Swinging Strike (Cessna U Wildcats Book 1)

by Kimberly Readnour

  We pause and she looks up at me. “Your high school girlfriend?”

  “Yeah, I dated Jasmine my senior year. It wasn’t any secret I was going to Cessna U to college to play baseball. She was going to San Francisco State University. I thought we’d be good with the distance and everything was cool.”

  “Not so much?”

  “Not in the least.” I don’t want to go into details about our split. It’s in the past, behind me. No need to dredge it up. “She lied to me the entire time.”

  Cara doesn’t press for more information, and I’m glad. Admitting my faults isn’t what I want to do.

  “Then, I lied to you.”

  I nod slightly. We resume walking down the sidewalk both lost to thought. After a few moments pass, I speak first to try to ease the tension between us.

  “The Giants are playing the Dodgers tomorrow for the wild card game.”

  “They edged my Phillies out.”

  “I tried warning you.”

  A faint smile coats her lips. “That you did.”

  “It’s played here in L.A. What I wouldn’t do to go to that game.”

  She gives me a sideways glance. I’m about to ask her what’s wrong when her phone rings. When she answers, Cara’s tone starts out friendly but disintegrates the longer she talks to whoever is on the other line. She starts pacing and waving her hand in the air, clearly not enjoying what the other person has to say. I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t have this burning need to protect her not only from this conversation but also from herself. She isn’t paying attention to her surroundings. Despite myself, I assess for any streetlight poles or potential dangers standing in her way. The girl is clumsy as fuck, and I don’t want her to have another accident. She sported that bruise on her forehead for a couple of weeks. Not to mention the slight limp from her ankle sprain.

  As she says goodbye, worry lines crinkle her forehead. Whatever was said in that conversation didn’t settle well. I can claim all day long how mad I am with her, but when it comes down to it, I can’t stand seeing her in pain. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. When I reopen them, I don’t hesitate. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, everything is fine.”

  Part of me deflates at her lack of admission. Everything is clearly not okay.

  “I don’t believe that for a minute.” I reach for her chin and raise it up to me. Those dark brown eyes stare into mine, and all I can think about is last Saturday night. I’m supposed to be mad at her, not want to consume those lips again. What is she doing to me? “Don’t do that.”

  “Do what?”

  “Hide from me.”

  She bites her lip and drops her gaze.

  “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “It’s nothing, really. I have a family thing tomorrow I can’t get out of.”

  I quirk an eyebrow. “And you’re upset since you have to break your date with Tryce?”

  Shit. Why did I say that? Oh, it’s because I’m still pissed she’s even contemplating dating that pencil dick. But when I look at her, I don’t think sucking on lemons could produce the face she’s sporting right now.

  “What? No!”

  “According to him, you do. Even if we weren’t fighting, I don’t see how you can go out with him after…” I stop talking. Jesus, I sound like a crazed lunatic. Or a jealous boyfriend. What the hell?

  “Believe me, I don’t have a date with Tryce. Why would you think that?”

  I study her. She doesn’t appear to be lying. Nope. She appears pissed.

  At me.

  I’m confused.

  “You don’t?”

  “No.”

  “Then why did he tell Isabella that?”

  Her eyes widen in disbelief, and then, understanding settles in her features. “The night of the fire, he asked me out. I told him to ask me again toward the end of October.”

  “The end of October?”

  “Yeah, I said I’d be busy until then.”

  What? I shake my head more than a little flabbergasted. She punted his date offer, and he still thinks he has a shot? He’s a bigger loser than I thought. “Forget about him. I want to know what’s upsetting you.”

  The way the life goes out of her eyes, I hate to keep harping on this, but I can’t fix what I don’t know needs fixing.

  “I’m fine really.”

  I step closer and pull her against me. She melts into my chest without so much of a struggle. I’m partially surprised all things considering. “I don’t believe that for one second. What has you so upset?”

  “It looks like my ex-boyfriend, Drake, will be there.”

  My body stiffens. I figured her ex-boyfriend caused these iron shields around her, but knowing he still causes her distress doesn’t settle well. Once again, I’m sucked into everything Cara. But who am I kidding? I don’t like it at all. And that admission is when I know I’m officially fucked when it comes to this girl.

  “Why is your ex going to your family reunion?”

  She cringes. “He’s my brother’s girlfriend’s brother.”

  Her brother’s girlfriend’s brother. I replay that sentence in my head a few times. “Yeah, that’s kind of rough.”

  “I had hoped he’d be…busy and wouldn’t be able to make it.” She shifts her gaze to the left, a far distance to her stare. “I don’t want to face him alone. I’m sure he’s had several people since our split, but I…”

  Her voice trails off, and I’m a little surprised she’s opening up this much to me given our recent fight. Yep, I’m a total masochist. No way should I want to be helping, but I can’t stay away. Despite everything, the girl is under my skin.

  “I’ll go with you.”

  Her gaze cuts back to mine. “What?”

  “I’ll go with you.” I shrug as if I’m playing it off, but my heart pounds against my chest. “If you want, of course, but I’ll be your new boyfriend.”

  “You’d do that?”

