Felix (The Ninth Inning #1)

by Lindsay Paige

  “As crappy as I feel about forgetting. I’ve had this issue for a long time. It’s why a family member calls me almost every other day and why I can’t keep a girlfriend.”

  “You could have told me.” Why don’t men just say what is really going on? “I would have preferred you to be like, ‘hey, do you mind shooting me a text the night before, I’m an airhead’, then leaving me sitting here on my couch thinking you’re a liar, stringing me along with that stupid ‘good luck charm’ crap.”

  “First of all, it’s not stupid good luck charm crap. Did you see the game tonight? That is a serious lack of good luck. I was completely serious about that. Next time, you’ll know to remind me. But do the day of, not day before. Or, do both. I really am sorry, Abigail.”

  “I did see the game. I give you my word from this moment on, I will be at every home game. I still don’t believe I’m the charm, but I kind of get it. I’m sorry I lied to you. I’m not the type of person to lie.” I don’t want him to think I’m playing him in some type of game. That’s not me at all.

  “You were mad. I can let it slide this time.”

  “Okay. So, how will you make it up to me, then?”

  “By asking you out again and not forgetting about it this time. And does this mean I get to be your personal driver?”

  “Okay, you will be my personal driver and like I said, I promise not to miss any home games. Good?”

  He nods. “Can I ask a question?” I nod. “Why don’t you drive?”

  I knew that question would come up soon. I don’t hide the fact of why I don’t drive. I won’t start now. I need to take responsibility for everything that I do. Past and present.

  “Well, since I said I wouldn’t lie anymore, I’ll tell you the truth. I don’t drive because when I was seventeen, I was in a car accident. I was the driver and both of my parents were in the car with me and…they died as a result of it. Since then, I haven’t driven. Annie and LA understand that I have a real fear of driving, so I interrupt their lives for them to take me places. I take the bus a lot, but they still see me as the baby and they don’t like me on there late at night.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine.” His face is sad and I can tell he’s being sincere.

  “It’s hard still, especially since I don’t drive. I can’t bring myself to get into the car and drive.”

  “That’s understandable. It’s good that you have your sisters there to support you, too.”

  “They saved me. I mean, literally saved me. I blamed myself for ending my parents’ lives and went into a…dark place. Annie and LA keep my head up.” I pause for a second to compose all the emotions I’d poured out. “Sorry, I don’t mean to bring you down. This is such heavy talk for someone I barely know.”

  “You’re fine. I don’t mind.”

  “Well,” I stand up and go over to my end table and pick up my information that I wrote on a piece of paper. “Let’s change the subject. This is my cell and my class schedule. If you’re serious about being my driver, then these are my times. I know that you can’t do it all the time because of traveling, but if you can’t or if you don’t want to, let me know.”

  “Okay, I can do that.” Felix has a sexy smirk. “I might even buy one of those hats you always see drivers wear. Make it official.”

  I laugh loudly. “Sounds perfect. I’m sure that you’re tired, and I am sorry you guys lost tonight.”

  “It happens. I’ll see you around then?”

  “In the morning at eight.”

  AT EIGHT O’CLOCK sharp, Abigail is walking toward me and my car. I dramatically open the door and say, “Your carriage awaits, my lady.” I even bow as she walks past to slide into the passenger seat with a laugh. Once I’ve walked around and gotten in myself, I say, “You know, I really think you should reconsider running with me.” Mostly because I wonder what kind of outfit she’d choose to wear. Would it be shorts and a tank top? Or is she the kind of girl to say forget the shirt and wear just a sports bra with those yoga pants?

  “Ugh, you’re as bad as LA. She keeps telling me I should run with you. I’m beginning to wonder if my ass is getting fat and this is a polite way to say ‘get your lazy ass up.’”

  I laugh. “Your ass looks fine. Why does she think you should run with me?”

  “Have you not looked in the mirror? I do believe you’re a super-famous pitcher from the Angels. Oh, and you’re single, which makes LA very happy, by the way. And no, I didn’t tell her about our mishap the other night. Trust me when I say you don’t want to see the wrath of LA.”

