The Hot Corner

by Amy Noelle

  I knew that name. You couldn’t work on the school paper and not know that name. And I vaguely remembered he wasn’t bad looking, from the photos I’d seen. As if he’d heard us, he turned and looked me over with his sage-green eyes before smiling. He was way better looking than I remembered, and my heartbeat kicked up a couple of notches.

  “He’s looking at you,” she said. I met his gaze head-on and felt my lips curve in return.

  The teacher came in and Bradley Reynolds turned around to face the front. I spent the entire class staring at the back of his head and was disappointed when he left the classroom without another smile. Before I could let myself ruminate on it for long, I stepped outside and he was standing outside the door.

  He was leaning his long, lanky body against the wall, and there it was—he smiled at me again. The girl from class called me a lucky bitch and walked away.

  “Hi,” he said, a slight Southern lilt to his voice that sent a shiver through me. I was a sucker for accents.

  “Hi.” Somehow my voice didn’t tremble.

  “I’m Brad.”

  “I’m Dani.”

  He stepped closer and held out a hand, which I took, but instead of shaking we both just kind of stood there holding hands in the middle of the hallway.

  “Pretty,” he said, and my cheeks grew hot.

  “Uh, thank you.” I patted at my red hair which I was pretty sure was a sweaty mess after my jog across campus.

  He laughed nervously. “Your name, I mean, though you’re pretty, too.”

  Now I felt like a moron. “Oh, yeah. Thanks.” I tried to tug my hand away but he held fast.

  “I mean, you’re more than pretty. You’re beautiful.” His cheeks looked a little pink.

  What did I say to that? Maybe I should tell him he was handsome. It wasn’t a lie, but it sounded weird to me. “You play baseball.”

  He laughed and released me. “Yeah, I do.” He glanced at his watch and winced. “And unfortunately I have to get to the gym.”

  “Oh, great,” I said. “Have a good workout.”

  He hefted his gym bag over his shoulder. “Look, I don’t usually do this but I was wondering if you’d maybe like to get something to eat later?”

  Was I still in class staring at the back of his head, or was this really happening?

  “Or not. Forget I said anything.” He started to turn and I grabbed his forearm. Like an idiot, I’d been mute for so long he thought I was saying no.

  “I’d love to.”

  A smile lit his face. “How about you give me your number and I’ll call you after I finish working out?”

  “Great.” I took his phone and programmed myself in.

  He smiled one final time. “See you later, Dani.”

  “Yeah,” I murmured. I stood in that hallway for God knew how long after he left, just staring after his retreating form.

  “She’s totally checking you out.”

  Brad followed my gaze toward the hostess who’d just seated us. She was practically tripping over her own feet because she was too busy staring at my boyfriend to be bothered to walk like a normal human being.

  He shrugged and returned his eyes to me. He always did. He looked at me as if I was the most important person in the world, and it made me feel incredible every time. “She’s going to fall on her ass if she doesn’t cut it out,” he said, and sure enough, she tripped over a waiter and fell in an ungainly heap on the floor. I hid my laughter behind my hand and Brad grinned. “Told you.”

  “Doesn’t it ever bother you?” He got attention everywhere we went. Someone would inevitably come up to talk about his batting average or the incredible play he’d made at third base earlier in the day.

  “Not really. I’m not interested in her, so she can look all she wants.” He flashed that smile again. “I only have eyes for you.”

  “Well, I know someone else who only has eyes for you,” I said, eyeing his shiny, engraved new watch and pouting. ‘B&B,’ it read.

  “That’s the one Bailey sent you, right?”

  His smile was gentle. “Yes. You know she’s my best friend, and I swear, you’d like her if you met her.”

  “She sends you care packages,” I said, resting my chin in the palm of my hand. “I’ve seen pictures of you two, I know how she looks at you. If I had a best friend like that . . .”

  “Shhh,” he said. “It’s you. It’s only you.”

  “Cheesy.” But the words still made me warm.

