Winning Streak

by Alice Ward

  “You’re welcome,” he said.

  I sank down in my seat. “For what, embarrassing me even further?”

  “She was a temp, he hadn’t put her on the regular schedule yet, and now he won’t,” Ace said proudly.

  “Well, I feel kind of bad for causing her to lose her job,” I admitted, feeling really bad actually.

  Ace rolled his eyes and laughed as he slapped me gently on the back. “You’re a good kid.”

  “Let it go, she’ll be fine,” Frank said. “She’s probably temping somewhere else right now.”

  “Yeah,” Marty added, “The circus is coming to town, I’m sure she’ll be busy then.”

  I roared, feeling better than I had in a while. Even though my night of casual sex hadn’t gone as planned, it felt good to get out of my self-imposed prison. It was clear that Whitney had moved on, and so now I had too.

  My phone rang, and I almost ripped my jeans to get it out of my pocket. No one ever called me except Whitney. My heart raced as I looked at the screen. No picture of Whitney, just the words “unknown” flashing as it rang.

  “Hello?”

  The woman’s voice on the other end of the phone was kind and professional. She was giving me a call back about my search for a new place and was eager to get started. “Can you meet me now?” she asked.

  I sighed a little in disappointment but agreed and headed towards her office. Ace warned me that she was a freak too, so steer clear. I wasn’t sure if he was just fucking with me, or if she was, but either way, I was done with one-night stands or one-night head stands.

  The office was small and sat on the corner of a busy intersection. The woman inside was tall, blonde, and probably in her late fifties if I had to guess, which I knew better than to ever do with a woman’s age. “I’m Leann,” she greeted me with a firm handshake and a warm smile.

  I was trying to picture what freaky thing she was into, and also trying to picture Ace and her together when she pulled out a large white binder. “I have several places I’d like you to look at,” she said.

  I watched as she opened the binder and flipped through listings that she didn’t feel were adequate for my needs. She pulled several sheets from the metal rings and placed them on her desk. “Any of these interest you?”

  The first place was nice, but it was pretty far from the field. I wanted to be close, especially for those mornings when the night before seemed to get in the way of me being on time. The next three were kinda stuffy, more for what I imagined to be a city official or politician.

  “Okay, this could work.” I held out the last sheet.

  “I was banking on you saying that, so I scheduled a showing in twenty minutes,” she said with a smile. Damn, she’s good!

  We took my car, and I have to admit, when she climbed into the passenger seat, and her skirt rose, she had a nice pair of sticks.

  The house was close, just a few miles from the city and only a twenty-minute drive to the field. We pulled onto a long drive that was lined with trees and ended in a circular lot similar to Ace’s. The house was modern, white brick and square. The front door was massive, the entry way floored with marble and the grand staircase just set the place off. “Wow,” I said and then made my way through the rest of the house. She didn’t bother me, tell me where anything was, just let me walk around and check it out for myself.

  The kitchen was huge. I didn’t cook, but for parties it would be nice. A large pool was what sold me, but once I made it upstairs to the master suite, I would have paid double. A large balcony with hot tub right off the room, a large fireplace, huge shower complete with bench and if I had to count, at least one hundred nozzles. “You haven’t seen the best part,” she said.

  I followed her, thinking there was no way anything could be better than what I’d already seen. A staircase that spiraled around the back of the house was accessible from the lower level near the pool and a private area off the master bedroom. We walked up the stairs to the roof where it had been turned into a beautiful oasis. Flowers, plants, a large white sofa and a fireplace were only part of the charm. The view was magnificent. You could almost see the top of the stadium from there and from the other direction the impressive Manhattan skyline.

  “I’ll take it.”

  Ace was ecstatic that I bought the place, but he wasn’t interested in helping me move. I didn’t have much really; at least not anything I wanted to keep. I packed my clothes, a few personal items and stuffed a picture of me and Whitney into my bag. I pulled the ring from my drawer, set it on the bed, and packed everything else before sitting down to have one last moment in the place where her scent still lingered.

