Atonement (25 page)

He was playing several home games while I was in San Diego. I was able to sit in box seats with the rest of the wives and girlfriends and family members of the Padres players for
one of their games; a game between the LA Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. Thankfully, Lauren wasn’t here, nor her father.

It had been so long since I had seen my man in action. While he didn’t play as long as most of the players since he was the youngest and a rookie to boot, he was spectacular on the field. It was like he was their wild card, their power boost. I was surprised by the level of coach calls and signals to those batting or on deck. These guys were awesome, and well, they were professionals…all of them. I wish so much Finn could be playing with Tate. I made a mental note to ask Tate about that ever being a possibility. I know he wouldn’t be able to pull the strings Lauren had pulled for Tate. But, Finn was good enough to get a contract on his own. I was sure of it. Especially after playing for two years for Wake Forest. He was working toward MVP this year as it was. I was getting excited just thinking about it.

The Padres pulled it out 5 to 2 in the very last inning. The game was fun, exciting, and after a few top shelf bar drinks, freeing too. I loved the crowd spirit and momentum. I was starting to get excited about living this life. The life of baseball, Tate, and California! I had to find a way to get Finn and Elle out here. That would be a perfect life to have our two best friends living near us! I was getting so excited just thinking of it. I walked to the lower area gift shop. I had to buy a Jersey with Tate’s number on it. Feeling good, and extra happy about talking with Tate about Finn, I was ultra relaxed. I didn’t even realize someone was coming up beside of me until it was too late. A young guy, he had to be drunk, threw his arm around
me too quickly for me to move away. What in the hell! Yeah, I had a little to drink, so the potty mouth was coming out.

“Excuse me. I would appreciate it if you would take your damn hand off of me…please!” Oh Crap, I thought, please mosey on you fool.

“Awe, hey beautiful, you seem like you need a little company this evening. I would be happy to oblige.” His hand seemed to be resting a little too close to the top of my breasts, then he dropped it lower, trying to cop a feel!

I slapped him hard across the face (although it wasn’t as strong as I wanted to because of my position). “Back off!” I said. I was angry now. Keeping his hand over my shoulders, he followed me over to the gift shop. I was trying to remove his arm from me. He thought he was a permanent decoration…obviously. Struggling, I heard him laughing in a drunk sort of chuckle.

“Take your hands off of her.” I heard in a deep, loud voice, directly behind me. Tate.

Drunk guy turned his head around, rather sluggishly. “Well, if it isn’t the Rookie. Hey Rookie!” He lazily waved and loudly slurred his words hoping everyone would notice Tate. If the guy hadn’t been pretty wasted, he would have been really cute. He was in his twenty’s and in great shape…just way too many beers.

“I said get your hands off of her.” Shit here goes, the possessive Tate emerges, although, I did need him to be assertive right now.

I was expecting Tate to come barreling across the aisle to this guy…but he didn’t. He called for one of his teammates
and they both came up and quietly removed the guy from my presence. Tate was back within the minute.

“What happened?” I said, purely surprised.

“We handled it Reese, without violence.” He said with a sly grin. I know my expression was one of shock.

“Tate, I’m so proud of you. I really expected you to fight him, right here and now.” Of course, I was hoping that wouldn’t happen, but given Tate’s reaction in the past, it was totally expected.

“I told you, I was better…I know how to handle my jealousy and anger now Reese. I love you, and I know that was an issue for you.”

“Well…in that case, you get two rewards.” I nuzzled up to him, in front of everyone. I placed my hands on his chest. “One for the awesome game you played and the other for not being so damn jealous…ready to collect?” I lifted my eyebrow to him. He was grinning from ear to ear, and pulled me in for a quick kiss.

“Not here, let’s go…” He was quickly ushering me out of there. I could tell his breathing had picked up.

“Wait! I wanted a jersey with your number on it,” I said, Still leaning towards the gift shop while he was tugging me out of the walkway.

“Don’t worry baby. I think I can arrange to get you one, maybe even an autographed one.” He said hurrying me out of the stadium, laughing like a teenager.

“Where are we going Tate?” I was curious. Was it time for me to go back to my hotel? Uh, unless, that’s what he had planned?

“Um, I was thinking we could go out to the beach. I have a blanket, and I’ll stop by and get a cold bottle of wine with some bottled sodas too. Would that be okay?” I eyed him sideways with a big grin on my face.

“Of course, but you know I’ve already had some to drink, right?”

“Uh, yeah, I do. Selfishly, I’m okay with you having more.” He said with a half grin.

“Okay…me too.” I gave him a very seductive grin. I could tell his breathing had changed and I could see his pulse pounding in his neck.

After we stopped by an Albertson’s grocery store, Tate seemed to have all he needed. We were on the sand minutes later. He rolled out a blanket, and pulled out wine, a cheese and grape tray, and Diet Dr. Pepper. I was in Heaven. Of course, we would have to drink our wine out of paper cups, and luckily he knew to get the screw cap wine bottle, instead of one with a cork screw.

“Tate, you thought of everything,” I said.

“For you Reese, everything is not nearly enough.” He said grinning like a school boy. “I want you to love being here in California. After all, you’ll be an official resident in less than six weeks.”

Oh crap! That was no time. I was excited and scared. But mostly I was ready, ready to have all of Tate.

Tate laid out the blanket. I set out everything else. I had on a soft sundress, and my hair was in loose, soft waves around my face. He was in khaki shorts, a Padres skin tight nylon t-shirt. (stretched tightly over his muscular chest and arms), and a ball-cap. He poured us each a cup of wine.

