Blake (Season One: The Ninth Inning #2)

by Lindsay Paige

  “If I wanted sex, I wouldn’t have walked away. I kissed you because I wanted to, and I actually had fun with you.”

  I step back away from him and drop my hands. He told me the truth. “I had fun too, and I wanted you to kiss me. Well, I didn’t realize it at the moment, but now I do. I’m sorry I ruined our friendship because I do need a friend like you in my life. As much as you need me, too.”

  Blake hops off the table and puts on his shirt. He looks at me skeptically. “You need a friend? Like me?”

  “Sure, I do.” I try to think of something that will break the steel wall he keeps up. “Even Snow White had a Grumpy in her life. I figure if it’s good enough for Snow White, it’s good enough for me.” I try to hide my smile and keep a serious tone.

  Blake lets the wall down for a brief moment and smiles, shaking his head. “I have no response to that logic.”

  “Who can argue with Disney? I believe there are laws against it.” I grin wider at him. I accomplished my goal. “You’re still cute when you smile, Blakey.”

  “I can’t do it too often because it makes my face feel funny and my cheeks hurt.” He’s joking behind the serious tone he’s putting on.

  “Since I am a professional at muscles, you might need to work them more. It eases the tightness you’re feeling,” I flirt with him.

  “Work them more? What kind of exercises would allow that?” He takes a step closer to me, and I know that lustful look in his eyes.

  “Besides talking, I can think of two other exercises, but I think you need a partner for those.” I give him my best flirtatious smile, thinking about him on my lips and between my legs.

  “Then be my partner and show me.”

  My mouth drops in shock. I can’t be doing this right now. I want to be his friend and help him. “Wait...no...I’m sorry. This is getting a little out of hand. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.” I shake my head as I try to walk away, but Blake blocks my path.

  “You were thinking that you want this as much as I do. But if you’d rather I just be Grumpy to your Snow White, then fine. That works too. Maybe you’re right about me needing you.”

  I look in his hazel eyes. There’s a lot of raw emotions in there. He needs me and for some strange reason, I’m drawn to him, too. I think I might need him just as much as he needs me.

  “I do want this, Blake,” I whisper to him, a sensual tone in my voice; I want him right here and right now. “I just don’t want to rush into anything. I want to be there for you.”

  “I’ll let you as much as I can. One kiss wouldn’t be rushing.” His hard body is so close to mine that I can feel the heat.

  “I don’t think it would be rushing,” I agree.

  Blake grabs my face like he did the first time and brushes his lips against mine. The last time, it had been an assault on my mouth. This time, I gasp as he softly pecks my lips and then looks down at me. His hazel eyes are searching my face. I wonder what he’s doing, and it hits me. He’s waiting for me. He wants me to make the first move.

  That’s unexpected from someone as domineering as he is, but I do want to kiss him. I fist my hands in his hair, and I tug him closer. The kiss becomes hurried as if we’re starving to touch each other.

  He lowers his hands and I feel his rough, callused hands on the small of my back where my shirt has ridden up a bit. He traces around my belt, softly dragging his nails up my side and grabs my breast. I moan. The men I’m used to have soft and supple hands. Not Blake and it’s driving me into a frenzy. I’m about to tell him to put me on the table when…

  “Hello?”

  Shit. Blake jumps away from me, removing his hands from my shirt. I quickly drop my shaking hands from his neck.

  “Sorry, I’ll give you two a minute,” the player says. I’m not sure who it is because I can’t see around Blake.

  He turns back to me and I start to panic. “Oh, no,” I whisper, dropping my head in my hands.

  Blake softly says, “I’ll handle it.”

  “Don’t you dare beat him up,” I warn him, narrowing my eyes at him. “It’s not his fault he walked in on me about to throw you on the table.” I gasp as my confession slips out of my mouth.

  Blake tries to hide his smirk, but fails miserably. “I’ll take care of it. Oh, and you should fix your shirt.”

  I look. The jerk had most of it unbuttoned. When the hell did that happen?