  I picked up my phone, dialed her number, and listened as it rang.

  No answer.

  No voicemail.

  Clearly, she hadn’t listened to any of my messages nor cleared them out.

  It was my sign.

  There was no going back.

  I tossed the ring box in the very bottom of my bag and headed out, closing the door behind me and walked toward the new chapter of my life.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Calvin

  My body shook with excitement, and I thought I would puke as Ace lifted me from the ground and twirled me in circles. Rhett ran onto the field, throwing his arm around my shoulders as soon as Ace set my feet back down on the ground. It was a fantastic game. I’d been in a zone and pitched my first no-hitter!

  Reporters swarmed me and shoved their mics in my face as they screamed questions over the top of one another. It was unheard of, un-thought of, a nobody from Indiana, a rookie in his first season with a team that was brand new pitching a perfect game.

  “I love you, Whitney!” I yelled into one of the cameras and then ducked into the locker room to rejoice in my moment. It was glorious, I had to admit.

  The team cheered and slapped each other on the ass as they pushed past one another to get to me. I felt like I was walking on a cloud, on top of the world, but missing only one thing. My damned heart still ached, no matter how many times I told it to stop.

  I can’t count the times I’d laid in bed with Whitney, talking about my dreams of throwing a game just like I had tonight. I’d wanted this moment so badly, but now that it was here, I didn’t realize how little it would mean without her by my side.

  Ace was throwing another one of his epic parties, and of course, this time, I was the honoree, but I really didn’t feel like partying. “You driving or you want me to pick you up?” Ace hollered as he headed out of the clubhouse.

  “I was thinking about just heading home,” I said.

  “Home?” he asked, his tone deeply offended. “I’m throwing this party in your honor.”

  I took a deep breath and stopped myself from saying anything snarky. I hadn’t asked him to throw this party, and in my honor? That was a joke. Ace Newman threw parties because it was the second Tuesday of the month, or it was a full moon. Having him throw a party in your honor really wasn’t an honor at all.

  “I’m not feeling up to a big party,” I said, hoping he would back off. That just showed how ignorant I really can be.

  “Nope, no sulking, you’re coming,” he ordered.

  “Okay, I’ll drive myself,” I sighed, realizing that at least that gave me an early out.

  I ran home to change and ended up walking around my big fancy house, wondering why I bought it. Ace kept telling me to throw a party, get some ladies in the pool, and make this house a home.

  We had totally different views of what a home should be.

  I knew if I didn’t leave soon, Ace would have a van load of meatheads breaking into my house and kidnapping me. I grabbed my keys and drove to the party, the one in my honor. What a joke!

  “Golden arm!” Sammy yelled, the second basemen on our team. He was a little guy, kinda odd, but always smiling. The front door flung open, and Ace stood there with a smile. “You had ten more minutes,” he said with a grin.

  “Before what, you had me kidnapped
by a group of muscle men?”

  His grin grew and pushed open the door a little wider so I could see three men the size of Mac trucks standing behind him. “Something like that,” he laughed.

  It was scary how well I was getting to know him, real scary.

  “I’m glad you came,” Rhett greeted me with a firm handshake and a pat on the back. We hadn’t spoken about the night he drove Whitney to the apartment. I guess there was really nothing to say. It wasn’t his fault.

  “I heard your message to Whitney on the news, it’s been plastered on every station, I’m sure she got it,” he said in a reassuring voice.

  “Thanks,” I said, embarrassed. “Have you talked to her?”

  His face changed from friendly to stern with one simple question.

  “I mean, I know she was going to do some work for you,” I quickly added.

  “If Whitney wants to talk to you, she will,” he said coldly. “I was just letting you know your message will be heard.”

  My mind reeled, wondering if Whitney had kept that job with Rhett. If she had, she would be in New York, so if she did hear the message, then she wouldn’t have far to go to reach me.

