Keeping their gazes connected, he lifted her hips and filled her. Twin gasps echoed in the room. He paused for a moment, throbbing inside her, waiting for her to get used to him.
They fit together like they were made for one another. Lined up just right. He slowly pulled back and then thrust again. Leaning on his forearms, he brought their lips together as he increased the pace with snapping hips and she met him move for move.
Fast approaching the edge, he slipped one hand between them, stroking Savanna in time with his thrusts. That touch was enough to send her over, and with pleasure spiking his blood and spiraling through his system, he followed right behind.
Being with her settled something inside him and filled part of the space that had stubbornly remained empty his entire life. Trusting that she would stay, that he wouldn't be left alone, was so hard, but he wanted to believe it. She clung to him like she had no intention of letting him go.
He knew he should get up, move, deal with the condom, but he didn't have the energy to do more than shift their bodies until she lay half on top of him. She smiled at him and linked their hands together and then brought them up to rest over his heart.
He'd fallen for her fast, hard, and completely. Spiraled past lust and infatuation and straight into love. But until he had a better idea of how she felt, he couldn't tell her.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CLAIRE
STUPID FLAT TIRE.
Stupid special-sized tire that couldn't be delivered until the next day.
Phone in hand, Claire paced the mechanic's small waiting area and sighed. The room smelled of stale coffee and motor oil.
Things could be worse. At least her phone was fully charged and she wasn't stranded on the side of a deserted road in the dead of night.
But she was totally bummed. She'd been looking forward to spending the day with Savanna for more than a week, but was going to miss out on relaxing facials, massages and pedicures at the spa with her new friend. All because someone didn't have the good sense to keep an eye on their dog. Thank goodness she'd swerved and missed the sweet little puppy. Of course, she'd clipped a curb at fifty miles an hour, damaging her tire and bending the rim beyond repair.
She couldn't blame the dog. The only silver lining so far was that the mechanic had been close by.
But he didn't have a loaner car for her to use.
She needed a ride, but so far, none of her sisters had returned her call. Calling a rental shop seemed more trouble that it was worth, with the mechanic's promise that he'd drive her car to wherever she wanted as soon as it was ready.
She dialed Savanna, but the call went to voice mail. She was probably on her way to the spa. Hopefully, she’d get the message before she drove too far.
Whenever her sisters had car trouble, they called her. Like they expected her to know why their cars weren't working. Like they expected her to drop everything and rush over to wait with them until the auto club or a tow truck arrived, which she always did if they were stuck somewhere alone.
Whenever they needed anything, she was their first call. She didn't mind doing things for them, but at times, she wished they'd take some personal responsibility. After all, she had been younger than Lauren when all the parental duties had fallen onto her shoulders. She wished for someone she could lean on, too.
Liam's face filled her mind. He would do anything for his friends. She liked to think they were growing close enough where she could count on him if she needed to. She already knew she'd do anything for him.
She dialed his number. He was probably in the middle of his physical therapy appointment, but maybe he could pick her up after he'd finished.
The call went to voice mail. She smiled at his voice and the recording and kept her voice light, breezy, and free of the disappointment weighing down her stomach. "Hey, I need a ride. I'm stuck at an auto shop near the coffee place we went to last weekend. My car got a flat and won't be ready until sometime tomorrow."
Fifteen minutes later, just as she'd resigned herself to calling a cab, her phone pinged with a text. Hoping for Liam or one of her sisters, she was surprised by Savanna's name.
Savanna: Hey, are you still waiting at the auto shop?
Claire: Yep. Sorry I had to cancel on you.
Savanna: No worries. The spa will let us reschedule our appointments. Send me the address. I'll pick you up.
Surprise and gratitude filled her. Claire sent the address and a series of happy face emojis.
When Savanna arrived, she waved off Claire's thanks and insisted on stopping to treat Claire to coffee, an iced concoction drizzled with chocolate in a colorful coffee cup print that they sipped at an outside table under a large white umbrella.
Savanna gestured at her car. "Five years ago, I was on my way home from a fundraiser and my engine seized. I was without my car for over a week. One of the guys I used to work with had lived sort of near me and gave me a ride to and from the office. I gave him money for gas and bought him lunch all that week. When I got my car back, he sent me an email, like a bill if you can believe it, charging me for the wear and tear of having an extra person in his car. I was shocked. Any time after that, I either rented a car or borrowed my parents' spare. At least they don't charge crazy, made-up fees."
Claire rolled her eyes. "What an ass. That's too awful. But I'll give you gas money."
Savanna shot her a narrowed glance over her cup. "No. That is not the reason I told you the story. The point was that it's nice to have someone there when you need it, even if they are a little anal about their cars. My parents drive me crazy a lot, but it is nice knowing that no matter what, they'll always be there."
"I didn't really have that. My dad always worked a lot. He would help with something if he could, and if I needed something, he'd make sure I got it, but I had to figure a lot of things out on my own. And then my sisters turned to me. I can't believe none of them called me back today. They're all home on summer vacation." The muscles around her heart tugged. She hadn't realized how much their lack of concern bothered her until she'd said it. She shrugged and smiled. "I'm glad you came."