  “Of course. I’ve done it before.” I squeeze my eyes and hold back a curse as soon as the words leave my mouth. Why would I say that?

  “What do you mean?”

  “Isabella needed me to help her out once.”

  She withdraws her arms from me. “Oh, yeah. I remember.”

  “With her, it was strictly out of friendship. With you, it’s totally different. Look, I know we just had a huge argument, but maybe, we can push past our fears and move forward?”

  She smiles and looks back at me. “You really want to do this?”

  “For you, yes.” Forgive me, Dad, but I’m going to live my life.

  “Then I think you’ll like where we’re going.”

  That piques my interest. “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise, but trust me, you’re going to love it.”

  We could be going to the depths of hell, and I wouldn’t care, not with that sparkle returning in her eyes. Cara Gonzalez is such a mystery to me.

  “Sounds good.” Our stares linger on each other, neither one of us making a move. The underlying anger is still present, but the fight fizzles out of me. We’ll take this one step at a time, starting tomorrow.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  CARA

  “It’s a good thing we left when we did. This traffic is a bitch.” Braxton turns the radio station to catch the pregame announcements as we creep along Highway 110. “We would have to compete with the stadium traffic.”

  “You need to get over because our exit is coming up.”

  “The stadium’s exit. Are you trying to kill me?” He flips the turning signal on, giving me a side-eye. My lips twitch as I divert my gaze to the sun shining brightly against the cloudless sky.

  “It is a perfect day for a game.” I should probably just tell him where we’re going. How I haven’t spilled it yet is beyond me—I’ve always sucked at keeping secrets—but I’m surprised he hasn’t guessed by now.

  “It sure is.” He drags out his words, and the longing in his voice about makes
me cave. But I hold strong. I just need a little bit longer to carry out this ruse.

  My stomach dips when Braxton nudges the truck’s front quarter panel into the first lane. The impatient driver’s horn along with the relentless traffic doesn’t help ease the turmoil taking residence in my stomach. It’s like an emotional feeding frenzy of excitement and nervousness competing for one space. I can’t wait to see Braxton’s face when he learns what we’re doing. He’s going to be besides himself. But then there’s the expectation of seeing my ex-boyfriend. I have no idea how Drake will react. He has openly flirted with other people in front of me, so he should behave, but it’s Drake I’m talking about. He never acts mature.

  The most surprising thing today is the lack of awkwardness between us. I thought it would hang over us like a dark cloud the entire ride, but Braxton has a way of putting me at ease. It may not have started out that way when we first met, but he has broken down my misconceptions and grown on me. We came close to tossing what we had away, but this may be a second chance to make it right. I really want this to work.

  “Hey, everything okay over there?” He rubs the back of his hand against my thigh. It’s a simple gesture, not one made in a lubricious fashion, but my body tingles in remembrance of the way his lips felt pressed against mine and the way his touch caressed my skin. I’ve missed his touch.

  “Thanks for going with me today.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it.” His voice full of seriousness zings through me. His gaze lingers on me for a second before returning to the road. “I still can’t believe you wore that shirt, though.”

  I glance at the Dodgers name scrolled across the front of my team jersey shirt and smile. “I wear number twenty-two proudly.”

  He laughs. “You’re only wearing it because it has your name on the back.”

  “That’s true,” I say, dragging out the word. “But it is special to me.”

  He just doesn’t realize what it means to have Gonzalez scrolled across my back.

  “I think you just want to rub it in that I’m missing the playoff game for you.”

  Oh, honey. You’re in for one hell of a surprise. “I’d never be that mean.”

  “Okay, Rocky.”

  “Not fair. I was only sticking up for myself.”

  “I do apologize again for Izzy’s behavior. I don’t know what came over her.”

  A pang of jealousy punches my gut. I can’t help but wonder why he sticks up for her. What is her hold over him? I shut the conversation down the last time, but I wish I hadn’t. I want to know everything Braxton.

  “You seem pretty close to her. Are you sure there isn’t more between you two?”

  His eyes glaze over as we inch toward the exit. After a beat, he speaks. “Believe me. There isn’t anything going on between us. We bonded after an incident with Alan.”

  I study him. His jaw ticks, and the way he spat Alan’s name, I can’t help but wonder where the hostility stems from or where Isabella fits into the picture. It’s the one piece I haven’t figured out. “I never did get why he hates you so much.”

  He lets out a frustrated huff as the truck moves another foot forward. “It’s not my story to tell, but some things went down freshman year. Let’s just say he became stalker-ish.”

  “Alan?” My eyebrows shoot up. Of all things, I didn’t expect that. He doesn’t seem like the type who would put much effort into anything but his precious paper.

  “He isn’t a nice guy.”

  “No, he’s not.”

  “Izzy wasn’t exactly innocent.” His eyes darken as he stares straight ahead. “I shouldn’t talk about it, but I did stand up for her, and he’s hated me ever since. Suits me fine. The feeling’s mutual.”

  “You really are something.”

  He doesn’t answer as the truck creeps forward, but the small smile forming on his lips is all the verification I need. For a goal-driven person, he doesn’t have any qualms about helping others out. Drake never acted that way. He was selfish to the core.

