by Alexa McLean
I found myself gravitating forward like a moth to the flame. Our foreheads came into contact. The space between our lips was nearly none existent.
“Gayle...” She whispered and hearing my name on her lips was perhaps the sweetest thing I had ever heard. All I wanted to do was make it say it over and over again, preferably in the throes of passion.
I was about to kiss her but there was uncertainty in her eyes.
She didn’t want this.
I was just a friend to her and nothing more.
Before I could get myself into trouble and land a slap to the face, I pulled back.
“Uh... are you hungry? I’ve got some deli meats in the fridge. I can whip us up a couple of sandwiches.” There was no denying the awkwardness that had settled between us. I felt like I had crossed some kind of unspoken line and now Lily refused to look at me.
“Sure,” I said. “That sounds good.”
I watched as she moved. Even the few steps it took to get from the fridge to the counter had her hips swinging. Man, this was torture. And every year I suffered through it because to lose her as a friend was something I rather not think about. But eventually, I was bound to hit a breaking point because there was only so much self-control I could muster in one lifetime and I swear, Lily was getting sexier and sexier every time I looked at her.
She turned around, plates in hand. “Here you are. Turkey and mayo for you. Ham and cheese for me.”
“You even took off the crust.”
“I know you aren’t very fond of it.”
“Don’t tell any of the guys. They would never let me live it down.”
She grinned with a mischievous sort of glint in her eyes. “Does that I mean I have some blackmail on my hands?”
“Hey! Don’t you dare use that against me.”
“Then don’t give me a reason to and you’ll be fine.” She leaned back and rocked her chair. It was a habit of hers that I hated because I always feared that one day she would fall and crack her skull on the ground. “Which means if you tickle me again, you’re going to regret it.”
“Oh, come on, you secretly like it.”
“I beg to differ.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll stop with the tickling,” I conceded.
We both enjoyed our sandwiches for a while. Particularly, I was enjoying my time spent with Lily. There was just something about her that instantly put me in a state of calm. More than anything, seeing her beautiful face was like coming home. Here, beside her, was where I belonged. But how was I supposed to tell her that without ruining what we already had?
“Hey,” I said, breaking the silence that had settled between us. “What are you doing on Thursday?”
“Thursday?” She repeated. “Let me check.” She fished out her phone. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I suppose I should continue my search for a job but that’s so depressing that I’ve been dragging my feet through the mud and prolonging it.”
“Oh?”
“I’m between jobs,” she explained. “I signed up at a temp agency but they haven’t found anything for me yet. I have a feeling they never will.”
“I didn’t know that. How are you making out?”
“I have a bit of money squirreled away so I should be fine for now. So, don’t worry about me just yet.”
“Are you sure because —”
“I’m positive.”
That was the thing about Lily — she liked to stand on her own two feet. Even when life dealt her a bad hand, she would just roll with it and try to make the best of the situation. It was something that I admired about her. She was resilient and strong — a truly independent woman.
“Alright.” I held out both my hands to prove that I wouldn’t push the envelope any further. “I can respect that.”
“Good because you didn’t have much choice in the matter.”
I chuckled. “Anyway, if you have nothing on the agenda for Thursday, how about you come to opening day and watch me play.”
“Hmm.” She thought it over. “Watch you play baseball or stay here and stuff my face with ice cream while enjoying a rom-com marathon. I don’t know, Gayle, this is a really hard decision to make...”
“Oh, come on. This’ll be the first year where you aren’t curled up in bed with the flu.”
“We still have five more days until then. Anything could happen.”
“Please don’t jinx yourself.”
“I’m just saying.”
“Stay away from little kids.”
“So, go volunteer at the local daycare center.”
“Lily.”
“Gayle.”
We had a stare off until her composure cracked and she ended up laughing.
“Sure, I’ll go,” she said at last. “The fact that I’m not sick this year must mean something, right?”
“Right.” I smiled. “It’s going to be my best year to date.”
“Why’s that?” She asked.
“Because you’re going to be my good luck charm.”
“Am I?”
“Mhm. But only if you scream my name louder than anyone else in that stadium.”
She got up and grabbed a bag of chips from the pantry. “I don’t know about that. You have some pretty wild fangirls that would have my head on a silver platter if they saw me as a threat.”
“Don’t worry about them.” I snatched the bag of chips right out of her hands. “So, it’s a date then?”
“I wouldn’t call it a date but sure.”
“You’ll be riding with me.”
“Don’t you get into the stadium mad early?”
“About six hours before the game.”
“Six hours?” She repeated, eyes nearly bugging out of her skull. “What the heck am I supposed to do at a baseball stadium for six hours.”
“They sell books at some of the concession stands.”
“You want me to read? Have you forgotten that I hate to read?”
I shrugged. “You can always hang out in the clubhouse with the team. I’m sure you’ll find something of interest in there.”
She grinned. “You mean all your hot teammates.”
