by Debbie White
It was a bit awkward sitting across from Colton at the restaurant. She almost felt like she was cheating on Zach, no matter how ridiculous that sounded. She’d only known Zach for a very short time. And she’d just met Colton, for that matter. And besides, Colton was business. Zach was a friend. Well, maybe more than a friend.
Over good food and drinks, the group’s lively discussion covered everything from baseball to politics. They also talked about San Francisco and things that were coming up in all of their lives. Cierra found out more things about Zach thanks to Colton, and the two of them found out more about her thanks to her bigmouthed sister, Courtney.
The group called a cab to return them to the ferry parking lot so they could pick up their car. Colton picked up the cab fare, saying it was his pleasure to do so.
Exhausted by the day’s events, the group rode in silence. Cierra sat in the back with Courtney and her friend. Zach sat up front with the driver. Cierra looked over at her sister. Courtney was resting her head on her friend’s shoulder, and the two of them were asleep. Zach was quietly taking in the scenery; Cierra decided to do the same.
Once they were finally back in their car and driving home, Zach dropped Courtney and her friend off first, leaving them alone. Cierra was happy about that. They had a lot to discuss.
“Seems we both are a little reserved. You didn’t tell me you were a writer and I didn’t tell you my cousin is Colton Diaz.”
Cierra pursed her lips. “I wasn’t trying to be secretive.”
Zach shot her quick look then put all eyes back on the road.
“Well … maybe just a little secretive. But a lot of people think writing is not a real job,” she stated defensively.
Zach furrowed his brows. “That’s stupid. I’d never think that. In fact, I think the opposite. I imagine there is a lot that goes into writing a book. I’ve written articles for papers and other types of journals and that was difficult enough.”
Cierra smiled. “I’m so happy to hear you say that. So, as you know, Courtney came up with the idea of me interviewing Colton for my book. He is my favorite player, you know,” she said teasingly.
“We already established that. Plus, I knew that, remember?”
Cierra nodded. “I did share that with you from the first ferry ride.”
“But I’m sensing there might be more to the fact that he is your favorite player.”
Cierra wriggled in her seat. “What do you mean?”
“Colton is my cousin and I love him, but …”
“But what?”
“He loves the ladies.”
Cierra swallowed hard. Had she been played again?
When Zach’s car pulled up in Cierra’s driveway, he got out and walked over to the passenger side. He helped her out and then walked her to the door. Charmed by his good manners, Cierra flashed a coy smile. “You’re such a gentleman,” she said.
Moving within inches of her, Cierra could feel the warmth from his body heat. “I had a great time tonight,” he said.
Feeling her cheeks flush—not sure if it was from the excitement, the wine, or a little of both—she replied, “Yes, it was a lot of fun.”
He leaned in closer, embracing her. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck.
She didn’t say a word. She stood frozen. Zach took his hand and slid it down her back. Cierra stepped back, her back now up against the front door. She reached in her purse and took out her key and placed it in the lock. She gently pushed the front door open and stepped into the hallway. Cierra motioned Zach to follow her, and he quickly complied.
“Have a seat,” she said, motioning toward the living room. “I’m getting a glass of wine, can I get you one as well?” she called out as she turned right toward the kitchen.
“Sounds good,” he shouted back.
Cierra returned with two glasses. She handed Zach his and then placed hers on the coffee table. She softly sat down next to him. He reached over and removed a stray tendril of hair and placed it behind her ear. An overwhelming desire to reach up and grab his hand entered her mind. She played tug of war with the thought and by the time she was ready to act on it he’d taken his hand away from her face.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” he said in a cool, tempered voice.
Cierra shrugged her shoulders.
“How come a beautiful girl like you is single?”
“Haven’t found the right guy, I guess,” she said, flashing a wide grin.
“But you have had serious relationships in the past?” he said staying on point.
“Oh, sure. My latest boyfriend was a real jerk. He played me like a fiddle,” she said, her voice now sounding strained.
Zach jerked his head back slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that. I recently got played, too. One minute we were planning a trip to Hawaii and the next minute I’m sitting on the beach by myself, sipping fruity drinks with umbrellas.”
Cierra furrowed her brows. She fought to keep her voice steady. “Jerks aren’t gender specific.”
“Nope. That they are not,” he said, his voice filled with sarcasm. “Let’s toast to Jerk and Jerkette,” he said, holding his glass out.
Cierra quickly reached for her glass. “May they both fall in a big hole never to be discovered,” Cierra said.
“Together,” Zach added.
The two roared with laughter.
“Just one more question,” Zach said as he studied her face.
Cierra buried her face in her glass and took a long sip.
“Was that guy you saw the other night at the ballfield the one that broke your heart?”
Cierra nodded. “Yes. That was the Jerk. His real name is Cory.”
“Well, he doesn’t know what he’s given up. I think you’re very special. Any guy would be lucky to call you his girlfriend.”
A tear trickled down the side of her nose. She quickly wiped it away.
“Seriously, Cierra. Don’t shed any more tears over him. He’s not worth it.”
