by Croft, Rose
“Wow, someone is really touchy right now.”
We continued to play, and she beat me 7–3. And, I was trying really hard. Again, I had to watch her jiggle and taunt me as she now had thrown in a few dance moves. It was almost like a strip tease but with insults and no stripping.
But, I had to know how her game had improved to that level. “How did you know all of those tricks in the game? There’s no way that was luck.”
She smiled deviously. “I got a few pointers from some of my students that play this game all the time.”
“That was very resourceful of you.” I was impressed she would think of that.
“Rematch? And, maybe put some kind of wager on the next game?” She suggested.
Before I could answer, my phone rang. It was my publicist, Brooke, again for the fifth time. “Hold on, I gotta take this. Hello?”
“Hey, I’m just letting you know that everyone is waiting for you to release a statement about the incident,” she informed me which wasn’t a surprise.
“Yeah, Brooke, I know.” I rubbed my eyes. When I looked up, I saw Rose lift an eyebrow at the mention of her name. “Just say something to the effect that Kip and I had a misunderstanding over the game, not over a girl. You know what I mean. And, that I apologize for my bad decision which was irresponsible for not putting my team first.”
“Okay, I’ll get on that.”
“Thanks, make sure Kip’s story corroborates with mine.”
“Do you want to address the pictures?” She asked.
“Tell them we’re just friends, and my personal life is private.”
“All right, got it.”
“Thanks, Brooke, you’re the best.” I hung up and set the phone on the coffee table. I turned to Rose, and she was sitting there frowning. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“That was my publicist wanting me to give a statement to the media.”
She nodded. “Everything’s okay?”
“Yeah, as long as we’re good, fuck everything else.”
“You were fined $75,000. That’s pretty steep.”
“I know.” It was a ridiculous amount. She still seemed reserved after my call. I reached over and touched her arm. “Something else is bothering you, what is it?”
She shrugged. “Again, it’s really hitting me how different you and I are. You know your fine is way more than what I make in a year.”
“Just because my job pays more does not lessen the importance of your career.”
“And, you have to explain your actions to everyone…” She paused. “I was almost upset that you didn’t mention the truth about your fight, but I knew it was in your best interest not to.”
“What? Tell Brooke I was angry because Kip said something about my girlfriend? Do you know what would happen if I told the public I had a girlfriend right now? That would draw attention to you because then people would want to find out who it is, and you told me you weren’t ready for public attention like that.”
“Yes, I get it. I did say that. I don’t want that attention on me.” She ran her fingers under her glasses, rubbing her eyes. “This whole situation is…different, that’s all.”
“I know this is new for you. I’m sorry. I want to make this as normal as possible. This is new to me too since I haven’t been in a relationship throughout my professional career.”
“I’m not mad at you. This isn’t your fault. The version of you that I know seems like a down to earth guy, not a multi-million dollar baseball player, who has a team of people working around him and has to monitor everything he does and says.”
“I am a down to earth guy. That’s the real me. I just happened to excel in a career that pays really well and is followed by the public.” I pulled her to me. “Come here. You know me. I’m the guy that foolishly got a Frozen tattoo, the one who is terrified of mascots, the one who would do anything for his family, and definitely the one who is crazy about you. The other stuff is just stuff. This is real.”
I had my arms wrapped around her as she sat in my lap. I leaned down and kissed her lips, and she placed her hand on my cheek as she opened her mouth letting me in.
She lifted and turned where we were chest to boobs, and she was straddling me without breaking the kiss. My hands grabbed her hips pressing her into me. She moaned and rolled her hips trying to create more friction. I reached for the hem of her tank and pulled it off and unhooked her bra.
I groaned as I nuzzled her bra off. “Oh, how I’ve missed these.” I was about to give her boobs a lot of attention with my mouth, but my phone went off again.
“Don’t you need to get that?” Rose asked attacking my hair with her hands.