“Reese, isn’t it weird in just a few short weeks, we will be husband and wife?” He said grinning at me with a low, husky voice.

“Hmmm, yes. I can’t wait.” I said, eyeing him up and down. He threw his head back laughing. “I can’t wait Tate. I’ve been ready for you for a long, long time.” I said a little tipsy, and saying what I meant.

Tate laughed. “Oh Reese. You have
no
idea. I have everything planned out for us…down to the moment. I want everything to be perfect.” He was a little nervous acting, but a lot heated. I could see the red creeping up his neck and onto his cheeks.

I crawled over to Tate and placed my hand on his stomach. “Tate, I want to be everything you ever desire. I don’t want you to ever want another woman again. I need you to tell me, okay. Tell me if you aren’t satisfied when the time comes. I need to know. I can’t always wonder if I’m enough for you.” I was suddenly serious. Tate was an extremely gorgeous, wealthy, and newly famous man. I suddenly realized how many women would want him. Women that could show him and teach him things I didn’t know anything about.

Tate studied me for a few moments. “You have to trust me Reese.” He leaned down and kissed me. “You will be perfect from day one. I want you to always remember. I love you more than my life, and your kiss alone drives me wild.” With that he kissed me…a kiss that lasted for at least…well if felt like nearly eternity. Lying on the blanket kissing your love near the crashing waves did something to a person. The touching, grinding, kissing, caressing. It was enough to drive me to the edge. I was so lucky. The only person I had to thank was God. Somehow,
by His grace, we ended up back together, and we were waiting until we were married…to have sex. I thought of Bella and Edward from Twilight. Of course, we weren’t super humans, or vampires, but we were making it so much more special by waiting. We could spend forever making each other feel just like this. My promise ring, now on my right hand, was a constant reminder of that…my promise to wait.

We pulled apart for a moment and were just laying together, my head on his chest. “Hey Tate, I was thinking earlier during your game…”

“You were thinking during my game, and not focusing every brain cell on me.” Tate said jokingly while giving small, sweet kisses on the top of my head.

I laughed. “Yeah, I was thinking of how great it would be if Finn could play for the Padres too, and when he and Elle get married, because I know they will, they can live near us!” I was so excited just talking about it my voice seemed to raise an octave.

Tate was silent for a moment with a sly look on his face. “Actually,” then it became a full out smile, “The Padres are already looking at Finn. But I didn’t tell you that…promise me Reese, I didn’t tell you that.” He turned my chin to him to make sure he could see my eyes.

“I promise, I said. But, Oh my God!” I was clapping like a little kid. “Are you serious Tate? I would give anything to have my best friend near me again. I mean she would have to transfer to USD, and they would have to find a place to live, and we could decorate together, and…”

“Slow down Reese.” He was shaking his head laughing. “Of course it would be awesome, but it hasn’t happened yet, so
that’s why you HAVE to promise me not to say anything. I can’t imagine them getting their hopes up and then it not coming through.” Tate said. “But God I love to see you so happy and so excited.” He was holding my chin between his fingers staring in my eyes. I could feel the compassion and love pouring from him. I was also still reeling over the possibility for Elle and Finn. Life couldn’t be better if that happened. I was so excited about my future!

he weeks flew by. Next weekend I would be Mrs. Tate Justice. I was ecstatic and scared all at the same time. I had showed my parents and Tate’s parents pictures of our new house. I still couldn’t believe I would have a waterfront place in California. Our home would be just inside Mission Bay, minutes from the sports arena, USD, and La Jolla. I couldn’t wait!

Days after my return from San Diego, scouts came to see Finn play. He was shocked, as was Elle. They were very impressed with Finn, impressed enough that they were flying him out to California for him to show off in front of the main coaches. Surprisingly enough, this would happen in two weeks…the week after we come back home from our honeymoon. Life was truly surreal. Elle couldn’t believe the possibility of us both being in San Diego together may come true. She had no qualms at all of transferring to USD and being near us…near me!

I was home for the weekend. Elle, Chloe and Maura had planned a girls’ weekend and tomorrow night would be my bachelorette party. I had no idea what was planned, but I knew with all of us, it had to be something fun. Finn was in charge
of Tate’s party. I shudder to think of what would happen at his. Finn promised me he wouldn’t allow anything to happen that Tate would regret, of course he followed it up with ‘at least as long as you each don’t find out’. Of course I told him that went both ways as I winked at him.

Friday night was spent once again in the cabin and the hot tub. We laughed and carried on just like we had hundreds of times before now. Tonight was just about the four of us. Tomorrow night would be several other girls, a few from college, and others from here in town.

After we finished our relaxing dip, we ended up back in the cabin. Maura had made her famous pitcher of blueberry lemonade vodka punch. And they had each brought heavy appetizers. Elle stood up and looking at each of the other girls said, “Okay, it’s time…time to get sappy.” What? Oh no, I wondered what she was possibly talking about. Then she nodded to Maura as she sat down and Maura stood up facing me.

Clearing her throat, Maura began, “Well, I drew the short straw to go first Reese.” She said as she took out a small box from inside her purse. “We each decided to write a letter about what you mean to us, and we had to make, purchase, or give you something that we knew would mean a lot to you. So, here goes.” She looked up at me and her eyes were red. “It’s not too long,” she laughed, “but hopefully just long enough.” She read: