” she agrees. “Even just going out for one or two show weekends this summer has been so different, and I’ve had Austin or my mom with me for all of them. Being on a bus with an almost walking toddler is not an easy feat, I can’t imagine what it will be like when she is walking.”
Our conversation flows over the hour as we finish up our pedicures. I picked out a bright pink, Jillian, a bright oran
ge, and Reese, a bright red. With our toes all pretty and my fingernails also painted for tonight, we head out, first for some lunch and then to the store to find me the perfect outfit for tonight.
Twenty-One
Justin
“Listen up,” Coach Roberts calls out as he enters the locker room from the dugout. We retreat into the locker room rather than stay out on the field because of how hot it is after a long practice. The air feels good on my warm skin. I suck down a bottle of ice-cold water as he looks around, waiting to get everyone’s attention. “Jose is out on IR for an unknown amount of time. He is going to require surgery and rehab after that. We’ve called up Lucas Black, so please welcome him to the team,” he tells the room at large. Jose is one of our best outfielders and had a nasty collision during a game last week and screwed up his shoulder.
They have never called this kid up, so I don’t know much about him, but my initial instinct just looking at him is he’s a punk kid with a chip on his shoulder. He does not look a day over twenty-one, so he is probably young and cocky. Maybe he is the answer to my problem with the press.
“Welcome,” a few of the guys call out to him, and he gives out a few head nods around the room. Yep, he’s a cocky fucker. I think I’ll like him, I say to myself. With Coach done talking to everyone, I pull my drenched clothes off and head for the showers. Knowing that I’ve got a date ahead of me tonight has me ready to blow out of this place as soon as possible.
I take the world’s quickest shower, pack my shit, and am out of the door before most guys are even dried off and dressed. “Where’re you off to in such a hurry?” Derek calls to my back.
“Got a hot date with your sister,” I call out over my shoulder.
“You better treat her right, or I’ll kick your ass tomorrow!” he calls back to me.
“Like her prince fuckin charming!” I tell him before the door to the locker room closes. I laugh my way to my car, pop the locks, and toss my bag into the back seat. I roll the windows down and open the sunroof, enjoying the sunny day and wind as I drive home.
“Hello!” I call out once I’m home. The house is quiet and dark, so I go in search of everyone. I find my parents outside with Evie, in the pool. “I’m home,” I call out, opening the door. “Where’s Riley?” I ask, looking around for her.
“We sent her off to go pamper herself today before your date tonight,” Mom tells me as she floats around the pool.
“Good thinking, I wish I’d thought of that.”
“I told her just the same,” Mom tells me.
“Has she been gone long?” I ask, looking at my watch and seeing that it’s only three o’clock.
“Yep, she left mid-morning. Texted awhile ago that she is out with Jillian and Reese. They were going to get some lunch and then go shopping. Something about the girls insisting that she have a new outfit for tonight and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Okay, I’ll just text her to see when she’ll be back.”
JJ: Just got home, will you be here soon?
Riley: Maybe 30 minutes? We still need to check out, but Jillian is trying a few things on still.
JJ: No rush; have a good time.
Riley: It’s been a fun day! I just love Reese.
JJ: Glad to hear it. See you when you get home. I can’t wait to see what you’ve picked out for tonight. Hopefully, it is something skimpy. :winky face:
Riley: You will just have to wait and see… :kissy face:
“Sounds like they’re having a good time and will be home within the hour or so.”
“I figured she could use a girls’ day out of the house and without the responsibility of Evie,” Mom tells me as I take a seat on one of the deck chairs.
“I’m going to go pack my bag for tonight, you guys okay out here? Need anything?”
“I’d take a beer if you have one in the fridge,” my dad says from the chair next to me.
“Should have some, I’ll go grab you one. Want anything, Mom?”
“Nope, I’m good for now.”
I stand up and head inside. I grab a beer quick for my dad and take it back out to him then head in and pull out a change of clothes, along with my toiletries kit. With the amount of travel I do, I’ve always got it packed and ready to go. I top off a few of the bottles and toss it into my bag. I don’t need much since we’ll be back sometime tomorrow morning before I have to head to the field before our afternoon game.
I finished packing and head out to the kitchen, grabbing a Gatorade from the fridge just as I hear the garage door open. I look around the corner and see Riley coming in, a few bags hanging from each of her hands. “Hey, babe, did you buy out the entire store?” I tease her.
