“Hey.” I stare up at the most stunning hazel eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“There’s a bar and grill nearby. Want to go?”
“Really?” I’m taken aback that he wants to hang out with me.
“Yes.”
“Sure. I’d love to.” I grab my purse and follow him to the elevator. He’s quiet and I’m not sure why he even reached out to me. “How are you doing?”
“I’m alright. You?”
I scoff. “Do you really want to hear me bitching about stuck card keys and my mother?”
“That would be great, actually. Bitch away.” We step into an empty elevator.
“Well, it started with the stubborn card key that thought it could defeat me by not working. I showed it. I kept shoving and jerking and finally, kicking it until I won.” I animate my hands in a dramatic fashion as if I’m on a theater stage, telling a tale. I toss my hands up in victorious motion as we walk out the lobby and onto the street.
“Then my mother calls and tells me her feminist-loving Women’s Society is going to auction off, yes I did say auction, women at the Children’s Hospital benefit. Guess who’s on the list? That’s right. Me. Now, some old guy is going to pay a fortune to have dinner with me and try to cop a feel the entire time.” I growl in frustration as we continue walking.
“Will it make you feel better that I’ll be there?” he grumbles.
“You’re going? Really?” I’m going to see Blake Foster in a tux? The image is almost lickable.
“Yeah, I am, unfortunately. Jack and Mom want me there.”
“A family night?” I’m not sure if it’s a question or a statement. I can see it all over Blake’s face that it’s the last thing he wants to do.
We walk up another block until Blake stops outside a brick building and opens the door. The name on the wall: Callie’s Bar and Grill.
“So, how do you know this place?”
“Felix says his brothers love this place. I thought we could check it out for ourselves.” He leads the way to a small table against the far wall.
“Oh. So, are we ordering wine, beer, or plain old water?” I pick up the menu on the table.
“Whatever you want. I’m getting water though. I don’t drink while we’re on the road.”
“I don’t think they have steamed veggies here.” I lay the menu down for him to see and read it upside down. It’s like the first time we ate together.
His dazzling smile appears. “No? I don’t know if I can eat here then.” There’s a playful tone in Blake’s voice.
“Sucks to be you then, Blakey, because I’m starving.”
“I guess I can make an exception then. What are you getting this time?”
I moan in delight as I point to the one thing that looks the most delicious on the laminated menu. “Chicken wings. Hot, sticky, chicken wings. Mom hates when I eat them because she says it’s not ladylike, but it’s so yummy.” I lick my lips as if the gooey goodness is on there. “What about you? Do you want the celery stick they give with the wings?” I giggle.
The waitress comes by and we put in our orders. Blake ends up getting a fish sandwich while I order a small basket of wings with extra wet napkins.
He shakes his head as the waitress goes to put in our order. “I never thought you had a rebel in you. What else do you do that your mom wouldn’t exactly approve of?”
“Lots of things. I wear white after Labor Day. There are times when my purse doesn’t match my shoes. I’ve had sex before marriage, which almost killed her to find out. I’m not married and will be thirty in couple of years. Oh, and I still haven’t given her grandchildren.” That last one seems to be a big one for my mother lately.
“What about with your dad?” He swirls his straw around in his glass of water. I’m not sure why Blake’s asking all these questions, but I’ll play along.
“Dad? He is much different than Mom. He has his strict ways, but it’s mainly with our work ethics. I’m sure you know how much my dad is worth, but he makes us pay our own bills. Harmony and I don’t get our trusts until we’re thirty-five, and Dad taught us that hard work is how you get through life. Hard work, kindness, and truthfulness.”
“He sounds like a good person,” Blake says softly.
“Both of my parents are. Mom is as wonderful as Dad.” Saying that makes me smile, and it’s the truth; my parents are wonderful.
“That’s good.” He seems unsure of what else to say. Blake crosses his arms on the table and his t-shirt looks as if it’s about to rip from his biceps. He’s looking all around the room as if he’s trying to escape.
