“Why is that?” He asks smugly.
I’m still feeling playful, “The hand soap scent in the bathroom is invigorating.”
“Is that all?”
I lean in and kiss him, refusing to comment.
Chapter Twenty-Four
We walk home quickly and Cross is already there waiting for Rick to go work out. I bribe him with brownies, so Rick has a few minutes to clean up.
Rick gives me a kiss on his way out the door and grins at me, unsure of the situations we can get into. “Are you going to be early for batting practice?”
“Yes, sir!”
“I’ll look forward to your scouting report. Love you, my queen.” He walks out the door with Chase in tow and looking at Rick like he’s lost his marbles.
I’m home alone and I have hours before I need to be anywhere. This is an uncommon occurrence in my life of a professional baseball player. I have tons to do. Work to get done. Groceries to shop for. Cleaning to put off. Since I’m making bad decisions today, I run with it. I open all the windows to let the breeze and the sunshine in. I turn my music on random shuffle and kick up the volume, ready to dance around or do nothing or whatever I want. Except for one problem. I don’t want to be alone, unless it’s me and Rick alone. Dancing around isn’t fun without him holding me close and randomly twirling me around or dipping me. Nothing is great, when he’s with me. What I want is to be with Rick. I switch gears and work as quickly as I can to get everything done, so I have more time to be with him. I shower using my good scrub and the conditioner that makes my hair shine. I make sure I smell fabulous and look radiant. I take the time to blow dry and curl my hair. I even put on mascara and lip gloss. I’m getting ready to go to the game, so I take a hair tie just in case and pull on my skinny jeans with my Seno V-neck T-shirt. I shove my cap and jersey into my bag and grab my hoodie on the way out the door.
I hop into Rick’s Challenger to drive to the stadium. Guys are usually protective of their cars. Their cars are their babies and they don’t let their girl drive them even if the car is crappy, or maybe because the car is crappy and I’m missing the point. Rick didn’t even flinch. In fact, he told me to drive and handed me the keys to his custom car with the extra power built in under the hood and the 6-speed stick-shift. He doesn’t worry about his car. He wants me riding home with him and he doesn’t want me on the trolley. The car doesn’t matter, I do.
I pull into the player’s garage with a wave from the parking attendant and find a seat to watch batting practice.
Text to Rick - Just letting you know I’m here for BP :)
Text from Rick - :)
Carter steps out of the dugout and sees me sitting in the stands. He looks at me twice and then comes up to see me. “You look gorgeous today and I mean more than usual, you’re always pretty. I had to take a second look to make sure it was you.” My extra effort is going to be noticed!
“Thank you. It’s nice to be home and have some time to relax.”
“You’re here early.”
“It’s becoming a habit. Rick likes me here for BP and I don’t always manage BP at the away games, its easier here. Let me know if I’m in the way. I don’t want to be a problem.”
“No, you’re fine. It makes him happy and the guys get a kick out of their tough as iron catcher being crazy over a beautiful blonde that yells at the game, bakes, sings, and from what I hear—knows her baseball. We expected to see you more when he came in and told me to get you set up with your access card. The guys don’t do that if the girl’s a gold digger or baseball skank, well unless they’re whipped. No offense. We all know that’s not you. Especially, Seno. I was surprised when he came in to request an access card for a woman.”
I smile, unexpectedly flattered. “I have a pretty good understanding of the game.”
“Well, you keep up the good work. Those cookies were great, by the way. I liked your proposal and I passed it on to my supervisor, but I suspect it’s sitting somewhere and won’t be discussed until they start talking about plans for next season.” He smiles as he turns and makes his way back to the field.
I look out to see the field had been set up for batting practice while we were chatting and the team has started to make their way out to the field. My Rick comes out with a bat in his hand. I yell out, “Looking good, baby!” Cross, Martin, and Bravo all turn to look at me and start to move in my direction. They don’t wave or yell hi back. No, they don’t recognize me? Do I look that shitty when I come to the game or what? I edit my shout out, “Looking good, Seno!” Seno looks at me and smiles, as he notices the other three turning back away.
Rick runs up to me, “You’re fucking beautiful. Glowing. Are you sure you’re mine?”
“Only yours, my king.” I smile uncontrollably.
“You cleaned up all nice like this for me?”
“You’re the only reason I want to look good. Part of it could be the maple syrup.” I giggle like a teenager and he kisses me before he runs back to the field. “Knock it out, Seno!”
I watch the guys as they wander the field, hang out around the backstop and hit, with my eyes on irregularities. I find myself concentrating on my Rick, not because he’s
