Night Games (6 page)

Maybe if I goad her a little, she’ll come roaring back at me.

“And a bar is no place for kids.” The taunt falls easily from my lips. She’s already halfway to the door, guiding the boys in front of her, when she halts, her shoulders stiffening.

When she doesn’t say anything, Keith snorts obnoxiously, causing the girls at the table to snicker. They’re only following my lead. I’ve already humiliated her, so they think it’s okay to jabber her some more. Noah is the only one shaking his head like he’s disappointed in me.

She resumes her march toward the door, and I hastily take a sip of water. That was harsh. I know it. She knows it. Everyone knows it. I deserve to be castrated for what I just did to her. Only an insecure asshole would do something like that. I clink the ice in my glass, wishing I hadn’t come out tonight, that I’d never come to Stockton.

A hush falls over the table when I feel someone tap me on the shoulder. The touch goes right through me even though it’s as light as a feather. It feels completely different from the way that brunette was just sliding her hand up my arm. This feels real.

“Just so you know, you don’t treat people like that.” It’s her. She’s calling me out. She doesn’t seem like the combative type, so she must really feel strongly about confronting me. She was out the door, walking away, but she came back. I don’t want her to go. I have to find some way to hold on to her. Even if I only end up hurting her in the end, I need to see where this could go.

“Oh yeah?” I ask sarcastically, raising an eyebrow like she’s boring me.

“Yeah!” She stomps her foot, and Keith sniggers again. I wish we were alone or it were just Noah. Why did he have to invite his dick of a friend to join us? We would’ve been better off on our own. But once people hear the name Chase Whitfield, they all want to crash the party.

“So, what? Are you, like, my mother or something?” There’s a method to my madness.

“Just because you’re rich and successful and good-looking doesn’t mean you get to treat little kids that way. Your fans made you who you are, and they deserve a little respect. Sure, you may have the power and the influence to get me kicked out of Beaver Field, but you had a chance to make it up to me just now and you blew it.” She’s getting up on her high horse, but I kind of like it. And did she just say I was good-looking?

“Dude, you got her kicked out of Beaver Field? Awesome!” Keith enthuses, raising his fist in the air.

“And I’m gonna have you call the cops in a minute, Keith, if she doesn’t get the hint and leave me alone.” She takes a step forward like she wants to strangle me, and honestly I don’t blame her. But I’d much rather feel her hands wrapped around another part of my body.

“Want me to call them now?” Keith whips out his phone. “The station’s right down the block.”

“Nah, let this serve as her final warning.”

Her breathing is labored, and hearing her like that is doing all sorts of things to my body. I can’t take much more or I’m gonna have to get up from this seat, pin her against the wall, and kiss her like a girl as hot as she is deserves to be kissed. She’s pushing the limits of my restraint. And it’s making me want her even more. For once, I feel like I’ve met my match. I’m awake, alive, desperate for her.

“You are such a scumbag,” she spits out before turning on her heel and stomping away.

I release the breath I was holding and look around as everyone in the place stares at me. “Problem solved!” I joke, raising my hands. Peer pressure is such a powerful motivator when it comes to influencing a crowd. Even if people are appalled by the way I treated her, they’re not showing it. Instead, there are a few titters here and there as people congratulate me for showing her who’s boss.

Noah, I can tell, is the only one who feels sorry for her. I motion for him to lean across the corner of the table so I can say something to him in private.

“I can’t believe you eviscerated her like that, dude. Not cool, man. Not cool at all.”

“Well, you’re gonna help me fix it.”

Noah chokes while taking a sip of his root beer. “And just how am I supposed to do that?” He mops his face with his napkin, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“Go out there and stop her from leaving. Then get her to wait until everyone else is gone.”

Noah glances around nervously before inching his chair closer to mine. “And what if she refuses to hang around? What then?”

“Give her this.” I reach for the pen in my pocket and start writing on the placemat in front of me. The brunette tries to look over my shoulder at what I’m writing, but I gently shove her away. She’s already way too clingy. I can’t wait to ditch this chick. When I’m done scribbling, I hand it over to Noah.

He reads it quickly. “You really think that’ll work?”

“I know it will,” I say with all the confidence in the world, even though I’m not so sure. “Now stop stuffing your face and go after her. Just make sure you get rid of the other one.”

“Yes, boss.” He gives me a smile like he’s proud of me. “I never should’ve doubted you. You’re Chase Whitfield. You have your reasons. It’ll probably boggle my mind to know why you do what you do, but I should’ve known you’re always a step ahead. That’s why you are who you are.”

Noah’s commentary throws me a little, but I try not to show it. “What are you talking about? I’m just your ordinary run-of-the-mill guy.”

