Playing Hardball, Part 2 (A Baseball Romance Serial) (Playing Hardball (A Baseball Romance Serial))
Page 9
Me: It's the strangest thing. I got sick on the way home Sunday. I went to bed and woke up a couple of hours later feeling amazing. I was perfect yesterday. I went to work, came home, ate, and sat around until I fell asleep. I felt fine the entire time. I just woke up so sick I couldn't stand it. I don't get how I could have a break for an entire day before getting sick again. If I'm sick tomorrow, I'm going to the doctor. This flu or whatever it is really sucks.
She responded immediately even though her original text had been sent late the evening before.
C's mom: Can I ask you something without you freaking out on me?
Me: Just reading that has me freaking out. Go ahead.
C's mom: Could it be possible that you could be pregnant? Please don't freak out on me. It's none of my business. I'm just putting it out there. Have you and Lance or anyone else been unprotected.
I hit reply and began frantically typing a hell no to her, but then it hit me. I was frozen in place with my fingers on the keys. One time, I thought. There had been one time I'd been unprotected. It was the night at the bar when Ms. All Over His Lap pissed me off and I went outside with a guy. Lance came out after me. We ended up at my place, and the dumb ass let the cab leave. That night we had been together unprotected. Oh shit! No way, it couldn't be. There was no way. I wasn't pregnant. No fucking way was that possible. I wasn't having kids. I wasn't going to be a mom. That was supposed to happen with Brad and it didn't. There was no way I had gotten pregnant by Lance. The sound of my phone ringing made me jump. I looked down at her name, but I couldn't answer. Within seconds, I heard the ding of a message.
C's mom: Your lack of response has me freaking out over here, Lucy. Are you okay?
Pull it together, I told myself before responding.
Me: There was only one time I'd done anything unprotected. I'm not pregnant. I can't be. You don't understand. I just can't be.
C's mom: It's okay, Lucy. No matter what, I'm here for you. Carrie is here for you. Was it with Lance or someone else? None of my business. Just tell me that if you want.
Me: It was with Lance. Remember at that party when Carrie said I'd been with him? I said we'd had one drunken mistake. That drunken mistake was the night we had sex unprotected. You don't understand though. I can't be pregnant, not by him.
C's mom: Why not? Do you already know you can't get pregnant? Call me.
Me: It's not that. I just can't. It wouldn't be right. I can't tell you why. We aren't together. We just hook up when he's in town. Oh shit! You talk to him. I can't talk about this anymore.
My phone rang again, but I didn't answer. It was not something I was ready to say out loud.
C's mom: I would never tell him anything we talk about, Lucy. I would never break your trust. I'm here for you. I know there are things from your past you aren't talking about. I can tell. When you're ready, I am right here waiting. Talk to Carrie if you don't want to talk to me.
Me: Not Carrie. She's my best friend, but my past is mine to deal with. All I can say is that being pregnant by Lance would be crazy. He's made it very clear what he doesn't want, and that is a family. I don't want a relationship either. I can't have a baby. I don't deserve one. I can't have anyone depend on me. I can't get close to anyone. I just can't.
C's mom: Go to the store. Get a test. Call me when you take it. I'll be right here through it. No matter what happens, everything will be okay, Lucy. I need to hear your voice and know that you're okay.
I slipped my feet in a pair of shoes, grabbed my keys and purse, and took off out the door. When I got out of my car at the store, I realized I was still in shorts and a tank top with my hair a total mess and no makeup on. On top of that, I'd be buying a pregnancy test. That was going to look really good, I thought. There was no way I was going back home to change first. I needed to know if it was the flu or something else that was kicking my ass.
I hurried through the store, grabbed the test, paid, and got back into my car. The laugh that came from deep in my chest was one of me losing my shit. I got back to my apartment, threw my stuff on the couch, and took off for the bathroom. There was no way I was calling Carrie's mom. It was something I needed to do alone. What the fuck was I going to do if it came out positive, I asked myself? I didn't have an answer. Brad was the only man I was supposed to have babies with. It was bad enough that he had lost his life because of me. How could I have a baby by someone else? How could I let it happen?
I did my thing on the stick and continued asking myself questions while I waited. What would Brad think? Would he hate me, or would he be happy for me? I couldn't get close to someone, not even a baby. What if I did? What if something happened to them because of me? A baby would be completely dependent on me. Could I be a good mom? Why in the world did I pick a man that was totally unavailable to be with unprotected? What the hell was wrong with me? He had a career and no intention of having a child. I was just starting to feel close to him. It actually felt like I had a friend that cared. It felt like I wasn't alone. That would all change. Would he think I did it on purpose? Shit, he would. He'd think I was after money. I didn't want anything from anyone. I was me. I was an independent, confident woman that took care of herself.
