by JB Heller
“Umm, excuse me,” I interrupt. “But what the fuck am I supposed to do while you guys are off doing all your girly shit?”
“Don’t act like you’ve never had a mani-pedi before,” Len scoffs.
Well, yeah, I guess. I mean, who doesn’t like being pampered?
My brain has been in a constant fog since we hammered out the bachelor and bachelorette plans at Lennon and Archer’s last week. We also set a date for the actual wedding. This is all happening so fast, and I’m struggling to wrap my head around it.
I was in such a daze by the time I got home that night that I completely forgot to fill in my family about the rapid progression of my supposed relationship, which means they found out with the rest of the world about my engagement, as did my best friend, Adley.
Dani is still in a tizzy over it all, which is why she’s currently slamming the kitchen cupboard doors as she stomps around, throwing me nasty looks every few minutes while making her coffee this morning.
Vinnie snuggles into my neck and croons, “Love you.”
“I love you too, baby,” I tell him, giving him a scratch.
“But don’t go thinking you’re the only man in her life, Vinnie,” Dani mocks.
I roll my eyes at her dramatics. “For the last time, I’m sorry I forgot to tell you. I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
“Uh huh, like planning a wedding that none of us knew about to a man we haven’t even met yet! This is so unlike you, Titi. I just…” She heaves a sigh, bracing her hands on the counter in front of her. “I don’t know what to think. Do you not trust us? Is that it? You thought we’d spill the beans before you were ready?”
Blowing out a breath, I rub my forehead in frustration. I wish I could just tell them the truth. “No, you know that’s not it.”
“Then what? Because none of this makes sense. You don’t even have a ring,” she huffs, spinning to face me, coffee in hand.
Unable to stand the hurt shining in her eyes, I drop my head back and stare at the ceiling. “It all happened so fast, Dani. I don’t know what to say. I was going to tell you, honest. I just…” I shrug, bringing my gaze back to her. “It all got away from me. I have no idea what I’m doing here. Marrying Bates is the only thing that makes sense to me right now.”
“You truly care about him, don’t you?” she asks.
I nod. “Wouldn’t have agreed to be his wife if I didn’t.” Lord, that word. Wife. It feels so foreign.
A soft smile curves her lips as she places her coffee on the counter beside her and steps toward me, arms extended for a hug. But then Vinnie squawks, and she pauses, cringing. “Put the pervy parrot down so I can hug you,” she demands.
I chuckle and reach my hand up. “Hop up,” I say, and he obliges like the good boy he is. Setting him on the back of one of the dining chairs, I turn back to my sister. “Better?”
Instead of answering, she flings her arms around me, wrapping me in a tight hug. “I just wish you’d told me,” she whispers.
“Me too,” I murmur, hugging her back. “I’m truly sorry, Dani.”
Pulling away just enough so we can look at each other, she grins and says, “You’re forgiven. Now, when are we meeting him?”
Oh Lordy, this is going to be interesting. I plaster a fake smile on and tell her, “Umm, soon.”
Her eyes narrow on me as she studies my face. “How soon?”
I lick my lips and attempt to stall. “Uh, I’ll talk to him today and let you know. He’s super busy with, umm…photo shoots and stuff.”
Dax strolls into the room as if he still lives here. He doesn’t. He’s got his own place, but it’s only two blocks away, so he comes home all the time.
Ugh, I can’t catch a break. At least Amá is at work, so she can’t get in on the gang-up-on-Tiana action this morning.
“You two make up?” he asks, snatching Dani’s coffee from the counter where she left it. He brings the mug to his lips and takes a sip.
She releases me so fast I nearly lose my balance. “Put. The. Mug. Down. And step away from my caffeine,” she seethes, pointing at him.
I snort back a laugh. “You got a death wish, big brother?”
Dax rolls his eyes and ignores us both, dragging a chair out and taking a seat. “Thanks for the coffee, Chiquita. I didn’t have time to stop for one on my way over.”