  “Maybe, but it’s true. I love you. Happy anniversary.”

  “I love you, too.” Six amazing months had flown by. We clinked our water glasses since we were still too young to drink in public.

  The hostess came back and shot him what I could only describe as a longing look. “Rude bitch,” I muttered, and Brad chuckled and took my hand. He kissed it as she backed away, and I was the lesser person, giving her a triumphant smile. At least she got the message. Some of them didn’t. He got hit on all the time, often right in front of me like I wasn’t even there. He’d always politely turn them down and introduce them to his girlfriend. Mostly, I let it roll off my back. Mostly.

  “I can’t believe you’re cancelling on me again,” I snapped into the phone, kicking off my heels since I wasn’t going to need them after all.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I’ve got to work on my mechanics before the series with the Canes starts. There’s something off in my swing.”

  I glared at the picture on my nightstand of the two of us, since I couldn’t glare at him in person. “Did your coach say you have to stay late, or it is your idea?”

  The silence at the other end gave me my answer. “Exactly. This is the fourth time in two weeks, and it’s not baseball making you stay away from me. It’s you. I guess I know where I am on the priority list.”

  I’d told myself I wasn’t going to be this girl, the one who got mad because her boyfriend was busy. But four broken dates? Even a saint couldn’t overlook that, and I was no saint.

  “Dani, you know it’s not like that. There’s a lot of pressure on us to win this series or we’ll never qualify for regionals and . . .” Blah blah blah. It was the same thing he’d said two days ago. And three days before that. And I got it, I really did, but I was tired of coming in second. Especially today.

  “I know exactly what it’s like, Brad. It’s another night home alone for me. Well, screw that. I’m going out, with or without you.”

  There was a pause on the other end of the line and I waited, hoping maybe he’d remember what today was and why I was determined not to sit in my apartment waiting for him to come by like I always did. “If that’s what you want to do.” There was an edge in his voice that hadn’t been there before.

  “What I want to do is go out to the dinner and movie you promised me. Since that’s out, I guess I’ll go to Cassie’s party.” After all, I should have had some kind of party, right?

  “Have fun.” His tone said exactly the opposite, but I didn’t care.

  “I will. Tonight’s a good night for a party.” I waited. Nothing. “Happy fucking birthday to me. Goodbye, Brad.” I could hear him curse as I disconnected.

  I grabbed my bag and slipped my shoes back on. He could have fun working on his swing while I got wasted. We’d see who had a better time.

  “Where’s Brad?”

  It felt like the hundredth time I’d been asked that question in the hour I’d been at the party.

  “Baseball,” I muttered before taking a long pull on the beer in my hand. Always fucking baseball. I almost regretted coming. Wallowing at home alone was actually better than wallowing with company, because all of them knew I was part of a couple and wanted to know where my other half was.

  “It’s weird to see you without him,” Heather said. I knew she wasn’t trying to sucker punch me, but she did. Yes, it was weird. Despite his crazy schedule and my articles for the newspaper, we usually found a way to be together. Except lately. I was really beginning to hate the push for College Wor
ld Series.

  “Yeah, I know, but he was busy tonight, and I didn’t want to be alone.” Wrong choice.

  “Well, looks like you don’t have to be.”

  I looked up and saw Brad standing in the doorway, looking around the room. His eyes locked with mine and a hesitant smile passed over his face as he walked toward me carrying a handful of red roses.

  “Happy birthday, beautiful.”

  My breath hitched and tears filled my eyes as he held out the roses. Part of me was thrilled he was here and another part of me was angry he’d forgotten. I hadn’t forgotten his birthday. I’d baked him a horrible cake that we’d both laughed at before throwing it out and eating ice cream right out of the carton. I’d made him a birthday crown out of a Budweiser case and told him I was his royal subject for the night, there to serve his every whim. His whims had all involved my being naked. That night was a billion times better than this one.

  “Nothing happy about it.” I pushed the roses aside and stood on unsteady feet. He caught my arm before I could fall or walk away from him.