  “I’ll see you later.” He takes my chin, lifting my lips to his one more time before he walks away.

  I wipe my mouth and smooth my shirt again just before the player comes in. He is the pitcher, the good one. I put on my professional smile and stick out my trembling hand. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Sofia.”

  “Felix. Coach wanted me to come see you. I think I aggravated a muscle in my shoulder during the last game.” He shakes my hand.

  I pat the table and Felix sits on it. For the next thirty minutes, it’s the most awkward silence I’ve ever experienced. All I can think about is Felix going to the team doctor and telling them that I was dry humping Blake in the office.

  Ugh, Dad would kill me for conducting myself this way. I’ll never be able to find a job without his help now.

  “Looks good, Felix. I don’t think anything is seriously wrong. If it bothers you again, come back.” I smile at him. He nods and heads out of the office.

  I fall into my chair letting out a long breath. What the fuck am I doing?

  I HAVE NO clue what I’m doing anymore. One minute, my head is on straight; and the next, Sofia is there and I act more on impulse and emotion than smarts and common sense. I don’t want to get ahead of myself; I know I still need to proceed with caution. The moment I feel like I’m turning into my father, I’m walking away.

  I sit on the couch, debating on texting her, especially after our run-in with Felix. I hear my door open and slam shut. A moment later, the one and only Hector takes a seat on my recliner.

  “You’re coming over unannounced now?”

  He shrugs. “It’s not like you ever have someone here. What’s the deal with you and Sofia Gardner?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Felix isn’t that great of a whisperer, so I heard about you making out with the team’s massage therapist. How long have you been seeing her? You’re holding out on me, Grumpy.” He frowns as if he’s seriously upset.

  I narrow my eyes at him. “There hasn’t been anything to tell.”

  “Yeah, right. What’s the deal with you two? Let me live vicariously through you.”

  I laugh. “Nothing.” He stares at me, so I say the first thing that comes to mind, “She wants to be my friend.”

  His eyes widen. “As long as you know that is not the kind of friend I want to be. Kissing and feel-ups aren’t part of the deal. Maybe I should make my way down to see her, check her out.”

  Stay away from her. The words are on the tip of my tongue. I swallow them down and shrug my shoulders. “Go ahead.”

  “Hmm. Can’t tell if you’re trying to psych me out or if you’re serious.” He tries to study me, but I give nothing away. My phone buzzes with a text and Hector immediately notices. A glance shows it’s from Sofia. “Gonna check that?” he asks with a smirk.

  I check it and read her text.

  Sofia: Want to meet for pizza? Maybe at that place you mentioned?

  Sofia or Hector? Tonight, I’ll be spending time with one or the other. I decide Sofia is definitely the lesser of two evils. I text her the address and she responds that she’s only fifteen minutes away.

  Standing, I say, “Get out. I’m going out for pizza.”

  “I’ll come with.”

  “No.” My response is too quick and a stupid grin widens on his face.

  “How come?”

  “I’m meeting Sofia,” I confess.

  “Well, let’s go.” He heads out the door and I want to punch him. He’s almost like the little brother I never had. Always being nosey and hanging around. By t
he time I lock up the house, he’s sitting in my truck.

  “You’re unbelievable.” I shake my head, put the truck in reverse, and head to my favorite pizza parlor. “Why are you coming?”

  “Because I think it’ll be hilarious to watch you interact with a girl. Like watching a baby deer walk for the first time.”

  “You’re a mean son-of-a-bitch.”

  “Which is what makes me your perfect best friend.” He grins.

  It doesn’t take us long before we’re parking and walking inside. Sofia is sitting at a table already, her eyes widening when she sees Hector. There were only two chairs at the table, so Hector drags one over, shakes her hand, and introduces himself. Sofia looks at me curiously, not appearing annoyed at all.

  “I couldn’t get rid of him,” I explain.

  “Right,” she nods, looking at Hector with a smile. “The bad rash guy.”

  “What?” Hector glances between us. “What is she talking about? I don’t have a bad rash,” he reassures her.