Savanna tapped her cup against Claire's. "Of course. What are friends for?"
LIAM
PHYSICAL THERAPY WASN't easy, then again, Liam hadn't expected it to be. But he hadn't counted on how much things would hurt. He'd been working hard, sessions three times a week for the past two weeks, in addition to doing the exercises three times a day at home, and was beginning to see some progress along with the diminished aches and swelling.
After ninety minutes of stretching and strength-building exercises, followed by time on the treadmill, he sighed in relief at his ten minutes with an ice pack.
Usually, he worked out alone with the physical therapist in one of the stadium's training rooms. But today, Dom, Slade, and Adam occupied the room with him. Dom and Adam were getting in some preventative care with one of the trainers and Slade had tagged along because they were going to lunch afterward. Having his buddies around him made everything easier.
Slade sat in a chair near the training table, playing with his phone. "Hey, Li, I found a new ring tone to use just for you. Call me so you can hear it."
Liam felt the pocket of his shorts. "I left my phone in the car. Play it from yours."
Slade held up his phone and menacing cello music filled the room.
Liam burst out laughing. "Dude, really? The theme for Jaws?"
"Funny, right?" Slade looked proud of himself.
"It's great."
It was great. He was on his way to fully regaining his job as Fin, attacking his recovery the way a shark attacked its prey.
He left PT sore but energized and rode with Slade to the restaurant, a cafe they frequented with a discrete wait staff and a large selection of beer.
He waited until they were served and then looked at Adam and Dom. "Since PT is going so well, I think I'll be close to one hundred percent by the All-Star game. I can probably go back to watching your dogs during
road trips then too. I miss the fur balls."
Dom laughed. "I think a full grown Aikita and Great Dane are a little large to be called fur balls. It would be great to get things back to normal though. Irisa has been busy with the band working on a new record. I know she'll appreciate it when you can help out again."
Adam picked up his glass. "You're one of the few people Bear trusts when Gemma and I aren't around. Having you back would help out a lot. I hope it works out by then."
"Cool." Feeling more settled, Liam dug into his food. Watching his friends' dogs had started a few years earlier when the guys needed someone they trusted who would be home in L.A. during the team's road trips. He loved those dogs. They helped fill the hours when his friends were away.
Slade raised his brow. "Does Claire even like dogs?"
Liam paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. "I don't know."
He'd never even thought about it, but considering he had the dogs with him for essentially half of baseball season, he'd better find out. If their relationship continued the way it had been, they'd be spending a lot of days and nights together. She would probably have an opinion about two dogs that each weighed over one hundred pounds wanting to sleep in their bed. "I'll text her now. What time were she and Savanna supposed to be finished at the spa?"
Slade shrugged. "Beats me. She said she’d text me after they’d finished."
He patted his pocket and swore. "Damn phone is still in the car."
Adam turned to Slade. "Speaking of Savanna, you seem more settled lately. Is she why?"
Slade spent a minute poking his food with his fork. "She matters. A lot. But I don't know what I'm doing there. Feels like I'm at the plate, with a full count, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, and my next swing has the potential to win us the championship or lose us our chance."
Liam exchanged glances with Adam and Dom. He didn't have any advice to offer his best friend. He wasn't an expert on relationships.
Dom patted Slade's shoulder. "But you're a pro at remaining cool and patient up there, even when working on a full count or fouling off ten in a row."
Adam nodded in agreement, but Liam frowned. "What the hell does that even mean?"
"That he won't be able to predict what's thrown at him, so he needs to relax and enjoy the relationship, not freeze up and over-think his every move."
Liam was impressed. "You're pretty smart about this relationship stuff."
Dom chuckled. "I don't know if I'd go that far. But I do know that if you're always focused on what's coming next, you miss a lot of great moments along the way."
When they returned to Slade's car, Liam hopped in the passenger seat and grabbed his phone from the console.
Missed call: Claire. Three hours ago.
Slade slid his phone it the space Liam's had vacated. "Savanna just sent a text. She's at Claire's apartment."
"Oh, they're back from the spa already?"
"They didn't go. Seems Claire had car trouble on the way."
Frowning and concerned, he listened to Claire's message about being stuck and needing a ride. Her voice and tone were flatter and thinner, like she was upset but pretending hard not to be. He hated not having been there when she'd needed him. "We should go over and see them."
He made Slade stop so he could get flowers and wine. Half an hour later, they knocked on Claire's door. As soon as she opened it, he shoved his gifts at his friend and pulled Claire into his arms. "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me."
"It's okay." Her voice was muffled by his shirt. "I managed. And Savanna came to my rescue."
"Still." He brushed his hand over her hair and continued to hold her against his chest. "What happened?"
"A dog ran into the road and I swerved to avoid it. Messed up my tire and rim pretty bad. I don't even care about the car. I'm just so glad I didn't hit the dog."
He leaned back enough to stroke her face. "You like dogs?"
"Love them. But I could never have one growing up because two of my sisters are allergic."
He grinned. He couldn't wait to introduce her to Champ and Bear. "You could get your own now."