“Far from it, man,” Noah mutters, yanking off his bib.

“Bro, where you going?” Keith calls out to Noah, eyeing me suspiciously. I promised him that I’d autograph a menu for his father’s display case, and he probably thinks I’m going to flake on the deal by having Noah run some kind of interference.

But Noah doesn’t answer him and just keeps going.

“He’s running an errand for me, something I need done,” I explain in attempt to get Keith off my case.

“At one o’clock in the morning?” Keith asks incredulously.

I look at him pointedly and he gets my drift.

“Ah, someone’s getting lucky tonight!” he says in a sing-song voice, and the brunette eyes me appreciatively.

Too bad it’s not going to be her.

Chapter Nine

Grey

“Hey, girl, don’t even give it a second thought, okay?”

I’m sitting on the hood of my truck as Brody runs his hand soothingly up and down my arm. He means well, but it’s only irritating me more. His brother is loading his sons into a minivan. I feel bad that I let them down. When Brody told us they had gone to the game and thought Chase might show up here afterward, they left the kids outside, wanting to check out the situation before getting their hopes up. When he mentioned they were out in the van, I encouraged him to bring them in, saying that I’d take them over to meet their hero.

Honestly, it was just an excuse to get to talk to Chase. There was no other reason I could think of to go over there. The kids gave me the courage I needed to face him since they’d reminded me so much of Erin’s boys, Randy and Jacob. I’m just glad they weren’t with us tonight because I’d never want them to be rejected like that in public. Talk about being scarred for life. I feel responsible for subjecting Brody’s nephews to that. If their self-esteem is forever damaged, then I’m the one to blame.

“Are you sure the boys are gonna be okay? Tell them it had nothing to do with them. Chase was just dissing the crazy lady they were with.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, Grey. I don’t want you beating yourself up over this. He’s the jerk, not you.”

Erin is eyeing me despondently. “You so didn’t deserve to be treated like that.”

“Well, neither did you.”

“But I was the one who got him going to begin with. I don’t think I could have gone head-to-head with him like that. Grey, that was some brave shit, standing up for me and all.”

“Our girl’s fearless!” Brody laughs, lifting his hand to slap me five. When I give him a halfhearted smile, he smacks Erin’s hand instead.

“Ow, that hurt!”

“I thought you liked it rough, from what I remember.”

Brody’s comment sparks color in Erin’s cheeks. Oh my God, that’s right. They went out briefly while we were in high school. It was only for a couple of weeks after the Homecoming dance. But I never knew they hooked up. And now’s he’s flirting with her…

“Not anymore,” Erin replies, no doubt thinking of her ex.

“I’m sorry about what happened between you and Mark. If I had known, I would have—”

“Ugh, stop apologizing. I just wish I got my picture taken with Chase to shove it in Mark’s face, but it’s all good, right?” Erin lights a cigarette, taking a long drag.

“Brody, it looks like your brother’s ready to call it a night. You’d better go,” I urge, staring at the boys who are already starting to fall asleep in the back seat.

“Trying to get rid of me?”

“Something like that.” I give him a wink to let him know I’m only kidding.

“Call me sometime,” Brody says, his gaze fixed on Erin.

“Now why would I do that?” Erin snaps.

“Because you want to,” Brody responds, lightly caressing her cheek before jogging toward the minivan.

“Now that was pretty awesome. Brody’s quite the catch,” I tease as Erin watches them drive away. “So are you gonna call him?”

“Hell no!”

“Why not? He’s totally into you.”

“Yeah right. I’m secondhand goods with two kids attached. I don’t think so.”

“C’mon, give the guy a chance. Brody’s nothing like Mark. He seems great with his nephews.”

“Just drop it, Grey. All right?” Erin stomps out her cigarette with her heel. “Oh shit, what does this moron want?”

I quickly flip my legs over the side of the truck to see who it is. “Oh no. I think he is Chase’s bodyguard. Watch him demand that we vacate the premises or something.”

“Bodyguard, huh? He’s huffing and puffing like he just ran a marathon. I could so take him.”

“I bet you could.”

“Hi, um… Hi,” the guy repeats as he strides up to us. He’s obviously uncomfortable as he looks from me to Erin then back to me. “I know this is extremely awkward, but Chase Whitfield asked me to give you this.” He holds out a folded up piece of paper, expecting me to take it.

“No, thank you,” I respond as politely as possible. “I think Chase has said enough for one evening, don’t you?”

“Yeah, we don’t want to hear anything more that that dickwad has to say,” Erin spits, backing me up.

