Playing Hardball, Part 1 (A Baseball Romance Serial) (Playing Hardball (A Baseball Romance Serial))

by Sharon Cummin

  “You owe me,” she said.

  “Why is that?” I asked.

  “You made me miss my best friend being proposed to,” she said. “You need to make it up to me.”

  “I thought I already did,” I said with a laugh. “I guess you didn't get enough of all this last night.”

  Before she could make it out of the bed, I pulled her onto her back and was over her. When I ripped the packet open and rolled the condom down my shaft, she laughed.

  “How many of those do you have?” she asked, as she looked over at the empty packets already on the nightstand from the night before.

  “More than enough,” I said with a smile.

  I didn't give her any warning when I entered her hard and fast. Little did she know, I wasn't joking. Her ass would be in my bed all day long.

  Chapter 13

  Lucy

  When I woke up that morning, I felt better than I had in so long. I'd actually slept through the night. It was the first time in a long time that I didn't have to relive that awful day. There was definitely an ache between my legs too. Lance hadn't been joking when he said he was going to make sure I felt him for days. I was about to run when he started asking about my tiny moment where I'd lost my confidence the day before. When we agreed to just fun, I felt my body relax a bit. He'd made me come three more times before we made it out of his bed. Then we got dressed and ordered some food from one of the hotel restaurants. The room or suite he got was pretty impressive. I still couldn't see how he could spend that much money on it, but it wasn't my place to judge him. He knew nothing about me, and I knew the same about him.

  We were eating lunch on the balcony when my phone rang. I put my finger over my mouth to shush him before answering.

  “Hey, Carrie,” I said.

  “I just wanted to make sure you were okay after that caveman threw you over his shoulder,” she said.

  “Thanks for throwing me under the bus,” I said. “Thanks for saving me before he took me away and did crazy things to me.”

  Carrie let out a laugh so loud I had to pull the phone away from my ear.

  “I knew he wasn't going to hurt you. You've met your match with him. He is kind of hot,” she said.

  I looked over at Lance who was trying not to laugh.

  “He's okay I guess,” I said, as I watched his almost laugh turn into a glare. “We're just having fun. That's all it is. He's way too busy with ball and all his women to settle down. You know I'm not interested in anything serious. Enough about us, are you engaged?”

  “I am,” she said. “I can't believe Scott did that. It was perfect. I also can't believe you knew and didn't tell me.”

  “Why would I spoil that surprise,” I said. “You know it's every little girl's dream to have a magical proposal. How was it?”

  “It was great,” she said. “Don't you want that one day?”

  “Your parents knew too,” I said. “I bet your mom was in tears. She's such a sweet person. You're so lucky to have parents that great.”

  “She was crying,” Carrie said. “There's something I need to tell you. I want to do it in person. Can I come by?”

  “I'm out right now,” I said. “What is it? You can't leave me hanging.”

  “Where are you?” she asked.

  “I'm having lunch,” I said. “Just tell me.”

  “Okay,” she said. “I just want to tell you before anyone else mentions it at the office.”

  “Spit it out, woman,” I said.

  “I'm pregnant,” she said.

  “Already,” I said. “You two don't waste time.”

  “It didn't happen on purpose. You remember when I called in because James was sick? We used the pull out method. It didn't work.”

  “That could only happen to you,” I joked. “One of the first times you hook up, you end up pregnant. I'm so happy for you two. I bet he was freaking out excited.”

  “He was surprised,” she said. “He is so happy. We're so damn ready to be together. I'm going to need some help packing and moving. You up for the challenge? My mom said she'll make a great meal while you're there.”

  “Of course,” I said. “We can't have your pregnant ass lifting shit. Wait! Did you get pregnant just so you wouldn't have to help?”

  “Very funny,” she said. “You are something else.”

  “Tell your man I said congrats. You are going to be so happy. Just don't forget your best friend when you leave.”

  “Never,” she said. “You know I love your crazy ass.”

  I hung up my phone and looked down at my food. Carrie was pregnant and engaged. Her life was turning out better than she thought it could. Part of me had to wonder what having Brad's baby would have been like. James was so adorable. I would have loved a baby with all my heart. He was the only one I would have let that happen with. He was my love. I could never let myself feel what I felt for him for anyone again. I didn't deserve it. He was dead because of me. I knew he'd kick my ass if he could, but he couldn't.

  “You okay?” Lance interrupted my thoughts.

  I looked up at him and fought back the tears that were fighting to break free. There was no way that was happening in front of him.

  “I'm fine,” I said. “I'm really pissed at you now. Not only did I miss her proposal, but I missed her telling him she was pregnant.”

  “That must have been a sight to see,” he said. “He's been in love with her since long before I met his ass. I can only imagine how excited he is. Good for them. That's what they want. Do you want kids?”

  “No,” I said.

  “Come on,” he said. “Can you honestly say you don't want babies one day? I bet you'd be a great mom. Nobody would dare mess with your kids. You'd kick their asses.”

  I shook my head and laughed.

  “That time is gone for me,” I said. “I'll just enjoy Carrie's kids.”

  “You're not an old woman, Lucy,” he said. “How old are you?”