“Felt like it, but Jillian and Reese insisted I get it all.”
“Do I get a personal fashion show?” I ask, raising my brows in a suggestive question.
“Not until later,” she tells me. “Now go away while I unpack all of this, pack my bag and get dressed for tonight. And no peeking,” she scolds me. I stalk over to her, wrapping my arms around her as I lift her off the ground. I crash my lips to hers in a possessive kiss.
“Maybe we should stop at the hotel before dinner,” I say against her lips.
“Not happening,” she insists. “You’ll ruin my hair and makeup if we do that, and the next hour of me getting ready will be pointless.”
“If you insist. But after? You. Are. Mine,” I tell her, nipping at her jaw between each word. “I hope you’re not expecting to get much sleep tonight,” I warn as I set her back on her feet and smack her ass as she turns to head to the bedroom.
It feels like forever before Riley comes out of the room, but really it's only just over an hour. I have to swallow my damn tongue when I see her. She’s pulled her hair up into a half-twisty half-down style. Minimal makeup highlights her eyes and lips, and my mind jumps directly into the gutter with that color staining them. My eyes track down her body. She’s got a one-piece, off the shoulder outfit that hits her mid-thigh. I have no idea what they call this style of outfit, but it looks like it was made for her. My eyes trail down her legs and find her feet in simple, yet elegant sandals that wrap around her ankles.
I hear a whistle from behind me and turn to find my dad whistling at Riley. “Damn, son, you’re one lucky man tonight,” he says, and I catch the blush as it stains Riley’s cheeks at his appraisal.
“You’re already married, old man, so paws off my woman,” I tease my dad.
“You already made me a grandpa once this year, maybe hold off on doing it again tonight,” he quips right back at me. That is all it takes for me to think of just that. What it would be like to experience a pregnancy with Riley. I missed so much with not knowing that Erica was even pregnant that I hope I get to experience it one day with Riley, whenever that might be.
“No promises,” I give it right back to him.
“Would you two behave?” Mom asks, smacking Dad on the chest as she moves to stand next to him. Evie is in her arms, and as soon as she’s next to Dad, he takes Evie from Mom, much to her dismay. “You look stunning tonight, Riley,” Mom compliments her.
“Thank you,” she shyly accepts the compliments. “My sister-in-law insisted this was the perfect outfit for tonight. It would work if we went somewhere fancy or somewhere more casual. And it’s super comfortable to boot, so it was a win-win,” she tells us as I close the distance between us. I pull her into my arms, burying my face in the crook of her neck. I breathe in deep, getting a lungful of her shampoo and perfume mixture.
“Ready?” I ask, standing back slightly. I can’t help it and have to drop a quick kiss to her lips.
“Yep, just got to grab my bag and say goodbye to Evie,” she tells me, and my heart about melts that she doesn’t want to leave without saying goodbye to my daughter.
We finally make it out of the house, thirty-plus minutes later. I head straight for the restaurant I made reservations at. I requested a patio table, seeing as the weather is perfect for it. T
he Capital Grille is a popular steakhouse in downtown Indianapolis, one that I was lucky to score a reservation at. Sometimes flexing my name recognition helps just a little bit in my favor.
We’re seated quickly, a bottle of champagne already waiting beside the table in a bucket of ice.
“Good evening,” a waiter says, approaching the side of the table moments after we are seated. “I’m Jeffery, and I’ll be taking care of you tonight. Can I start you out with a glass of champagne or something else from the bar?” he asks, holding out the bottle for us to inspect.
“Babe?” I leave the decision up to Riley on what she wants to drink.
“You can’t ever go wrong with fancy champagne,” she says, motioning to the bottle. Jeffery untwists the top and pops the cork like he’s done it a time or ten.
“Would you like for me to go over tonight’s specials, or did you want to take a minute to look over the menu?” he asks as he expertly pours us each a glass of the bubbly liquid.
“Are they just what’s listed here?” Riley asks him, holding up the single sheet menu page we were given when seated.
“Yes, ma’am,” he tells her.
“I’m good then, thank you,” she tells him.
“And you, sir?” he asks, turning his attention to me after replacing the champagne in the ice bucket.
“I’m good, but can we get two shrimp cocktails to start out with, please?”
“Of course, I’ll get that in right away,” he says before stepping away from the table. I reach across the small table and grab Riley’s hand in mine as we both read over everything on the menu.
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