This pisses me off even more. “You stay here. I’ll go find her.” I see Perez relax a little. He likes this woman and that is scaring me too. Shit, her ring tone is “Maneater.” I’m afraid she’s going to tear his heart out and stomp on it. I’ve never seen him get too caught up in a woman, but the way he is looking at her tells me he’s already there, and it’s only been a couple of weeks. I can’t have him fall apart on me now. We’re too close to the Series.
I slide out and go in search of Ash. The only thing that will make my world right at this moment is to see a smile on her face. I need that before I can pitch tomorrow. It’s an important game for me and even if only as a friend I need to know she’s there for me.
I see her with her head down near the front doors. When she hangs her phone up, her shoulders drop. I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. Without hesitation she leans back into my chest, and I immediately feel better.
“Ash, you need to tell me if I should be worried.”
She shakes her head and lets out a sigh. “He’s just annoying but persistent as hell. He wants to marry in to the family name, that’s all. It really has nothing to do with me other than my last name.”
I furrow my brow. “What last name?”
She hesitates. “Hughes.”
I run the name through my head and think of the possibilities. I go for the biggest one I can think of. “Hughes & Donnelly?” When she doesn’t immediately answer, I know I guessed right.
She pauses even longer and eventually turns in my arms. The entire staff knows me and none of them are going to bother us even though we’re standing in the middle of the entrance. Ashley doesn’t seem to be aware of anything around her and is focused on my face. “Does it bother you?”
I lie. Well, maybe not a lie, but I’m not sure yet if it bothers me. “No.”
She studies my face and sighs. “It does a little, but that’s fine.”
“Who is the Donnelly?”
Emotion crosses her face. “My mom’s maiden name. My dad thought two names on the company would make it seem stronger, bigger. He didn’t actually want a partner, so he used my mom’s name.” She sighs and then looks back up at me. “Can we get out of here? You have to pitch tomorrow, don’t you?”
I nod. “Let’s go back and get your purse and then we can head out. “Will you come to the game tomorrow with Quinn?”
“I don’t know if she’s going. We haven’t talked about it.”
“You’re going. I’ll talk to Johnny about seats. Just go to will call before the game. There’ll be tickets under one of your names.”
She doesn’t say anything but heads back toward the tables with me. When we walk up, she grabs her purse and we don’t sit back down at the table. She gives Quinn a long hug, and I hear her assuring Quinn she’s fine and will call her in the morning. I say goodbye to all the guys and Ashley follows me as I do. Fonz gets up to give her a hug. I stare at him.
He gives me an innocent look and throws his hands up in the air. “Hey, I was just giving her a hug goodbye as your girl. Nothing more, I swear.”
I motion for him to continue with his hug, and I swear the smile on his face doubles in size. Poor kid. He has no idea how out of his league Ashley is. I guess one hug can’t hurt. She seems to enjoy the attention, and I take her hand as we start to leave. I feel a hand on my arm as we’re making our way out. When I turn, I see Crystal.
“I just wanted to say good luck tomorrow.”
“Thanks.” I glance at Ashley, who is looking down. I know she doesn’t want to get caught between Crystal and me. I see Crystal start to pout when I don’t say anything else. This girl wants the best of both worlds, but she’s not getting it from me tonight. I turn back around and continue out with Ashley.
As the valet brings my car around, I ask her for her address. “I can just take a cab home, Cam. I know you have to get to sleep.”
“Ash, either you tell me where you live or I’m bringing you home with me. I’m not letting you go home in a cab.”
“Fine.” She gives me her address and we both get in the car.
The ride is quiet for a while, but there is nothing uncomfortable about the silence between us. It’s more comforting knowing we don’t have to be talking. Ashley finally breaks the silence.
“I have an idea.”
“Idea?” I give her a half-smile although something tells me this isn’t going to be as simple as a suggestion for the next restaurant we should eat at.
“Your friends think I’ve slept with you, don’t they?”
I hesitate before answering her. I know they absolutely do because she called me Cam. I still don’t know why I gave Cam as my name, but something inside me wanted her to call me that. I resign myself to the fact that she can read me. “Yes.”
“Good.”
I fail to hide my surprise. “Good?”
“Well, maybe not good but fine. You need the guys to think you’re with someone so they get off your back about just hitting the next thing you see, correct?”
I can’t help but laugh. “Hitting the next thing I see?”
“Whatever term it is you guys use. You know exactly what I mean. You said so yourself, and that was a month ago. I imagine they’ve become even more relentless since then.”
Even though she doesn’t ask a question, she looks at me waiting for an answer. “Yes, they have.”
“Fine. I need someone in my life to help me get rid of Charlie. He’s not going to let up until he sees me with someone else. I need to have someone with me at business engagements. I can’t handle this, and I don’t want to have to file a restraining order against my ex. He’s my employee too, so that really would not be a great option. But I think he’ll stop if he sees me with someone else.”
I have nothing to say to that, so I just nod.