I glanced down and saw it was my mom. “It’s my mom. I’ll call her back.” And went back to reacquainting myself with her tits.
She laid her palms flat on my chest stopping me. “You need to answer that. She’s probably worried about you. Have you even spoken to her today?”
“No.” Her tone was a little reproachful like I was one of her students in trouble. “I spoke to my dad earlier.”
She huffed, standing up and grabbed my phone thrusting it at me.
I pulled her again back on my lap and kissed each nipple and answered. “Hi mom.”
“John, are you okay?”
“Yes.” I had the phone cradled between my head and shoulder as I gently ran my palms over her cupcakes. Flicking and squeezing, almost forgetting I was on the phone. Rose probably found that disturbing to do while talking to my mom and pushed up and sat on the other side of the couch before I could stop her, pulling her tank back on. I could still see her rosy points clearly through the top.
“Did you hear what I said?” My mom asked.
“Sorry, Mom, what was that?”
“Is your face okay?”
“Yes. I didn’t suffer any damage this time,” I answered remembering how upset she was after I got hit in the face with the baseball.
“Good. I can’t believe Alyssa was acting like that,” she said. I guess my dad had relayed the story I told him.
“I know, but I think she’s moving on now.” I kept staring at Rose, motioning for her to sit next to me. She shook her head, smiling.
“So your father said that you were fighting because someone made derogatory comments about your girlfriend. Who is she and when do we get to meet her?”
“Actually, her name is Rose, and she’s Loren’s friend. I’m sitting with her right now.” I leaned over to grab her, but she moved back tantalizing me as she ran a fingertip over one of her nipples. I had to keep myself from breathing heavily on the phone. “I would love for you to meet her.”
“Andrew said you were in town serving out the suspension. Your dad wanted to barbecue a brisket tomorrow. Why don’t you come over and bring Rose? Andrew and Loren are coming, too.”
“Yeah, Mom that sounds great.” She gave me the time and we hung up, not before she told me that she was so happy that her baby boy was okay.
I sat my phone down and crawled over to the other side of the couch where I caged Rose in between my arms.
“How’s your mom?”
“She’s relieved her baby boy is okay,” I teased and ran my nose over her boobs. Her nipples pebbled under the material.
“So, you’re definitely a mama’s boy?”
“I told you how she cared for me when I was scared at those birthday parties. And, you said you wished you could protect me like that. I’d like that too. We can reenact that moment if you’d like.” I nuzzled her cleavage through her tank.
She ran her fingers through my hair. “What did your mom say when you mentioned me?”
“She wants to meet you and invited us over tomorrow afternoon if that’s okay with you?” I kissed my way up to her lips.
“Yeah, I’d like that.” She said between kisses and pulled off her tank. “Are you ready for me?”
“Always, Rose. Always.”
We were pulling into the driveway of J
ohn’s parent’s house. They lived out in the suburbs northwest of Dallas in the same home where John grew up. Andrew picked us up at my apartment. John had kept me up for several hours with what he called making-up-for-lost-time sex. And, he certainly didn’t lie about that. It was ridiculous since we’d only been apart five days? But hey, I wasn’t complaining.
I exited the SUV and looked around at the two-story home that was older style with what appaeared to have at least an acre of land. That much land was hard to come by anymore without spending a lot of money. Even though it appeared a bit dated, it looked like home. There was a basketball hoop cemented into the side of the driveway where I assumed the brothers played when they were younger.
John laced his fingers through mine as we walked to the front door. “Don’t be nervous. My parents are going to love you.”
We followed behind Andrew and Loren. Andrew stepped in pulling Loren behind him. John’s mom was coming out of the kitchen and flapped her hands excitedly. “My babies are here!” And she was all over Andrew kissing his cheeks repetitively. Then, she hugged Loren and kissed her face too. “I’m so glad that you’re here, Loren.”
John whispered a warning in my ear, “My mom’s very affectionate.”