Dani’s gaze turns lethal as her hands curl into fists at her sides. I’m pretty sure she’s about to launch herself at her twin, but that’s when Vinnie notices him. He stretches out and climbs onto the table then scuttles over to Dax, helping himself to the foam on the top of the coffee.
Dani practically growls as she stomps her foot and spins back to her extravagant coffee machine, which takes up way too much real estate on our small kitchen counter, then starts making herself a fresh cup.
“I’ll take one, too, while you’re there,” I say sweetly, dragging out the chair beside Dax before taking a seat.
My brother kicks the leg of my chair, and I turn to face him. “What?”
He arches a brow. “I heard the conversation as I was coming in. So, get to texting, manita. We’re meeting your man tonight.”
I scoff. “Uh, no you’re not.”
“It’s been a week since it aired on ESPN, and he still hasn’t shown his face. You make it happen, Chiquita, or I will,” he says.
“Fine,” I grumble and slide my phone from my jammie pants pocket and flick Bates a text.
TIA: You busy tonight?
The little reply dots appear immediately, and I can feel Dax’s stare bore into the side of my face.
I shoot him an annoyed glare and wave my cell in his face. “I’m doing it!”
“Good,” he says, lifting his stolen coffee to his lips.
When I glance back at the screen, Bates’s response has come through.
BATES: Not really. You need something?
Here goes nothing…
TIA: My family wants to meet my fiancé.
This time, the dots do not appear. I stare at the screen, willing them into existence, but nothing happens. So, I send another message.
TIA: They’re a bit pissed at me ‘cause I kinda, maybe, forgot to tell them about the engagement, and they found out about it on ESPN.
TIA: Totally not your fault. That’s on me. But they’d feel better if they could meet you. Like, tonight…
TIA: Please.
As I’m rereading the thread, the little dots appear. Freaking finally.
BATES: Okay, but fair warning, I’ve never done the meet-the-parents thing, so I might be really shit at it.
I grin. If he thinks they’re not going to love him on sight, he’s mad. Okay, well, maybe not Dax, but it’s his job to be an overprotective big brother.
TIA: They’re going to love you. But in the interest of full disclosure, you should know something… They’re fans. Like big fans. Be prepared for my sister to fangirl her butt off the second you walk through the front door. My mamá will keep her composure, but there’s no way on God’s green earth that Dani will be able to rein it in.
BATES: Noted. What about your dad? I doubt he’s a fan of me—especially right now.
TIA: Uh, my dad passed away when I was a sixteen. So, no worries there. But you will have to face my big brother… He’s a teddy bear, really. But as man of the house, so to speak, I imagine he’s going to give you a hard time.
BATES: Shit, I am so sorry, Tia. How did I not know that? We’ve been friends for a couple of years, and I had no idea. I’m so fucking sorry.
His genuine response is exactly the reason I’ve avoided the topic in person. Talking about my father never fails to make my heart ache. Even saying those words over a text is hard. I swallow down my emotions bubbling just beneath the surface and change the subject.
TIA: It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. So, do you think you can make it tonight?
BATES: Just tell me where and when, babe. I’ll be there.
A rush of heat makes my cheeks flush, and my heart flutters
at his little slip-up in calling me babe. I like it way too much. And I have to remind myself this is all an act as I punch out my address and tell him to be here at six then place my cell on the table.
“So?” Dax asks, giving me an expectant look.
I nod. “He’ll be here.”
Why didn’t I think about this shit before? Of course I’d have to meet her family if she’s going to be my wife for the next year. Jesus H. Christ. I fucking hate lying. Deceiving my fans isn’t something I’m really okay with, either. But if it’s what I need to do to save my career, I can deal. I mean, as much as I love and respect them, I don’t, like, know them.
Lying to Tia’s family…that’s going to suck big hairy balls. I have never been so nervous in my life. Plus, I’m a shit liar to begin with, so there’s no way I’m going to be able to pull this off.
Panic floods my veins, and I run my hands through my hair, tugging on the ends, then I grab my cell and call Arch.
