“I’m not going to quit hanging out with Olivia.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to. I’m just saying,” I roll my eyes at him. “Let’s not fight. I just think you’ll really like Kayla.”
We arrive at the batting cages and Kellen parks beside a black Denali. I look over and see Jared and his wife climbing out. Kayla’s short brown hair is pulled back and her face is free of make-up. Her yoga pants and t-shirt match my outfit. She was rushed this morning also.
“It’s nice to see you again, Audrey.” Jared smiles at me.
“I’m Kayla, I’ve heard a lot about you.” She offers her hand and I take note of her southern accent.
“I’m Audrey.” I give Kellen a look when they walk ahead of us inside the building. This is a set up.
Kellen and Jared walk ahead of us; they show us to a room beside the cages. The room has chairs and the wall facing the cages is made of windows allowing us to watch them.
“Jared told me that you’re having a tough time.”
“I am,” I knew Kellen did this on purpose but I’m kind of happy about it. It’s nice to have someone that understands. “We started dating at the end of last season but I don’t remember it being this hard.”
“This will be your hardest season. You just got engaged and you’re freaking out. Been there done that.” She smiles.
“When did you get married?”
“Two years ago, after I graduated from UT, but we dated for a year before that. It was hard after we got engaged and tried to plan a wedding during the season.”
“Our families are trying to make me plan one.” She smiles knowingly.
“Don’t let anyone push you into something you don’t want to do.”
“I want to elope,” I admit. “I don’t know how Kellen would feel about that.”
“He’s a guy. He doesn’t care,” she says and I laugh.
“Yeah, you’re right.” I take a seat near the windows and she does the same. Kellen is standing to the side while Jared practices. When he sees me watching him he smiles.
“That boy does not care where you get married, look at him.” She laughs. “You’re ring is gorgeous!”
I hold it up for her to see, “Thank you. He may have had help from my best friend.”
“He’s told Jared about her,” she tells me. Of course he has. “He was really upset that you went out with her.”
“Olivia likes to have a good time. Even if that means no one else has a good time around her,” I laugh. “She’s dating someone now that will calm her down.”
“That’s good. Kellen was worried. I’ve been through the same thing with Jared. I don’t out as much after I graduated, but I wasn’t going to sit at home while he was away.”
“How did you two meet?”
“High school,” I smile at that.
Jared steps to the side and allows Kellen to practice. My attention stops from the conversation in front of my focus is on him. I watch him get into position and the way his body turns as he swings the bat. I couldn’t tell you what happened to the ball because I’m mesmerized watching him play this close.
“It doesn’t go away,” Kayla says to me when she notices my attention has left her.
“Did Jared ask Kellen to help him today?” My curiosity gets the best of me.
“Yeah, he’s afraid that he might get traded. He’s working so hard this season, but there’s always someone that will be younger and better every year.” She shrugs.
Her words hit me hard. I glance back at Kellen practicing and resist the urge to ask how many seasons Jared has played. This is Kellen’s third season, the thought of us being forced to move or Kellen getting cut is terrifying.
“Can I get your number?” Kayla asks me and hand me her phone. I type it in and hand it back to her. “We’re going to start hanging out.” She smiles at me, “You’re so much more fun than the other stuck up wives.”
“Will I have to meet them?” I groan.
“You’ll eventually have the pleasure of meeting them.” I smile at her when she rolls her eyes. If she’s around, the games won’t be that bad. “I think Kellen and Jared wanted to do something tonight.”
“He doesn’t tell me anything. He woke me up this morning and made me leave the house before I could fix myself. I don’t always look like this.”
“Neither do I,” she assures me.
“What do the guys have planned?”
“Jared said take-out, wine, and movies at your house.”
“That’s their idea of a night out?” I laugh.
“Welcome to married life.”
They lay there bats down and Kellen walks in the room after an hour of practicing. He walks closer to me and I can see that he’s sweating. “Get away from me,” I warn. I stand up to walk away from him, but he’s faster. I cringe when he pulls me into a hug. I hear Kayla and Jared laughing behind us. I push him back and look down to see that my clothes are wet.
“Let’s go home. They’re coming over in a few hours.” I nod my head. “And we have a lot of making up to do.” My face heats and I hope they didn’t hear that. I turn around to find Kellen giving me a dimpled grin.
I wake up from nap and I’m thankful that I took a shower before. Kayla and Jared should be here any minute. Kellen isn’t next to me so I get out of bed and walk to the bathroom. I add powder and mascara to my face, before I change into jeans. When I’m satisfied, I walk out to find Kellen.
He’s grabbing things out of the refrigerator when I walk in the kitchen. He turns around with a case of beer and a bottle of wine. “Something for me and something for you,” he grins. The doorbell rings and he disappears and comes back with three boxes of pizza.
“There are only four people…”
“I’m a big guy. I’ll eat one of these by myself. And so will Jared”
I raise my eyebrows but I let it go. He pours me a glass of wine and hands it to me. He walks into the living room and pulls movies down to sit on the table beside the couch.