“Oh, but please. You have to read it. It’s important,” he pleads, letting it slip that he knows the contents of the message.

“She doesn’t have to do anything.” Erin gets in his face, and even though he looks like a linebacker, he takes a step back. “Why does Chase have you doing his dirty work, huh? What are you, his bitch while he’s in Stockton?”

“No, my name is Noah and I’m nobody’s bitch. I’m Chase’s driver for the week, and I’ve been around him all day. Trust me, he’s not as bad as he seems.”

“What? He’s even worse?” Erin chides.

“I can’t imagine what he has to say that he hasn’t already said.” I hop off the hood of my truck. “Unless it’s an apology, which I find extremely unlikely. He doesn’t seem like the type of guy who says he’s sorry.”

Noah panics as I start to open the driver’s side door. “Wait! You can’t leave!”

“And why not? It’s a free country,” Erin retorts. “You can’t detain us here. You’re not a cop.”

I know she’s sobering up if she’s using works like ‘detain.’ If I had consumed that much alcohol, I’d be in a heap on the ground. Man, she can hold her weight in booze.

“Chase wants you to stay here until he comes out,” Noah replies, gesturing at me. “And he wants me to drive you home,” he continues, nodding at Erin.

“Sorry, my sister doesn’t roll like that. She’s no freakin’ skank like the barflies he’s used to. How dare he send you out here to try and proposition her like that! That’s some stupid-ass shit right there,” Erin shouts, waving her hands around wildly as she rips Noah a new one. “And I’m not going anywhere with you. My sister and I are leaving together.”

Noah is sweating like a racehorse. He doesn’t look like a liar, and I don’t think he means us any harm. He’s just following orders, doing what his client asked, no matter how unusual the request.

I contemplate my options. What could it hurt? I mean, Chase has already embarrassed me in public multiple times. Nothing could sting more than that. Maybe he really does want a chance to say he’s sorry. Having such an inflated ego, he probably finds it hard to admit when he makes a mistake. I’ll give him one more chance. Then it’s three strikes and he’s out.

I start unfolding the placemat and Erin goes ballistic. “Don’t you dare open that, Grey!” She snatches it out of my fingers before I have a chance to read it, flicking her cigarette lighter and holding it above the flame.

“Oh, please! Don’t do that! Please!” Noah is practically on his knees, begging Erin to give it back.

“And why should I? Just so Chase can have another laugh at her expense? I don’t think so. He’s probably in there with his ho-bags, watching us right now. And you think I’m just going to stand by and let him make my sister the butt of another one of his jokes?”

“What’s your name by the way?” Noah effectively breaks Erin’s stride, halting her mid-tirade.

“Erin Kelleher, and this is my little sister, Grey. Sorry if I’m being overprotective, but after the night we’ve had, you wouldn’t feel so accommodating either.”

“I don’t doubt it. I’m usually the one getting picked on, so trust me, I know how it feels.” Noah’s honest admission makes Erin lower her lighter.

“You? You’re the size of a refrigerator. Who the hell would fuck with you?”

“You’d be surprised. I might look like a ton of bricks, but I’m a sensitive guy at heart.”

“And you really think Chase Whitfield is a halfway-decent human being? He hasn’t been riding your ass since the moment he got in your car?”

“Nah, he’s been great. Driving him around has been super intense and a lot more chaotic than I’m used to, but that’s just how people get when they’re around him. Chase is a pretty quiet guy, actually.”

“Yeah, I always thought he was.” I respond absently.

“So you’re a fan?” Noah asks, looking at me hopefully.

“Since his rookie year.”

“Grey—” Erin warns.

“It’s okay, Erin. I’ve got nothing to hide. Yeah, I probably know more about Chase Whitfield than most of the people in my life. I’m not one of those airheads like we saw outside Beaver Field, jumping on the bandwagon just because he’s in town. I’ve followed his whole career, and first and foremost, I’m a fan of the game. Have been my whole life.”

“Then you have to read it,” Noah implores, as if my admission settles everything.

I glance over at Erin, and she throws up her hands. “Fine, but if I hear him laughing inside that damn tiki bar, I’m going to beat his ass with my purse until he’s black and blue.”

“Understood,” Noah agrees while watching me expectantly.

I take the creased wad of paper from Erin and carefully begin to open it. My heart starts to pound when I see what Chase has written.

To the Hernandez brothers (#10 and #28), best of luck this year in Little League. I hope the Clayton Market team goes all the way. Chase Whitfield.

He gave Brody’s nephews his autograph.

Not only that, he’d noticed the jerseys they were wearing—the front with the logo of the team sponsor and the back with their name and number. He saw all that while he was arguing with me? I’m stunned and—I have to admit—impressed.

