"Harsh, Snider."
"Ah quit being so sensitive, Graves. Nobody asked you."
"You've always hated Chase for being better than you. But don't you get it? He's better than basically everyone out there. He's destined for greatness."
A scoff. "Yeah, maybe pre-injury. Now? Not so much. His arm is obviously still jacked. Chase isn't the same player he used to be."
The three kept talking, and I could see them through the clear glass window. Chase and I were set up at a table that couldn't be easily spotted from the outside. They walked right on by and out the door without knowing Chase had heard every word.
Trying to lighten the mood, I said, "So, that Snider guy sounds like a total asshat."
Chase tossed me a look. "You think so?"
"Oh yeah. His voice was entitled, whiny, and a hundred percent douchey."
He didn't crack a smile.
Considering the outcome of the game and his teammate's comments, it was understandable.
"Even douches are right sometimes," Chase said.
"What do you mean?"
"Snider has a point. Ever since coming back something's felt off. Maybe my arm is jacked."
I shook my head. "But your doctor, therapist, and I agree that it's fine."
"Clearly you all missed something."
"You're going to take Snider's word over ours? Oh, well that makes sense, considering he has your best interests at heart."
Chase just shook his head.
"Maybe I'll never play like I used to," he muttered.
Okay, I'd had about enough of this, but Chase needed me to be reassuring.
I laid my hands on his shoulders and looked him in the eye. "One, I think you should forget that conversation we just heard because they know nothing. Except for Graves, he seemed okay."
Chase didn't respond.
"Two, concentrate on the massage I'm about to give you because I just remembered I brought my oils today, and it's going to rock your world. I just have to go and get my bag from the other room."
Still no answer.
"And three, buck up buttercup. You're with your hot physical therapist in an abandoned locker room. Things could definitely be worse."
Chase's lips lifted slightly. "There you go doing it again."
"Doing what?" I asked.
"Cheering me up when it seems impossible."
I gave him a nod. "And it's about to get even better, O'Brien. Stay here. I'll be right back with the oils."
"Will do."
It only took a couple of minutes to retrieve my bag from the adjacent room, but during that time, Chase must've gotten another call. He was talking on the phone as I approached. I didn't want to disturb him, so I stopped a good ways away.
Eavesdropping wasn't typically my thing, and I tried not to listen. I did. But something about the way Chase held himself told me this wasn't a pleasant conversation.
"Yes, sir," he said. "It's good to hear from you."
He nodded at something the person was saying.
"My arm is better. Thank you for asking. It's just taking me a second to get back into the swing of things."
More talk from the other end that seemed to make Chase's shoulders tighten, undoing all of my previous work.
"Yes, sir. I know your interest was based on the player I was—and I'm very much hoping to find that magic again." Another beat then, "Oh no, I understand. You can't hold a spot at tryouts for me if I'm not ready.
A few moments ticked by.
"Of course, I get that it's nothing personal. I know you're looking at a lot of talented pitchers, and I'm honored to be one of them."
Another silence.
"I'll try my best. Thank you, sir. Goodnight."
I was pretty sure he'd hung up, but at first, Chase didn't lower the phone. He kept it pressed to his ear as if frozen. Then all of a sudden, his whole body slumped, the hand holding his phone coming down in a fist to bang on the table. I heard him curse under his breath. None of that jolted me. It wasn't until a moment later when he slowly shook his head, and I noticed a tear falling down his cheek that I felt the full impact. That tear felt like a sucker punch to the stomach.
Backing up a bit, I cleared my throat to make my presence known, giving Chase enough time to swipe away the evidence before I re-entered the room.
"Got 'em," I said, acting as if nothing was amiss. "Sorry it took so long."
"No problem," he said in a gruff voice. "I'm excited about those oils, Charlie. At this point, I'll try anything."
"They're amazing," I said. "A little peppermint for cooling, some wintergreen, eucalyptus, and lavender to help you relax. And I swear by Frankincense. All you need is a few drops and a little prayer."
"Considering this may be the end of my baseball career, I think I'll need a big one."
"Chase, come on."
"I wasn't kidding."
"Give me twenty-four hours," I said. "I can figure out what's wrong with you in a day."
Chase's eyes flashed. "You sound sure of yourself."
"That's because I am. Do you know what my professors call me? The Magic Muscle Whisperer."
"Interesting choice."
"Yeah, yeah," I said, waving him off. "It sounds kind of like the stage name of a male stripper. But I'm serious. If it's your arm, I'll be able to tell. If it's something else, well, I'll sense that, too. You just have to trust me."
Chase nodded. "I can do that."
Something in my chest warmed, but I did my best to ignore it.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early. But not before eight," I added. "I need my beauty rest and a full eight hours away from anything sports related."
"Sounds good."
"Alright, enough talking. Lay down and let me oil you up."
Chase's face went red, but he complied, saying, "Yes, ma'am."
I promised myself something right then and there. Healing him was a matter of personal and professional pride, so of course, I was going to do whatever it took to get him playing at full capacity. I would help him, but I'd guard my heart in the process. Chase was too nice for his own good. But I couldn't let that blind me to the facts. 1) He was a guy. 2) He was an attractive person, inside and out. And 3) The good ones never went for girls like me.
It was a simple fact.
That was fine since I tried to stay away from guys like him anyway. Arrogant and egotistical, I could handle. Most men only wanted women for the short-term, too afraid of commitment, only in it for the chase, convinced there was something better out there. I'd met them all.
It was the nice guys you had to look out for. They were capable of real damage.
I needed to remember that unless I wanted to get hurt.
After the massage, I drove home to Magnolia House, tired and looking forward to a nice long nap. But alas, that wasn't to be. My roommates accosted me right as I opened the door.
"How did it go?" Honor said from the couch. "Was Chase really down?"
I sighed. "Yeah, he was. It was a hard day, but I did my best to make him feel better."
Sitting next to her, Emmy tilted her head. "When you say 'make him feel better', you mean…?"
"I just tried to cheer him up." I shrugged. "Chase says I'm good at that."
"And when you say cheer up…"
"Oh my God," I said. "Alright, you caught me. We made out, and I gave him a lap dance right there in the locker room. Is that what you want to hear?"
Rose, our fourth roommate, raised her hand. Her eyes were wide as dinner plates.
"Uh, did that actually happen?"
I shot her a look. "What do you think?"
"Honestly, I think I missed something," Rose said. "But that would be totally hot. Charlie, what's up with you and Chase?"
Emmy's face had gone pale, and I rolled my eyes.
"Geez, of course, nothing happened," I said, and Emmy seemed to exhale. "Give me some credit. Do you seriousl
y think I'd take advantage of him like that when he's down?"
She shook her head. "No…but guys seem to find you irresistible. So, I'll admit I was a little worried."
"Chill, Em. There's been no kissing—yet. Your brother may be sweet, but he's definitely a hard nut to crack."
Honor threw me a knowing smile. "Hmm, and you do love a challenge."
"Usually, yes," I said with a sniff. "But you know nice guys aren't my type."
My best friend lifted a brow. "You were gone a long time."
"Of course, I was. I had to give him a massage after the game."
"Hold up." Rose sat forward on the couch, giving me her full attention. "You gave Chase O'Brien a massage? Does that mean you actually got to touch him, sans shirt? God, I miss all the good stuff."
She was kind of right. Rose was hardly ever there during most of our activities because of her night classes and weird sleep schedule. Add in her work hours at the tattoo parlor her family owned, and yeah, she got a lot of the news second-hand. We hadn't talked for the last few days, kept missing each other. It was Saturday, though, and it looked like I'd caught her right as she was about to head out to her job.
I told her everything, about how I was assigned to help Chase, the deal I'd made with Dr. Meismer, and of course, the bet I had going with Emmy. Rose was grinning when I finished.
"This keeps getting better and better," she said.
"And he still hasn't kissed her," Honor put in.
Rose shook her head. "How many days are left in the bet?"
"Just three," Emmy replied then tossed me a smile. "Charlie, I've been meaning to ask. Do you ever work with hot stones? Your hands are awesome, but I was checking out different types of massages. I think it'll be good to add some variety since you'll be giving so many of them."
I actually did have hot stones, but I didn't tell Emmy that.
"Keep dreaming, O'Brien," I said. "There's no way I'm losing this bet."
"So, he's held out for a whole four days," Rose said. "That's longer than most guys."
I shrugged. "Yeah, but I haven't really been trying."
"Why not?" she said.
"Because when I win in the final hour, it'll be all the sweeter."
Emmy scoffed while Honor and Rose 'oohed' and 'ahhed', but I was totally serious.
I was going to win this bet. There was no doubt in my mind. Chase better be ready because I was going to turn on the Charlie charm tomorrow.
He wouldn't know what hit him.
CHAPTER 13: Chase
Sundays were the best.
It was the start of a new week. Most of Omega Beta liked to sleep in, so I could usually get down the stairs and out the door without running into anyone. Not that I was anti-social. I liked checking in, talking to my brothers and teammates. But last night, I'd heard about ten variations of "Sorry about the game, man. You'll get 'em next time." The pitying looks that accompanied the words were what really got to me.
Anyway, I wasn't in a big hurry to run into anyone.
Charlie. My mind was totally focused on her and getting to Magnolia House to pick her up. Charlie never looked at me with pity. She seemed determined to help me—though I wasn't sure if she or anyone else could. It hadn't taken me long to realize that the best moments of my last few days all happened when she was around. I wanted more of that.
More of her.
And I couldn't ever remember feeling that way about anyone.
My mind was so focused on the meeting we'd set up for today that I didn't notice there was another person standing in the kitchen until he spoke.
"Going somewhere?" Baylor said, stepping out with a bowl of cereal in his hand.
I blinked. "I didn't think you ever got up before noon."
He waved me off. "Eh, I couldn’t sleep."
"Is that your subtle way of saying you brought a girl home last night?"
"Subtle isn't my thing," he said, "as you well know. And for your information, no, I didn't have a girl last night, nosey."
That was almost unheard of. My brother was popular with women. He loved them, and they loved him. I was immediately concerned.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Nah, just wasn't in the mood," he said.