“So my suggestion is we act like we’re dating for the public. I feel like we’re friends at this point, and I think we have each determined that the other one is important. Am I correct?”
I nod again.
“So I think we can pull it off, but there have to be some ground rules.”
“Hold on. What am I getting out of this?”
She laughs and I feel a surge of desire. “You need your team to believe that you are over your ex.”
“Crystal.”
She nods. “I know you’re not ready to move on. Your heart still belongs to her, so you can’t move on with someone else.”
I can’t deny what she’s saying. It’s more than just loving Crystal, but now is not the time to get into that.
“By me acting like your girlfriend, you get everyone off your back, and you don’t have to hurt another girl by pretending you care about her. You don’t have to move on until you’re ready.”
I don’t know why, but what she’s saying does sound logical. “Okay. What do you get?”
“I don’t have time to get to know someone new right now. I’m too busy at work and I don’t even want to take the time. I like being with you and hanging out, so I figure it’s an easy solution. When Charlie sees me with you at business functions, he’ll start to understand that he’s been replaced.”
I look at her and I realize she’s dead serious. I can’t say I disagree with her proposal but I’m afraid one of us will get hurt. Before I can express that concern she speaks up again.
“Ground rules.”
I nod. Just like our first meeting, they need to be set, and as long as they are followed, it will work. It did last time until she fell back into my life.
“Physical affection should only be for public. Agree?”
“Yes.”
“So if we have to kiss for appearance, it’s okay as long as we’re in public. Agree?”
I turn to her quick and grin. “Yes. But maybe we should practice just to make sure it looks natural in public?”
She rolls her eyes, but the blush that creeps across her face tells me she wants it too.
“And if one of us wants t
o start seeing someone, we have to tell the other person. We treat this like a regular relationship. If you find a girl you care about, you tell me before you do anything. I don’t think either one of us can afford a public betrayal. I feel like we owe that to each other. Yes?”
I nod again. She has said nothing I disagree with and surprisingly find her offer to be perfect for so many reasons. “Deal, Ms. Hughes.”
“Really? Just like that you agree?”
“I made myself a promise when I first met you. Once I had you, I would never let you go. I know I don’t have the ability to give you my heart and everything you deserve, but I will do whatever I can to make your life easier. I was serious when I said I needed you in my life. I know I can only offer friendship, but I need that more than anything. I can’t tell you the last time I had someone offer comfort and support that wasn’t looking for something in return.”
“Well, I am asking for something in return.”
“Very different, Ash. Very different.”
I pull up to her house and am amazed by the beauty of it as much as I was by her beach house. I know she said that had been her mom’s house, but the woman is definitely successful and it’s a little intimidating. I’m pretty sure I’ve met a girl I’m not good enough for, but I enjoy her company and she’s a light in my dark world, so I’m going to take advantage of what she’s offering. I walk her to her door because I really was raised with proper manners. I wasn’t just saying that to Quinn.
I give her a hug goodnight and kiss her on the forehead. “Thanks for coming out with us tonight. I enjoyed having you by my side.”
“Good luck tomorrow. I’ll be cheering for you.”
“I know you will, and it means a lot to me.”
“Will you tell me after the game tomorrow?”
She doesn’t have to say anything else. I know exactly what she’s asking. “Yes.”
“Thanks for everything.”
She’s tall, especially in four-inch heels, but she still has to reach up to kiss me on the cheek before she turns to walk in her house. I wait until the entryway light goes on, and I hear the lock click in place.
Chapter 10
Ashley
I have to text Quinn to make sure she’s going to the game tomorrow. There’s no way I could make it through the game on my own. I’m praying that she’s still on good terms with Johnny. Based on their interaction tonight, I’m thinking she may actually be with him longer than usual.
From: Ashley
Cam said he was going to talk to Johnny about getting us tickets for the game tomorrow. Do u know if he talked to him?
From: Quinn
He just got off the phone with him. Johnny is taking care of it. Ash, it’s a big game for Wills tomorrow.
From: Ashley
What do you mean?
From: Quinn
I don’t know. Something about clinching a title or something???
From: Ashley
I need Stan to come with us. I’m texting him tonight. Do u think we can get 3 tixs together?
From: Quinn
Hold on.
I know she’s laughing at me right now, but I can’t help it. I need Stan next to me to explain what’s going on during the game. I need to know if Cam is having a good game or not, and I know nothing about clinching whatever title.
From: Quinn
JP wants to know why you need to bring some old man with you … kidding! He said no problem.
From: Ashley
I need a jersey. I want him to know I’m supporting him.
From: Quinn
Hold please.
I head to my bedroom to start getting ready for bed while I wait for Quinn to respond. I have turned into a bundle of nerves in the last ten minutes, and I have no idea how I’m going to fall asleep. I hear my doorbell ring, and I know it’s Charlie. He must have been waiting for me to come home. I refuse to answer the door tonight. I don’t want to see him, and I don’t have the strength to fight with him. My phone buzzes on the bed, and I run to pick it up.
From: Charlie
Open up. I know you’re home!