“What is it, Grey? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Erin rubs my shoulder, encouraging me to speak.

“Pretty cool, huh?” Noah beams at me.

“Yeah, I’d say.” I give Noah a shy smile in return.

“Enough for you to stick around?”

I silently hand the placemat to Erin. “I think so.”

“Good. Just stay in your truck. He’ll be out as soon as he can.” Noah clicks the automatic locks on his car across the lot. “Are you ready, Erin?”

“Grey, just because Chase did this, you’re really going to sleep with him?” Erin raises her eyebrows at me as Noah coughs nervously behind her.

Erin is not making this easy for me. I just want to see what Chase is going to say when there’s no one else around. Maybe he’ll let his guard down and just be himself. But I’d be a fool to think that he’s not expecting something in return. He’s not asking to meet me in order to talk. I’m sure he has other things in mind.

“What if I don’t take Chase back to the hotel?” I ask brazenly.

“Where are you planning on taking him?” Noah gulps. “I’m responsible for his safety and all. I can’t have some crazy fan abducting him. I mean, you seem like a nice girl, but…”

“I assure you. I’m not crazy. I can have him check in with you if you’d like.” I need to bolster Noah’s faith in me or this isn’t going to work. “I think he trusts me enough to get him from point A to point B or he never would have come up with this scenario.”

“That’s true,” Noah mutters.

“Grey, I can’t believe you’re really going through with this,” Erin groans. “What if he starts yelling at you again?”

“I don’t think he will,” Noah comments. “I think he’s scared shitless of her.”

“You do?” Erin asks, her mouth dropping open. “Why?”

“Because it’s like he looks at everybody else with his eyes half closed, but with Grey, they’re wide open. He doesn’t show much of what he’s feeling on the surface, but every time he’s come in contact with her, it’s like there’s no holding back. He can’t maintain that poker face that he’s known for. I saw how he reacted to her in the stands at Beaver Field and now here at the bar. She rattles him somehow, and I think he’s anxious to find out why she’s able to get through that impenetrable force field he’s built around himself. She’s a mystery to him, and he’s not going to rest until he solves it.”

“But I don’t think I’m going to be all that interesting once he gets to know me.” I chuckle, suddenly getting nervous again. I’m in way over my head here. If Noah’s right, I’m in big trouble. Chase is going to be badgering me for answers that I can’t give. I don’t know what he wants from me. Whatever caught his interest must be a misunderstanding. There’s nothing special about me. I’m plain, old, boring Grey. He’s going to be bummed when he finds out the truth.

“Girl, have you looked in a mirror lately?” Noah teases, playfully nudging my shoulder.

“But I thought you said he wasn’t attracted to me because of my looks?”

“Hey, I never said that. I think the outside package sealed the deal.”

Erin butts in, wagging her finger in my face. “Grey, I’m so freakin’ jealous I can hardly see straight, and if you weren’t my flesh and blood, I’d claw those pretty eyes right out of your head. But putting aside all of the things I’d personally like to do to Chase’s body, you need to listen to your big sister because I’m only going to say this once. If you give it up, please use protection. That boy has been around.”

“I’m not sleeping with him, all right!” I blush furiously as Erin and Noah exchange a knowing glance.

“Try telling him that. I don’t think he knows the meaning of the word ‘no.’” Erin slides her arm through Noah’s. “But you’re a big girl, and I’m not your mother. Plus, how many girls in Stockton are going to be able to say they had sex with Chase Whitfield while he was here? Seven? Eight?”

“You are so gross,” I admonish, giving her a quick hug before Noah leads her away.

“Be careful, Grey Goose. And if he gets fresh, kick him out of your truck and make him walk back to the hotel,” Erin advises, patting me on the back.

“But if you do, make sure you call and tell me where he is so I can pick him up,” Noah replies, slipping me his card.

I roll my eyes at the two of them. “Will do.”

I watch as Noah opens the car door for Erin and she ducks inside. He waddles around the front before getting in. He takes his time adjusting the rearview mirror and buckling his seatbelt as Erin gazes worriedly at me through the windshield. The two of them are obviously conflicted about leaving me to my fate. But as they start to pull away, Erin blows me a kiss as Noah toots the horn. I follow their taillights with my eyes until they turn the corner and I can’t see them anymore.

Shit. I’m on my own now, waiting out here like a damn fool. Whatever happens tonight, I don’t think my life will ever be the same. I just hope this time I finally catch a glimpse of the guy I thought Chase was and not just his big ego façade. Will he be brave enough to quit sparring with me and lower his defenses?