“Your mom seems to be helping out with the benefit. How is she liking it?” Maybe talking about her will help him focus.
“She loves it. She’s always liked to help people whenever she could. She hasn’t done as much in the past few years as she’d like, so this is making her day.”
“I’m glad she has friends now. See, friends are a good thing,” I say cheerfully.
“Yeah, I guess so. You’re my friend now; you don’t have to keep convincing me it’s good.” He turns his attention to me.
“I think you’re saying I was right, correct?” I tease him with a smirk.
“Not if it means I’m wrong. You haven’t reached that level of friendship yet.” He ribs me back, and he doesn’t look as tense now.
“What level are we on? Is it the stubborn-still-a-pain-in-the-ass-kissing level?” Shit, why did I bring up kissing? Now, I’m thinking about his mouth.
“I’m still being an ass?”
“Have you looked in the mirror? The permanent scowl equals assness.” I almost snort at my kidding nature.
“Not always. Maybe it means there’s a lot going on,” he shrugs. “I haven’t been that grumpy lately, have I?”
“You ran off on me at the pizza parlor.” I can hear the sadness in my voice. I shouldn’t let it hurt my feelings, but it did a little bit. “I’ve tried talking to you the past few days, and all I get are one word answers. You haven’t even looked at me when we cross paths. I think that classifies as grumpy.”
Even though Blake is staring at me, he doesn’t say anything for a moment. “Yeah, I guess it does. I’m sorry, Sofia; that’s the best I’ve got right now.”
Sorry? He’s sorry. I think I faintly hear the sledge hammer hitting the steel wall around him and making a small dent in it.
“I know. I’m not really complaining. If you ever need to vent, you can count on me.” I boldly take his hand, giving it a small squeeze. “You have my word.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He doesn’t move away.
Our food comes and I remove my hand from his. I quickly dive into my spicy chicken wings. They slightly burn my mouth, but they are mouth watering.
“Do you like the job?” He changes the subject, taking a bite of his fish sandwich.
“I’m rubbing oil on buff, baseball players. What do you think?” I roll my eyes.
“I think you may be reconsidering when someone like Tanner comes to see you.”
“That man.” I shake my head thinking of all the noises he makes. “He moans so loud all the time.” I giggle.
“I know. I heard him once. It was weird for me; I can only imagine how it was for you. Is anyone else not so pleasant to deal with?”
“No one. Tanner isn’t bad, only loud. It’s all been great since I’ve been there.”
“Good. It would suck to have a job you don’t like.”
“I like my job. I’ve met some nice people. You, for one, when you’re not being an ass, Blakey.” I smirk and then rip into another chicken wing.
“Yet you still think I’m nice. I’m more grumpy than nice, like 90/10 ratio. I really don’t know what you see in me.” I look up at him and I’m not sure if he wants me to answer him. It’s a mixed signal.
“You want the truth?” I wipe my fingers on the wet nap.
“Sure?” Even though it is clear he still isn’t sure he wants to know.
<
br /> “I see a great guy. I see someone with a big heart who wants to protect the ones he loves. I see a guy who puts up a steel wall around him because he doesn’t want anyone to see the real him. You keep everyone at a distance and it’s because you’re scared of letting people in. I hope that someday, I can help you close the distance.” I tell him the truth because I think it’s what he needs to hear.
“There are two things that scare me and that’s not one of them,” he quickly tells me.
“What is then? What scares you?” I pray he’ll open up to me.
He doesn’t hesitate. “Snakes and spiders. What scares you, Sofia?”
He’s lying. He’s still hiding himself from me. I thought I’d made some headway, but not as much as I’d hoped. He wants to know what scares me? I’m going to tell him the truth. I take a deep breath.
“I’m scared I will fail my parents. They created this empire, of sorts, and I’m a massage therapist. Harmony is thriving in the business and even though everyone supports me, I don’t want to let them down. The second thing is,” I pause and look away from him. I stare at the almost empty basket of wings, “Heartache. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I don’t want to lose my heart to a man who doesn’t want it in return.” I shouldn’t have said anything. I need to learn to stop rambling.
