were always reminders that he had a different life in Florida, and a career that paid very well.
This would be a stolen summer, a time when he could experience life the way it was meant to be lived. His time wouldn’t be wasted. He’d figure out the man he planned to be once baseball was over. And Angela was going to be a part of his summer. He could learn a lot from her. And maybe, if things went well, they’d have more than just this summer.
4
“WILL IS IN HEAVEN,” Ceci said.
They sat together in the back row of seats in the luxury box. Will and Max were sitting outside, their arms braced on the railing as Max pointed to the scoreboard.
“Look at him,” Ceci continued. “He’s like a little kid.” She tipped her head and fanned her face with her program. “I think I’m having a moment.”
“Really?”
“How can I not love that man? He’s got a pennant in one hand, a foam finger on the other and a big old mustard stain on his shirt. Who else is going to love him?”
Angela giggled. “Will is a pretty nice guy. In all the time you two have been going together, he’s never done anything to make me doubt his feelings for you. There’s something to be said for that.”
“Max is a nice guy, too,” Ceci said. “I didn’t expect that. I mean, after reading his profile, I thought he’d be full of himself. But he’s really sweet. And it was so nice of him to invite us here. Will is going to be talking about this for months.”
“You told Will to keep quiet about our business, right?”
Ceci nodded. “Yes. And he understands completely. Besides, he’s not about to do anything to mess up his chances for future fun with Max Morgan.”
“Good,” Angela said. “I was thinking that…well, maybe we should take Max’s profile off the site. Just until…you know, we’re over.”
“Really? We’ve never done that, Angie. Don’t you think we have a responsibility to be completely objective?”
“Of course,” she said. “But I know how he’d feel about this. He wouldn’t be happy. He’d feel like it was a betrayal.”
“Well then, he shouldn’t have treated those women so badly,” Ceci said.
“Maybe he didn’t,” Angela said. “It’s their word against his. And you said it yourself, he’s a nice guy.”
“To you. That doesn’t mean he was nice to those other women.” Ceci sighed. “Secrets aren’t a good thing, Angie. They have a tendency to blow up in your face. Maybe you should just tell him. If he really likes you, it shouldn’t make a difference.”
“I’m not going to tell him,” she said. “If he finds out, I’ll disarm that bomb when the time comes.”
They watched as Max and Will stood and walked back into the box. They were in a heated discussion about something called a sacrifice bunt. But when they got inside, Max’s attention turned toward her. He sent her a warm smile. “You having fun?”
“I am,” she said.
“Me, too,” Ceci replied.
Will pulled off his Sox cap, the foam finger still stuck on his hand. “Max is going to take me down to the clubhouse to meet some of the players. Is that all right? I mean, you don’t want to leave right away, do you?”
“The game is over?” Angela asked.
“Yeah,” Max said. “The Sox won, 4-3.”
Ceci shook her head. “Nope, we’re free all day.”
He grinned. “Okay, then. Let’s go, Max.”
“Honey, you might want to clean up that mustard stain before you go,” Ceci suggested.
He glanced down at the front of his shirt, then groaned. “Oh, man. I knew I shouldn’t have had that fourth hot dog.”
“Don’t worry,” Max said. “We’ll pick up something for you to wear on the way.”
“Right,” he said. “We can do that?”
“Are you ladies interested in meeting some of the players, too?” Max asked.
“I think we’ll wait here,” Angela said.
Max bent close and kissed her, lingering for a long moment, before drawing away. “We won’t be long. If you want anything, just pick up that phone over there and order it.”
“There’s plenty to eat here already,” Angela said, nodding at the luxurious buffet set up along the wall. “Did you pay for all that food?”
Max shook his head. “Nope. One of my buddies on the team took care of it. My contract is up at the end of this season. I’ll be a free agent and I think he wants me to come play in Chicago.”
“You’d leave the Devil Rays?”
“Who knows? They might just release me if I can’t come back from the injury. It might be fun to play in my hometown. At least for a year or two.” He kissed her again. “Oh, and the team is called the Rays. They changed the name a few years ago.”
“Oh.” Angela frowned. “So there’s no devil in it anymore?”
“Nope, just the Rays.”
After he and Will left, she went back to sit beside Ceci. “I’m going to have to change the title of Chapter Five. He’s not a Devil Ray anymore. He’s just a-Ray.”
“I don’t think it makes much difference, do you? I mean, no one is supposed to know his identity anyway. And he is a sexy devil, that’s for sure.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter.”
“Are you really going to write about him, Angie? I think you’re losing your objectivity. You wanted to take him off the site a minute ago.”
She sighed softly. “I know. But despite his behavior here in Chicago, he has been the typical smooth operator. Then again, maybe he’s the exception to the rule. Maybe he can change.” She sighed. “The only way I can see to move forward with the book is to focus on the person he was before we met at the bar. Who’s to say that he wouldn’t have gone home with a different girl that night and broken her heart?” Angela reached for her beer and took a sip.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do. He just told me he’s considering moving back to Chicago to play. His contract is up at the end of this season.”
“Really? So, there’s a chance you could be together for a lot longer than you anticipated.”
“No,” she said. “I’m not going to start planning a future with him. This could all be over tomorrow. I’m not making any decisions about the site or the book or Max Morgan today. Or tomorrow.”
“I hope it’s not over tomorrow,” Ceci said, crawling over Angela. She stood in front of the buffet. “I like being around famous people. They eat for free. They drink for free. They sit in luxury boxes and drive in fancy European sedans with tinted windows.”
“I can see how fame would be addictive. Life is so easy when you have money and connections.”
“Admit it, Angie. You must have imagined what it would be like to have a future with this guy. What girl wouldn’t? He’s gorgeous, rich, and really nice. If you’re not thinking of snatching him up, then you are in serious denial.”
“No, I haven’t. I can’t. And I won’t. I’m not some silly teenager anymore. I understand the realities of relationships and what’s going on here is simple infatuation. We’re in that phase when we’re both perfect for each other. But that will wear off. I know it will.” She held up her hand when Ceci opened her mouth. “And don’t go all karmic on me.”
“The reality is, this guy really likes you. The way he looks at you is proof. He treats you like a princess. When he opened your car door for you, I thought Will was going to hurt himself hurrying to open my door for me. What guy in this day and age has decent manners?”