  “I’m sorry.” I heard the sincerity in his voice and saw it in his eyes, but it wasn’t enough.

  “I’m sure you are, now that you actually remember. Which you only do because I told you.”

  “I remembered. Just not today.” He tried to smile but my glare stopped him cold. “I have a present for you back at my place. Come home with me.”

  I smirked and tugged my arm loose from his hold. “I just bet you do. I’ve had enough of that present, thanks.” Not really. I still wanted the hell out of him, which pissed me off.

  He had the audacity to laugh. “I wasn’t talking about that, although it would be a nice way to end your birthday.”

  Asshole. “No, it would have been a nice way to start my birthday, along with breakfast in bed and a whole day of doing nothing but watching movies and eating junk food and having fun before going out and celebrating tonight. But what did I get instead?” He winced. “I woke up alone with a text telling me you were at practice, then more practice, then meetings, more practice, and finally your self-imposed practice. Not quite the day I had planned.”

  “I know, and I’m so sorry, Red.” He wasn’t allowed to call me that right now. “I can make it up to you.”

  “I just want to go home.”

  “Let me take you.” My body yearned for him to do just that, and I hated it. I wobbled a little and knew the beers I’d pounded when I first got to the party were taking effect.

  “Fine, but you’re just dropping me off.”

  He smiled, knowing he’d won. I turned toward the doorway, but he stopped me. “After I dance with you at least this once.” He pulled me against him, and I fit into his arms perfectly, just like always. My arms wound around his neck without my actually telling them to, and I inhaled his fresh, clean, soapy scent from his shower. I loved the way he smelled after baseball practice. He knew it, too.

  The opening strains of “If I Ain’t Got You” started playing, and I knew he’d arranged it.

  “Bastard.” It was our song—at least our song of the moment, since I constantly changed it when something new and fitting came out. But this one seemed to be sticking. Plus, I loved Alicia Keys.

  “Yes, but I’m your bastard.” His arms tightened around me and I rested my head on his shoulder, my nose pressing into his neck so I could inhale him. “I am still, right?”

  As if I could walk away from him. Things may have been kind of shitty right then, but I still loved the guy. “Yes, but I don’t like you very much right now.”

  He laughed and rubbed my back. “That’s okay, because I like you a lot. I love you, even.”

  “I love you, too, even if you’re a jerk.”

  He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I know things have been insane lately, and I can’t promise the next few weeks are going to be much better, but I do promise to make more time for you, and I won’t make plans I can’t keep.”

  I sighed and burrowed into him. “Yeah, you probably will. I understand mostly, but today—”

  “Today I fucked up royally. And I can’t take it back. But I can give you the day you hoped to have—it’s just going to be a day late.”

  I peered up at him, surprised and feeling hopeful for the first time in weeks. “Really?”

  He smiled. “Yes, really. Starting now, I’m all yours for the next thirty-six hours. I told coach I’m taking tomorrow off and not even hitting the gym. How does that sound?”

  “Perfect.”

  He bent and kissed me, and the heat I always felt when he did blasted through me. “Happy birthday, Red.”

  “It is now.”

  The next day, he gave me my day of laziness and loving, as well as a beautiful heart necklace with a Celtic love knot in the center of it. I was certain eternity would be ours.

  “If you get any closer to that television, I’m pretty sure you’re going to get sucked inside.” My mom laughed, and I scowled and sat back just a tad. “I know you miss him, honey, but I don’t think screwing up your eyes is going to help anything.”

  She was right, of course, but Brad was right there on my television. This year, he’d made it to the College World Series. He was beside himself with excitement, and I was just as thrilled for him. Last year, we’d flamed out in the regionals and all his practice and time away from me had been for naught. This year, we’d handled the pressure better, making time for one another even if we could only squeeze in a lunch or late dinner. And then he went to Omaha to play, and I was home for the summer, watching him on television instead of being with him like I wanted to be.

  “Sorry, Mom. I just wish I was there.”