“I don’t think it’s possible for you to let your parents down based on what you’ve said. You shouldn’t worry about that.” I glance up at him as he stops talking. “I wish you would’ve lied to me.”
“I’m not a very good liar,” I tell him. Now, it’s his turn. “And I don’t buy that bullshit line of snakes and spiders.”
He sighs, pushing away his empty plate. He’s struggling internally. “Fine. Don’t read anything into it, and I’m saying that because I know you will.”
“You have word. I won’t read anything into it.” My heart picks up speed thinking he’s actually going to tell me something personal.
“I’m scared of not being there for my mom and I’m scared of having my nightmare turn into a reality.”
I’d already figured the one about his mom, but I’m not sure what else he’s talking about. “What’s your nightmare?” I approach the topic carefully. I don’t want him to pull back.
“Jack. He is who he is and I’m his son. Like father, like son, Sofia.”
In my mind, I cheer. Not because of what he says, but simply for the fact that he opened up.
“Blakey, you’re tough, but not mean. I don’t believe that idea. Could you ever imagine yourself doing anything he’s done?” I quickly continue, answering for him. “You can’t; you recognize the difference between right and wrong; that’s what makes you different. You’re an honorable guy and any girl would be happy to be with you.”
“It wouldn’t worry if I didn’t know it’s possible. I—” He stops and sits back. “You don’t know everything about me, and I’m not crazy to think it. I know for a fact I’m not. So, don’t go there.”
There’s a touch of anger in his voice, and I don’t say anything right away. Blake is tough, but mainly on himself. There’s a lot of good in him. I can see it. He thinks he’s going to turn into his dad and I know that isn’t the truth. There’s no way.
“You don’t know everything about me. I could be a mass murderer trying to lure you into my lair.” I give him a soft evil cackle.
He’s fighting back a smile, but gives in. “Then you’re probably pretty happy with yourself right now since you’ve lured me in.”
“Ah, yes, I’ve been successful with my diabolical plan.” I pat myself on my back the best I can. “Now, to finish off my evil plan,” I lean in closer to him and push the paper bill over to him. “You have to pay for our meals.”
“What if I forgot my wallet?” He mimics my pose.
“Then I guess you better get your ass into the kitchen and work it off.” I smile at him.
“I don’t like the sound of that. I’m glad I have my wallet. I have to say, you’re not such bad company, Sofia.” He flicks his eyes to my lips and I instinctively lick them.
“Is that because you watched me devour eight chicken wings and made you divulge your deepest secrets?” I tease him.
“A little bit of both.” He shakes his head side-to-side.
“Aw, I do like it when you give me compliments.” I lean back into my seat, grab my purse and stand. Blake throws a few bills on the table, and we head out the door toward the hotel.
I’m playing with fire. My head is screaming at me not to invite him into my room. I do wear my heart on my sleeve and I like Blake a lot. He’s a good person and I want to help him see it.
Is that really what I’m doing? Am I trying to save him instead of being there for him? No, I care for Blake. Hector is his only friend, and he needs others he can trust and lean on. I can do that for him.
We continue in silence onto the elevator and all the way to my room. This time, the card key is successful on the first try. I turn to Blake and take a leap of faith.
“Do you want to come in?” My hearts screams ‘yes’ as my head says ‘fool.’
Blake is going to break my heart. I don’t see wedding bells and white picket fences in either of our futures, but I’m going to risk it. Thinking about his lips on mine is making my stomach quiver.
He nods and there’s no turning back now. I close the door, walk over to the mini fridge, and pull out bottles of water for us.
“Do you really want to drink water right now?” The tone of his voice sends my hormones into overdrive. He wants this as much as I do. I shake my head. Blake removes the bottles from my hands and sits them on the small table in the room. “I didn’t think so.”
