The Mascot: A Fan & Player Baseball Romance

by Ana Shay

“She’s 23!”

  He shrugged, completely unfazed. “I like an older woman. More experience.” He winked. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I stomped his foot. “Ow.”

  “If there is one thing in this world I do not want to talk about. It’s your sex life. Which you shouldn’t have. You should only be doing that when you’re planning on giving me nieces and nephews, and I don’t want any for a long time, thank you very much.”

  Penn snorted. “Okay, sis. I’m sure you and Tate just talk baseball when I’m not there to chaperone.” My eyes bugged out because I’m stunned into silence. Did he really just go there? “Why are we sitting all the way back here anyway?” He relaxed his foot on the seat in front. The closest fan was standing below us. I got tickets in the upper stands today because I didn’t want Tate to see me. “Normally, you want to be as close to the dugout as you can, so the umpire can hear you yelling the ‘correct’ calls.”

  Shrugging, I said, “I just wanted a change of scenery. Now that I work here, I think it’s important to consider all fan’s perspectives. Not just the die-hard ones that sit front and center.” I said it so confidently, I nearly believed it.

  “Uh oh. Trouble in paradise? What did Tate do?”

  “There is no trouble. Like I said, I’m doing this for research.”

  “Yeah, right. You’ve spent years analyzing the most optimal seat. I’m surprised they don’t have a plaque with your name on it; you buy it so much.”

  I shook my head just as the crowd started screaming. Austin just scored a homer taking Penn’s mind off any other questions he might have. Leaving me to think long and hard about my next move with Tate.

  I came up with nothing.

  Chapter 22

  Knock.

  Knock.

  Knock.

  I stood, shifting my weight between my toes, smelling the blue orchids that I specifically bought for Cali. Everything about them reminded me of her. From the sweet soothing scent, to the color of her ocean eyes and, of course, how well they match the Carolina Catfish home jersey. I haven’t seen her in weeks, and I was nearly bursting out of my baseball pants, hoping to surprise her.

  A smile grew on my face when I heard her shuffling on the other side of the door. She opened without looking up, too focused on the honey she held in her hand. “I’m sorry, Ms. Mckenna, I’ve run out of sugar, but I do have honey if you’d prefer?”

  “I’ll take whatever you’re offering.” She jumped when I chuckled. Her large indigo eyes stared back at me, dropping the honey jar in the process. Thank goodness it was plastic.

  Her mouth dropped before shutting again, looking like a bubbling fish. No matter what ridiculous face she pulled, she’s still the hottest girl I’ve ever laid eyes on. “Tate, what are you doing here?” She stuttered, bending down quickly to grab the squeezy bear and clutched it close to her chest.

  Scratching my stubbled chin, I leaned back, glancing up and down the hallway. When I looked back at her, she studied my gray shirt and jeans hard. “Any chance I could come in? I’d rather talk in there if that’s okay?” I flicked my eye over to her apartment. I wonder if she’s thinking of moving closer to the stadium now that she’s getting paid. Jonah called to let me know he’d announced it to the interns, who all seemed pleased, but she still hadn’t mentioned it. Not that she’d messaged me much since. I’d only received short answers to my texts because she’s been so busy.

  She wrapped the belt of her silky pink robe around her waist tightly, blocking my entry with a stony expression. “I’m kind of busy.” She spoke hesitantly.

  I tilted my head, studying her facial expression. It feels like she’s avoiding me again. It always seemed like whenever we took one step forward, we end up taking another two steps back. “Are you sure? Because I called Mary before I came. She told me you didn’t have any plans tonight.” Her hands were twirling the silk belt, and I was thankful for the flowers in my hands to keep them busy. Otherwise, they’d want to unravel the fabric.

  A low rumble emanated from her throat while she contemplated if she would let me in. The door creaked when she widened it, making room for me. I made a mental note to fix that when I came to paint her door. She watched my every step as I walked in, almost like she was annoyed. I swear Cali’s the only woman to ever make me unsure about her feelings towards me.