“For the record, I’m the hottest one in there.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” she said.
And all of a sudden, I regretted inviting her into the clubhouse because jealousy is a green-eyed monster and I could already feel him creeping up on me.
Chapter 3 (Lily)
“DO YOU THINK WE CAN grab lunch before we head to the stadium?” Honestly, I couldn’t tell whether I was hungry or just nervous. Being in such a confined space with Gayle had my heart racing.
Why am I acting this way? I thought to myself. What’s different about this year than say, last year? Why are my feelings ten times stronger this time around?
Because you’re afraid that the longer you wait to express your feelings, the more likely it is that Gayle slip away for good, came that voice at the back of my head.
“Sure, what are you in the mood for?”
“Anything,” I answered. “Whatever’s more convenient.”
“That would be the McDonald’s drive-thru.”
“Then hit me with a Big Mac.”
With a nod, Gayle navigated the streets with the utmost ease. He squeezed himself into the tightest of spaces when in reality, his car shouldn’t have fit there.
“Aren’t you being a little... reckless?” I asked as my knuckles turned a bright shade of white from holding onto my seat like my life depended on it because frankly, with the way he was driving, it felt that way.
“Trust me,” was all that he said. His voice was deep and husky like he was the movie star of some sort of action film.
Beep!
“Gayle! You almost hit that car!” I exclaimed. “Be careful.”
He placed his hand on my leg and gave my thigh a bit of a squeeze. “Relax, Lily. There’s no need to get your panties in a bunch.”
“Last time I checked, you’re a baseball player, not
a race car driver.”
“I’m a man of many talents.”
“You’re a man that’s going to get us killed, that’s what you are!”
To prove my point, he sped up in order to beat a yellow traffic light. It turned red before he could cross the intersection.
“See!”
“What?” He looked over. “You’re still alive, aren’t you?”
He took a sharp right turn and I was nearly flung into his lap. If I had neglected to put on my seatbelt, it probably would have happened.
“Gayle, please!”
And that’s when we pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot.
“You’re crazy,” I gasped.
“Some girls think that my bad boy nature is quite the turn on,” he boasted.
“Yeah, well, I just think it's dumb for you to drive like that,” I countered. “Because one of these days, something bad is going to happen and I don’t want to lose you.” Just saying those words had me all choked up.
“Lily...” He looked over, his expression was apologetic. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just having a bit of fun.”
“Well, I didn’t find it very entertaining.”
He took my hand and laced our fingers together. “I’m sorry.” I could tell that he meant it and while I wanted to stay mad in order to make him sweat it out a bit that just wasn’t possible when he looked at me with those soulful eyes of his. “I won’t do it again.”
“Thank you.”
We pulled up to the speaker and Gayle ordered us both a Big Mac meal. At the window, he handed over a solid black credit card. It was the one without a spending limit.
“Don’t you think that’s overkill?” I asked.
“What is?”
“Using that card at a drive-thru. Didn’t you have cash or something?”
“Nothing smaller than a hundred dollar bill and I don’t think fast food joints accept those.”
“Are you being serious?”
“Do you want to see the inside of my wallet?”
“No,” I said all too quickly. Here I was, strapped for cash and Gayle was just swimming in it. Yes, he was a well-paid baseball player but more than that he was financially savvy. He had told me countless times about his stock portfolio and how he liked to invest in start-up companies while they are still small and watch his money grow. But, unfortunately, you have to have money to make money and that was one thing I didn’t have.
“Here. Want to check if it's right?”
I peaked my head in the bag. “Looks good to me,” I said as I snagged a fry and popped it into my mouth.
“We still have a bit of time. Why don’t I drive over to the park and we can eat it there.”
“So long as you promise to drive like a civilized person.”
“I promise,” he said as he reached into the bag and grabbed a couple of fries. “Mmm. My dietitian would kill me if he knew I was eating this.”
“You’re on a diet?” I asked with a sideways glance in his direction. “Because last time I checked, you have the body of a Greek God.”
What... did I just say that out loud? As the thought crossed my mind, I nearly choked on my French fry.
He grinned. “Did I just hear that correctly?”
“You didn’t hear anything.” My cheeks burned a bright crimson.
“Oh, I think I did.”
“Shut it or I tell the whole clubhouse that you eat your sandwiches without the crust.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.”
He shook his head. “Fine, I didn’t hear a thing.”
“That’s what I thought.”
We pulled up to a seaside park.
I was about to hand Gayle his burger but he had already gotten out of the car. Like a perfect gentleman, he opened up the passenger side door for me. “After you, m’lady.”
My cheeks once again burned with a crimson color. I kept my head down as I took his hand and stepped out of the car.
Instead of letting go, Gayle tightened his grasp and towed me towards a nearby bench.
“Is this supposed to be romantic?” I asked as we sat down.
