The Mascot: A Fan & Player Baseball Romance

by Ana Shay

  “Mhm. I know. It doesn’t make you any less tempting, though.” Why does he have to be so charming? I want to throw all my resolve out the window and keep going, but then I think about all the kids waiting for us and getting caught. Because if we keep going, it’s not going to end with kissing. “Since it’s my only night off this week, will you let me take you out on that date?”

  I bit my bottom lip, I may have just let him ravish me in a closet, but I’m still nervous. “What’s wrong,” He asked, bending his knees so he could look me in the eyes. I loved that he had to do that. It made me feel small and somewhat fragile for the first time in my life. “Are you getting cold feet?” He couldn’t hide the disappointment.

  Shaking my head, I looked back with more confidence. “No, it’s not that. It’s just if people see us together; I could get in trouble.” I admitted. It’s something we’ve talked about, so he shouldn’t be surprised. He mentioned the other day that his publicist was asked about me already. Pictures leaked of us out with Penn, and some reporters were asking questions. At least we could pass it off as nothing since Penn was there, and they only caught the back of my head. I’m not so sure we could be as discreet this time. Especially with how openly affectionate he is towards me now.

  He stayed silent for a second, probably contemplating whether to argue with me or not. I guess he’s used to his private life out there for everyone. I’m not. “If you’re worried about people seeing us together, how about you come to my apartment? No one will know you’re there. I’ve got round-the-clock security preventing that kind of thing.”

  I didn’t know what to say. He may have come up to my apartment last time, but that was different. It’s not like I expected any of that to happen. A date like this has all kinds of implications I’m not sure I’m ready for. “I’ll make you dinner and arrange for a car to pick you up. You won’t have to worry about anything.” He smiled eagerly, anticipating for me to return it.

  Bending down, I grabbed the box from the floor and picked it up. Tate opened the door, still waiting for my response as I walked out. I was too busy scouring the hallway, careful that no one saw us. “Can I take your silence as a yes?” He asked, taking the box from me once I was out of the room. Strolling back towards the library.

  “I guess,” I said hesitantly. He stopped and watched me. It felt like he could read me like a book sometimes.

  “Come on, Cali, let me show you a good time.” His smile was lopsided and awkward, a side I’d never seen from Tate. In all the promotional pictures, he’s usually giving the camera a smoldering look. It’s like this smile is only for me.

  My hand rested on the library door while he waited for my answer. That’s when he winked, making my body ignite. “Okay, fine.”

  Tate grinned, “Be ready at seven,” He said just as the door pushed open, and I had to back away to avoid getting whacked in the face.

  Mary’s head poked out, her eyebrows raised as she looks between the two of us. Subtle. “Is that the merch?” Her eyes dropped to the box in Tate’s hands, and I nodded. “Come on,” She opened the door wide enough to let us in. “The kids are getting antsy.”

  As he walked past, Mary glanced at me with a questioning glare. I could feel my face burning as I looked down at my feet, following Tate in.

  Mary turned to look at me while we sat, waiting for the light to turn green. I can barely see out of the windscreen because I’m holding Catty’s head. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on with you and Tate?”

  I pretended to fumble around with Catty’s head making it difficult to answer straight away. “What do you mean?” I played dumb.

  She huffed out a breath on a laugh. “Are you really going to play games with me, Cali?” Her hands went back to the steering wheel as she continued to drive towards the stadium. “Did you forget that I know your tells? Your left eye is twitching, and I know for a fact that means your hiding something.”

  I glanced out the window, trying to hide my eye. “Nothing is going on between us.” I tried to sound as believable as possible, but the little squeak at the end didn’t help.

  “And your leg is now jumping. Another lie.” She laughed, still waiting for me to elaborate. “Tate also threw Miss. Sprinkles’s number in the trash. So…” My breath hitched a little at that. Mary gasped, making me jump. “Something’s already happened, hasn’t it?!” She was bouncing in her seat now, embarrassing the hell out of me. I chewed my bottom lip, watching her. “That’s the same face you pulled when you saw Gary Finnegan’s wiener the first time. Have you seen Tate’s wood?!” She asked, a grin sprawled across her face.