  “Thanks. I’m sure it’s not a pretty sight. You do realize that the only people who know me are baseball fans and ball hoes, right? I’m famous within a group of people, if I have to be famous to start with. Anyway, I think you should listen to your sister. She sounds like a very smart woman if she wants you around me more.” I smile.

  “LA would have you and I married in a week if she knew this was happening. Well, I mean, nothing is happening, but she doesn’t know you’re taking me to school. However, I might try this running you keep mentioning. Sounds like a bitchin’ good time.” She rolls her eyes, obviously not meaning it.

  I smirk as I realize since she doesn’t run often, it means she definitely has to do something I sure wouldn’t mind watching her do as well. “We’ll have to stretch beforehand, too. Are you a morning person?”

  “As long as I can have a Starbucks, then yes, I am.”

  “What do you usually order?”

  “I’m a white mocha espresso kind of girl. Are you a Starbucks lover, too?”

  “It’s a guilty pleasure type of thing for me. I only have it every so often.”

  “Oh my God, are you one of those calorie-counting athletes who drinks mushed up veggies in the morning mixed in with soy milk?” She makes disgusting face and I chuckle.

  “Is there any other type of athlete? Do you really think this body comes from eating junk and then working it all off in the gym? I mean, I used to be that way, but a teammate got me started on all this healthy food and I felt way better, so it stuck.”

  “So, you eat all kinds of veggies and shit like that? I can’t do that. I’m more of a bacon-meat-drowned-in-gravy kind of girl. Oh, and chocolate. At least one to two pounds a week. I can’t live without it.” She licks her lips, distracting me for a moment.

  I groan. “God, that sounds so good.”

  She leans over and whispers, “Come to the dark side, Felix. We have cookies, too.”

  “You’re just one big temptation all the way around, aren’t you?”

  Abigail shrugs. “I can be from time-to-time.”

  “Where am I going?” I ask, in case I’m not dropping her off in the same spot as before.

  “It’s up yonder.” She points ahead, but I’m laughing too much to pay attention to where she pointed.

  “Yonder? Seriously? I didn’t think people actually said that.”

  “You better learn the language, Mr. Cali, because that’s a very technical term.” Her voice is serious as can be.

  “Yeah, I can tell,” I say, still chuckling.

  “Just pull over by the curb. Is that better directions for you to understand?” She giggles.

  “Yes, thank you.” I park and get out to open her door, switching back into professional chauffeur mode. “Have a good day, Miss Abigail.”

  I’m pretty sure she smiles a little. “I’ll be done around three. If you can’t get me, please text me, so I don’t miss the bus.”

  “Will do. I’ll be here.”

  I’M MEETING BLAKE downtown because we’re shooting a commercial today for a drink company that sponsors the team. It’ll take most of the morning, allowing just enough time for a quick lunch, practice, and then picking up Abigail.

  Blake is standing outside, leaning against the brick wall next to the door when I walk up.

  “Couldn’t go in without me?” I joke.

  “Just didn’t want to go in until I absolutely
had to. I hate these things.”

  “It’s not that bad.”

  He actually rolls his eyes as we walk inside, greeted by a very excited, giddy assistant. She leads us into another room where we meet the guy in charge of directing this thirty-second ad. It’s a bit crazy to think of how much time can go into creating something that only lasts for thirty seconds.

  Blake hides his dislike very well and is accommodating, doing everything they ask of him. I don’t really know what to make of him. Sometimes, he’s this moody guy who acts as if he hates playing baseball and all that comes with it. Other times, he’s in a good mood, happy, and is friendlier to everyone.

  We smile, drink the “refreshing, energy-boosting drink,” and say our lines. Once that part is done, we’re thankfully finished. They’re supposed to use clips they filmed during pre-game warm-ups the other day. Most of the guys are in the locker room when we make it to the field.

  “If it isn’t our famous duo,” Hector announces when we walk in. “Soon, we’ll see their ugly faces every time we turn on the TV.”

  I laugh. “Don’t hate.”

