Behind the Plate (The Boys of Baseball #2) - J. Sterling Page 0,121

up with an old friend.

Danika and I both cast each other a weird look.

“Only if you’re sure it’s not an inconvenience,” Ralph pushed, and my dad insisted again until he agreed.

“Go shower.” Danika smacked my ass, and I could have died right then and there. Her dad was definitely going to murder me.

I heard my mom sniff the air. “You too. Why didn’t either of you shower?” she asked, and I had no idea what my dad said to her because I was already too far away.

The sound of my dad jogging to catch up had me pause and wait.

“Oh, man, Danika’s old man is here. You’ll like him. He’s a great guy from what I remember. Funny. Ambitious. Motivated and smart as hell.”

“And probably going to kill me as soon as any of you turn your backs,” I mentioned matter-of-factly.

“You really like this girl.” It was a statement, but he sounded almost wistful as he said it. “I found the love of my life my junior year too.”

I wanted to argue, just to do it, but there was no point. We both knew I’d be lying.

We met up with our “girls” and Ralph at the left-field fence, like usual. I felt a million times better after showering, but I was still nervous. I wanted Danika’s dad to like me. Actually, I wanted him to like me a hell of a lot more than he had ever liked Jared, if I was being honest.

“We thought we could go to Newport, and I’d pick up some food on the way. We know how hungry you both are after a game,” my mom suggested, and my stomach growled in response. “And I thought it would be more comfortable, being home instead of at some restaurant.”

“I like food,” I said as Danika reached for my hand and intertwined our fingers. My eyes instantly went to her father’s as he watched our interaction, his eyes zeroing in on our locked hands. I almost pulled mine away, but Danika would wonder what the hell was wrong with me.

“Are you tired, Dad?” she asked, her concern for him sweet. “I just meant because of the time difference.”

“I’m a bit wiped, yeah. But I think Jack and I are hanging out tonight, so I’ll rally,” he said, and Danika laughed.

“You’ll rally?” she teased, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her out of my grip. “Did you rent a car?”

“No. I can’t imagine trying to drive out here,” Ralph said, and I remembered that most New Yorkers didn’t drive at all if they could avoid it. That was what happened when you had a functioning and well-planned-out public transportation system, unlike whatever we called ours in Southern California.

“We can give you a ride,” I offered, wanting to be polite but secretly hoping he’d want to ride with my parents instead.

“No way. Ralph’s coming with me,” my dad interjected. I shot him a grateful look, and he gave me a quick head nod. “We’ll see you all at home.”

I looked at Danika and reached for her hand again. “Guess that settles that,” I said, and she smiled.

“I can’t believe my dad’s here.”

We reached the Beast, and I pulled open her door for her and helped her inside.

Hopping into the driver’s seat, I clicked my seat belt and started the engine before leaning over and taking my girl’s mouth with mine. It had been way too long since I’d kissed her. Her fingers dug into the back of my neck, holding me tight as our tongues touched, and I got way too turned on. This girl had changed my whole world.

Pulling away slowly, I asked, “Did you know your dad was coming out?”

“No. Not at all. He just showed up at your game!” She sounded so excited and happy. “I think after our conversation about the company and what I wanted to do with it, he realized how serious we were,” she said before snapping her lips closed.

“Go on,” I urged as I put my truck in drive. “We are serious, Danika. I’ve always told you that. This was never a fling or a one-night stand. I warned you from the beginning.”

She grinned again, her cheeks flushing with her emotions. “I think he just wanted to meet you …” She paused and added, “Or he wanted to hang out with your dad.”

I laughed. Personally, I thought he wanted to hang out with my dad and potentially murder me for taking away his only baby girl. We