I frowned, waiting for him to go on.
"I kept replaying that loss, wondering if there was more I could've done. You know how it is."
I did. It might not have been apparent to other people, but Baylor cared as much as I did about baseball. We didn't just hate to lose. We wanted to win. That mindset had served us well in the past, but it also had a downside.
"Sorry," I said. "Not about you and your lack of a plus one. I think that's a good thing. But…yeah, I'm sorry about the game."
Baylor shook his head. "What are you sorry for? Sure, you weren't playing at your best. But we lost as a team. It wasn't just you."
I nodded, but inside, the doubt lingered. If I had played my best, we probably could've taken the other team. That wasn't arrogance talking either. Just experience.
"So, why are you up so early?" he asked again.
I gave a small smile. "I've got a meeting."
"On a Sunday?"
"Yeah."
His brows furrowed. "Who with, one of the assistant coaches? I thought you were going to work out. You're dressed for it."
"Nope, the meeting's with a girl."
"Oh yeah?" Baylor grinned.
"I'm headed to see Charlie," I said. "She says she can help with my arm."
"What are you guys going to do?"
I shrugged. "Not sure. But I can't lie. I like her, and I'm looking forward to it."
Tipping the bowl to his mouth, Baylor gulped the rest of his cereal. It had been half-full. But in a blink, the contents were gone. He placed the now-empty bowl and spoon in the sink.
"Maybe I'll come, too," he said. "For moral support."
"That's okay," I said. "Charlie's really supportive. I'm sure we'll be fine."
Baylor groaned. "Chase, I know she's Emmy's roommate. I know you have to spend time with her because she's your PT. But do you hear yourself? You actually sound happy about waking up at the asscrack of dawn."
"So?"
"My point is you need to be careful with this girl."
I shook my head in amazement. "I can't believe it. You actually sound concerned. What do you have against Charlie?"
"Nothing," he said. "She's a hell of a lot more experienced than you, my brother. That's all I'm saying."
"Noted," I said and crossed my arms. "Was there anything else?"
He cocked his head at my dismissive tone. "Yeah. Wear your heart on your sleeve, and it's bound to get burned. And just so you know, you do that, Chase. You always have. Your heart is out there, exposed with no protection whatsoever. That is why I worry."
"Jeez, Bay. I'm touched."
"As your older brother, I have to look out for you," he said.
"You're only older by three-and-half minutes," I pointed out, but Bay held up a hand.
"Doesn't matter. As the dominant male, it's my duty to protect you."
I laughed at that.
"I still think I should come."
I shook my head. "Thanks, but no."
"You know what?" Baylor shrugged. "You're right. I don't need to go. I'll know if something's wrong through the twin bond."
"Bay, we've talked about this." I sighed. "That isn't a thing."
"Oh, but it is," he said. "Don't you remember the night I fell into that old well in the woods behind Aunt Genevieve's house? If there's no bond, how do you explain how you knew exactly where to find me?"
"You left a trail of Silly String from the backyard that led directly to the hole."
Baylor sniffed.
"Plus, I heard you scream when you fell," I said. "I think everyone in the neighborhood did. It was loud and shrill, kind of like an owl in distress."
"Or," he said, "you fel
t my pain telepathically through the twin bond we share and knew I needed immediate assistance. That seems much more likely to me."
I didn't even try to argue because I knew it was futile.
"See you later," Baylor said as I went to the door. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
I didn't see how that was good advice. Baylor didn't have many boundaries, and he was more than a little reckless. There wasn't a lot he hadn't done. It was almost like he was giving me permission to do anything.
On the short drive to Magnolia House, all thoughts of my brother left me. I walked up the stairs and knocked on the door, eager to see Charlie again.
Honor answered instead and gave me a once-over.
"Hey, Chase," she said. "Nice sweats."
"Thanks," I said then gestured inside. "Can I come in?"
"Nope, sorry. No boys allowed. That's Charlie's rule, and we all agreed."
"Ah, I forgot."
"It's fine. She'll be out in a second." Honor smiled. "So, you look perky. Any particular reason for that?"
I shrugged. "Excited to find out what's up with my arm."
Her eyes went a bit soft. "I get that."
And there it was. The pity.
"I know it's been a struggle," she added. "But trust me, Charlie is awesome at what she does. If anyone can help you recover faster and better, she can."
"I believe that," I said. "Charlie is pretty amazing."
Honor nodded, her eyes shining with something that looked like approval.
"She is. I'm so glad you can see that."
I narrowed my gaze. "How could anyone miss it?"
"You might be surprised," she murmured. "Guys in the past haven't always been so clear-eyed when it comes to my bestie."
Before I could ask what she meant, Charlie came to the door.
She was dressed in a pink tank top and black yoga pants that fit her like a glove. Her hair was down in long waves, the light shining off the blond, making it look like spun gold. I didn't know if she was wearing makeup or not. Her face looked fresh and dewy, though. Her eyelashes were full as she blinked up at me.
"Wow," I said. "Charlie, you're gorgeous."
She rolled her eyes but sounded pleased. "Yeah right, these are just some old workout clothes."
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