  “Next time, you can take my place,” Blake says.

  “Oh, I don’t think they could handle my face on TV screens.” Hector grins.

  I shake my head, finish changing, and then we head out to stretch. Hector is still making jabs about our commercial when Blake curses loudly. I turn to see him wincing and carefully rubbing his leg. One of the trainers and a coach comes over to him.

  After a minute or so, our coach says, “Let’s hit the field. Blake, go see the massage therapist and see if that’ll help.”

  Blake ends up being gone for all of our practice. I check the time as I head to the gym. I have an hour until I’d need to shower and go pick up Abigail. Hector is on the bench press, struggling because I added more weights.

  “C’mon, Hector. You said you could lift it. Looks like you’re about to crumble.”

  His arms are trembling, his face turning red. “Shit. Just help me.”

  I laugh and help him set the bar back in its place. Blake walks in, looking a little lost. “Better?” I ask.

  “Did y’all know our massage therapist is a chick?” he says.

  “A hot chick? Do I need to have a leg cramp or something?” Hector asks seriously, sitting up.

  Blake shrugs, not answering either of his questions.

  “You have to give us something, Grumpy. You can’t come in here, ask if we knew she was a girl, and then leave us hanging,” Hector tells him as we switch places.

  “She’s good at her job,” is his reply.

  Hector lets it go. Once I’ve done my reps and made my rounds, I see that I’m running a tad late. Abigail will kill me if I’m late, I sure. I hurry through my shower, slip on my clothes, my shirt ends up sticking to me a little because drying completely is something I don’t have time for. Speeding through town, I make it to where I left her this morning in the knick of time. Well, five minutes late is still on time, right?

  “I’m not late,” I lie as I get out to open her door. “And I was already on the way here when I realized I was going to be, you know, not late, so I didn’t text you to let you know.”

  Once we’re in the car, she says, “You know, if I was paying you, I would have to dock your pay. Instead, you’re going to have to buy me some fro-yo as your punishment.”

  “Now? Where do I need to go? I don’t think I’ve seen one of those places yet.”

  “I’m hungry and haven’t eaten all day. So, yes, we’re going now. Well, wait, do you have something else going on? I can punish you later if need be.”

  I laugh at trying to picture Abigail punishing me. “You saying you can punish me later is too funny. But I’m free for the afternoon. Are you going to tell me where to go or should I drive around aimlessly and hope we find the place?”

  She giggles. I’m really starting to like hearing her laugh. “Turn left and go up yonder about three blocks.”

  “Yonder.” I shake my head at the word. “What are some other terms I need to be familiar with?”

  “‘Y’all’ is another important one. You will need to remember that. We’ve already established the significance of ‘yonder’. ‘Ain’t’ is popular as well, but I don’t use that one very often. There are so many more that I shouldn’t overwhelm you, Mr. Cali.”

  “Have you ever been? To California?”

  “Yes. My parents would take us girls on trips in the summer. We did the family thing. You know, Disneyland and the beach.”

  “I’ve never been to Disneyland. I think my parents offered to take us once, but we didn’t care to go.”

  “I was young and loved it. Of course, I always wanted to be Cinderella. Well, I wanted to be a princess in general. Then I grew up, I guess.” She sighs and adds, “No tiara yet.”

  “When I go buy my hat, I’ll buy you a tiara and you have to wear it at least once a week. Don’t you think?”

  “I would wear all the time.” She laughs softly. “But you don’t have to buy me one.”

  “After you finish your fro-yo, which is totally not a meal, by the way, we’re going shopping. You can pick out my hat, while I find you a tiara.”

  FELIX PULLS ANOTHER hat off the rack and tries it on. It looks as bad as the other ones he’s tried on. I’m beginning to think his head is only made for baseball hats.

  “Your head isn’t round enough. I think it’s because you have such thick hair, too.”

  “Are you saying there’s something wrong with my head?” He raises his eyebrows in disbelief.

  “Yes, I am. You have an odd-shaped head. I think it’s going to be your downfall in life. I hate to break it to you.”