“It can be if you want it to,” he said with a wink. Just the look on his face was enough to send my heart thumping. If it managed to beat any faster it was bound to escape right through my chest.
“Here,” I mumbled, passing over his food.
The wind came alive, pushing my hair into my face. I was about to brush it aside but Gayle beat me to it. Sparks of pure electricity coursed through my skin as his fingertips brushed against my cheek. Gently, he pinned the loose strands of hair behind my ear. “Wouldn’t want you to spoil the taste of the burger by eating your own hair.”
“Right...” I whispered because I had become lost in the depth of his eyes. Did he feel it too? The buzzing in the air? Or was it all in my head? I wondered to myself.
Finally, he dropped his hand and I was released from the trance-like hold. The butterflies in my stomach still lingered, however, making it hard for me to swallow the rest of my food.
“Are you not hungry?” He asked. “You haven’t really eaten.”
“Oh, well, I guess not.”
“Lily?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I answered, trying to keep my voice level but Gayle was starting to unravel me like a ball of yarn. I wanted to stop it from happening but, at the same time, it felt like it was meant to be. Maybe it was time I stop fighting my feelings for this man and just give in to them already.
“Gayle —”
“Shoot. Look at the time. We had better go or the coach is going to kill me.”
And with his words went my courage to tell him the truth that lingered in my heart.
A FEW HOURS LATER, I had settled myself into my seat. It was right behind home plate and no doubt one of the best seats in the whole stadium. Now, I was pretty sure that Gayle had to pay for my ticket and I didn’t even want to imagine how much cash he had just dropped just so I could watch him play. Was my presence really that important to him? I wondered. Or is he just being an overly generous friend?
While I waited for the game to start, I nibbled from a bag of Crack Jack.
Down on the field was a reporter. She held a microphone to her mouth, lips flying. I tried to lean in and catch what she was saying but I was too far away.
Maybe that’s what I should apply for next, I thought. Sports journalism. I mean I know enough about baseball to stand my ground and whatever I don’t know, well, I’ve got a major league player as my neighbor who’d be able to fill me in.
But there was a problem with my little plan. Sports journalism was saturated. Every position was snagged in an instant and without any real experience under my belt, no magazine would ever think to hire me. Maybe I could manage some freelance work but the pay for that was close to nil.
No. If I wanted an in to the industry then I needed something that would set me apart from all the other candidates.
But what? I asked myself. What do I have that they don’t?
And that’s when it hit me.
Gayle Nash.
He was my neighbor — my friend — but if he was more than that then every single door would open up before me.
It was crazy but maybe just crazy enough to work.
The idea festered in my head as I tried to kink out the details.
Gayle as my fiancé. Yes, that was the ticket. But how on Earth was I going to make that happen? I doubt that Gayle would go along with the idea unless it benefited him in some way, shape, or form. But what did I have to offer him?
I bit my bottom lip, deep in contemplation.
Suddenly, one of the teams swarmed the field, taking on their defensive positions. The pitcher stood at the mound, ball cap pulled down low, practically covering his eyes. He looked intimidating. His stats were shown on the Jumbotron and he was good. His ERA was solid and his strikeouts killer. I honestly didn’t kno
w if Gayle’s team would make leeway against this guy.
The first batter came to the base and just as I expected, he struck out.
History repeated itself with the second.
The third caught a lucky break with a walk to first base.
Then came Gayle. If I thought he was sexy before, he was sexier now with his uniform on. It really showed off every inch of the physique hiding underneath. Unable to help myself, I undressed him with my eyes. Heat welled up between my legs and I knew I was getting myself all worked up for something that would never happen. Why would Gayle ever sleep with me when he had all the girls in the world to choose from. He probably saw me as more of a sister than anything else.
He took his stance.
Swing and a miss.
I held my breath as did all the fans that surrounded me.
Again, Gayle missed his mark.
This wasn’t looking good for the all-star.
Everyone was on the edge of their seats.
The pitcher threw a fast one towards first base trying to keep Gayle’s teammate from stealing a base.
Gayle adjusted his grip, his eyes full of intensity.
“Come on, you can do this,” I whispered under my breath. “Hit it right out of the park!”
Crack!
The bat snapped clear in two, sending the ball flying through the air. I followed its trajectory as it kept on going and going.
“And it’s a homer for Gayle Nash! The first home run of the season, folks!” The commentator’s voice blared through the speakers but even so, I could barely hear him for the crowd had gone absolutely nuts.
Without realizing it, I had risen to my feet and I was cheering louder than anyone else.
While he passed third base, he looked over in my direction and flashed a smile that made me weak in the knees.
I fell into my seat as the scoreboard reflected Gayle’s amazing play.
The crowd had yet to settle down when the 5th batter took his place. I almost felt sorry for the guy but I was one of the many that ignored him. I had taken out my phone and opened up the notepad app I kept on the home page. My fingers danced across the keyboard as I penned a story.