  I laugh. “I told her you were like a bad rash I can’t get rid of.”

  “And you said I was mean. So, Sof, is Art Gardner your father?”

  “Why don’t you help the waitress out and go order a thick crust double cheese pizza?” I interrupt.

  “Just cheese? Nothing else?” He frowns in disgust.

  I glance at Sofia. “Just cheese and don’t come back until you have the pizza. Don’t forget to sprinkle parmesan cheese on it too.”

  Hector is tempted to stay, I can see it in his eyes, but thankfully, he walks away.

  “Sorry about him.”

  “It’s okay. It’s hard to get rid of rashes. So I’ve heard anyway.”

  “He invites himself to places, too. I can now see why people have a problem with something like that.”

  “He’s being a good friend. You should be used to that by now.” She bumps my shoulder with a smile.

  “He’s not being a good friend. He told me he was coming because he thinks me talking with a girl would be like watching a fawn walk for the first time. You’re better at being a friend than he is.”

  “Wait one second. I got you to smile and tell me I’m a good friend? Is it a full moon tonight? Are there cameras on me?” She looks around the room. “You’re playing me, right?”

  “I compared you to Hector, that’s nothing to get excited about.” I try not to smile.

  “I’ll take it. So, how’s your day been? I had an interesting afternoon.” She winks.

  “Me too. My day has been really good, and it keeps getting better.” This time, I give her a smile.

  “Now you’re flirting? Wow, I’m seeing a whole new side of Blake Foster.”

  Unfortunately, Hector chooses that moment to come back and says, “Grumpy can flirt? Man, I’m missing all the good stuff.”

  “Yes, you did. It’s was the best flirting I’ve seen in a long time,” Sofia teases him, and he laughs.

  “Yeah, I bet.”

  I glare at him, wishing he’d leave. “My house is within walking distance. Maybe you should head on back without me.”

  “Relax,” Hector tells me, glancing to Sofia. “Sof likes having me here, don’t ya?”

  “Of course. The more the merrier.”

  Just because Hector is here doesn’t mean I have to pay attention to him. Instead, I’ll focus on Sofia. “Did you tell Harmony I’m back in your good graces?”

  “Not yet, the night is still young.”

  “It’s probably a good thing.” My phone rings. I pull it from my pocket to see Mom’s name on the caller ID. “Excuse me for a second.” I walk outside because I don’t want them overhearing my conversation. “Mom? Everything okay?”

  “Could you come over, Blake?”

  “Yeah, I’ll come over. Are you okay?”

  “Yes, just c’mon before he gets back.”

  “Okay. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes or less.” Shit. I don’t know what things are like, but hopefully, not too bad since he’s left her alone for a bit. After hanging up, I go back inside, pulling money from my wallet and laying it on the table. “Sorry, Sofia, I gotta go. Let’s go, Hector.”

  “Why do you always get a call when I’m about to eat pizza?” Hector asks, pissing me off.

  “Shut the hell up and let’s go.”

  Sofia looks worried, but I ignore it. Once I drop Hector off at my house, I drive over to my parents’.

  “Mom?” I call out as I enter the house.

  “In his office.”

  When I walk into the room, she’s kneeling on the floor, trying to pick up pieces of glass with shaky hands. There’s broken glass everywhere it seems. A few sheets of paper, pens, and two baseballs are on the floor as well. I rush to Mom and help her stand up.

  “I’ll get it, Mom. What happened?” I lead her over to a chair and make her sit.

  “He’s been drinking, and I walked into his office to ask him a question. I didn’t knock first,” she answers.

  “And what? He started throwing things at you?” She nods. The baseballs on the floor brings back bad memories and my stomach churns. “Did he manage to hit you with anything?”

  Mom keeps her gaze down on the mess. “He can still pitch like a pro even when he’s drunk.”

  Son of a bitch. I crouch and lift her face, wanting her to look at me. “Are you okay?” I ask for what feels like the millionth time.

  “I’ll be fine. I just needed help cleaning up.” Mom gives me a small smile.

