by Jean Joachim
Even though Dan was his best friend, Matt could never quite get the strength and power of his pal’s love for Holly. But now that he was in the same state, he got it, a hundred times over.
When they finished making love and drying each other off, they brought pizza back to the house and lay out by the pool, looking at the stars and cuddling on a lounge chair. Matt’s cell rang. He checked the screen. It was his father.
“Hey, Pop, what’s up?”
“Just checking up on you.”
“I’m fine.”
“Did you make up with that girl yet?”
Matt shook his head once and chuckled. “Yeah. I did.”
“So?”
“So, we’re engaged.”
“Getting married?”
Matt was surprised to hear the excitement in his old man’s voice. “Yeah, we are.”
“Well, don’t wait long. I’m in shape to make it to your wedding. But who knows for how long. And this is one wedding I don’t want to miss.”
Tears stung Matt’s eyes. “Don’t worry, Pop. We won’t get married without you.”
“Good. I want to give the groom away.”
“You will. I promise.”
EPILOGUE
Sitting with his feet up in a lounge chair by the pool with Dusty at his side, Matt dialed Jake Lawrence. The third baseman was driving his luxury car across the country. Being a protective guy, the catcher worried about his friends when they were on the road or taking plane trips. They teased him about it, calling him their “den mother.”
“You gonna be back in time for spring training?” Matt asked.
“Hell, yes. This is a breeze. I’ve already got the road doped out.”
“Good. ’Cause I’m getting married, and I need you to be there.”
“Well, son of a bitch! Congratulations! Dusty?”
“Of course, Dusty. Who else?”
“With a mover like you, I never know.” Jake chuckled.
“Don’t be an asshole. Have a safe trip. I gotta go. Gotta do laps.”
“Give Dusty a kiss for me, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Safe journey,” Matt said.
* * * *
Next to driving his new car and sex, food placed high on Jake’s list of pleasurable necessities. When he hit Santa Juana, his stomach rumbled. He’d hoped he could find a little mom and pop restaurant, like there were in New York City, along his route. But he couldn’t even find a downtown area for the Santa Juana.
The big sign of a popular steak house franchise caught his eye. A steak sandwich with fries would go down great right about now. He glanced at the clock on the dash. Only eleven. He wondered if they’d be serving lunch yet.
His mouth started to water as the image of a huge Philly Cheese Steak flashed through his mind. Hitting the turn signal, he stepped on the brake and pulled off the highway. His eye was snagged by a pair of perfect legs and a mighty cute butt hightailing it down the service road.
She was running at full speed, and he couldn’t figure out why. After pulling into the parking lot, he got out of the car and spied a man in hot pursuit of the cute chick. Was this part of his adventure? He had to know what was going on and followed along.
The man caught up to the girl. He was yelling. It appeared she was crying, but he couldn’t tell, so he moved closer. A damsel in distress—what could be more appealing? His stomach would have to wait, because he needed to make sure she was okay.
Sure enough, the man hit her. He slapped her across the face then punched her in the shoulder, knocking her to the ground. Curiosity turned to anger as Jake ran over and grabbed the man’s fist.
“What the hell? What are you doing?” His brows knit as he jerked the man’s arm behind his back and held it there.
“This bitch owes me fifty bucks. She ran out on her bill,” he said, then spat on the ground at her feet.
“Whoa! Wait a minute. You can’t just go hitting people, especially women. Look what you did. She’s bleeding.”
“Where? My face? Oh my God. My face. It’s swelling. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Your face. What do you care? You a hooker? Probably,” the desk clerk said.
“No, you idiot. I’m a Broadway actress. My face is everything.” She broke down in tears.
“Hey, hey, don’t cry. Can’t you just pay the man?” Jake said.
“I would, but I don’t have any money. My mother was supposed to transfer some I made doing a show, but it’s not in my account.”
“Why don’t you call her? Maybe the transfer’s going through today.”
“That’s what I hoped. I left a check in the motel room.”
“Check. Pfui! What’s that worth? Fucking piece of paper,” the man said.
Jake tightened his grip until the clerk squirmed. “Apologize to the lady.”
“Okay, okay. Sorry I hit you. Cough up what you owe me,” the clerk said, grimacing in pain.
She opened her phone, but didn’t dial. “Phone’s dead.”
“Use mine,” Jake said, tossing her his cell with his free hand. “And you. I should punch your lights out, but I don’t want to injure my hand for an asshole like you. Here’s your money. Don’t ever hit a woman again. And next time I see you do that, I will take you out. Count on it.”
Jake peeled off fifty bucks and threw it on the ground. The man scooped up every dollar then shot a hostile look at Jake, who raised a fist at him. The coward jerked away then ran back to the motel. The ball player turned to the young woman and handed her his handkerchief. She hit speaker on the phone so she could wipe the blood from her face.