Cierra lowered her gaze to the carpet. “It’s different for girls than boys,” she muttered.
Zach reached out and touched her leg. His touch was absorbing, hitting nerves in places she didn’t even want to focus on. They both leaned in about the same time, their lips touching in a quick but tender moment. Her breaths mingled with his, matching his shallow rhythm. She shivered in delight as his tongue nuzzled her neck and then back to her mouth. After a few intense moments of kissing they broke apart.
Zach took a drink of his wine. Cierra watched him intently.
“I know you’re just getting over a breakup. I hope you don’t think I’m pushing you into doing anything …” he trailed off, hoping she’d help finish his thought.
Cierra shook her head. “No, it’s quite all right. I wanted that as much as you did. It’s true, I don’t want to jump into anything, but I would like to see where this might go.”
Zach nodded. “Me, too.” He glanced at his watch. “I better be going.” Zach retrieved his wine glass and gulped the remaining wine. He got up from the couch and made his way toward the front door, Cierra following close behind.
Zach placed his hand on the handle and turned the knob. Cierra reached for the door and held onto the frame while Zach stepped outside onto the stoop. He turned around and flashed a wide grin.
“I had a great time. We must do it again.”
“I’d like that. I have a bunch of deadlines, but I’ll be free, soon.”
“It’s a date,” he quipped.
Zach turned around and headed down the sidewalk. Cierra watched him until he got in his car and drove away. She slowly closed the front door. She was more confused now than ever.
Chapter Three
The Plot Thickens
The book was almost finished, and as always, Cierra decided to get Courtney to read it. She’d tell her the truth if it lacked anything. Of course, Courtney would probably want her to put a bunch of steamy sex in it. She couldn’t do that. For one, Cierr
a was developing feelings for Zach. Colton was just business—or was he?
Courtney pushed back from her desk. She looked off into space and then directed her attention back to Cierra. “This is good. But it’s missing something.”
Cierra braced herself. Her sister could be so colorful.
Courtney quickly turned to a page in the manuscript. She licked her lips, pushed her hair back and in a sexy growl she read one of the lines. After she had finished, she smirked. “See how unsexy that was? You need to spice that up. That would put anyone to sleep,” she said.
“Well, I don’t know how juicy I can make it without embarrassing the heck out of myself. I do have to let him read it, you know,” she said.
“If I were you,” Courtney said, batting her eyelashes, “I’d contact him again. Tell him you need more stuff for the middle,” she said laughingly.
Cierra sat up straight, her shoulders squared. “You mean more material—more substance?” Cierra corrected.
Courtney poked her sister. “Yeah, that stuff.”
“That’s not a bad idea. I’ve been thinking about him so much lately.”
Courtney nodded her head and shot her sister a big smile. “Perfect. You know what to do then,” she said as she patted Cierra on the shoulder and walked out of the room.
Cierra smiled. She was sure she knew what to do, but did she have the nerve?
The next morning she contacted the press secretary she’d dealt with before. If anyone could make it happen, she could. Cierra told a little white lie and said she needed some additional information for the book. She wanted to see him again. She wanted to know if what she felt—briefly as it was—was real or starstruck admiration.
“Great. I’ll meet you outside the private door just like last time,” Cierra said into the phone.
She made sure she had her yellow legal-sized pad and pen. She was going to milk this for all it was worth.
She picked out her best jeans, and top. She chose the cutest earrings. Orange hoops with the SF Golden Bears logo dangling from the middle. “Who wouldn’t be impressed by that?” she said out loud. And then, because sometimes it was windy at the ballpark, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. Lastly, she lightly applied her makeup and was all set to go.
She thought about what she was going to say when she came face-to-face with him. Would she ask him more personal questions, trying to get in deep, or would she play it simple and see if he’d spill the beans? She still wasn’t sure. She just knew she was going to see him again, and that’s all she wanted.
She arrived at the stadium and waited outside the door that read “Staff only.” She didn’t have to wait too long before the press secretary arrived. Just like before, she escorted her to the area where she’d conducted the interview. Cierra hoped she would leave them alone. She didn’t want an audience.
After waiting for about fifteen minutes, Colton made his entrance. He nodded to the press secretary to leave them alone. Cierra liked the way this was going.
He hugged her lightly. “It’s nice to see you again.”
She sheepishly shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sorry to be such a pain. I just felt I needed a bit more for our … I mean my story,” she babbled.
He gazed at her with his gorgeous eyes, his long lashes hitting just to the top of his lids. He wrinkled his nose ever so slightly and licked his lips—just once. “Okay, let me have it,” he said chuckling. “What else did you want to know?”
“Well, you briefly touched on your earliest days of playing ball. Where did you grow up, and were you and Zach always close?” she asked, hoping he wouldn’t get suspicious.
“I grew up in southern California. Zach and I saw each other a few times a year while growing up. Our families spent summer vacations together as well. Holidays with the grandparents were also very popular,” he said, catching her drift that she might not be all that interested after all. “Why aren’t you writing any of this down?” he asked pointedly.
