by Becca Taylor
It didn’t thrill me when she told me that. The fact that all those men would be watching her in her cute little running outfits bothers me more now. I remember how I reacted to her seeing her dress like that. More than once, I took an unnecessary trip to the front cooler just to watch her body when she would jog across the street to her car or down the road.
My motorcycle roars to a stop. Her quiet neighborhood might not appreciate that I rev the engine to let Lexi know I am here, but I couldn’t care less because it works. The front door opens when I’m pulling out the bags loaded with food. She stands there in the doorway with a sleepy look on her face. Her hair is piled on top of her head with little wisps escaping. She’s dressed in her running shorts and a loose fitting white tank top, nothing special. That is until I get closer and see the tank top is so faded I can see through it, and there is no bra underneath. She gives a little yawn and stretch combination. She makes even tired look sexy.
When I reach her, I am about to tell her that I missed her, but I think better of it. Even though she said she’s ready for more, I know she’s still getting used to the idea of us being a couple. Instead, I wrap my empty hand around her and grip her ass to pull her in for a heated kiss as my hello. Her hands run through my hair; it isn’t much, but she can feel it.
I break the kiss before I get too worked up, giving her a light tap on the ass. I love her ass.
Her eyes are still half closed from while we were kissing. She slowly licks her lips as if she’s savoring the flavor of us. Her voice is quiet when she says, “Hey.”
“Mi sei mancata, Dolci.” I still said it, only in Italian. “Your dinner is served.”
“Thank God. I’m starving.”
She opens the door, allowing me to pass her. We head straight for the kitchen to gather everything we need: plates, forks, knives, and two bottles of water. Lexi points at the table and then the lanai, silently asking me where I want to eat. Her place has the perfect view of that sunset I was thinking about, so it makes the decision easy. Outside.
We sit at the fancy wrought-iron table, and I lay the food out while Lexi starts dishing out the macaroni salad. She lifts her sandwich, closes her eyes, and takes a bite. Normally, she would be talking my ear off, but she’s been almost too quiet.
“Everything okay?” I need to know what’s going on in that pretty little head of hers.
“I’m just tired. It was a long day today.”
“Want to tell me about it?”
“Nothing bad. I love the job. The guys are nice. They can be a bit whiny when I stretch them, and it’s actually pretty funny when they start screaming like little girls.” She imitates the way they sound then starts talking again. “I think I’m still getting used to the hours. For so long, I made my own hours, and having a set schedule is grueling. I feel like an idiot saying that, especially to you. The man who works three jobs.”
“It’s only two jobs. And any schedule takes time to get used to. You’ll get used to it.”
“No, you have three jobs.”
I raise an eyebrow at her, knowing, for a fact, the only jobs I work are at BMB and J&H.
“The deli, construction, and the band.”
I laugh. “You think the band is a job? That’s hardly a job; it’s just for fun. Always has been.”
She shrugs at me. “Well, you work hard at it.”
Dinner ends, and we relax on the lounge chair, enjoying the cool breeze from the fan above. The sun is almost gone, but I can’t take my eyes off the woman sleeping in my arms. She’s lying on her side between my legs. Her one hand is under her cheek, while the other is wrapped around me. I run my fingers through the hairs that have escaped her messy bun. I want nothing more than to stay like this, but it’s not the most comfortable of spots to sleep.
Before reaching to pick her up, I give her a gentle kiss. Her arms wrap around my neck as I carry her down the stairs to her bedroom. Her bed isn’t made, and it’s full of pillows like most girls I know. There is one lone stuffed animal on the bed, though. That stupid dolphin that kid gave her. As I place her on the bed, I feel a slight pang of jealousy that it’s sharing a bed with her. I should have been the one to win her something. When I pull the sheet over her and kiss her good night, she barely stirs.