He barely got the words out before his mother was basically baby-talking him, smashing his cheeks together with her hands. “There’s my baby boy. I was so worried about you.” She kissed him lovingly and wrapped her arms around him. John looked at me a little embarrassed, but it was cute. I smiled.
She finally pulled back and gazed at me. “You must be Rose. I’m Rachel.”
“Hi.” I lifted my hand in a half-wave.
She put her hands on her hips and squinted at me. “You better get over here and give me a hug.” I stepped in and embraced the over friendly hug she gave. When she pulled back she stared at me like she was taking me in to see if I was worthy of her ‘baby boy.’ She nodded her approval. “John, she’s gorgeous.”
I blushed and mumbled thanks. She had the same dark hair and green eyes that her sons did, but she was petite like me. She was truly a striking woman.
Then, I saw John’s dad. He was as tall as both sons, and almost built the same way too. His hair was salt and peppered, and he had brown eyes, but his facial features resembled his boys. If I were into older men, he would be it. This family really did have it going on in the looks department.
He’d been talking to Andrew and Loren and moved over to us. “Hi, I’m Jim. Nice to meet you, Rose.” He gave me a hug. He scowled at John before he bear hugged him, making some critical comment about his suspension, but then whispered something in his ear making John laugh.
In the kitchen, John’s mom started chopping vegetables. “Can I help with anything?” There was already a ton of food laid out on the huge island. She must’ve been prepping for a few hours at least. Were there more people coming over?
Rachel smiled. “No, baby, I’m almost finished. Do you want something to drink? We got everything…water, soda, beer…” She had such a sweet southern drawl.
John got me a bottled water. “I love your house.”
“Why thank you, Rose.” She pointed the knife in John’s direction. “Baby, why don’t you show her around.”
“Sure, Mom.” John gave me a little side grin as he wrapped an arm around me leading me to the stairs. “You ready to see where all the magic happened?”
“Wow, John, when you put it that way, I can’t wait.”
Upstairs I heard the low murmuring of voices and smacking of lips. Shocker. Loren and Andrew were getting their make-out on in the game room. More specifically, Loren was strewn across the pool table with Andrew leaned over her. Still fully clothed. I think it was still somewhat PG-13.
“Oh God! My eyes! Make it go away.” John rubbed his eyes like he’d just had a nightmare.
Andrew lifted his head smiling like a wolf and thrust his thumb behind him. “Did you come up here to get reacquainted with your Xbox? Just warning you, Rose, John had a long time love affair with it.”
“Shut up, dickhead. Mom wanted me to show Rose the house. Not watch amateur porn.”
Andrew snorted and pushed off the table and pulled a red-faced Loren with him. “Come on, babe. I need some help finding a book that I never returned to the library.” Together, they walked across the hall to another room and closed the door.
“That’s Andrew’s old room.” John gestured to the door. “If you hadn’t guessed.”
“Yeah, got it.” We continued down the hall.
“And, this is mine. Control yourself, Rose, please.”
I shook my head and followed him through his door. His room was modest with a desk and a twin bed that seemed almost too tiny for him. One wall was shelved with what looked like a hundred trophies. The other walls were covered with posters of athletes mixed in with bikini models. “Nice wall art, John.”
“What? This was like eight years ago that I lived here. I was a teenager.” He was rubbing his hands up and down my arms. “I wished that the girls I fantasized about looked half as good as you, Rose.”
I had on a summer dress, and he fingered one of the straps, contemplating pulling it down. Then, I heard the thud of footsteps on stairs, and Rachel calling out that there were appetizers.
“Shit,” John whispered. “Okay, Mom, we’re coming down!” He called out grabbing my hand. We walked past Andrew’s closed-door, and you had to be hearing impaired not to notice the moans and a bed creaking.
We met Rachel at the top of the stairs. “Where are your brother and Loren?” She glanced behind us.
John responded half-grinning, “Probably doing some homework.”
