Full Count (Cessna U Wildcats Book 3)

by Kimberly Readnour

  “Tell me this, Garret. Did you flirt with girls while you and Livia were together?”

  “No! Never.” What the hell? I can’t believe she’d ask that.

  “Sweetie, there’s your answer.”

  I grunt. Lexie’s right. I wouldn’t cheat on anyone. I stayed faithful to Livia the entire time until I thought she broke up with me. I may have glanced at someone’s ass, but to stray? No way. “Are you saying you can forgive me?”

  “I think you need to forgive yourself.” When I don’t say anything, she continues, “Garret, I love you, too, but what does that mean for us? Where do you see our relationship going?”

  “Honestly?” My heart races from her words. She loves me. She. Loves. Me. I never thought I’d hear those words spoken to me ever again.

  “Honesty’s a good place to start.”

  “I can see the entire picture—you and I together. But where does that leave Livia? She’s Olivia’s mom. She’ll always be part of our future. I want Olivia to know her, regardless of Liv’s condition.”

  “Don’t you get it?”

  “Get what?”

  “Your stance only makes me fall harder for you. You’re not one to ditch your responsibilities. That’s the kind of qualities I look for in a man.”

  “I just don’t know what to do. You don’t want kids, and I come as a package.”

  Those lines reappear across her forehead. “Why do you think I don’t want kids?”

  I give her a look that screams really. Because, really, how can she ask that? “All I’ve heard since freshman year is how you don’t want kids.”

  Her jaw drops open. “I-I-I was just kidding. Do I really say it that much?”

  “Just about once or twice every time we talk.”

  “Oh, no. That’s not what I meant. Of course, I want kids. Preferably ones that don’t act like my brothers, but I definitely want ones of my own.”

  “Wow.” I glance over at Olivia while I process what this means. “That changes things.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I said it that often.”

  “Let me get this straight. You’d be okay with going out with me?”

  “Good grief, Garret. Yes, I’m okay. But what are you talking about here? Dating until the end of the semester, or do you see something beyond?”

  I pin her with a look—one of complete seriousness. “Once you’re mine, I’m never letting you go.”

  “Oh.” She lets out a breathy sigh. “I teased Cara about Braxton wanting to own her, but here I am, wanting to be claimed.”

  A smirk slides into place. “Do you now?”

  She blushes. A true pink tinge that starts at her neck and works its way up. Lexie hardly ever gets embarrassed. I may have to make it my life’s goal to recreate this moment, because she’s too damn cute.

  “So, what about graduation? You never did tell me where you got accepted.”

  Her sudden attempt to change the subject would make me laugh, but I grimace instead. My gaze sweeps to Livvy for a moment before answering.

  “That’s because I didn’t want to upset you. Besides, I’m not a hundred percent sure what I’ll be doing. I’ve submitted my resume to various firms.”

  “You got into Cessna U?”

  “I did, but I think they only accepted me because I play on the baseball team.”

  “Don’t cut yourself short. Technically, I could attend here, thanks to you turning down the scholarship, but I want to give the job at Mr. Fernandez’s company a shot. After meeting him today, I feel more confident.”

  “Yeah, you’ll be fine, but you won’t be directly under him anyway. That Erik guy seemed decent to work for.”

  “He did.”

  We look over to where Olivia plays. She’s sliding down the kiddie slide again. She loves that equipment the best.

  “Are you positive you don’t want to play professional ball?” Lexie asks.

  I shift my gaze to the ground. “I want it more than anything, but being drafted isn’t a guarantee to the majors.”

  “Nothing in life is a guarantee.”

  I chew on my bottom lip. Lexie’s right, but it’s hard letting go of everything. I have too many burdens. Too much responsibility.

  “Wanting to do the right thing is honorable, but at the same time, limiting. You’re handcuffing yourself without realizing it.” Her words hit home. When I turn to look at her, she softens her expression. “I can’t tell you what to do, Garret. But please think long and hard about your decision. In the end, it’s your decision. That little girl’s going to love you regardless of which path you choose. Sure, it’ll be tough being away from her, but her love won’t go away.”