“Kellen, sit down,” I laugh at him. He’s acting nervous.
“I’m making sure everything is done.” He tries to defend himself.
“You just picked the movies out. What if we didn’t want to watch those movies?”
“We don’t have to watch those movies I just thought I would help out. You basically cry every time I ask you where you want to eat,” I give him my best scowl. “You know I’m right.” He chuckles at me. The doorbell rings before I can think of anything to say back.
I open the door and Kayla and Jared greet me. He walks in with a bottle of wine and hands it to Kellen. “I have a bottle for them,” he says.
“I’m not used to this. They only have beer when I hang out with them. I have to fend for myself,” she shrugs.
“I can’t believe I haven’t met you yet.” I take a seat on the couch and she joins me.
“Kellen has kept you hidden,” she looks at the table beside the couch and picks up the movies that Kellen picked out. “What is this? Did he pick out the movies?”
“Apparently I’m indecisive,” I tell her.
“We can do better than this. I don’t want to watch things explode while people fight for two hours.” I laugh.
“Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” she tosses the movies back. I stand up and gesture for her to follow me into the kitchen.
“Kellen ordered a lot of pizza.” I warn her.
“Perfect, I like to eat a lot of pizza.” I grin at her. I’m glad Kellen introduced us we are going to be good friends. Although Olivia will always be my best, it will be nice to have someone that I can have a night in with, someone that understands my life and crazy schedule.
“Do you go to out of town games with Jared?”
“Yeah, I don’t go to all of them anymore.”
Kellen has already eaten half of his pizza when I walk into the kitchen and he’s reaching for another piece. I grab a plate and put two slices on it and take a seat on a stool. “You
forgot your wine,” Kellen hands me my glass.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I ask.
“Only when I’m around,” I roll my eyes at him and the others laugh.
“Kellen, the movies you picked out are not going to work for us.” She moves her fingers between the two of us.
“I am not watching another movie where two people start off as fuck buddies and end up married with two point five kids.” Kellen tells her.
“I’m not watching another movie that has explosions for two hours.”
“She has a point,” I tell them. “Let’s compromise.”
“What’s your idea?” Kellen asks with a grin plastered on his face.
“Let us pick the movie because you guys love us.”
“Or we could pick one and you could pick one.” Kayla says.
“That could work,” I smile at them.
“Deal,” Kellen says.
“We get to watch ours first.” I tell them. Everyone will end up drunk and pass out before the second one starts.
Kellen and Jared grab the pizza, wine, and beer before we walk into the living room. I look over Kellen’s movie collection and one title catches my eye. I’m sure that his aunt left it here. I grab it and toss The Notebook at him, mostly because it will be the most torturous movie for them to watch.
“Perfect,” Kayla laughs at me when she sees the cover.
“I can’t watch The Notebook again,” Kellen groans but he puts it in his DVD player.
“Damn, Kellen, I knew this was a bad idea.” Jared says.
“It’s a learning experience,” he agrees. “One last chance girls, are you sure you want to watch this?”
“Start the movie,” I insist. He tried to scowl but his face fails when he takes a spot beside me on the couch. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and I lay my head on his chest. “This isn’t that bad, right?” I smile.
“It’s perfect,” he whispers in my ear.
I can’t wipe the grin from my face for the rest of the night. Kayla and Jared leave after the promised second movie that the guys pick. Kellen’s plan worked, Kayla and I hit it off and promised to keep each other company when they’re busy with baseball. I collapse on the bed beside Kellen and wonder when things became so perfect. I prop myself on my elbows and lean over to connect my lips to Kellen’s. He’s surprised at first but he grabs back of my head and kisses me back.
“What was that for?” He asks when I pull back and nuzzle in beside him.
“Are you complaining?”
“I want to know so I can do it again.” I laugh at him.
“It’s because I love you. So much that it scares me.”
“Anyone that can make me watch The Notebook and enjoy it, scares me,” he says.
“You enjoyed the movie?” I tease him.
“No, just your company,” he corrects me.
“Sure, goodnight Kellen.”
“Goodnight Audrey, I love you.”
Chapter thirty
Our plane lands in San Francisco and we grab our bags and grab a cab home. Olivia’s mood sours as soon as we open the front door to our house. I know what she’s going through but I won’t push her to talk to me about it. Knowing that your boyfriend is across the country is the worst feeling. My phone chimes and I look down to see that Kayla is texting me.
Please tell me you are home.
Just walked in, what’s up? I toss my purse down and take a seat on the couch. I yawn and debate going to sleep early.
Hang out tonight?
Yes! Come to my place tonight. I can’t turn her down.
Can’t wait She responds quickly.
I send her my address and we agree for her to be over in two hours. That’s enough time for me to put away my clothes and order food for everyone.
“Liv, I have a friend coming over tonight.” I call to her from her door.
“Is it a guy friend? Someone to play when Kellen’s away,” She opens the door and grins wickedly at me.
“It’s Kayla, I told you about her while we were in New York.”
“Oh, right, the baby sitter that Kellen hired for you.”