  My face burned. “No,” I said, holding my left eye straight because it’s true. Technically. Technically, I only rubbed myself against it. He changed in the bathroom before I could see anything.

  “Something happened that you aren’t telling me.” She glanced back to the road after eyeing me suspiciously. We weren’t far from the stadium now, maybe five minutes, and I was looking forward to some respite. “I’m your best friend,” She pouted.

  “You’re also my boss.”

  She rolled her eyes as she parked. “Pu-lease. I’m your boss on paper. Josh is the one that looks after both of us anyway. Besides, our friendship is thicker than that.” She relaxed her arm on the side of the steering wheel while smiling brightly at me. “As your boss, I don’t care either way what you and Tate do as long as you keep doing your job well and enjoy it. As your friend, though, I have a thousand questions, and I deserve answers.”

  I relaxed my head back on the seat, closing my eyes. I will tell her. Eventually. “Can I tell you how it’s going in a couple of weeks? I don’t want to jinx anything.”

  She laughed. “Sure.” I knew she wasn’t happy about it, but she’s not going to push the issue.

  As we’re walking back into the stadium, she adds, “If you need any bat handling advice, let me know.” She cackled, skipping back in, leaving me to carry the heavy Catfish costume into the stadium. Good thing I’m used to it at this point.

  Chapter 12

  I rubbed my hands on my thighs. The material of my black slacks didn’t feel right under my palms, I’m more of a gym shorts kind of guy, but I wanted to make a good impression on Cali. I imagine her sitting with all those intellectuals at college and adjust my belt, hoping I look somewhat presentable. I ran a hand through my hair one last time and checked I didn’t have anything in my teeth in the bathroom mirror.

  Exhaling a breath, I glanced at my watch, checking the time. Fred, my driver, told me he’d arrived at her apartment about thirty minutes ago. She should be here any minute.

  The beeper in the kitchen went, and I hurried out, checking on the homemade lasagna, hoping I hadn’t burned it. Walking past the dozen white peonies I bought her, the smell of Italian food drifted into my nose, reminding me of home. Right before I left for the minors, my mom taught me how to make this one dish. She said I’d need at least one recipe up my sleeve, and this one would be perfect because it would last a few nights. What she didn’t count on is her greedy son. I’d finish the whole thing after 30 minutes of making it.

  My phone beeped an alert to let me know a visitor has been let up. There was a light knock on my door, and I took one final look across the apartment to check it was clean. When I was satisfied, I opened the door.

  All air caught in my throat. She was gorgeous, and I wanted to eat her. Again.

  Cali adjusted her dress, smiling awkwardly. “Uh, hi.” She spouted out with a nervous chuckle. Her eyes flitted down my outfit. “You look nice.”

  I shook my head, trying to get my mind to focus on anything but getting that dress off her. I made room for her to come into my apartment. “Sorry, I couldn’t speak for a second. You took my breath away.” As she walked past me, I grabbed her hand, pulling her in for a hug while my foot shut the door with a bang.

  She jumped at the noise and placed her hands on my chest. “I bet you say that to all the girls. That’s why you were voted
Baseball’s Most Eligible Bachelor.” She teased at one of the buttons of my dressy shirt. “Even that teacher gave you her number.” She tried to sound like it didn’t bother her, but her prying eyes said something different.

  I waited for her to tip her head up, and when she did, I kissed her with all the passion I did in the supply closet earlier. I’ve never shied away from things I want, and she’s no exception.

  “I didn’t want her. No other woman has taken my breath away quite like you.” I whispered into her lips.

  A laugh escaped her, and she sighed, pushing past me. “I wish I could believe that.” Her black heels clinked as she walked further into the room. Then she stopped, almost comically on the spot. “Wow, Tate. You could fit the floor of my apartment block in one room.” She spun on her heel, smiling in awe.

  Laughing at her quietly, I padded into the kitchen, putting the garlic bread in the oven. By the time I’d finished, Cali was leaning against my marbled countertop, looking around the room. And more importantly, looking like she belonged here. “Dinner will be ready in ten minutes,” I said as I adjusted the timer.