  “And yours?” I hold my breath as those honey-rich eyes bore into mine.

  “It never left.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  Lexie

  Current Day

  Garret: Fun Fact three. Yes, you are irresistible. I know because I can’t stay away. ;)

  “You know I love your mom, right?” I say as soon as we step from Garret’s house and into the balmy night air. His chuckle is welcoming after the long day we’ve had.

  “She’s pretty incredible.”

  “I’m thoroughly stuffed.” When we arrived back at Garret’s house, Mrs. Cartel had a huge turkey and noodle dinner waiting for us. Who fixes turkey when it’s not Thanksgiving?

  “You better get used to having good meals. Livvy isn’t the only reason I like going home every weekend.”

  I smile as I replay his words. I better get used to it. Warmth spreads through me. He said them so casually and with sureness. But he’s right. I’m not going anywhere.

  “Uh-huh, sure,” I tease.

  “What? I’m serious.” He feigns surprise. “Have you seen the food at our house? No one cooks, and when Braxton tried, he almost killed us.”

  “I heard about that,” I say, my shoulders shaking from laughter. When we reach my car, I lean my back against the frame and peer up at Garret. I don’t want our evening to end. “Glad I missed out on that meal. But seriously, your daughter is the cutest. You’ve done a great job raising her.”

  “Nah, my parents deserve the credit but thanks.”

  “That may be true, but that little girl adores you.”

  He quirks an eyebrow. “I’m not the only one she’s enamored by. I seem to recall a certain girl she clung to after the park.”

  “It’s my hair. It gave me an advantage.”

  “Clearly.” He laughs. “Well, that and the budding rock star.”

  “Good grief, she’s going to be disappointed when she hears him play.” I have every intention to make that scenario a reality. Not that I want to torture the poor thing, but I want to incorporate Garret and her into my life as much as possible. Today was a good start. She seemed to accept me with no reservations. Before we left, she ran up to me, wearing a serious expression. I wasn’t sure what to expect. She leaned in closer and whisper-yelled that she liked me the best. A hush fell across the room, no one knowing what she meant. Then, she shook her head and said the other people were nice, but I was nicer.

  The tension broke. Oliva wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tightly. I had to fight the sudden urge to cry. She was so adorably sweet.

  I flip the key ring around my finger, biding time. Garret’s face grows serious as he shifts to pin me against the car. His hands land on my waist as he stares at me with such intensity, I feel it down to my core. I take a stuttering breath. That man can get me flustered by one particular look.

  “Follow me to jock housing?” His question is more of a demand.

  “Are you prepared for the onslaught of questions from everyone? Cara told me earlier she and Shannon were going to be there.”

  His dimple pops as a smirk slides into place. “Hell, yeah. I want to shout it from the rooftops. If you want, I can announce it over the loudspeaker at Renald Field.”

  My fingers grasp his shirt, and I pull him closer. “What I want is your lips on
mine.”

  “That can be arranged.” His soft lips join mine, and I melt against him. I have waited so long for this moment, and I can’t believe it’s finally real. That he is finally mine.

  He breaks the kiss, our breaths heavy and quick. With his palms resting on my hips, he presses his massive hard body against me. “Tell me, Blondie, is it too soon that I want to wrap your legs around me and drive my cock inside you? You’re so fucking hot. You drive me insane.”

  My thighs clench, and the ache between my legs intensifies from the visuals he installs. God, I love it when Dirty Talking Garret comes out to play. “Let’s hurry.”

  His mouth curves to a wicked grin. “Anything you want.”

  Forty minutes later, we’re parking our cars in the jock row parking lot. He walks over to me and laces his fingers through mine. We’re silent on the way to his house. Before opening the door, he grins down at me.

  “You ready for this?”

  “I am.”