I clean the dishes we threw in the sink after we ate, lock up the house, and place a note for her next to her futuristic coffeepot, telling her to call me when she has some free time tomorrow. I hop on my bike but don’t start it until I am down the road a bit. I don’t care if her neighbors hear me, but Lexi, I do care about. I probably care more about her than I have any other woman. If I’m completely honest, being with her is making me rethink if I was ever in love with Amber or Gabby.
I WAKE IN THE morning slightly disoriented. The last thing I remember is sitting on the chaise lounge with Hunter, but somehow, I made it to my bed, alone. As quickly as possible, I get dressed for work.
When I make myself a much-needed coffee, I find a note sitting on the counter. I feel terrible that I fell asleep while he was here, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. My duties have doubled at work. When one of my co-workers learned of my degree, I was not only massaging their muscles, but I was stretching them too.
Yesterday, I started running with the guys from the team. Not only running but actually working out. It’s not that I’m out of shape, but add in the hours of work and workouts, and it’s taken its toll on me. I figured since I already am out with them on the field helping to stretch their muscles anyway, why not. My job is mainly to perform before and after care to their tired muscles. When Bryce, who plays third base, challenged me to a race, I left him in the dust. Running is one of my favorite pastimes, and I couldn’t resist the bet of lunches for a month.
The pitcher, Alex, who is coming back after a shoulder injury, was working out on the weight machine. I saw him babying his arm, so I stepped in. To help increase his muscle strength would keep some of the pressure off the shoulder, so I show him some exercises. Even doing five reps with the amount of weight they use was tough for me. One by one, the guys started asking me for little tips, which blew my mind. These guys are either in the gym or on the field, so why would they want to listen to me?
Today is no different: warm-up, work out, stretch, run, cool down, and finally, massage. I usually take my lunch while the guys are on the field, playing. Today, there is no lunch in sight.
Bryce decided today would be a good day to pull his hamstring. He was trying to catch a fly ball. It wasn’t so much the catching, but more the landing that did it.
“Jesus Christ, Lexi. That shit is cold. Warn a man when you are going to put ice on his junk.”
Turns out, he didn’t just pull his hamstring, but his groin muscle too.
“Well, get used to it. While you are here, we’ll be icing you often. Now, toughen up, you have ten minutes left. Tomorrow, we’ll start with some light stretches.”
Something is in the air today. I have four other guys who come in with minor injuries. A couple of hamstring cramps, a back muscle spasm, and my favorite, a hand cramp. These guys like to grip the bat so tightly, it happens more often than you think. Back when I was in school, you got the good ‘walk it off’ talk. Not these guys. Everything is treated like it’s a life-or-death situation. I guess that’s what you get when they earn the kind of money they do. At least all the excitement makes the day fly by quickly.
I don’t get to call Hunter; all I manage is a quick text in the morning and one letting him know I am home. As soon as I walk through the front door, I grab a yogurt from the refrigerator for dinner and a glass of wine. I head to my room, deciding tonight is the perfect night for a soak in the tub. I fill the bathtub with my favorite dark chocolate scented bath salts.
Just as I sink into the warmth of the bathtub, my phone’s ringtone starts going off. It’s the one I set to let me know it’s Hunter: the same song he played for me in his studio. It’s our unofficial song.
“Hey, Dolce,” he says it in
a half-Southern, half-Italian drawl.
“Hey, Big Boy.”
“How was your day?”
“It was busy—the good kind of busy, though. I’m sorry about crashing on you last night.”
“It’s not a big deal. If you’re tired, you’re tired. What are you up to tonight?”
I know he has rehearsal with the guys. He’s most likely on his way there right now. I take a sip of my wine. It’s sweet and slides down my throat smoothly.
“I’m soaking in a tub of dark chocolate and drinking some wine. Not literal chocolate, but it smells like heaven in here. Too bad you can’t stop by and join me. I could make up for my lack of attention yesterday.”
He lets out some kind of groan, grunt, and swear combination that I can’t quite make out.
“Can’t tonight. But next time, I’ll be there. What are you doing this weekend?”