  Turning on my heel, I handed her the flowers. “I got these for you.” She did her best to hide her soft smile and not smell them as she mumbled a quick thanks in response. Okay. I knew when a woman was pissed at me. Cali was most definitely annoyed; I just hadn’t figured out why yet.

  I pointed my thumb over my shoulder to the bed. “Is it okay if I take a seat?” I was pushing my luck, asking to sit on her bed when she was annoyed. I knew that. I was kind of hoping it would make her tell me what’s wrong. She nodded, scooting past me to the kitchen. Since she didn’t have a vase, she got a drinking glass and filled it with water, tucking the flowers safely inside. I cracked my knuckles. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Cali. How are you doing?” I thought I’d ease her in with my questions, still unsure how she would react.

  “Oh, I’m great. Just dandy, actually.” Each word was spiked with intent. I could almost feel my balls shriveling with every roll of her tongue.

  “Something wrong?” I said lightly, wincing as I waited for the answer. I did it. I purposely poked the bear. She fluffed the orchids, humming a sweet tune and pretending there was nothing else on her mind.

  “Nothing’s wrong.” She hummed out. I waited. She’d tell me eventually. I’m not leaving her apartment until I knew after all. “Oh, wait, there is one thing.” She laughed sarcastically. “I found out I was getting paid for my internship yesterday.” She said flatly.

  “That’s fantastic!” I breathe out a heavy sigh of relief, thankful that I didn’t have to ask because that could blow my cover. I stood up, fully ready to wrap her in a congratulatory hug. When I took the few steps to get close enough, she planted her hand over my face, smooshing my features with her palm. “I didn’t need to tell you that, though, did I, Tate?” Shit. Here it is. Why she’s pissed. “You were the one who donated money so I could get paid, weren’t you?”

  My body slumped; her palm was still wrestling with my features and making the temptation not to lick her hand harder. The only thing stopping me were the tight lips spun across her face. She wasn’t in a jovial mood.

  “Ah-ha.” Her hand finally freed my face, and she pointed her finger straight back at me. I went cross-eyed watching it. “I knew it was all too good to be true.” She hung her head in shame. “It was all a payoff, wasn’t it?” Her accusatory tone got louder with every word as she stomped into the kitchen. I hoped her neighbors were as old as they sounded so they couldn’t hear her. “I’m not a hooker,”

  I was shocked and mildly amused at her outburst. “I literally have no idea what you’re talking about.” That was the wrong thing to say. She spun on her heel, creeping back towards me.

  “I was just an obsessed little fan to you, wasn’t I?! You knew I’d be easy to get into bed because of all those damn bobbleheads.”

  Her arms were flailing everywhere now. She was going crazy. I would never admit it to her, but watching her body vibrate with angst was kind of hot. It was kind of turning me on. Maybe it’s because I liked the idea that I was the one making her that bothered and crazy. “Woah, wait,” I said, grabbing her arms before she knocked anything over and injured herself. Phil mentioned some of her past injuries to me the other day, and I swear the girl could find a way to hurt herself in a padded room. “What on earth are you talking about? I didn’t pay you off.”

  She grunted. “Likely story. I was just a fan you could get your rocks off with until your true love came back. Admit it.”

  Stifling a laugh, I watched her crazy eyes run wild with implication. She thinks she’s caught me in some elaborate lie, but she’s got it all wrong. I’m not that smart. “Is there a reason you think my life is like a low-budget Span
ish novella with bad acting?” She struggled in my arms. I didn’t let go. I just patiently waited for her to calm down, smelling the sweet coconut of her shampoo, thinking about the last time I saw her.

  When she relaxed a little, I tried again. “Cali,” I drawled out her name, nice and slow because I knew she liked that. “When I’m not out on the field playing ball, I’m either texting or thinking about you. The only reason I donated the money was because you deserved to be paid for all the hours you worked. After I talked to Jonah about all the hard work you guys do, he agreed to find a way to pay the interns moving forward.”

  She gasped, looking betrayed. “You told Jonah about us?”

  “No, of course not. I talked about the interns in general.” I fibbed. It’s probably not the right time to mention that I specifically hinted at her workload. “Who even told you about my donation? It was supposed to be anonymous.”