  “Thirty,” she said. “How old are you. Save me the time of looking it up.”

  “I'm thirty-five,” he said. “Nothing is private with me.”

  There was something to that comment, I just wasn't sure what it was. He liked the attention his career gave him. I'd seen it when that nasty woman was grinding on his lap. He had a huge smile on his face.

  I'd already spent too much time with him. It was time for me to go home. Having fun with him was one thing, but staying the entire next day was totally different. I put my plate down and slipped my shoes on my feet.

  “It's time for me to go,” I said.

  “Why don't you stay for a bit longer?” he asked.

  “I've got some things I need to do today,” I said.

  “Let me drive you,” he said.

  “No,” I said. “I'm good.”

  “What's your number?” he asked, as he pulled out his phone.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Stop being fucking difficult and give me the number,” he said.

  I rattled it off and watched him put it into his phone under the name Firecracker. Then I turned around. When my phone buzzed, I looked down to see a text from him.

  “You think I'm stupid enough to think you gave me the right number. I'm actually surprised that you did. You definitely keep me on my toes.”

  I looked down at the text of a person with their tongue sticking out and laughed. Then I saved his number under Hotshot. I opened the door to his suite and walked out with him behind me. As soon as the elevator opened, he put his hand up to stop the door from closing.

  “Text me when you get home,” he said.

  “How do you know that's where I'm going?” I asked. “I might be going to see another man. You're not the only one you know.”

  I pushed his hand from the door and heard a growl escape his chest.

  “Text me, woman,” he snapped just as the door closed.

  I knew how important it was to hear from someone to know that they were safe. He didn't care about me anymore th
an he did anyone else, but there was no way I was going to leave him wondering. I walked into my apartment and pulled out my phone.

  Me: I'm home.

  Hotshot: How do I know that's where you really went?

  I knew he was joking, so I snapped a picture of me with my back against my door and sent it with a message.

  Me: Thought you might recognize this. It was part of that drunken mistake.

  Hotshot: Not fucking funny. Guess you didn't get enough last night. My palm will cross that ass when I see you next. I don't care where we are. You better be ready.

  A huge laugh burst from deep inside of me when I read his text. It had been so long since I'd laughed that hard. It seemed like Lance brought that out of me. Even when I wanted to kick his ass, he still had me laughing. The moment I realized I was looking forward to having his palm on my ass again, my laughing stopped. I wasn't someone that met up with the same guy over and over. It wasn't me. We'd been together twice already, and both times, we'd woken up together. The second time I hadn't even had a nightmare, I'd actually slept. We'd agreed to meet up and have fun when he was in town. What the hell was I doing, I wondered? It needed to stop. There was no way I was getting close to him. First, he was a player and had no intention of being a one woman man. Second, I didn't want to feel. I loved one man. It was my fault he was gone. There was no way I was going to go against him by falling for someone else. I couldn't put myself in a position for that to happen. I'd vowed forever to Brad, and I wasn't going to break that promise. I didn't deserve a happily-ever-after when I'd taken his away.

  I was going to cut all communication with Lance. We'd only hooked up twice and he had tons of other options. All I had to do was not answer his messages and calls. I was going to be so busy helping my pregnant friend pack with a little boy running around our feet. It was going to be easy to avoid him. Carrie was moving back to Michigan, so I wouldn't have the connection of her and Scott to Lance anymore either. He was going to start getting really busy with the team soon as well. I knew everything would be back to normal in a week or two. That was the way it was meant to be.

  I walked over and flopped down on my couch with my phone in my hand. Just as I felt my eyes closing, my phone buzzed. I was sure it was him with another cocky response since I hadn't answered him, but it wasn't.

  Carrie: It won't be as hard as we think. Scott just got off the phone. Lance is going to help us pack everything. He's even going to drive to Michigan with us to help Scott unpack the moving truck. They have it all figured out. You and Lance are going to drive the truck back to Pennsylvania. That way you don't have to drive alone, and you don't have to drive the truck. Everything is working out perfectly. Thank you so much, Lucy. You're my best friend. I don't know where I would be without you.

  “Fuck,” I cried out into the empty air surrounding me.

  To be continued...

  Be sure to watch for my next book - “Playing Hardball” Part 2. Coming July 26. I can't wait for you to read more of Lucy's story.

  I will also be working on a new serial “Playing Hard Ball, Part 3”, “A Bright Future”, “The Dark Night Returns”, the first “Bachelor Billionaire Kids” book, the first book in a new inked series, and a new stand-alone book I am super excited about.

  I am not positive on release dates at this moment. Please join my mailing list and friend me on facebook to be notified of new release information. The links are below.

  Please continue on for Chapter 1 and 2 of “A Love Rekindled” (The Game of Love #1), and a small part of “A Crush on Her Best Friend's Brother” Part 1.

  Other Stories by Sharon Cummin

  Romance Series

  Romance and a... Series: The Complete Collection

  Billionaire Romance Series

  Finding Love, Keeping Love, and Saving Love

  Bachelor Billionaire Series

  Sea of Love (Bachelor Billionaire #1)

  Sea of Love is a complete, stand-alone novel. It is #1 of a 5 novel series.