I throw my phone on the bed and finish changing into my pajamas. The phone buzzes again; I’m hoping it’s Quinn this time.
From: Quinn
Johnny said he will take care of it—the jersey—he also said he thinks it will mean the world to Wills if he sees u wearing it.
This puts a smile on my face.
From: Ashley
One more favor?
From: Quinn
Name it.
From: Ashley
Can you get Cam’s number from Johnny? I want to text him and wish him good luck.
She sends the number back ten seconds later, and I stare at my screen for a full minute before I work up the courage to send a text. I’m nervous that he doesn’t want me to have it because he didn’t give it to me himself. He also didn’t ask for mine. I know we’re just friends, but I think texting is legal in our deal. Screw it. I’m sending one. He left only fifteen minutes ago, so I don’t think he can be sleeping yet.
From: Ashley
Cam, it’s Ash. I just wanted to say thanks for taking me home tonight. Good luck tomorrow. I will be your biggest fan!
From: Cam
Thanks. You better be smiling big because that’s what I’m going to look for every time I need it.
Butterflies fill my stomach and an invisible force squeezes my heart. I know it’s too late for me. I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time, and I’ve only spent two evenings with this guy. I know I’m going to get hurt at some point, but I’m willing to risk it to have some great moments in my life.
From: Ashley
I promise. Smile will be huge. Sweet dreams.
From: Cam
I’m looking forward to both. See you tomorrow.
If my smile is half as big tomorrow as it is right now, it will be more than enough for him to see. I try to forget about the jerk downstairs that wants in to my house. I grab my iPod and put my earbuds in so I don’t have to hear him. Even though I risk missing something important from work or Quinn, I turn my phone to silent. Tonight I just can’t listen to it vibrate over and over. I send a quick text to Stan to call me in the morning, explaining that I need him to come with me. I just hope he can.
• • •
I spend all morning catching up on emails and doing a few conference calls. By the time I’m ready to leave for the park, I have at least caught up on Friday and even some of the newer items from today. I had to do something to keep my mind off the game. As of yesterday morning, I knew next to nothing about baseball. Less than twenty-four hours later, I am excited and beyond nervous for the outcome of today’s game.
I think Quinn senses I’m not my usual self because she offers to take a cab to my place to pick me up so we can ride together. I’m assuming that if things go well, we may be going to a dinner or celebration after the game. If not, I can always take a cab home after the game. I’m sure Quinn will be hanging with Johnny either way, but they may not want my company if the guys lose today. Cam has no obligation to hang out with me if he doesn’t want to. I’m here for him if he needs me, and that’s it. He doesn’t need to entertain me but if he needs a friend, he knows I’ll be there.
I run out to the cab when I see it pull up and jump in the back with Quinn. She looks fantastic. Somehow she has made Johnny’s jersey and skinny jeans look sexy. Leave it to my curvy redheaded friend to sex up a game.
I smile and motion my hand in a circle in front of her. “I think this look suits you.”
“Yeah, I could get used to this.”
She pulls another jersey out of her larger-than-life purse. She could probably fit the entire team’s uniforms in there if she wanted to. Half the time I’m afraid that purse will tip her over, but I’ve long since given up arguing with her about it. I take the jersey from her and hug it to me before opening it.
“I’m nervous, Q.”
“I know, but
we have each other.”
I slip it on over my long-sleeve shirt. I’m wearing a fitted white t-shirt and a fitted long-sleeve one over it. The temperature is supposed to be around seventy today, so I wanted both as it could be a little warmer or a little cooler than they say. I’m also wearing skinny jeans, so we have the same look going.
“Girl, the boots are the perfect touch. Wish I had thought to put mine on.”
I’d gone with my black cowboy boots, hoping my Texas friend will appreciate them. I smile at Quinn but don’t respond. I’m already focused on just getting there so this day can be over. I’m actually starting to get anxious; if they do win and go into playoffs, I may develop an ulcer or high blood pressure at the very least. I don’t know how they do this every game, and I certainly don’t know how the wives and girlfriends handle this pressure. Maybe it gets easier over time, but I’m afraid my need to always win is going to pose a problem in this scenario.
I need a distraction.
“So, how was your evening with Johnny?” I ask.
Quinn’s smile is naughty, and I instantly regret asking the question. “I don’t want any details today. My stomach can’t take it.”
Her face shifts to a pout, but she immediately replaces it with another smile. “Fine. I really like him. I swear there’s something different about him. I don’t know what, but I don’t see myself getting sick of him for a long time.”
I would hesitate if she said this about every guy. But I don’t think I’ve ever heard her say it, so I’m wondering if he’s going to be the first one who snags her, at least for a while. “That’s awesome, Q. I hope you do settle down with him for a while. He seems all about you.”
“Yeah, he is absolutely attentive, but I don’t think he does it just to make me happy. He seems to like taking care of me.” She shrugs her shoulders, and I see a hint of shy Quinn. “I guess we’ll see.”
Here for You Page 6