“Ma?”
“That you, Kate?”
“Yeah. Where’s the money? You were supposed to put my check for twenty-five hundred bucks in my account. Did it arrive?”
“It did. I cashed it, just like you said.”
“So? Where is it? Ma, I gotta eat, buy a bus ticket and stuff.”
“Well, I thought that twenty-five hundred wasn’t very much. Since you’re going to New York City and all…”
The woman buried her face in her hands. “You didn’t, Ma. Say you didn’t.”
“I was only trying to help. I thought if I could double that at the track…well, five grand would go a lot farther in the Big Apple.”
“Ma, I needed that money.”
“Hey, I was doin’ great. Got it up to thirty-five hundred. Then, my luck broke.”
“Lost it all?”
“Sorry, babe. Hey, I gotta go. Harry’s waitin’ for me. We’re takin’ the free bus to the new casino. Wish me luck. I’ll call you if I win your money back.”
“You do that, Ma.”
The woman clicked off the phone and handed it back to Jake, who stood, eyes wide.
“I’m sorry, Mister. I’m not gonna have your fifty bucks for you.” She opened a side pocket in her backpack and rummaged around for something.
Jake had never heard a conversation like that before. “Your mother gambled away your money?”
The girl plucked a compact out and opened it. She nodded before gasping. Fresh tears started. “I have an audition in two weeks. Look at my face!”
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Topping off one smokin’ hot body was the darkest hair he’d ever seen. Long and silky, framing peaches-and-cream skin, with eyes a mixture of green and blue. Those were troubled eyes now, glancing up at him.
“Uh, yeah. She did. It’s not the first time. Damn it!” She swiped at the water on her cheeks and stood up. “I have to get to New York in two weeks. I have an audition.”
“You’re a Broadway actress?” Jake couldn’t keep the awe out of his voice.
“No. Not yet. Regional theater. Summer stock. Crap, look at my face. How can I audition, looking like this?” She shoved the things she’d removed to get to her mirror back in the satchel. “I had bus fare only as far as Santa Juana. Now, I’m stuck.”
“You’ll never make your audition,” Jake said.
�
��Gotta be a place along this road that needs experienced waitress help. That’s me. I’ll get a job. Work a couple a days.” She brushed off her beige jeans and dark turquoise T-shirt, before sticking out her hand. “Kate MacKenzie. Thank you so much for paying off that asshole. If you give me your name and address, I’ll mail you a check for the money. I’m good for it. Really. I’ve got this job in the bag. I just know it.”
“Jake Lawrence. Don’t worry about the money. I can swing it. You’re really gonna do that? Look for a job, then hop a bus?”
“Of course. What other option do I have? Oh, wait. I could hitchhike. But that might be risky.”
“Might?” His voice rose. “You’ll get jumped by the first guy who stops for you.”
“Me? Why?”
“Just look at you.”
“Yeah. So? I’m a little dusty, but…”
“Dusty? You’re beautiful.”
She stopped and blushed. “Think so?”
“I don’t think. I know. Come on. I can’t leave you out here. I’m gonna get lunch at Smokey’s. Join me and I’ll take you to New York.”
“What?”
“Yeah. I’m headed that way.”
She backed up. “No, thanks, mister. I’m not that hard up. I’d rather walk.”
“No, no. I’m safe. Honestly. I’m a professional baseball player.”
“Yeah? And I’m the Tooth Fairy.”
**THE END**
Find out what happens to Kate and Jake in JAKE LAWRENCE, THIRD BASE, book 3 in the BOTTOM OF THE NINTH series. Coming soon where fine e-books and paperbacks are sold.
About the Author
Jean Joachim is a best-selling romance fiction author, with books hitting the Amazon Top 100 list since 2012. She writes contemporary romance, which includes sports romance and romantic suspense.
Dangerous Love Lost & Found, First Place winner in the 2015 Oklahoma Romance Writers of America, International Digital Award contest. The Renovated Heart won Best Novel of the Year from Love Romances Café. Lovers & Liars was a RomCon finalist in 2013. And The Marriage List tied for third place as Best Contemporary Romance from the Gulf Coast RWA.
To Love or Not to Love tied for second place in the 2014 New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America Reader’s Choice contest.
She was chosen Author of the Year in 2012 by the New York City chapter of RWA.
Married and the mother of two sons, Jean lives in New York City. Early in the morning, you’ll find her at her computer, writing, with a cup of tea, and a secret stash of black licorice.
Jean has 30+ books, novellas and short stories published. Find it here:
http://www.jeanjoachimbooks.com.
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