  Unless… that little devil on my other shoulder whispered in my ear, she’s fucking the boss man now.

  “Let’s get you a drink,” Ace said, pulling me away from Rhett. I wasn’t sure if he could see the smoke coming from my nostrils, or if he just really wanted a drink.

  Two shots of Patrón each, as usual. The first one was gulped down before a toast could be made, which Ace always said was bad luck. We toasted the second drink to many more no-hitters and slung the liquor down. “So, you know what’s gonna happen right?” Ace asked. “Something bad…” he teased, using an eerie voice as he spoke. I smiled, shrugged again, and held out my glass for another shot.

  “Might as well be nice and drunk when it happens then,” I said.

  Women were everywhere, mostly already naked, and running through the house. He tugged on my arm and motioned towards the stairs. “Wanna hit the Beast cave?” he asked.

  “No, you go ahead.” My mind drifted back to those girls on the bed that night. Damn, they were fucking hot. It quickly circled back around to the lines of powder that Ace snorted up his nose. Not worth it.

  I sat down in a plush, red lounger. It was soft, surprisingly comfortable and allowed me to enjoy my beer with a perfect view of the ladies in the pool.

  My eyes quickly landed on a tall brunette. Her eyes were dark, her breasts large, and as she lifted herself from the water, her pussy shaved except for the thinnest of strips. Gorgeous.

  She winked, turned to give me the view of her perfect round ass and then dove perfectly into the water. “Hey, wild man,” Marty startled me as he snuck up behind me. “Sorry, you’re awful jumpy there.”

  I spilled a little bit of my beer on my shirt, and I knew my face had to be flushed with embarrassment. He looked out towards the pool and noticed the brunette I’d been staring at. She winked again and waved as she walked over to one of the loungers. “Oh man, now I understand,” Marty said, making a weird whistling noise. It was close, but not really a whistle.

  “I thought you didn’t come to these parties,” I said to change the subject from my voyeurism.

  “Well, this one is in your honor, so I thought it’d be rude not to.”

  “Hell, I almost didn’t come myself,” I laughed.

  Frank bumped into him, literally bumped his chest into Marty’s and challenged him to a belly buster contest in the pool. “You wanna join?” Marty asked. I shook my head and smiled, motioning for him to go on and have some fun.

  Ace appeared out of nowhere, wild-eyed and talking too fast — yeah, he was on the powder again. “Here,” he said, stuffing something into my front shirt pocket.

  “What is it?’ I asked, pulling it out. Condoms, four of them.

  “You think that’s enough?” he asked. “I have more if ya need them.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure it’s fine,” I agreed and decided not to fight him. I wasn’t planning on getting laid. I was planning on going home to my big empty house and sulking about the love of my life walking out on me. But, then again, that brunette looked awful thirsty, maybe I should take her a drink.

  “Thanks, my brother,” I said and hopped up from my comfy chair. I walked to the bar and had the cute redhead bartender make me a home run.

  Frank and Marty yelled at me as I walked out to the pool. “Watch this,” Marty screamed and then ran to the pool, diving belly first into the water. The noise was horrific, the splash huge, and the wave that occurred after he hit the surface made Ace’s pool look like the Atlantic Ocean.

  I shook my head, smiled, and then found the brunette I’d been flirting with in her chair. Her legs were closed, damn, but her breasts were sitting proudly on her chest as well they should.

  “You looked thirsty,” I said before sitting on the end of her lounger.

  “Thanks,” she said, taking the drink without hesitation. Okay, guess I was right.

  “I’m Calvin,” I said.

  Her lips curved up even more. “I know.”

  I wasn’t sure if she was playing with me, or if she was just a little slow. She lifted her leg from the chair and placed one foot on the ground, giving me a straight shot into her glory land. It didn’t matter, slow or not, she was hot.

  “And your name?’ I asked, deciding to just be more specific from here on out.

  “I’m Kandy with a K,” she said in her bubbly little voice.