  She smiled and smoothed back my hair. “I know you do. So why aren’t you?”

  Why wasn’t I? “Because it’s summer and I’m supposed to be here.”

  “Says who? Dad and I are working, your brother is nowhere to be found, and I’m sure you’re already tired of babysitting for the neighbors.” That was the understatement of the century. Mom handed me a piece of paper. “You’ve got a flight out tomorrow morning.”

  My jaw dropped as I saw it—a flight itinerary. “Really?”

  “Consider it a late birthday present.” I squealed and leapt into her arms, and she laughed and hugged me. “Go be there for Brad. And tell him I said we’re all rooting for him.”

  “I will! Thank you, Mom!” I flew into my room to pack. I thought about texting him to tell him I was coming, but a surprise was way better. I knew he missed me as much as I missed him. We’d spent hours on the phone late into the night, and the longing was there in his voice just like it was in mine.

  “I’m coming, Brad,” I whispered as I zipped my suitcase. “I’ll be in your arms in less than twenty-four hours.”

  My cab let me off at the Hilton where Brad was staying. I’d sent him texts between flights so he wouldn’t wonder where I was. He thought I was shopping with my mother. His game wasn’t until seven that night, so we had time for reunion sex and a quick dinner before he’d have to be on the field. I’d already received a couple of messages from him telling me he missed me, and it took everything I had not to tell him he wouldn’t have to for long.

  I hadn’t even stepped five feet into the lobby before I heard his voice. My heart kicked up a notch, and I turned to find him. He was stepping out of the elevator holding hands with a stunning blond girl I’d never seen before, in person. I had, however, seen her in plenty of pictures.

  I don’t know what made me do it, but I ducked behind a pillar and watched as he and Bailey strolled by. I couldn’t see his face, but I could see hers, and I had seen that look before. I knew that look. It was the one I wore in every picture of the two of us together.

  She loved him.

  “I can’t thank you enough for being here for me. I needed you,” he told her.

  He needed her? Shouldn’t it be me he needed?

  “Like I’d miss the most important games of your life? I had to be h
ere.”

  I hated her. I hated the way she smiled at him and the way she looked at him as if he was her entire world. He was mine, damn it.

  “Yeah, but with everything going on . . .” His shoulders slumped, and he pulled her into a hug. It felt like a knife wound straight to my heart.

  “I love you, Brad. Where else would I be?” Hearing her confirm it made me want to vomit all over the hideous brown carpet.

  “I love you, too.”

  Forget the knife wound. This was a gunshot. I felt like I was bleeding onto the floor as I gripped the pillar and gasped for breath. She ran her hand up his back and into his hair, and he seemed to melt into her, his knees bending just a little, his back hunching. She leaned back and looked into his eyes. Her eyelids fluttered closed. Her lips parted. When she pressed her mouth to his, I turned around and ran.

  Tears spilled over my cheeks as I hurried out the door and onto the airport shuttle. When I could talk again, I’d call my mom and ask her to get me a ticket home. I wasn’t staying here to see him and his other girlfriend—well, his only girlfriend—celebrate his victory.

  He won, too, of course. I found out after my plane landed back in Tampa. Bailey obviously had brought him more luck than I ever could.

  Then he called me like nothing had happened. He left me messages filled with sweet words about missing me and wondering where I was and why I wasn’t answering his calls. But I couldn’t. Even though I was angry, even though my heart had been stomped on by his sharpest pair of cleats, I still wanted him to win

  After he did, he called me almost immediately. Blond Bailey was probably preparing a special celebration for the two of them, but he had time to squeeze me in. That was the call I finally took.

  “Red? Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you for the past three days. I was getting worried about you.”

  “I’ve been busy.” I kept my voice flat and emotionless. I wasn’t going to let him hear me cry. I’d save that for after.

  “Too busy for your boyfriend? What’s wrong, Dani?”

  “Nothing. I have a life, too, you know. It doesn’t just revolve around your needs.”