In that moment I decided to cut all ties with Lance. If I was pregnant, there was no way I was going to put that responsibility on him. He had a career that was going strong, and he'd let me know from the very beginning what I was signing up for. I understood it all when I had sex with him. If I wasn't pregnant, I needed to move on with my life. He had enough going on. I needed to let him go to do his thing and live his life. There was no way I could have feelings for him. I was already thinking of him as a friend who cared. That needed to end.
My phone was going off from the other room over and over between text messages and calls. I couldn't pick it up. I needed to be alone.
I looked down at the stick to see the word pregnant. I picked it up and looked closer. Maybe the word not was there and I wasn't seeing it I told myself. I got that damn stick so close to my face. All I could see was the word pregnant. There was no not next to it. I felt like the word was enormous. It might as well have been a blinking, neon sign flashing the word pregnant at me. The stick fell from my hand, and I slid down the bathroom door onto my ass on the floor. The tears poured from eyes. My head went to my hands and my elbows leaned on my knees.
“I'm sorry, Brad,” I cried. “I'm so sorry.”
To be continued...
Be sure to watch for my next book - “Playing Hardball” Part 3. Coming August 9th. 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
Playing Hardball
Playing Hardball, Part 1
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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 don'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.”
“Thank you,” Jessica said, as she laughed. “I am glad you approve of my ass. It is a beautiful dress. You have such good taste.”
“Of course I do,” Renee laughed. “Go have a great time. We will be here having fun. Please try to enjoy yourself.”
“I will,” Jessica said. “I feel weird that I don't have a date. I don't want to be the only single woman there.”
“I'm sure you won't be the only one without a date,” Renee said. “Maybe there will be a super sexy hottie there for you. If not you can always go home with John from work. He has been into you forever.”
“That's not funny,” Jessica replied. “You know I don't feel that way toward him.”
“Get out of here,” Renee said. “Don't do anything I wouldn't do.”
They both laughed as Jessica hugged her son and left for the party.
Chapter 2
Jessica
Jessica pulled up to her friend Linda's house. She parked her car as she thought about her life. Since high school, she had accomplished so much and was proud of herself. She had gotten a job in an office as a scared teenager. Seven years later, she had worked herself into management. She had become strong and confident. That scared little girl was gone. She owned her own home and had taken care of her and her son. Surely, she could get through a tiny party.
She let out a deep, nervous breath as she got out of her car. Only stay for a little while, and then you can leave. She had no idea why she was so nervous about going alone. Her friends at work knew she was single. It was not a big secret. She still felt weird about going into the party without a date. Jessica walked up the steps to the front door and froze. Maybe she should just go back home, she thought. Before she could turn around, the door swung open, and Linda reached out and grabbed her arm.
Linda pulled her into the house. There was music playing and laughter everywhere. Linda had her house decorated for the holiday, with cute things everywhere. Jessica was surprised at how many people were already there. The party had just started. Linda walked her to the bar area so she knew where to get her drinks. Then, she pulled her off to meet people. Jessica had no idea how she was going to remember all of the names Linda was throwing at her. She met so many new people. Linda was so proud of her party, and she was having such a great time.
Jessica laughed as she walked over to her group of friends from work. She was the manager in their department, but nobody would ever know watching them. They all got along really well. Tammy, Leslie, and John were already there. The
ir friend Heather would be there later with her date. A few more people were supposed to be going also. They were surprised to see her all dressed up. She felt beautiful for the first time in a long time. John ran off and came back with a drink for her. He made sure to tell her how beautiful she looked. She took the drink and thanked him. He was very nice to her. She did not know why she had not given him a chance. He really liked her and was always concerned with her and how she was doing. It was not that he was not attractive. Many of the ladies at work liked him. He was tall and muscular. His hair was dark and his eyes were blue. He was very attractive. No matter how many times she turned him down, he still tried to get her to go out with him. He would laugh and joke about it, but she knew he was serious. She thought he was super sweet. Her sister thought she was crazy for not going out with him. Renee would joke about how good he would be in bed. Jessica would always tell her to be quiet. Jessica caught him looking at her several times during the party as they all talked. There was nothing wrong with him. If she was going to date, he would be her first choice. Jessica didn't care how many times he asked her out, she would always say no. Love was not in her future. She saw no reason to put her heart out there for someone to tear it up and throw it back at her. Her life was just fine the way it was.
Leslie grabbed Jessica's arm and pulled her off to dance. Tammy and John joined them as well. They all danced like crazy. Every few songs, they would stop to grab a drink and talk. Jessica was having an amazing time. It was nice to not think about stress for an evening. She was happy her sister had talked her into going. The night was turning out to be so much fun. A slow song came on, and John pulled her toward him. They laughed as he spun her and pulled her back in. She felt so pretty and confident. It was the first time she had really let herself go around her friends from work. They were shocked by how well she could dance. She agreed to let them take her out to a club one day. Jessica was actually looking forward to it. She continued to dance with John. Jessica heard the door bell and saw Linda bring Heather and her date in as John dipped her. She felt her body freeze as she heard Heather's date laugh. Jessica would know that laugh anywhere. He came into view and their eyes connected.