  “Are you with anyone at the party?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she said. I smiled and began to stand up and leave her be. “My friend Betty is over there.” She pointed to a blonde who was literally chasing her own tail trying to see if there was something stuck to her backside. I couldn’t resist laughing.

  “Is that Betty with a B?” I asked. She gave me the strangest look. I didn’t care. As she leaned up to point to her friend, I got an even better shot between her legs.

  “You look like you need some lotion,” I said, even though the sun was already starting to go down. I figured with this chick, I had a good chance.

  “Oh yeah, I don’t want to burn.” She reached up to grab the lotion by her chair. She started to rub it on her arms and then some on her breasts, and while it was fun watching her rub herself, I wanted my turn.

  “Here, let me get those hard to reach places,” I offered. Yes, I am one hell of a guy, saving women from melanoma one stroke at a time.

  “Thanks,” she said cheerfully and handed the lotion bottle to me.

  Oh yes, there were some very hard to reach places, and I was going to find them all. First her legs, as to not alarm her and then her belly, and of course her breasts. Oh man, they were nice, real too.

  I moved back to her legs and rubbed the lotion up her thighs. “Let me get in there, you want to make sure that doesn’t get burned,” I said, motioning to her sweet pussy. Again, a strange, almost blank look, but she must have assumed I knew best, so she scooted down on her chair a bit and spread her legs. Oh wow, this was too easy. I mean really, too easy.

  My cock twitched at the sight of her beautiful young body, but even rubbing the lotion on her and convincing her that I needed to slide a little inside, it just didn’t do anything for me. I wanted more than to just get laid.

  She thanked me when I told her she was all set, and even tried to tell Betty to come over so I could do her next. “I think Marty can handle Betty,” I said, slapping him on the back as he walked by. I whispered in his ear, filling him in on the situation and was greeted with an eager grin and quick grab of the lotion.

  I was ready to go, done with this party, done with just getting laid. Ace was at the bar mixing drinks with the little redhead who looked frustrated at his taking over. There was no reason to say bye to anyone; they would all assume I was upstairs banging some hot chick, or maybe three, so I headed for the door.

  Caroline stood on the other side, her hand on th
e handle, her face flushed. “Hey there,” she cooed. I smiled and moved out of the way so she could come inside. “Are you leaving?”

  “Yes,” I said and started out the door.

  “Please don’t,” she pleaded, grabbing my arm.

  I hated my cock for twitching at her plump red lips. It was a traitor. Those lips were the reason I ended up on the balcony with her in the first place, the reason Whitney left.

  “I think it’s for the best,” I said and continued out the door.

  “Calvin,” she called out.

  I turned to find her headed towards me. “I just feel awful about that night, I truly do,” she said. “I just felt something, I don’t even know what. It’s not even like me to throw myself at a man like that.”

  Ace had warned me she was a man-eater, but I hadn’t seen her come on to anyone else, including him. Maybe this was just another situation like the waitress at our club. If she didn’t want him, there had to be something wrong with her.

  But, in the instance of the waitress, he was so fucking right, that chick was busted!

  “I’m just not in the mood to party,” I said. “It’s not you.”

  “Then can we go somewhere?” she asked. Her bottom lip pushed out in a cute pout, and her breasts bounced softly as she breathed. “I only came here to see you.” Those baby blues were a killer, and the way she batted those thick black lashes, she could be a dead ringer for Marilyn Monroe. Damn that made my dick hard!

  “I haven’t eaten,” I said, figuring that a meal together couldn’t hurt anything.

  Her smile widened, and she gripped tightly onto my arm.

  In the car, she didn’t even try to hold her dress down as she slid into the passenger seat. She let it slide all the way up to her inner thighs. I waited to see if they opened, just to get a peek at her panties, but they didn’t.

  “What are you in the mood for?” I asked her.

  “I’ve been dying to try this new Chinese place.” She batted her eyes delicately in my direction.