“She is not a baby sitter!” I tell her once again. “Her husband is Kellen’s teammate and I really like her. You will too!”
“Where are we going?”
“We aren’t going anywhere. She’s coming over.”
“Lame,” I watch her dump her clothes out of her suitcases and into the clothes hamper. Typical Olivia, she doesn’t want to put them up herself.
“You’ll hit it off. Trust me.”
“Does it get easier?” She asks me when I start to leave her bedroom.
“What?”
“Being away from him?”
“No, it doesn’t.” I walk over and take a seat beside her on the bed. “Have you thought of moving back after graduation?”
“Yeah,” this catches me off guard.
“I didn’t know you two were this serious.”
“He asked me to move in with him this week. I don’t know that I’m ready to leave this place.”
“You still have a couple of months to decide.”
“You’re right.” She smiles at me and pulls me into her arms. “How was the week with your mom?”
“It was nice.”
I have no other words to describe it. We spent every day together and we didn’t fight. She took me into the city for shopping and lunch almost every day and we spent time at the spa. I dodged all wedding questions and assured her that I would let her know when I made a decision. Things will be awkward for awhile but this is a great start with her.
“Order Chinese food for your lame house party tonight,” and she’s back from our almost sensitive talk.
“Will do,” I tell her and leave her room to take a shower before my new friend arrives.
The doorbell rings and I rush over to let Kayla inside. She walks in with a smile and a bottle of wine. Olivia sneaks in to take a seat on the couch. “I’m late, but I have wine.” She nods her head.
“All is forgiven,” I tell her. “This is my roommate, Olivia.”
“I’ve heard so much about you, I’m Kayla.” I cringe at that. Olivia knows that she has heard about her through Kellen.
“Where are you from?” Olivia asks her when she takes in her accent.
“Georgetown, Texas. It’s a few miles from Austin,” she tells us. I feel rude because I haven’t asked her that question.
“We’re both form New York,” Olivia tells her.
“I know. Kellen has told me almost everything about you two.”
“Lovely,” Olivia rolls her eyes.
“Ignore her, she’s joking.” I tell Kayla.
I walk to the kitchen to get glasses for the wine and the Chinese take-out that Olivia insisted on. I hear the sound of laughter while walking back to join them in the living room and the tension rolls off of me. I tried to convince myself that Olivia and Kayla would get along but I didn’t know the extent of it. I hope Olivia will accept her as a new friend like I do.
“She’s coming. Stop talking about her,” Olivia says when I come into the room again.
“Shut up,” I place the glasses on food on the table in front of the couch and collapse beside them.
“You’re married to Jared?” Olivia asks Kayla. “That was the guy that came over with Kellen and Adrian?”
“Yes,” I groan. My mind had erased that memory. “Kellen brought over a group of teammates after a night of drinking.”
“I was in Texas, I remember Jared telling me about your first experience with Andrew,” she bites her lip to keep from laughing.
“Don’t remind me. And Kellen took me to his club opening! Two times is enough of that guy.”
“Well,” she grins at me. “You’ll have to see him again, a lot.”
“Can we talk about anything else?” I pour the first glass of wine for myself. I think I need it.
“Why aren’t you with Jared?” Olivia asks her.
“I don’t go to every game. I’m not going to start until after spring training this year. It exhausts me; I don’t know how they do it.”
“Are you going to every game, Audrey?” Olivia brings the spotlight to me once again.
“I keep going back and forth. I can’t decide.”
“You should! I need a friend on the road.” She smiles brightly at me.
I don’t respond to them. I think I’m ready to tell Kellen that I want to go with him to away games this season but I want him to be the first one to know. My phone chimes with a text and seconds late Kayla’s lights up. My lips stretch into a wide smile.
Are you having fun?
I have no secrets. I respond.
Jared told me. Call me later.
K. love you.
I glance over at my friends and realize they probably wouldn’t miss me if I stepped out of the room. Kayla is texting Jared and Olivia is pouring another glass of wine and flipping through the channels.
Love you too, he responds.
I smile to myself, our nights have changed. Olivia is actually sitting at the house without insisting that we go out. But I’m glad I’ve made a new friend that doesn’t want to go out all of the time, because I know Olivia will only do this for so long.
“Just call him,” I glance up from my phone to see Olivia watching me.
“No, I’ll facetime when I go to sleep.”
“What does Kellen and Audrey facetime consist of?” Olivia asks and Kayla eyes dart between us.
“Tell us about the William and Olivia facetime,” I challenge her.
“Do you really want to know? Because you know I will give you details.”
“Ugh, you’re right.” My face twists into disgust. Kayla laughs at us.
“Seriously you can go call him,” Kayla tells me. “Jared asked me to come to his game tomorrow. I’m about to go to sleep.”
“Okay, if everyone else is going to sleep. I’ll call him”
“I’m not going to sleep its nine! I’m going out,” Olivia walks away from the couch. I laugh and roll my eyes at her.
“You can sleep in our guest room,” I remind her.
Forever Careless Page 18