  I felt her shoulders slump, and her resolve weakened a little, “Josh.” It was a muffled response into my shirt.

  “How the hell did he find out?” My mind went back to the day he asked me to sign the ball, and I lightly threatened him. Nothing serious, just enough to make him pee his pants a little. He was smarter than I’d given him credit for if he put all that together. Genuinely thought that the guy was an idiot.

  “I don’t know. Stop skirting the issue. You donated the money and made it look like a payoff. Did you think about how it would look if anyone else found out about the donation?

  “No one is going to find out about it,”

  “Josh did,”

  “Josh isn’t going to say anything.” I scoffed. I’ll make sure of that and pay him another visit.

  “But now he has something on me,” She frowned, “And I’m going to look pathetic when you end up back with your ex.” That’s when I pulled her back in my arms and looked her in the eyes.

  I searched her eyes, “Cali, I still have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.” She reached over to the counter, slapping a magazine across my chest. I held it, looking down at mine and Sam’s face covering it.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry you weren’t just getting back with your ex. You were proposing to your ex-fiancée?!”

  She walked past me, attempting to stomp off, but in her bathrobe and this tiny apartment, there was nowhere for her to go. She turned on her heel, dramatically lying back against the wall in a huff. As much as I like seeing how jealous she was getting, her bathrobe was riding high on those tanned thighs, and my fingers were itchy to feel that silky smooth skin again. It’s been nearly a month since we’ve been together. Now I know why. She’s making herself go crazy over these articles. The payment just intensified it.

  I stood directly in front of her. “First things first.” I kept my voice calm and low. “I haven’t seen Sam in over a year. That would make it very difficult to propose, don’t you think? Those pictures they are publishing are from last year.” I heard a little whimper escape her mouth when I placed my hands against the wall and towered over her. “Second thing, I was dating Sam. I never proposed to her. She just told the magazines I did in hopes it would inspire me too. Believe me; she left enough hints. I ignored them, almost as much as I should have ignored her.”

  I took a chance and placed my hand on her cheek, bringing her full attention to me. “Sam ceased to exist the minute I met you,” I answered honestly. Something about this girl has got me hooked, and it made me realize just how little I cared for Sam. She started chewing on her lip, and my thumb dragged across her cheek to pop it out. I was desperate to kiss her. It’s been so long since I felt my lips pressed against hers, and I wanted to taste her again. “I’m sorry that you thought I was cheating on you with Sam, but it’s not true. Why would I want her when I have perfection right here,” Her lips were pursed, “I did not donate the money as a payoff to get rid of you because frankly, I want to keep you around.” She was quiet, still mesmerized by the fact I was towering over her. “I’m not sorry that I donated the money. You deserved that salary, and I’m glad I was able to do that for you.”

  I brought my lips to hers, catching her breath before she could argue again. I tangled my fingers in her hair as I nipped at her pouty bottom lip. So plump. So perfect. She was slow to reciprocate. I could feel her body arching into mine while her hands stayed deathly still on her side. The only indication she wanted to move them was the slight twitch in her pinkies. I helped her along, waffling her hands in mine and raising them above her head.

  Cali whimpered, and her sweet mouth finally opened up for me. One sweep of my tongue, and she’s clawing to get her hands free so she can run her fingers through my hair, clamping down on the strands, forcing me closer. She hissed when I moved my lips down her jaw to her neck, where I could feel her quickening pulse. Any resolve she had was gone when I tugged at the belt of her bathrobe and leaned back to watch it fall. I nearly choked seeing her in a skimpy tank top and boxers.

  I trailed my fingers down the center of her white tank, her breasts heave as I passed, and my hand stopped once it reached the waistband of her red boxers. I tickled the elastic, listening to her quivering breath. “These better be Tate Sorenson boxers.” A devilish grin gleams back at me when I catch her eye.

  “Mhmm.” She shook her head, and I chuckled angrily. It seemed like she was warming up to me, liking where I was taking this. I hoped we were moving past the stuff that worried her.