Or, they could get one together.
The immediate suggestion popped into his mind and stopped his hand mid-caress. Buying a pet together was something people did after moving in together. He was jumping ahead, too far and too fast.
"I've been thinking about it." Claire unwound from his hold and stepped back. Hitching her head to the side, she motioned for them to come inside. "I can't decide if I want something huge or something tiny."
"We'd have to make sure it plays well with Champ and Bear." Still struck by the let's buy a puppy together thought, he followed her into her living room. "They're really friendly though. Good dogs."
"Who are they and why do they need to get along with my future pet?"
"When Dom and Adam go on road trips, they leave their dogs with me." He tugged his phone from his pocket and thumbed through photos until he landed on one of the dogs.
Her eyes widened, and then a smile curved her lips. "They're massive."
"They still think they're lap dogs." He tapped another photo of him on the couch, buried under the pair. "See?"
"Aww." Chuckling, she leaned against his side. "But I've been to your place when the team has been away. Where were you hiding the dogs? Your place is big, but I'm pretty sure I would've seen or heard them."
"Believe me, you wouldn't be able to miss them. I haven't been mobile enough to keep them since I've been laid up with the broken ankle. But since recovery is going well, I should be able to watch them during the first road trip after the All-Star game."
"I can't wait to meet them."
Liam pocketed his phone. He'd have to be careful. They could be overzealous in their greeting, and he wouldn't risk Claire getting hurt for anything.
"Liam," Slade called from the kitchen. "I'm opening the wine."
He'd been so caught up in Claire, he'd forgotten Slade and Savanna were even there. Laughing, he slid his arm around Claire's shoulder and walked with her into the kitchen, determined to do everything he could to make sure she had a good night.
Dom's earlier words echoed in his head. If you're always focused on what's coming next, you miss a lot of great moments along the way. He didn't want to miss a single moment with Claire, but the further she became intertwined in his life, he couldn't help wondering what would happen next, or how they would be affected when he fully resumed his mascot duties.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SLADE
HE WAS HAVING THE WORST game of his season, maybe his career.
From his position at first base, Slade surveyed the scoreboard and wished they were already at the bottom of the ninth instead of the top. He'd gone zero-for-three in his at-bats, had committed a costly error in the second inning that resulted in Colorado taking the lead, and already had a huge welt forming on his ribs from a collision with the dugout railing while trying to catch a pop-up foul ball that he thought he should have caught.
A Sunday afternoon ball game in late June, with the sky a cloudless blue and a soft breeze blowing across the field should have been fun. Except they were losing their tenth game in a row. The fans weren't happy. His teammates weren't happy. The GM wasn't happy. And Dusty definitely wasn't happy.
Slade's gaze drifted toward the stands. His birth parents and half-siblings were sitting on the first base side, right behind the dugout. He'd thought of nothing else since they'd called to say they'd gotten tickets and were excited to see him play. They were supposed to meet up with him after the game too.
He saw them every time he walked back to the dugout, and he truly understood why some of the guys had a hard time playing in front of their families or old coaches. The emotion of playing in front of them combined with the mounting pressure to be the best and play a perfect game often worked against a player.
His concentration pinged from Tiffany, James, and crew to Savanna, sitting with Dom and Adam's wives, and fi
nally back to the field.
Top of the ninth inning. Still a one-run game. Bases loaded, one out. The batter hit a sharp ground ball to first. Slade quickly got in front of it and knocked the ball down with his body and then picked it up bare-handed and rushed to throw to home plate, too high for Mario to catch. It flew behind the catcher who clearly wasn't expecting the ball.
As soon as he released the ball, Slade shook his head at his actions, and his momentary lapse of sense. He should have tried to turn a routine double play to end the inning, not throw to home. That was a mistake a player made in the minors, not the pros. Overthrowing the catcher was another mark against him, allowing two runs to score on his errant throw.
Shit.
The Riptide were down by three runs, and they were all his fault.
Thankfully, the pitcher struck out the next two batters to end the inning. But the damage was already done.
He apologized to his teammates as they walked to the dugout and most of the guys waved him off and told him not to worry about it. But Dusty's glare could have burned holes through Slade's body.
"Goddamn it, MacInnes!" Dusty stopped him at the bottom of the steps. "What the hell is wrong with you today? You're playing like shit. Get your head out of your ass and back on the field."
Slade nodded and walked past, ignoring the tirade as the manager continued to bellow. He sat hard on the bench with his head in his hands.
Dom sat beside him and tapped his shoulder. "You okay?"
"It's hard to focus."
"I can imagine. Hang in there. We just need to get a couple guys on base."
His teammates helped bail him out by scoring two quick runs to bring the Riptide back within one again. The rally carried on long enough to get Slade back to the plate. One last chance to redeem himself with two outs and guys on second and third. All he had to do was get the ball out of the infield and he had a good chance of knocking in two runs to win the game. But before he knew it, he was down zero-for-two in the count after fouling off the first two pitches. He knew he was in trouble because the pitcher now had a clear advantage over him, and could throw his best stuff at Slade.
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