  “I can’t wait.” She cooed, and I forced myself to look at her face, not the hint of red popping out from her slightly draping dress as she leaned forward. Imaging what was under there would make me go insane.

  “Why don’t you take this,” I offered her a glass of champagne, “And wait in the living room? I can put the game on while you wait.”

  “Which one?”

  “Atlanta is playing Milwaukee tonight. I thought you’d want to watch our division rivals?”

  She choked out a laugh. “I’ll watch it to give you time to make dinner, but let’s get one thing clear, I only watch the Catfish.” She grasped the glass and made herself comfortable on my grey sofa. I could get used to this.

  “What if I got traded? The number one Tate Sorenson fan would never watch me again.” I laughed after turning the tv on and busying myself in the kitchen. I could see her shoulders rise in a shrug from here.

  “Meh, it wouldn’t be the worst thing. We’d get a new shortstop, and now that I work in the marketing department, I wouldn’t have to buy the bobbleheads. I’d get them for free as a perk.”

  I dropped everything and hopped over to the sofa. She squealed when I grabbed her wrists, pushing her onto the couch. “You better take that back.” I chuckled, kissing her neck with teasing pecks.

  She giggled, trying her hardest to escape, but it was no use. I was too big. “Like that’s going to happen. You’ve signed a ten-year deal. No one is going to buy you out of that thing. You’ll be an old man by then.”

  “Are you ticklish? It’s almost like you want to get tickled.” I took it further, nibbling at her neck, letting the stubble of my beard scratch across her skin. She tasted like salted caramel tonight. Her body stiffened underneath me, and I pulled back, ready to tickle her senseless.

  “Stop. Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I take it all back. The only baseball player I’ll ever adore is you. Your face is the last one to ever grace my panties.” She spoke through exaggerated breaths, trying to regain her composure. I ignored how the word adore made me feel like a God.

  The kitchen timer beeped, and I quickly pecked her on the cheek before backing off and holding my hand out to her. “Dinner’s ready.”

  Her slender hand slid into mine, and I lead her to my glass dining table, tucking her in when she took a seat. As I walked back into the kitchen, I heard her mumble, “I’ll make sure to hide my Jacob Miller panties next time you’re over.”

  I stifled a laugh, doing my best to ignore her because there’s no way she’s a football fan. She’s too obsessed with The Fish.

  She moaned when I placed the lasagna on the table. I wanted to push all the dishes out of the way. Take her, right here, on the table, but that would be a waste of good food. And I was hungry. “This smells delicious. Did you really make this yourself?” Her eyes widened when I cut out a large piece for her.

  “Yeah, my mom taught me,” I explained. “She wanted to teach me more, but baseball’s season is so long, I hardly get any time back home.”

  “Does she come out to watch the games?”

  I nodded, taking another swipe of my dinner. “Yeah, when she can. If there’s a particularly big game on, I’ll fly her, my dad, and sister out.”

  “Do you wish you played for a team closer to them?” She asked. I could barely concentrate because, with every bite, she’d give a satisfied moan.

  I broke a piece off a breadstick to force my brain back to reality. “I did when I started playing. At one point, I thought my career was over, and my only option was to leave. It’s been nearly ten years since I lived in Texas,” I shrugged. “I’m used to it, and I like my own space.” Especially after Sam tried to force her way into my apartment and a ring on her finger. I leave that bit out in case it ruins the mood. “Kind of like you.” I pointed out.

  She nodded. “Yeah,”

  “Why do you love Baseball so much?” She looked at me with surprise on her face. “I know why I love it. But what about you?”

  She pouted her bottom lip out in contemplation. It was cute and hot at the same time. “I think the question should really be, what is there to hate about baseball?” Her smile emanated across her cheeks as she looked up wistfully. “It’s everything. It’s like a wholesome apple pie on a Sunday afternoon.”

  I leaned back in my chair, “Ah yes, I love a good old afternoon delight. Don’t you?” I smirked suggestively. She rolled her eyes, ignoring my innuendo.