  “Alright. You stay put and I’ll do it.” Once she nods in agreement, I leave for the kitchen, so I can grab the broom and dust pan. She asked me not to push him and I haven’t. What’s the point? He’s still hitting her anyway.

  As I start sweeping up the glass, I take advantage of us being alone. “When did he start drinking today?”

  “Around eleven.”

  “Is it daily again?”

  “You don’t need to worry so much, son,” she says quietly.

  “If you don’t want me to worry, then you should think about leaving. If you weren’t here with him, I wouldn’t worry.” I wait for her to say something, but she only points to some glass I missed. “Do you want any ice or something for the pain? How close were you when he threw the balls?”

  “I’m fine, Blake. Just hurry up and finish.”

  I soften my voice, stop sweeping, and look at her. “I’m not him, you know. You can tell me if it hurts. I know it does. And we both know if you’re going to do something to ease the pain, you need to do it before he comes back.” Jack usually keeps a close eye on her to make sure she doesn’t take any pain meds or does anything that could make her feel better.

  “You’re nothing like your father, Blake. I know that.”

  When she doesn’t offer anything more, I finish cleaning and put everything back in its place. Mom walks me to the door and I kiss her cheek.

  “I’ll pick you up tomorrow and we’ll go to lunch, alright?”

  “I can’t wait.” She gives me a bright smile before pushing me out the door. Jack wouldn’t let me help clean up any messes as a kid and we both know he’d flip his shit if he caught me here helping her.

  As I drive home, I wonder if Mom would be okay with me kidnapping her and forcing her to leave him. I don’t know how much longer I can stand by and do nothing.

  I STEP OFF the bus and notice that Blake still hasn’t looked at me. I sent a few texts, but have only gotten cold, empty responses. I know he had to go to his mom, and now the steel wall is back. I’m not sure how many times I can keep breaking through before I can’t anymore.

  No, I must not give up on him. I’ve made a lot of strides and I’m not giving up. Although, when I told Harmony, she hoped he was hung well, that way I wouldn’t be so grumpy. Her new nickname for me almost makes me smile because it’s what Hector calls Blake.

  I kick at the hotel room door because the damn card key is stuck. After growling at it for another minute, it finally opens.

  �
�Jerk,” I hiss at the door. Damn, I am grumpy. As I unpack, my mother calls me. Even though I’m not in the best of moods, Mom might help me out.

  “Sofia, where are you?”

  “California for two days and then Texas. I told you on Sunday.”

  “Oh, I forgot. I need to talk to you about the Children’s Hospital auction.”

  “Auction? When did it become an auction?”

  “Judy came up with the idea. Isn’t it brilliant?” My mom almost squeals in my ear, causing me to pull the phone away.

  “That sounds fun. Why do you need to talk to me?”

  “Will you auction yourself off?”

  “Wait...what?” I couldn’t have heard her correctly. “What?” I repeat.

  “Usually, people auction off memorabilia or some silly trip, but Judy thought about the most eligible and pretty women of Memphis. Someone will purchase you and have a date with you. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

  “That sounds like the worst thing to ever happen in my life.” I’m in shock. “I thought that the Women’s Society was supposed to promote women, not traffic them.”

  “Auction,” my mom corrects me. “And it’s for a good cause.”

  I groan and fall onto the bed. “Are you even going to give me a choice on this?”

  “Well,” she pauses for a second. “No, because your sister already signed up, and I wrote you down too. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your future husband?”

  “I’m hanging up, Mom. I love you.” I end the call before I say something rude to her.

  I send a text to Harmony telling her that I don’t want to be auctioned off, and I don’t care if it’s for a good cause. I’ll just donate the money if that’s the issue.

  Harmony: Mom said you’re doing it. Are you going to argue with her?

  I roll my eyes at the phone. She’s right; there’s no point in trying to argue with Vivian Gardner. Dad doesn’t even try to do that.

  I flip through the TV channels, but there’s nothing on. I’m thinking about texting Blake, but there’s a knock on my door.