His lips are on mine before I can even blink. He picks me up in his strong arms, and I wrap my legs around his hips. Blake covers my body with his as he gently places me on the bed. My body had been prepared for the jolt of him tossing me down, not the slow, careful way he lowered me.
When he slides his tongue against mine, I lightly suck it, and Blake moans, pushing his hips down, pinning me to the mattress. God, he’s strong. Blake’s rough hands begin to tug on my shirt and sets my skin ablaze as he cups my breast. I grab the back of his neck as I try to devour him. I know I shouldn’t do this to me, but I want him. It’s not going to be easy on me and I don’t need to complicate our friendship, but right now, I want him.
But I can’t do this.
“Blake, we have to stop.” I pull away from him.
“Why?” He breathes heavily.
“Because we’re moving too fast. I care for you and I don’t want to rush you.”
He looks down at himself. “I think it’s my hand up your shirt and not yours down my pants.”
“Blakey, please. I want this, but not right now.”
He lays his forehead on mine. “Okay.” He kisses me softly, removing his hand, making me feel empty and cold. He cages me in with his arms, not letting me move. I know he wants to say something, but all he says is, “I should go.”
I DIDN’T SEE Blake for the rest of the road trip. The medical staff and I were pretty much stuck together the whole trip because we needed to do some additional state qualifications. It wasn’t for our lack of trying to see each other. We texted back and forth about the games, or Hector driving him crazy, but we never talked about the kiss, our confessions, or anything too personal.
When we arrive back in Memphis, Blake has to do a photo shoot for a magazine feature and I have to do laundry. I don’t have a single piece of clean clothing left. I run errands all day and finally collapse later tonight.
I hardly even speak to Harmony or Mom until the next day. The Angels have a day off, and I can’t be happier to spend the day with my family. We go shopping for the benefit and I am able to find a dress. It’s shorter than I normally wear, but I love it.
Mom takes us to a new restaurant that has opened up downtown. We barely sit down when Harmony begins to hammer me with questions about Blake.
“We’re fr
iends,” I tell her, sipping my wine.
“Friends? Come on, give me some details,” Harmony continues.
“There’s nothing wrong with starting off slow,” Mom interjects.
“It’s not like that, Mom. I’m trying to be there for him,” I explain.
“You like him though, right?” Mom gets the gleam of hope in her eyes that maybe this can lead to a wedding and grandchildren.
“Yes. Are you happy now? I like Blake. He’s a good person, but he has had a shitty life.”
“So, you friend-zoned him?” Harmony scoffs.
“No, I didn’t,” I hiss at her. “I told him that we’ll go slow.” Okay, those weren’t my exact words, but he knew what I’d meant.
“End this conversation right now,” Mom gasps softly. Harmony and I don’t know what what she’s talking about until she says, “Caroline, how are you?”
I look over my shoulder to see a slender woman with a dark bob coming over to our table. Mom stands and hugs Blake’s mother.
“I’m fantastic, Viv. How are you?” she coos, and when I catch a glance of her eyes, they are the same stunning shade of hazel as Blake’s.
“I’m the same. I’m enjoying an afternoon with my girls. Harmony, Sofia, this is Mrs. Caroline Foster.” Mom quirks an eyebrow at me and we stand to shake Mrs. Foster’s hand.
“I’m with Blake. He took me shopping and we’re enjoying a mother-son day. He’s parking the truck right now,” Caroline explains.
“Please, join us,” Mom insists.
“Oh, no, we don’t need to intrude on your time with the girls.” Caroline smiles brightly.
“No, please, join us. I’d love to know more about Blake. I mean,” she looks over at me, but doesn’t say anything. “It’ll be fun.”
Just then, I catch a glimpse of Blake coming through the dining hall. My mouth falls a bit. He’s in darks jeans and crisp green dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. I think he stepped off a GQ cover.
Harmony leans over and whispers, “That’s the kind of man who needs to be dipped in chocolate and then you need to lick it off.”
Blake (Season One: The Ninth Inning #2) Page 7