  “Baseball reminds me of when I was a kid, and my dad would take me to a game to pass the time. Boy, did he regret it when I got older. I would cry when we’d leave, especially if the Catfish lost. That would be a bad day for my family.”

  I chuckled at the image of a little version of her pouting in the corner, wearing a fin on her head. “Your love for baseball is almost as sexy as your legs.” I winked when her head shot up. Her brow furrowed, and she chewed her bottom lip anxiously. What’s wrong?”

  She released her lip, “Nothing really.” She paused, too embarrassed to meet my gaze, “It’s just you’re the only guy that’s ever called me sexy, and I find it weird.” My eyebrows raised in surprise, and even though the grimace on her face was not sexy, it didn’t bother me in the slightest. “I’d get called Green Giant a lot. Daddy Long Legs. Even Slender Man on occasion. But no one talks about me like you do.” Her cheeks were on fire now. When she hazarded a look, she immediately forced her gaze back down to her lap. “Or looks at me like you do, for that matter.”

  Stifling a laugh, I reached across the table to hold one of her fidgeting hands. “I’m just saying it like it is,” I said. “But, if you don’t like it, I can keep my thoughts to myself. Save for a few occasional slip-ups I know I’ll have because I can’t help it, Cali. I’m already filtering at least two-thirds of my dirty thoughts as it is. You’re my type, and I can’t stop thinking about the other night.” I hummed. “Your legs draped over my waist while you bounced on top of me nearly naked is a memory I never want to forget.”

  She laughed. If there was a noise I could bottle up and save for later, it would be her genuine laugh. So carefree and innocent. “I like it. It’s just I never thought I’d hear someone like you saying them.”

  “Well, then you better get used to it because I’m not stopping.” When she smiled, it was like watching the sunset on the beach; you had to stop and take notice.

  God, I’ve got it bad for this girl.

  We spent the rest of the dinner in deep conversation about the intricacies of Baseball’s rules and potential trades next year. Usually, when I’m with a girl, they could care less about baseball, showing more interest in what fancy restaurant I’m taking her to. My mind drifted back to Sam, and all the time I wasted with her. I was so stupid and young then. I had no idea what a manipulator she was. Half the time, I gave in to whatever she wanted because I didn’t realize it was a power play. I just wanted to focus on
Baseball and did whatever to make sure she’d leave me alone. Thinking back on it now, she did me the biggest favor cheating on me. It gave me an excuse to finally end it.

  Cali’s passion for the game was refreshing; I swear she knew more about the Catfish than I did. Watching her awkward beauty all night made it hard to want to look at anything else. Now that I’ve seen perfection, what’s the point?

  When we were cleaning up from dessert, I decided to tease her a little. “You know, Jacob’s married, by the way.” She stopped loading the dishwasher as her eyebrows crossed in confusion. “Jacob Miller.” I clarified, turning and leaning against the counter, resting my hands on either side. She still stared at me blankly, and I shrugged. “If you’re going to wear a guy’s face on your ass, the guy should at least be single.” I pointed out. “Ergo, those Jacob boxers you have should be thrown out.”

  She threw her head back in a cackle, placing one of her hands on my chest. “I can’t believe you’d think I’d betray the Catfish like that. Rest assured, your face is the only one.” She paused, blushing. “On my ass, as you would put it.”

  I liked the sound of that, kissing her deep and passionately. “I need to put this dish away.” She held up the white china, and I backed away, only slightly, to let her organize the dishwasher. When she was done, I tipped the machine closed and grasped her hand, leading her to the sofa.

  As we relaxed down, I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and then lifted her legs so they were draped over my knees. “The sofa’s big enough for us to stretch out,” She said, her voice had a hint of humor in it.

  I twirled a few strands of her hair, pulling her close. Close enough that her lips were gently resting on top of mine. “What’s the point of a large sofa when all I want is right here.” I kissed her as she giggled, backing away. Now she was teasing me. Growling, I tried to capture her lips, but she was making it near impossible.