“Dude,” I say the moment he answers. “What the fuck do I wear to meet Tia’s family? And how am I supposed to act? Like, do I take her mom flowers or something? Maybe chocolates? But what if she’s lactose intolerant and I offend her by giving her chocolate? Or worse, she doesn’t want to upset me by telling me she’s lactose intolerant and she eats them then she gets the shits? And it’ll all be my fault. Oh fuck, what if—”
“Whoa, slow your roll, bro. You got this. You’re Bates-fucking-Handler, the most charismatic bastard I know. You’ll have them eating out of the palm of your hand before the night is over.”
His words soothe me somewhat. I mean, he’s right. I am a charismatic bastard. Women love me. Even old ones. I sigh and fall back on the deck chair I’d been chilling on when Tia texted me.
“Okay, fine. You’ve got me there. But what about her brother? She said he’s probably going to give me a hard time ‘cause she forgot to tell them about the engagement before it aired on ESPN, and that’s how her family found out,” I explain.
“Oh shit!” Arch breathes out. “I got nothin’. You’re straight up fucked.”
“Thanks,” I mutter. “You’re so helpful.”
My best friend laughs at my misery. “Look, man, just take that confidence you feel when you step onto the mound and bring it with you tonight. All you have to do is show them that you truly care about Tia, and you’ll be fine.”
At my silence, he continues, “You do care about her, right? ‘Cause that look you gave her when she got to the apartment the other night was somethin’ else. I gotta say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like that with a chick before.”
I lick my lips. I knew I was being weird, but I’d hoped he and Lenny hadn’t noticed. Clearing my throat, I tell him, “Yeah, man, I do. We’re friends, you know. She’s been there for me when I needed her. And now she’s stepping up and doing this for me. How could I not care about her?”
It’s Archer’s turn to go quiet. And I know what he’s thinking, so I cut that thought off before it can take root. “She was just there, man. If she hadn’t seen shit go down, I wouldn’t have said anything to anyone about it—not even you.”
His heavy sigh sounds through the line, and I hope that means he’s really heard me. “You and me, we’re good, bro. Always will be. But there’s just some shit I don’t like to talk about. Not with anyone.”
“Except her,” he says.
“Yeah, I suppose so.”
I’m sweating like a two-dollar hooker at rush hour as I stand in the hallway outside Tia’s apartment door.
Fuck, I’ve never been this nervous in my life. Not even the day I played my first major league game. I flex my fingers a few times then lift my hand to knock. But my fist pauses right before making contact with the wood.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “Get it together, man,” I mutter under my breath.
A voice comes from beside me, startling the absolute shit out of me. “You going to stand out here all night, or are you actually going to bite the bullet and go in?”
Well, this is embarrassing. I side-eye her. I don’t recognize her, and she looks nothing like Tia, so I don’t think she’s her sister. “And you are?” I ask.
Her eyes narrow as she gives me a onceover. “Adley. Tia’s best friend. Which you’d know if you hadn’t made her keep your relationship a secret all this time.”
Fuck. My. Life.
Clearing my throat, I extend a hand toward her. “Hi, I’m Bates.”
She accepts my offered hand, giving it a firm shake. “I know who you are.”
“Right, of course you do. Sorry,” I mutter. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do or say to this chick. I have never been so out of my element as I am right now.
She crosses her arms over her chest and arches a brow. “Are we going to stand out here in awkward silence all night, or are we going in?”
I rap my knuckles against the door, and before I’ve even pulled my fist away, it swings open. A woman, strikingly similar to Tia with the exception of her normal, boring eyes, stands in the doorway. “Hi,” I say. “I’m Bates.”
“Danika.” She beams as her hand shoots out, grabs the front of my shirt, and drags me into the apartment. “Titi, your man is here!” she yells.
Who the fuck is Titi?
“Crap, I’m coming, I’m coming!” Tia’s voice sounds from along a short hallway off the living room Danika has dragged me into. A moment later, she comes skidding into the room on socked feet.