  Hot for Love (Bachelor Billionaire #2)

  Hot for Love is a complete, stand-alone novel. It is #2 of a 5 novel series.

  Battle for Love (Bachelor Billionaire #3)

  Battle for Love is a complete, stand-alone novel. It is #3 of a 5 novel series.

  Rescue of Love (Bachelor Billionaire #4)

  Rescue of Love is a complete, stand-alone novel. It is #4 of a 5 novel series.

  Built for Love (Bachelor Billionaire #5)

  Built for Love is a complete, stand-alone novel. It is #5 of a 5 novel series.

  The Future of Love (Bachelor Billionaire #6)

  The Future of Love is a complete, stand-alone novel. It is #6 of a 6 novel series.

  The Game of Love Series

  The Game of Love Boxed Set

  His Assistant Serials

  His Assistant Serials: Complete Box Set

  His Assistant: The Final Story

  His Assistant Ultimate Box Set (including The Final Story)

  Unexpected Love Serials

  Unexpected Love Box Set (It Happened in Vegas and What Happened After Vegas?)

  A Blast from the Past (A Second Chance Romance)

  A Blast from the Past (A Second Chance Romance)

  The Dark Night

  The Dark Night

  In Love with My Brother's Best Friend

  In Love with My Brother's Best Friend, Part 1

  In Love with My Brother's Best Friend, Part 2

  In Love with My Brother's Best Friend, Part 3

  A Crush on Her Best Friend's Brother

  A Crush on Her Best Friend's Brother, Part 1

  A Crush on Her Best Friend's Brother, Part 2

  A Crush on Her Best Friend's Brother, Part 3

  A Crush on Her Best Friend's Brother, Part 4

  Showing Him Who's Boss

  Showing Him Who's Boss, Part 1

  Showing Him Who's Boss, Part 2

  Showing Him Who's Boss, Part 3

  Check out my Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.com/author/sharoncummin

  Please subscribe to my email list by sending an email to sharoncummin@gmail.com with the subject mailing list, to be notified of my new releases and freebies.

  You can also join my mailing list here Sharon Cummin's mailing list

  Please leave a review. I am interested in hearing your thoughts.

  A Love Rekindled

  Chapter 1

  Jessica

  Jessica stood as she looked at herself in the mirror. It was Friday night, and she had been invited to a Christmas party. Her friend Linda, from work, was having all of her friends over for an evening celebration. Jessica had not been out in months. Her friends from work tried to get her to go out with them often, but she always turned them down. She liked being at home with her son. He was her everything. That was what she had always told them.

  Her sister Renee talked her into going to the party. She knew Jessica needed to get out and have a little grown up time. Renee was two years younger than Jessica, and they had been best friends their entire lives. Anytime Jessica needed her little sister, she was there. Renee volunteered to watch her favorite nephew for the night, so that that Jessica would go out and be with her friends. Jessica didn't want to hurt her friend Linda's feelings, so she agreed to go to the party. She figured if she stayed for a few minutes, she could leave without anyone noticing.

  The doorbell rang and snapped Jessica from her thoughts. She ran and opened the door. It was her sister Renee. She had her hands full of pizza boxes and bags.

  “Where is my favorite nephew?” Renee called out.

  “I'm right here,” a cute, little, brown haired, blue eyed boy shouted, as he ran up to hug her.

  “I brought pizza, soda, popcorn, and candy,” she said. “We are going to have some fun.”

  The little boy laughed and ran back into the living room.

  “You better not feed him all of that stuff,” Jessica snapped.

  “We are going to have fun. I d
on't get to spend as much time with him now,” Renee said. “Go get ready for your party.”

  “I am ready,” Jessica said.

  “You are wearing jeans a sweater to a party with your work friends?” Renee asked.

  “I am not staying long. This is fine,” Jessica said.

  “No,” Renee said, as she put the boxes and most of the bags down.

  There was a dress bag wrapped around her arm. She held it out with another bag toward her sister.

  “This is what you are wearing,” Renee said. “Go get dressed.”

  Jessica blew out a sigh, took the stuff from her sister, and headed to her bedroom. What did it matter what she wore, she thought? There was nobody she needed to impress. She wasn't even planning to stay. Aggravated, she took off her clothes and pulled out the dress. It was beautiful, she thought. The dress was knee length and a very pretty red. Jessica put it on and looked into the mirror. She smiled at herself. It did look much better than jeans. The front was a little lower cut than she would have liked. Her sister always wore things more revealing than her, so she was not surprised. In the bag was a pair of heels, necklace, and very cute little round earrings. She put everything on and finished getting ready.

  As she looked at herself, she started to feel a little better about going out. She decided to do her hair and put on a little more makeup. By the time she was done, she had a huge smile on her face. Maybe it would be a fun night after all. She would do her best to have a great time. It was the first time she had been out in months, and she was actually looking forward to it. She felt pretty.

  Jessica walked into the kitchen and her sister let out a whistle.

  “Now, you are ready,” Renee said, as she laughed. “You look beautiful. That dress was made for you. It shows all of your amazing curves, and your ass looks juicy.”