She looked puzzled. I nudged John in the ribs. “They had to get something from his room. They’ll be down in a minute,” I said, and we began descending the stairs and a deep long groan reverberated behind us. Welp—so much for trying to cover up for them.
“Was that Andrew?” Rachel asked as she paused on the stairs. “Is he all right?”
“I’m sure he is now,” John said under his breath as we continued to the kitchen.
“John, your dad made some bacon-wrapped jalapenos.” Rachel posed next to the counter showcasing the appetizers like a Price Is Right model.
“Great. Those are my favorite.” He proceeded to eat about three of them within a minute. “I’m so glad I’m here. I’ve missed your food.” John appeared to be in ecstasy while he continued scavenging the contents on the counter acting like he hadn’t eaten in a month.
A few minutes later, Andrew and Loren joined us. She was slightly flushed, and her hair was subtly mussed. Andrew had a relaxed look on his face and a slight smile.
“Did you find that book?” John asked between bites. “Mom was worried about you.”
“Yeah, I found it. And, I’m fine.” Andrew moved over to the counter by the appetizers. “Hey, save some of those for me.” He pushed John aside, trying to eat a jalapeno before his brother ate all of them.
So now both brothers were scarfing appetizers down like lions on a gazelle in the Savannah. Finally, John looked over at me. “Baby, you’ve got to try this since I know how much you love jalapenos.” He picked one up by the toothpick and brought it to me.
“This isn’t too spicy for you?”
“No, mom scrapes the seeds out.”
I put the tip, just the tip, in my mouth and bit off a piece, closing my eyes and moaning my approval at the delightful food explosion of jalapeno, cream cheese, and bacon hitting my tongue. I opened my eyes and saw John staring at my mouth. “It’s really good,” I said lamely covering my mouth.
“I know, right?” He licked his lip as he watched me take another bite.
“So Rose, what do you do for a living?” I vaguely heard Rachel’s voice.
I dragged my eyes off of John, disengaging in the food porn foreplay we were having.
“I teach high school English.”
“Really? That’s nice. So how did you two meet?”
&
nbsp; “In a bar in Dallas.”
“Oh.”
What did that mean? And I wondered if I sounded like some kind of skank who picked up guys at bars.
“She was there with Loren, and I happened to see her from across the bar,” John clarified.
She smiled. “Loren, how’s the book going?”
I glanced over at her as she was seductively sucking on a piece of carrot while Andrew had his hand on her back watching her. When all eyes were on my friend, her demeanor changed as she quickly took a bite, chewing, holding her hand up as if to say give me a minute, and finally answered, “The book is in the editing stage and hopefully will be published sometime this year.”
“That’s exciting. Andrew, didn’t you finish that book you were working on?”
He nodded and went in for some more food.
Jim stood up and said he was going to check on the brisket.
“I gotta see this.” John nudged me with him to the back door. “Dad makes the best brisket.”
We stepped outside onto a covered patio with double fans going full blast since it was one hundred degrees outside. A huge smoker was sitting over to the side of the house, spewing smoke like a freight train.
Jim opened the cover, and we oohed and ahhed over the beautiful slab of meat that made my mouth water. “It should be ready in about an hour.” His dad closed the lid and went inside.
I scanned around the large backyard with a pool. “Nice pool.” I stepped over to the edge.
“You want to go swimming?” He slid his arms around me and picked me up.
“No, and if you toss me in, I’ll bust your lip!” I threatened when he swung me back like he was about to throw me in.
“Damn, Rose, that’s not very nice.”
He was about to set me down when I saw Andrew behind us with arms out, and the next thing I knew I was submerged in water with John on top of me.
John pulled me to the surface with him and Andrew cannonballed in taking Loren hostage. I shoved my hair out of my face ready to knock someone out, but realized I didn’t have my glasses. John must’ve noticed too because he dove under and resurfaced with them in his hand. He set them on the side of the pool.