  “Oh, you better be joking,” I tell her. “You are not wearing Jacob Miller pants right now.” I grabbed her by the waist, lifting her while ignoring her yelps as I deposited her onto the bed face down. She giggled loudly when I flicked up her robe, and my face was smiling back at me. The placement of my head meant her butt made my cheeks look wide and nose small. I chuckled, “So, you’re angry at me, but you’re still wearing me on your ass?” I asked, my brow cocked while I stroked her delectable butt. I wanted to smack her for being such a bad girl, but that might have to wait.

  She leaned her cheek against her bedsheet and shrugged. “You’ve got a big game against LA tomorrow. If I don’t wear these, we might lose.” Logical. That’s what I like about this girl. It’s about the Catfish above everything else.

  I squeezed the curve of her ass, and she lifted it up, bucking her hips in time with my hand. Everything about her was pure ecstasy, and I could feel myself getting hard watching her. However, that was an almost permanent fixture around her at this point. “Would it be bad luck to take these off tonight?” I tickled my finger across the hem of her pants, moving down towards her center and gently brushing across it.

  She was squeezing the life out of the sheets, hardly registering my question until my long fingers started tickling under the edges. That’s when her eyes popped open, and she rolled on her front, a defeatist look crossed her face. “We can’t do anything. Not tonight. I can’t take these off.” She whined out.

  She was lying below me, her arm covering her face as though it was all too much for her. I watched her breath as I drew light circles across her upper thighs, tracing up until I reached the hem again. “We could always tuck them to the side,” I suggested. She’d propped herself on her elbows, watching me while I let a finger slip under and gently graze at the top of her thigh, so close to her center.

  It was like I’d rendered her speechless for a few seconds. She shook her head. “No. I’d have to change them, and that could be back luck. The first time I wore these was three years ago before an at home LA game. Do you know what happened the next day?” My fingers stopped any movement, and she peeked from under her arm to see my answer.

  Shaking my head, I did my best to keep my eyes focused on her instead of the little bit of skin I revealed with my fingers. “You won the game with a three-run homer in the 8th.” She looked up at the ceiling wistfully. “It was awesome. You hit the ball so hard; it landed in the fishpond above the tank shop.” I remember that day. It was one of my fondest memories in that park.

  “I thought nothing of it at f
irst. Thought I’d give it a go and wear them again the next time LA came to town. Well, do you know what happened in that game?” It seems she knows my batting history better than me. “You slipped home because the pitcher slipped and messed up his throw, putting us in a 5-point lead. A lead they weren’t able to catch. Do you know what happened the next time?”

  “Alright, alright. I get it. I get it. These are sacred boxers. My face must be on your ass the night before we play LA at home. Personally, I would suggest maybe the real thing might bring more luck…” She eyed me angrily for the suggestion. “Okay, maybe next time. We need to win this series against them anyway.” That seemed to satisfy her.

  I moved my hand away from her heat, knowing if I kept my fingers there too long, they would take matters into their own hands. I sat down on the mattress next to her, adjusting myself so the springs weren’t piercing my butt. “Are we good?” We may have been just about to get naked, but that doesn’t mean she’s forgiven me.

  She looked hesitant, “I guess.” My stomach lurched, that wasn’t enough of an answer for me, and it made me feel like a jerk. I’ve got to make this up to her and make sure no one else finds out that I was the one that donated the money.

  I laid back beside her, looking into her eyes. “I meant what I said, Cali. I haven’t spoken to Sam, and I’m only interested in you.” She was silent for a beat, letting my words sink in.

  “You can sleep here tonight if you want.” She said awkwardly with a grin.

  I was torn. As much as I wanted to spend more time with her, I didn’t want to pressure her any more than I already had. That, and this mattress might poke holes in my back, and I need to be in form for tomorrow’s game.

  When her coconut shampoo wafted through the air, there was no other answer. I wanted to be close to her, assure her, and reinforce that she’s the only one I wanted to be with.

  “I’d love to stay,” I said, knowing my back would be paying for it later and not caring. Those lucky boxers have got to count for something, after all.