  The entire gang settles on the L-shaped sectional while a movie plays on the television. We step farther into the room, and all five heads turn to greet us. All five mouths fall silent. Cara’s gaze dips to our joined hands, and her mouth forms an O before busting out into the biggest grin.

  The corners of Braxton’s mouth lift to a smirk. “It’s about damn time.”

  “What do you mean?” Garret asks.

  Braxton belts out a laugh. “You guys have liked each other forever.”

  “Oh, you didn’t know.” Garret shakes his head as if he doesn’t believe him.

  “We all knew,” Noah and Dalton say in unison.

  That comment brings a round of laughter. I press my lips together to stifle a laugh and glance up at Garret, expecting a scowl. He’s all smiles.

  “Whatever. We have homework to work on.”

  “Sure, homework.” Dalton puts extra emphasis on the word.

  “I didn’t know anatomy was part of your curriculum.”

  That came from Braxton. Garret returns their taunts by flipping them the bird as we climb the stairs.

  “Sure, that’s why you’re leaving.” Noah’s voice carries to the second level.

  “We need better friends,” Garret grumbles when we enter his bedroom.

  But I know he’s joking because we have the best friend dynamic. I love our friends. They’re like family. No, correction: they are family.

  “What we need is for you to get over here and fulfill your earlier promise.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” A heartbeat later, we’re tangled in each other’s arms. Our mouths joined as if we’re each other’s lifeline. His hands lift my shirt over my head. My hands undo his waistband and shove his shorts to the ground. We work in this frenzy until we’re completely naked, and we’re lying on his bed. There is nothing better than the feel of Garret’s hardness pressed against mine. Well, having him inside me is pretty incredible too, but one thing at a time.

  Garret tilts his head a fraction and stares at me, his expression growing serious. “I love you, Lexie Jenkins.”

  “I love you, too.”

  And then he spends the next few hours, showing me exactly how he’s a man of his word.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Garret

  Night Before Cessna University’s Graduation

  A smile ghosts my lips as I take in the scene. My roommates and their girlfriends kicking back at Barton’s and unwinding after the end of our reign at Cessna University is a welcomed sight. Lexie sits beside me while Sean and a few other teammates join us at the long, wooden tables we scooted together to accommodate us. One thing about Barton’s, they cater to the students.

  “Here’s to graduation and another winning season!” Braxton holds the bottle of beer in the air, and we clink the bottles together. “Well, except for the young ones.”

  “That’s okay. I don’t plan on coming back next year,” Dalton mumbles.

  “Don’t jinx yourself. They have to draft your ass first,” Sean says.

  “I’ll be drafted.” Dalton tips his head back as if he has all the confidence in the world, but the look in his eyes shows concern.

  “Which summer league are you assigned to in case you don’t?” Sean’s a persistent ass. I give him that.

  “Nolan Greenburg’s team. He’s also my host home.”

  I grimace as a collective “oohs” works around the table. Our school hasn’t sent anyone to stay at Coach Greenburg’s house in years. They’ve sent people to play for the team, but other families hosted them.

  “The preacher’s house.” Braxton’s tone matches the Star Wars death march. Everyone bursts out laughing except Noah and me. Noah gives me a knowing look. They only send guys to the preacher’s house who require attitude adjustments. Dalton’s a little standoffish, but he’s fine around us. It’s his attitude with the other teammates that could improve. He needs to be more of a team player. The tight ship the preacher runs is like a mini boot camp. Or that’s the rumors anyway. Dalton better hope like hell he gets drafted. Otherwise, his summer will be the worst.

  “Just keep your hands off the daughter,” Braxton warns.

  “Daddy usually makes sure his daughter’s gone for the summer, but if she’s around, you better wear your aviators. I heard she’s a looker, but if Daddy catches you eyeing her, he’ll reprimand you. I pity anyone who has to play for him, let alone live at his house,” Sean goads.

  “Fuck off. I don’t have to worry about it. I’ll accept the draft.”

