I toss the evidence down the trash chute and clean up a bit. I start some laundry and mix together a huge batch of chocolate chip cookie dough. I set it aside to rest in the refrigerator and turn the oven on to preheat, while I sort out a couple more loads of laundry. I sit down to drink my coffee, check email, and social media. I missed a text from Rick, crap.
Text from Rick - I miss you.
Text from Rick - BP is at 2:30.
Text from Rick - ?
Text to Rick - Sorry, hands were in cookie dough.
Text to Rick - I’ve been thinking about you ever since you left.
Text from Rick - What are you thinking?
Text to Rick - How I can’t wait to be in your arms with you inside me…
Text to Rick - Is that bad?
Text from Rick - I want to be close to you, too.
Text from Rick - Maybe you can get here early and we can steal a few minutes somewhere before BP.
Text from Rick - I need a mid-day visit. I feel like I’m addicted and went cold turkey.
I laugh at the mere idea that a professional athlete could be addicted to me, but get warm all over at how much my king needs me.
Text to Rick - I’ll be there before batting practice.
Text to Rick - I love you, my king.
Text from Rick - :)
Text from Rick - I don’t remember what it was like without you. I love you, too.
He can make my heart thump with a text. I pick up my pace, so I can get to the stadium early. I take my cookie dough out of the refrigerator and press it into three cookie sheets. I put them all in the oven and set the timer.
I want to be sexy for Rick, and appropriate for Carter, when I get to the stadium with cookies and my proposal to assist with travel plans. I peruse my closet for the right thing to wear that’ll easily change over to game attire. It’s a warm day and a 5:40 game, great day for a skirt. I toss my denim mini skirt on the bed and put my Seals leggings in my game bag. I pull the jersey for today’s game from the closet, it’s the navy with white jersey. I hate wearing white tops, so I search my closet for navy blue options. I get the matching hoodie and cap, adding those to my game bag. I go with my navy sleeveless V-neck that gathers on the sides and then change my mind, choosing a basic navy camisole. I brush out my hair and smell cookies baking, so I check on them and the timer goes off as I open the oven. They’re perfect, so I take them out of the oven and let them cool before I cut them into squares. I turn the shower on to warm up and tie my hair up in a tight bun. I bring up my playlists, wanting something different than my normal Steamy playlist and see a playlist I don’t remember Sherry. I go for it and hit shuffle. “Oh Sherrie” by Steve Perry starts playing as I make my way to the shower. I stand in the shower with the hot water beating down on me, taking a few minutes to relax and let everything go. “If I Lose Myself” by OneRepublic comes on next. Tears start falling and I wonder what’s wrong with me. When did I become a girl who cries for no apparent reason? There must be a reason. Maybe it’s the big changes. I’m living with my fantasy baseball boyfriend, he’s real, and my life has definitely changed. Shit! What I want in life has changed. I turn to the water and close my eyes, feeling the water on my face. I focus and finish my shower, so I can go see my man. I dry off, then cut up and package the chocolate chip cookie bars before I get dressed. I let my hair down and give it a shake, hoping for a bit of wave. I get dressed, get my things together, and check the mirror. I put on my baseball bracelet and my key necklace. I text Rick on my way to his car.
Text to Rick - Leaving for the stadium now :) See you soon!
I get in the Challenger and start her up. The muscle car reminds me of the man she belongs to—powerful, rumbling, sexy, and fast.
I arrive at the stadium in no time and park in the player’s garage. I take the cookies and my proposal, and I make my way to Carter’s office. I knock on his open door and Carter smiles at me, inviting me in.
“Hey Sherry, what are you doing here?”
“I’d like to talk to you for a minute and I brought you some cookies.” I hand him the smaller bag of chocolate chip cookie bars and wait for his response.
“Thank you.” He looks at them and feels they’re still warm. “What’s up?”
I hand him my proposal. “You mentioned that you don’t like dealing with the travel arrangements and you may not know this, but I’m a travel agent. Planning travel is what I do and I enjoy it. So, I’m offering you my services.”
Carter stares at me unsure, “I don’t have a budget to pay you with. It’s part of my job.”
“I understand. I’ve done the research and I believe I can take the duty from you with the cost staying the same. Allowing you to have more time for other things, essentially adding to your value with the organization and saving the organization money with whatever extra duty you take on—and I’ll make a profit.” I stop because I don’t want to go too far and I don’t want to be pushy. “This proposal gives you some of my background and illustrates why you should have me handle travel. It makes sense.” I smile and
