Our next player – Tommy – gets up. I’m panting and totally exhilarated. He picks up the bat and winks at me from home base. I smile, nod my chin at him, but my eyes cut over to Brendan, who saw the exchange like a jealous hawk. Good.
He was furious when Tommy got hired at his agency, but he didn’t have a say and since then, Tommy’s been a thorn in his foot, always there wherever he walks. I don’t know what’s going on between them, but it isn’t good. The jealousy that’s sprung up since Tommy showed me more attention than he should has been very good for me, though. It shows he cares, and each time it happens, I get a little closer to Brendan.
I look to the guy guarding me on second. “Hey.”
He smiles. “Hi. You guys are kicking our ass.”
I turn away. “Yeah. How does that feel?”
He laughs, shakes his head and punches the groove of his mitt a couple times, eyes on Tommy. “Not good.”
Tommy’s focus and stance is just as strong as Brendan’s. Only he’s intimidating the pitcher. He all but sneers, and a devilish smirk tugs hard at one side of his mouth. Oh man, this pitcher’s in trouble. I bounce in place preparing to run, and quickly steal two steps towards third.
Our team is silent, waiting for what we know is coming. The pitcher aims, rears back, and lets the ball rip. Tommy hits it hard. I take off as fast as I can while our team goes insane yelling at us to keep running. I pass third and look quickly left to see what’s happening on the field. The other team is scrambling after Tommy’s ball. I race harder, flying until I clear home base.
His legs are moving at an incredible pace and he speeds over third just as I make it behind the fence, everyone’s hands clapping against my shoulders in celebration even as all eyes are on him, including mine. The other team throws the ball, as he’s halfway home. It whips through the air. The guy on first grabs and throws it fast to the catcher. Tommy slides into home just before the catcher’s mitt wraps around the ball. SAFE!
He grins, dancing around as we all go nuts. The other team shakes their heads. Meeting over the pitcher’s mound, both teams congratulate each other on a fun time, promising to play again soon. Smiling, I shake hands with everyone and wink to the catcher who just glares at me, wishing he had a French fry to gnaw on – or twenty.
Tommy’s getting high-fives from everyone on our side he passes. He holds up a fist in my direction. “We did it, Bec!!”
Brendan walks to me, his eyes on Tommy as he pulls me in for a kiss in front of everyone. “Good job.”
“Thanks. This was fun.” I slide my arms around his neck. The distance I always see in his eyes still stares back at me, but the public display of affection has me not caring as much. He pulls away and takes my hand, another first. Meeting his co-workers and now handholding? I cover my surprise with grace and speed. If he knows he’s letting his guard down, the wall might soar back up and that would break my heart. I’m already regretting having to fly home tonight. I miss him for days every time I leave.
“Glad you came. We’re going out for beers and burgers. You want to come?”
The illusion of casual, I shrug. “Sure. I guess I could do that. My flight isn’t until later.”
Distracted, he nods, looking forward. “Great. Let’s go.”
I throw Tommy a last glance and see him looking at us with an expression similar to Brendan’s. He locks eyes with me, his face grim.
An attractive guy who can’t be taller than 5’6” calls over, “Hey Brendan, you joining us?”
Holding up his arm, not bothering to look back, he says, “Yeah, Mario! We’ll see you there.”
I’ve been back to visit Brendan only six times since we reconnected, including this trip. The night I met Tommy wasn’t on purpose. It was a surprise…to us both.
Chapter Fourteen
Rebecca
During my last visit to the city, I’d been sitting on the couch with Brendan, my legs relaxed over his. As usual, we spent the weekend alone. I never met his friends, except Mark of course, because they lived together. But even Mark stayed away most of the time. I didn’t mind at first, because being with Brendan was