“You have a lot of responsibility.”
“And as you know, I take it a bit too seriously at times.”
His expression was stony, telling her the joke fell flat.
“What will I do when you’re gone?”
“I won’t be leaving until after the funeral and practices will have been reinstated. You’ll have the freedom to do what you want. Within reason.”
“Can I spend money on clothes? I bought some at the hotel but most of my clothes are to wear in summer.”
She should have thought about that. He was used to living in warmer climates and she’d been so busy avoiding him she hadn’t done her job.
“We’re going to have to talk about your finances. Maybe tomorrow. I’ll explain what you have available, how you can use it. We’ve gotten the credit cards we applied for, and you have unlimited access. We’ve set up automatic pay for all of them. You can go anywhere and buy anything. Again, within reason. One car, one laptop, one closet full of clothes.”
“Why would I need more than one?”
“You’d be surprised by how many cars some of the players have. They collect them like baseball fans. The more they have, the better they feel. We’ll have to get you a license before you can drive around.”
“Can you buy one of those?”
“You’ll have to pass a couple of tests. One written, one behind the wheel. Have you driven before?”
“I have but our streets are not full of traffic. The only thing you need to avoid is bicycles and people walking.”
She was thinking about being in the passenger seat while he tried to understand the flow. She’d need to teach him how to parallel park and her stomach clenched. The car she’d picked out for him was an automatic so she wouldn’t have to worry about grinding gears.
“They’re probably not as narrow or confusing, either. Lots of one-ways and traffic lights here in the city. I’ll have to take you to a less-congested area… I forgot to show you the car. If you like it, we can start your lessons tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Why not? I have to go into the office for a few hours, but I can do that early. If that’s the case, I need to get to bed. It’s getting late.”
He shot up before she stood, a more gentlemanly gesture than she was used to. Before she retired, she asked, “Are you okay?”
“I am. Thank you for staying out here with me.”
He looked so earnest she felt a sliver of guilt.
“I’ve made myself scarce because…I don’t know how to handle this. It’s temporary and I don’t want it to get sticky. I also don’t want to fail you. I’m going to try and find my balance. Please have patience with me until I do.”
“I have patience.”
“I know. I’ve seen you at the plate.”
“You were there this morning watching me?”
“I caught the tail end of your time in the batter’s box. I’ve also watched all kinds of videos. You know that, though. You watched me watch them.”
His movements had put all kinds of images in her head, none of them safe. He was a powerhouse, with the upper body physique that made her mouth water, and his mental discipline was almost as attractive. He swung the bat as naturally as one breathed, and his technique on the field was flawless. The man was over six feet tall, but his range of motion amazed her. Being a lover of baseball, she couldn’t help but be enthralled. It might have been the impetus for the proposal. If she didn’t watch herself, it might also be the impetus for going someplace she had no intention of going. His bed might call to her, but she had discipline of her own and she was going to use it.
“Good night, Mateo.”
“Good night, Alicia.”
The vibration of his voice shimmered through her, but she forced herself away, taking backward steps so she could get her fill of him.
When she was safely behind her bedroom door, she let her shoulders relax. There was more tension there than she’d thought. Fighting the force of the attraction was going to take a toll on her, especially now that she was getting to know him. There was more substance beneath the surface than she wanted there to be. If he was egotistical like some, or materialistic like others, it would have been easy to withstand the physical attraction. That he was neither was going to make it difficult to resist his charm. She just had to remember the one hundred things that could go wrong…
She undressed, changed into her pajamas, and before folding her clothes, took her phone from the back pocket of her jeans. After pulling the covers on the bed down, she slid in between the sheets and thumbed her contacts.
Casey answered on the third ring.
“Hi. What’s up?”
“You have time to talk?”
“Yes. All’s quiet on the home front.”
“I think I’m in big trouble.”
“Why? What happened?”
“You know that Cuban guy we signed?”
“Yeah. He’s been working out at the facility. He was in with Rique dos Santos and Seb for the last two days.”
Piqued by curiosity, Alicia asked, “Did you watch?”
Casey used her prim tone. “No. I didn’t.”
Fixing the pillows behind her head, Allie tried to get more comfortable.
“Not even a peek?”
She knew Casey still carried a torch. Had a feeling the flame would never go out.
“Well, maybe a peek.”
“What did you feel?”
“Exasperated with myself because I gave in. It’s hard knowing he’s going to be around.”
“And now that your father accepted the manager’s job?”
“I’m fucked. But I don’t think you called to talk to me about Sebastian Layden. You said you were in trouble.”
“You know we had to do some fast talking to get Alvarez here.”
“I was surprised he got here at all. From what I understand, there are a couple of other Cuban players holding out,