  “My head is not odd-shaped. That can’t be my downfall. You’ll have to think of something else for that. What about this one?” He tries another one on.

  “That’s the worst one yet. Let’s forget it and buy you a soft pretzel for dinner. You know what those are, right? It’s the delicious, dangerous food full of carbs and salty goodness.”

  “A pretzel is not dinner. Pretzels in general are not dinner. I was actually really hoping to have a hat.” He pouts his sexy lips a little bit and it makes my knees a little weak. “But if you’re sure, let’s find your tiara and then an actual dinner. I’ll even cook, if you want.”

  “Well, out of all the ones you did try on, that is the best. My vote is for that one. Are you really going to buy me a tiara?”

  “Yes, I’m really going to buy you one. I’ve said it too many times to be lying.”

  “I know, but how about a compromise. I will let you buy me a tiara charm for my bracelet and I will cook you dinner. Deal?”

  “So you were the one lying because you wouldn’t actually wear it all the time, huh?” he teases me. “If you would rather have a charm, I can handle that.”

  “All right, I was lying. I’m too old to wear one of those. Unless I was in a costume party, or something. The charm would be more meaningful.”

  “Then charm it is. Any idea where we can find one? I’m really starting to get annoyed at not knowing my way around here yet.”

  “Oh, does that mean I have to take you shopping more often? I like this idea.”

  “There’s more to this city than shopping, I hope.”

  “Is there anything more than shopping? Come on, I’ve seen you on the Internet. You’re always styling and being all GQ-like. Don’t try to play it off either.”

  “Just because I like to look good doesn’t mean I like shopping for the clothes to make it happen. And I have a feeling my shopping experience is completely different than a girl’s would be.”

  “That could be true, but I think you’re lying.” I wink. “Here the place.”

  I easily pick the charm that has small pink crystals in the crown and Felix pays for it. I shouldn’t have let him; this whole thing is stupid, but kind of cute at the same time.

  Felix drives us back to the complex and he comes up to my apartment. I tell
him to make himself comfortable and I head into the kitchen to make a pizza. Technically, that’s cooking, of sorts.

  While I’m prepping everything, LA texts me.

  LA: what are you doing?

  Me: cooking dinner, why?

  LA: Bored. Are you coming to the game tomorrow?

  Me: Yes, I promise I am. I even told Felix I wouldn’t miss any more games.

  LA: You need to ask that boy out and give me a baseball-playing nephew

  Me: OMG! You’re nuts!

  LA: At least go out with the guy.

  Me: He’s in my living room and we’re having dinner. He also bought me a charm for my bracelet. Does that satisfy you, crazy nut?

  LA: Why in the hell are texting me when you could be riding him?

  Me: And there it is…I’ll talk to you later

  I’m pretty sure LA was dropped on her head as a small child. I shake my head and see Felix in the kitchen staring at me.

  “LA says hi, by the way.” I smile at him.

  “I bet she’s happy I’m here?”

  “I’m pretty sure she’s booking a wedding chapel as we speak.” I shake my head. “Her main concern was if I was going to the game tomorrow. She wasn’t pleased with me when y’all lost the other night.”

  “She’ll get over it when we win the next one. Between the two of us, we’ll have you turned into an LA type of fan in no time.”

  “Ha, I can promise you that will never happen. The only things I go crazy over are my books and book deals. Nothing more. What’s your crazy gene like? What makes you all giddy like a schoolgirl? Is it mystery novels or porn?” I giggle at him.

  “I don’t know if I have a crazy gene. Maybe girls are the only ones who have that.” He laughs loudly and it’s cute to hear. “But I do like mystery novels. What are your favorite genres?”

  “It’s the usually romantic, love stories that make me swoon, especially the classics. However, I have begun to fall into a trance with James Diamond and the mystery novels that he writes. Mainly because he puts a little romance in them to break up the blood, gore, and twists. Do you read a lot?”

  “When I get the chance, yeah. I usually read more when I’m on the road than when I’m home, which seems a bit backward, I guess. My mom read to us as kids and it just stuck as I got older.”