I thought I’d feel anxious talking about plans. With Hunter, however, I suddenly want to spend as much time with him as possible, and that’s a new feeling for me. Unfortunately, I will be working most weekends. Maybe there is a way I can fit both in, though.
“There is a game this weekend. I’ll be working part of the time. I was going to invite the gang. Do you want to come? I understand if you can’t with short notice.”
I only have to work before and after the game. It will be a change of pace for me. There will be a medical team taking care of anything. I will get to sit and watch my boys play.
“I’ll be there. I can pick you up in the morning. We can take the motorcycle.”
“It sounds perfect. It’s going to be a long day for you to wait around for me. I will be able to sit with everyone during the game, though.”
“I don’t mind. I haven’t been to a game in a long time. Just let me buy you a hotdog at some point, and then we can call it an official date.”
“It’s definitely a date, Big Boy.”
“I’m glad you finally see it my way, Lex. Go back to your bath. I’m at Jeremy’s house with the band. I’ll tell the guys the plans and see who can make it.”
“Say hi to everyone for me. Night, Hunter.”
I go back to my wine and soak for an ungodly amount of time. By the time I get out, my body is completely relaxed and ready for sleep.
I COME DOWNSTAIRS dressed like the ultimate super fan with my team jersey, hat, and the team mascot image on my cheek. When I saw the team colors, I was thankful there wasn’t a hint of orange in the uniforms. Orange does not go well with my hair. I can work with teal, gray, and a hint of yellow.
I hear the roar of Hunter’s motorcycle when he pulls into the driveway. Grabbing my jacket, I head out the door. I am about to take the helmet from him, but he pulls it away. Tapping his finger to his lips, He lets me know he expects a kiss hello first. I don’t hesitate to give him what he wants. It feels like I haven’t seen him in weeks when it’s only been a few days. His hand cups behind my neck, pulling me down to meet his lips. It’s a short but effective kiss. Like always, he leaves me breathless and wanting more. There’s no time for that, so I strap the helmet he’s holding out to me and climb the bike behind him.
The drive to the stadium is a hike. Forty-five minutes, to be exact. It gives me plenty of time to hold tight to my man and enjoy the ride to work for once. I have my badge ready to show when we pull into the parking lot. I was able to get Hunter a special pass to be with me, for the most part anyway. He’ll be able to come to the field while I stretch with the guys. My boss also cleared him to get a tour of where I work and access to the VIP room during the game.
The guys are all in their gym shorts and either tank tops or nothing when we enter in the workout room. As I introduce him to the boys, Hunter grips my hand a little tighter. He’s polite and shakes each one of their hands as they individually eye him up and down. I’ve known the team for a short time, but from the looks on their faces, they’ve taken on the role of playing my big brothers, which is new, since I’m an only child.
For the final part of the tour, I take Hunter back to my “office.” He looks around at all the tables and fancy equipment.
“Are they always dressed like that when you are around them?”
I give him a questioning look. He’s not going to like my answer, but it’s the truth. “Actually, I usually see them in a lot less.”
Hunter raises an eyebrow at me. I point at the massage table he’s standing by.
“Then there’s the whole rubbing oils on them.”
I laugh when he mumbles something under his breath. I take a step closer to him, but I get interrupted when Bryce walks in.
“Hey, Lexi. I need more of that ointment you gave me for my leg. It’s been working great, but I ran out last night. Do you have any more?”
I go to my supply cabinet, pull out the jar of blue cooling gel, and toss it to him.
“Thanks, doll.”
He closes the door as he leaves, and I walk back toward Hunter, who now has his arms crossed against his chest. Reaching up, I unlink his arms and place them around my waist.
“You’re awfully cute when you’re jealous and pouty.”
“Hell, yeah, I’m jealous. I mean I know what your job is, but fuck, Lex. I never thought about you touching half-naked men. Pouty, though? Brooding maybe, but definitely not pouty.”