The color drained from her face. Embarrassed that he figured out her deception, she started to jot down some of the details.
“Hmm, I see. Cierra, what is this really about?” Colton blurted.
Cierra fidgeted in her seat and then in her best Scarlett O’Hara voice said, “Whatever do you mean?”
“I just get the impression you’re here for other reasons. You’re acting strangely. Get to the point.”
She held his gaze. She paused a moment to catch her breath and figure out what she would say next. “No, I’m not a stalker if that’s what you’re thinking. I just really like you,” she blurted out.
“Aren’t you dating Zach?”
She knew she had to come clean. She didn’t believe in playing games. That was more to Courtney’s liking. “We have seen each other a couple of times,” she admitted.
“Zach likes you. You’re all he talks about.”
Cierra hopped up out of her seat and started pacing. “I like him, too. I really do. I feel like a complete fool now for coming out here.”
Colton watched as Cierra paced. “So now what are we going to do?” he asked.
She realized she’d probably gotten in over her head, and trying to find an escape route, Cierra tried to fish for clues. “Do? What can we do?”
He got out of his seat and moved closer to her. He took both of her hands into his and gently rubbed her fingers, finally lacing his fingers with hers. She swallowed hard.
It was something right out of a novel. “What are you doing?” she managed to say.
Colton pulled her close. “Checking for chemistry,” he said.
Cierra licked her lips. Her mouth felt incredibly dry. She visually mapped out his face. She knew where every crease, every mark was. She knew the shape of his earlobes, and she noticed the plumpness of his lips. She focused on his mouth the most. Her stomach was in knots, and she knew if there was a moment that a kiss was coming, this was it. She stood tall; she stood ready.
Colton reached for Cierra and gently pulled her into his embrace, their faces just inches apart. Cierra shuddered. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, and her heart had now melted to her toes. Yes, she thought. There is definitely chemistry here.
Colton leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, then moved to her lips, gently planting a sweet kiss on her mouth. He gently pushed himself back from Cierra. He looked deep into her eyes. “I will be interested to see how you write that in,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
“I’m confused. I don’t know what to say or do,” she whined.
“That’s up to you. If you don’t want to continue to see Zach, you need to let him know.” Colton unclasped his hold from her and started down the hallway. He looked over his shoulder. “At first, he’ll be angry, and then he’ll be hurt, but then he’ll get over it. But I have to warn you, he’s the better choice.”
Cierra watched as he walked away. She stood still for a few moments, not sure what to say to him. In a split second she realized he was right. It was up to her, not him. She exited the secured area and made her way toward the pier where the ferry was docked.
Just like that, Cierra’s life became a little more complicated. She had Zach who seemed to like her and she liked him as well, and then there was Colton who was noncommittal in his feelings, but Cierra felt there was some sort of connection between them.
Chapter Four
Final Thoughts and Edits
Cierra rushed home. She wanted to start typing her thoughts before they strayed. Maybe as the story unfolded, the answers to her questions would be revealed. What would her fictional character do when presented with this same scenario?
She wrote the story almost exactly how it had happened. When she got to the part about the kiss, she wrote how the female character felt. She was unsure, scared, but elated at the same time. Then she wrote about the rational side of the kiss. He was a single ballplayer and probably had kissed many women. She was just one of many, she supposed.
She continued with the sto
ry line—how her main character felt guilty. Half way through the paragraph, Cierra realized she was writing about herself. She paused and thought about what she was feeling. Cierra and Zach were definitely on the path to somewhere. They’d spent a lot of quality time together and their love for baseball was key in their relationship. She wasn’t sure how much he liked her though. Except for kissing and some soft touching, they’d not been really romantic with one another. She did like the way she felt when she was with him. She let out a sigh.
Cierra quickly typed all the remaining details of the story. She would show how the female character felt conflicted, and how the situation caused turmoil and angst within her. Cierra would be dramatic and descriptive of her feelings, things readers love. She would end the story with both men vying for her love, and in the end, she—and she alone—would make the big decision.
Cierra paused once more. Who would her character chose: Zach, the handsome companion, or Colton, the infamous Golden Bears Pitcher?
Cierra glanced over at the digital time display on her computer. It was very late. She pushed herself away from the keyboard and called it a night. She had some deep thinking to do, and like it or not, she’d probably have to explore deeper into her relationship with Zach, and maybe even Colton, too.
The following morning Cierra couldn’t bring herself to work on the story. It was at a standstill. She had everything but the ending. How was she going to end the darn book?
She picked up the phone and called Zach. “Can you stop by sometime today?”
“Okay. Is everything all right?” he asked, puzzled by her call.
“I need help with the ending of my story.”
“And you want me to help?” he said, laughing.
“Just come over when you can,” she pleaded.
Cierra made the best of her day by giving Dash a bath. She took him outside to dry and then planned on brushing him when she heard the doorbell from the backyard. “I bet that’s Zach,” she said, looking at Dash.