  “That sort of explains why he hated you. Thanks.” I may not have the entire story, but it’s enough to shed light on Alan’s deceptive practices. I point to the sign. “We need the downtown gate.”

  His head snaps toward mine. “What?”

  “You heard right. Take the downtown gate.” I flash him a smile.

  “You’re having a family reunion at the playoff game?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Holy shit.” He runs a palm across his jaw, seemingly perplexed. “Best family ever.”

  “I am a little partial. Although the people you’ll meet are more like an extended family. My mom won’t be there.” I keep the disappointment out of my voice. Mom couldn’t get time off work since they’re going to Hawaii. AJ hates that she still works. He has offered to take care of her bills multiple times, but the woman is more stubborn than me.

  “You’re fucking for real? We’re actually going to watch the wild card game?” His eyes are wide, full of questions, but when his expression mimics one of a little kid discovering Santa’s presents, my chest swells with a foreign emotion. He’s so excited and happy. I can’t help but feel giddy for doing this for him.

  “What can I say? We are a baseball family.” I mean that in more ways than one. Not only does my brother play professional ball, but his last teammates were like family to me. Especially Jax Carrigan since he roomed with AJ for a few years.

  “You little sneaky Pete. No wonder you dressed this way.” He points to my shirt and then glances at his salmon-colored polo and khakis. “And I look ridiculous.”

  “You look handsome.”

  “I look like a pretentious snob.”

  “I couldn’t risk you wearing the enemy’s colors. You’d be hauled out of there.”

  “I’m pretty sure there are enough smart people wearing Giants’ gear I’d blend in.”

  I smile.

  Not where we’re going.

  We make it through security, and I head toward our section with Braxton following beside me. An air of nervous energy surrounds us as people shuffle to their seats. I love being at the baseball park. The excited voices carrying through the corridors, the smell of popcorn wafting through the air, and the playful banter between friends who support opposite teams makes the experience.

  “Did you want to grab something from the concession stands?” Braxton slows his pace to a stop and motions toward the line.

  “No, there’s plenty of food where we’re going.”

  Braxton places his hand on the back of his neck and glances toward the club level, eyes narrowed. “Where exactly are we going?”

  “We’re going to the suites.” I don’t stop the smirk spreading across my face when his mouth gapes.

  “Wait, let me get this straight. Your family just happened to rent a suite at Dodger Stadium during the playoff game for their reunion?”

  “Yeah,” I draw out.

  “What does your brother do again?”

  “I suppose I should tell you before we head up there. Considering you’re my fake date and all, I hate to blindside you in front of everyone.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  I twist just enough to show the number on the back of the jersey. “You see the name?”

  “Yeah, it’s cool, but what does—” He stops talking and runs his hand over his jaw, his gaze never leaving mine. “Don’t tell me your brother’s job consists of him playing for the Dodgers.”

  I nod, unable to hold back my grin. “That would be correct. AJ played for the Phillies before being traded here.” I tug on my shirt. “The real reason for switching my allegiance. My heart will always be with the Phillies, but family loyalty and all.”

  “I can’t fucking believe it.” He stands there dumbfounded and then shakes his head as if to clear away the confusion. “I just… I don’t… For real?”

  I laugh and pat his arm. He’s so freaking cute. “Come on, big boy. I have a few more people for you to
meet. And in case you get confused, there was never a family reunion planned.”

  His eyes dance with humor. “So, you lied.”

  “Only about the event. But”—I wave my hand toward the field’s direction—“I knew you wouldn’t want to miss this.”

  “And you couldn’t have told me sooner because?” He raises an eyebrow, prompting me to answer. I swallow back the last few years of skepticism that’s built inside me. Standing here, I feel exposed, vulnerable. I hate opening myself up to people, but I can’t lie to him anymore.

  “Part of the reason is because I did want to surprise you. I knew how much you wanted to see the game.”

  Braxton bridges the gap between us. People walk by, their excitement almost palpable, but I don’t see them. All I see is him as his gaze peers deeply into mine. “And the other part?”

  “I have trust issues with people knowing my brother plays professional ball. I didn’t want you to know my ties. Know who I am.” My voice comes out breathier than I expected, my heart pounding fast.

  “Why?” He runs his hand along a strand of hair and moves it back behind my ear. Goose bumps erupt on my skin from the back of his knuckles brushing against the side of my neck.

  “I wanted you to know me as Cara.” To like me for who I am. “Not know me as Cara, sister to AJ Gonzalez.”

  He nods. His look is so intense I feel it clear to my toes. I think he’s going to reach down and kiss me right in the throng of people. Do I want him to? It only takes a split second to come to the conclusion that I do. Very much so. A repeat of our time spent back at Renald Field. A time before everything went south.

  His fingers press into my shoulder, and I lick my lips, fully anticipating this kiss. His mouth parts.

  “Cara?” a very recognizable voice calls out. I suppress a groan and turn to my future sister-in-law. Well, I assume anyway. AJ hasn’t proposed yet, but I know he will.

  “Mia!” I wrap my arms around her shoulders and give a quick hug. When I pull back, I motion toward Braxton. “This is my…”