I step up on my tippy toes, brushing my lips against his. I break the kiss almost immediately because I know I need to set up for the day. I step out of his arms. Walking to the corner of the room, I grab the rolling chair from my desk for him to sit in.
Silently, he sits while I get everything ready for after the game. At call time, we head to the ball field. Hunter gets to sit in the dugout area while I work with my guys. I stretch each of the recently injured guys for a good thirty minutes. My job is done when the team heads back to the locker room to wait to be announced.
Hunter and I make our way up to the VIP room. When my boss said that he was going let me use it today, I wasn’t picturing this. A small leather loveseat and two leather chairs with a table sit in the middle. A bar is on one wall, a catering area right next to it, and pub-style tables and chairs. Instead of stadium seats, cushy leather chairs line the front where the floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the field. This is the first time I’ve ever sat in a luxury box before. It’s nice being in air conditioning while all the other people suffer in the Florida heat.
Knowing that I can’t drink, Hunter grabs us each a bottle of water from the mini-fridge. Just as we were about to sit down, there is a knock on the door. The gang has arrived—most of them, anyway. Deanna has to work, so Jeremy is alone. Caleb and Bentley were able to work the early shift and take off for the afternoon. Kat, Aly, and Jade come barreling through the door. All three tackle me like we haven’t seen each other in years.
“Damn, Lex. This is pretty swank,” Caleb says then gives me a quick kiss hello on the cheek.
While everyone is looking around, checking out the view, there is another knock on the door.
“Catering,” a male voice announced.
I look at Hunter and answer the door.
“There must be a mistake. We didn’t order anything,” I tell him. He has a rolling cart filled with trays and baskets. The smells coming from it starts to make me hungry.
“Courtesy of Mr. Ellis and the team. He sent a note.”
I step back from the door, allowing him to set up the food. He arranges everything on the hot trays. From the cabinets, he grabs plates and utensils for us to use. “The fridge has an assortment of drinks and beer for you also. Just leave everything when you are finished. Someone will take care of it when the game ends. Enjoy.”
Hunter thanks him while handing him a generous tip. I read the card out loud.
“Welcome to the team. Enjoy your first game as a Florida Sunray’s family member. Mr. Ellis and company.”
“That was nice of him, Lex. Not too many bosses go out of their way to do something like this. I went to plenty of ball games wit
h my dad but never in luxury,” Aly says.
The game is about to start. We head to the front seats before we even get to see what food was brought. I don’t want to miss the team entry to the field. A local college girl sings the national anthem. I take my hat off as I silently mouth the words. The crowd roars when she sings the last notes.
Play ball.
The first inning ends, and I don’t want to take my eyes off the game. The guys and I are sitting in the front seats watching while the girls lounge just behind us, chatting away. Caleb, Bentley, and Jeremy all clink their beers to Hunter’s and my water when we got the first of three home runs. The boys are on fire.
My stomach is rumbling, ready to check out what they brought.
“Want to check out the food with me?” I ask Hunter.
“I could eat.”
I start lifting all the tray covers to check out what they brought us: hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, loaded nachos, warm pretzels, cheese sauces, buns, and anything you would want as a topping: enough food to feed more than the six of us. I grab a hot dog, loading it with chili and cheese, and one of the pretzels with cheese sauce for that too. From the fridge, I grab a soda. Hunter’s plate is loaded twice as high as mine is with two chili dogs, a hamburger, nachos, and a pretzel. My eyes grow large at the mound of food he is carrying.
He leans down. “If you’re good, I may share my nachos with you since you forgot yours.”
Hunter and I sit at one of the pub tables where we still have a good view of the game. One by one, everyone else starts grabbing food.
“The team is looking pretty solid,” he says while I stuff my face with a bite of my hotdog.
I swallow and take a swig of my drink before I can answer him. “They should have a good ending season. They have been training extra hard this year. Their coach doesn’t mess around. Did you play sports while you were in school?”