The flustered look on her face is cute as fuck, making me grin. “Hey, baby.”
Her cheeks flush, and she smiles shyly back at me. “Hey,” she murmurs.
Dani still has a firm hold on my shirt, and the moment Tia’s eyes land on the point of contact, they narrow. She steps toward us, slapping her sister’s hands away from me without a word.
Dani smirks. “Possessive much?” She chuckles.
I curl my arm around Tia’s back until my hand rests on her hip, then I tug her into my side and tell her sister, “I like her possessive streak. It’s hot.”
Tia stiffens, but thankfully, Dani doesn’t seem to notice as she laughs. “I guess now that your relationship is public knowledge, she’s allowed to let her claws out.”
“I don’t have claws,” Tia mutters, relaxing into my embrace.
I can’t help myself, dipping my head to whisper in her ear, “I wouldn’t mind if you did.”
Her wicked cool eyes flick up to meet mine as a pink blush stains her cheeks. I could stare into her gaze all night, but that would be weird. And I’m trying like fuck to play this cool. So, after a moment, I drag my attention back to her sister who’s watching us closely. I swear I can see cartoon hearts floating around Dani’s head as she places her hand over her heart and sighs.
“Ugh, pleeaaaase,” Adley groans. “This is ridiculous. Tiana hasn’t said a word about any of this to me, and we don’t keep secrets. I’m not buying what you’re selling,” she states, bracing her hands on her hips right as an older woman enters the room.
“Hush now, Adley-Jane,” the woman I’m assuming is Tia’s mother says in a no-nonsense tone. “You leave my Tiana and her fiancé alone. Who are we to say when love is real or not? Hmmm?”
I like her already. But how did I not know Tia’s full name was Tiana? I shake my head, bringing my focus back to the moment and my attempt at making a good first impression. Tia’s doing so much for me; the least I can do is make an effort with her family.
Stepping forward, I offer her mother my hand as I introduce myself. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Riley. Tia’s told me so much about you. I’m Bates.”
She scoffs and pushes my hand to the side as she moves in, wrapping her arms around my waist and hugging me. “None of that,” she says. “You’re family now. You’ll call me Amá like everyone else.”
My throat thickens with emotion. How is she being so nice when, until a few weeks ago, they didn’t even know that Tia and I were supposedly a thing? It takes me a beat before I lift my arms
and hug her back. “Thank you,” I murmur. I’m not sure what Amá means; I’ll have to ask Tia later, but it feels special.
Giving me a small squeeze, she releases me then steps back, a brilliant smile that looks so much like Tia’s on her face. “Dax will be along shortly, then we can sit down to eat. Danika, have you offered our guest a drink?”
“Shit, sorry. Did you want a beer or something?” she asks me.
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine, thanks,” I tell her even though a little alcohol would probably help me relax a bit. But I’m a happy drunk, and I don’t need to risk messing this up by doing or saying something stupid.
Tia and her bestie are locked in some kind of silent stare-down as I move back to her side. I clear my throat, and when Adley’s narrowed eyes flick to me, I offer her a confident smile. At least, I hope it comes across that way. I have a feeling this chick can see right thought me, and it’s unnerving.
“I don’t know what’s going on here,” she says quietly enough that Tia’s mom doesn’t hear her. “But I don’t like it.”
Tia rolls her eyes. “You don’t have to like it. I don’t like Tripp, but you don’t hear me ragging on him every darn day.”
Adley shrugs. “I’m not marrying Tripp. And this isn’t even remotely the same thing. Since when do we keep secrets from each other?”
“Since I started dating a famous baseball player and wanted to actually enjoy some time with him without outside scrutiny,” Tia fires back.
I hate that she’s lying to her bestie, but watching her go to bat for us—for me—is hot as fuck.
Hurt fills her friend’s eyes as she crosses her arms over her chest. “What? You thought I would judge you for finally being able to get your rocks off with the guy you’ve been fantasizing about since he was in the minors?”