  And that’s how the rest of the evening goes. Everyone having fun and razzing each other. I still haven’t decided what to do if I get drafted. The trust fund money is there for Olivia. She’s all set. As much as I hate to accept Mr. Fernandez’s money, I technically don’t have a choice. So, I can’t use money as the reason not to leave. My reluctance boils down to the unknowns. I don’t know if I can stay away.

  I glance at my girlfriend. She turns her head to face me and sports the warmest smile. These past few months have been the best since I stepped foot on Cessna U’s soil. And I owe it to her. I weave our fingers together and place her hand on my leg. Touching her never gets old.

  I lean to the side and whisper against her ear, “I can’t wait to get you naked.”

  Having a naked Lexie beneath, to the side, or on top of me is a glorious sight. I can’t seem to get enough of this woman. Which is ironic. I went from having no sex to craving it all the time. Maybe I’m just craving her. The day I realized Lexie and I could be together, something changed inside me. No, that’s not true. It’s more like something awakened inside me. That’s what she did to me. She brought me to life. Brought me out of the dark place I stayed hidden.

  “That can be arranged later.” She moves her hand up my thigh and doesn’t stop until she rubs her palms over the bulge that very much wants to come out—devilish woman.

  “Keep that up, and we may have to exit early.” My voice comes out low and gravelly.

  “Maybe that’s my plan.” She raises an eyebrow—one that challenges me to put my words to work.

  I groan. “Let’s go.”

  Like the tease she is, she rubs my cock a few more times and shakes her head. “We can’t, big boy. But later, you’re all mine.”

  “That’s a promise.”

  That look that screams she can’t wait to have me coats her eyes. My chest swells with pride, knowing that look is reserved for me. I don’t know what I did to deserve this woman. No one could be any better. By the way my daughter adores Lexie, she agrees. And Lexie, Christ. She’s so damn supportive. Who’d want the baggage of me having to take Olivia to see her mom? Lexie is not only supportive but encouraging, too. It has helped ease the pain of visiting Livia. The pang of guilt is still present, but it has lessened.

  She winks at me before turning to Cara. Yeah, I’m definitely a lucky guy.

  “Did Rick text you that he got called up? He’s officially a Boston Bear.” The pride in Braxton’s voice is evident. The noise level drops as eve
ryone pauses for a moment and pays a mental tribute. Rick is a year older than Braxton, Noah, and me. He was our first baseman until he got drafted after his junior year. It’s been over a year since Rick last visited. Although, it seemed something was bothering him, we had a good night together. I miss my friend.

  “Yeah, the lucky bastard. Although, I’m not surprised. Boston could use his bat,” I say after our silent tribute passes.

  “Here’s to making it!” Noah raises his water glass, and we all clink our glasses together. I sneak another peek at Lexie and smile. I can’t wait to get her alone.

  There’s still one aspect of her life we need to rectify, and that’s her relationship with her dad. Tensions haven’t gotten better between them or between him and me. He’s still harboring ill feelings toward me from Jillian’s birthday meal. Who I’m glad is no longer in the picture. I’d never condone his cheating but having her gone doesn’t make me sad. The family meals were awkward enough. I couldn’t imagine how awful they’d be if those two had married.

  I hope we can make amends soon. I want to ask his permission to marry Lexie. I can’t wait until the day we’re legally bound. I just need to figure out what the hell I’m going to do with my life first.

  But one thing is for sure. I started college with a full count, but I left scoring a home run.

  Epilogue

  Garret

  Draft Week

  I draw in a deep breath as Lexie cracks open a water bottle and hands it to me as she sits beside me on the bed. I take in the hotel room’s swanky decor, not knowing how to digest my disappointment. Day one of the draft ended with neither Dalton nor me getting called.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” She traces small circles across my back.

  I lay my hand on her thigh and toss back a drink. When I finish, I take a moment before responding. “I think I might have screwed my chances up last year.”