Chapter twenty-two

It's a perfect day for the game, and I'm in a fucking fantastic mood. Things with Shorty are moving in the right direction—toward our future together.

I pick her up every night from work, even though she has her car back. She doesn't fight me on it since she knows it makes me feel better knowing she's safe, but I think it makes her feel better, too.

"Yo, D! Where's your head at?" Jag yells from the dugout.

The ball comes flying as soon as he says that, but I catch it in time.

"The fuck?" I hiss at Wyatt.

"Get your head out of the clouds, man." Wyatt laughs, and I flip him off.

"Stop messing around!" Coach yells from the sideline.

"I see why he's on cloud nine," Jag yells, and Coach tells him to knock it off.

Jag points toward the bleachers and… fuck me. It feels like the air is sucked out of my lungs.

Shorty stands behind the fence looking all cute wearing a red baseball cap, a light hoodie, and tight-ass jeans with her Nikes.

My smile widens.

"Oh, shit. She came to watch you practice," Ash says, suddenly behind me.

Fuck yeah, she did.

"Don't fuck this up, brother. Shorty may be your girl, but she means a lot to me too." He pats me on the back and waves at Shorty like a freaking lunatic.

"What's up, girl?" he calls out to her.

Shorty shakes her head and laughs. When her eyes meet mine, I can't hold back any longer.

I run toward her, not caring if Coach will have my ass. She's been on my goddamn mind all day. I've been walking around with a hard-on whenever I think about her, and that's every fucking minute of the day.

"What are you doing?" Shorty's eyes go wide. "Your coach is going to kill you.

"Don't care," I say, dropping my mitt to the ground and jumping onto the fence, leaning over the edge.

"I want to kiss my girl." I give her a smirk.

Not waiting for her answer, I lean in, and she meets me halfway by throwing her arms around my neck.

Our lips connect and all the blood travels to my dick.

I pull her in gently but firmly, burning my lips with her mouth. Her lips are warm and soft and taste like strawberries. She tries to pull away, but I catch her tongue between my teeth and suck on it.

She laughs, that sweet and innocent sound I love so much.

"Du Pont! Stop sucking face and get your ass on the field, NOW!" Coach roars, but I don't stop kissing Shorty until she pulls away.

I look down at her, noticing her eyes seem to sparkle with lust.

"Go back, or they'll bench you." She giggles.

"I'm so fucking glad you're here." I can't stop smiling like an idiot.

"Just like old times." She winks and gives me one soft, lingering kiss.

Hell yeah.

I stay rooted in place, staring at the girl I've loved since I was six years old.

She's the calm to my storm.

"Go, Donnie." Shorty pushes against my chest, laughing.

I jump off the fence and pick up my mitt. I walk backward, ignoring the hooting and hollering and Coach threatening to bench my ass.

I pay them no mind because my eyes are glued on Shorty.

"Wait for me," I cry out to her.

She nods, throwing me a beaming smile.

Fuck. I'm so gone for this girl.

SADIE

When I was a little girl, I would tag along with their mom to their games and watch them play. I made it to each game except one. That was the day Dad beat me so badly I could hardly walk.

After watching Donnie and Ash practice, it felt like I was transported in time. The smile on Donnie's face shines bright like the stars, and I am the reason for it.

And that kiss? The kiss was so intense and hot that my panties melted.

I stayed in bed for a week while Jo and Mom tended to my injuries. Thankfully, Dad was gone for weeks after that day. Every night I prayed for Donnie to stay with me, but I didn't want him to see me broken. He came over that night anyway, and I'll never forget the crushed look on his face. No matter what happened to me back then, Donnie always found a way to make me feel better.

"Why is it freaking cold? It's April, for fuck's sake," Tia grumbles, pulling her jacket tighter as we carry our snacks and find seats near the dugout.

It's sixty-one degrees.

Tia finally agreed to join me and decided to bring her friend along, turning her into a raging bitch.

"God. This fucking period is killing me," she grumbles.

And that's the friend I was referring to.

"Did you take anything for it before we left?" I ask, glancing at the field and waiting for Donnie and Ash to appear.

"Yeah, but it doesn't do shit for me. How many innings is this thing, anyway?" she asks, while digging in her purse.

"Seven," I sigh.

Tia finally finds her painkillers and pops two in her mouth. After a while, we sit silently while "Say My Name" by David Guetta, Bebe Rexha, and J. Balvin blasts throughout the stadium.

The crowd cheers and chants for Donnie's team as the announcer calls out the home players one by one. When Donnie's name is called, the butterflies start to go crazy in my stomach. He jogs to the pitching mound, tossing the ball in and out of his mitt. When his feet land on the mound, he scouts the bleachers until our gazes meet. His big smile is like the Joker, just not in a creepy way. I give him a small wave, and he tips the brim of his hat.

"Girrrrrl. You are so fucked. I just had an orgasm." Tia laughs and coughs after taking a drink too quickly.

"Serves you right for talking shit," I tease.

Both pitchers from each team stand by the pitcher's mound when the referee flips the coin.

The other team wins and is up first to bat.

Ash puts on his catcher's gear and crouches behind the home base. Number twenty-seven is up to bat. Donnie gets into the windup position and faces directly toward Ash. Donnie gives Ash a nod and throws a fastball.

"Strike one!" the referee calls, and the crowd goes wild.

Donnie holds the glove in front of his chest and resumes his position. He lifts his left leg and throws a slider pitch.

"Strike two!"

I jump up and down in place, clapping my hands.

"Come on, come on," I chant under my breath.

Ash throws the ball back to Donnie. All players resume their positions. Ash silently communicates to Donnie with his fingers, his hand held down between his legs.

Donnie nods and throws a changeup pitch.

The batter swings and misses the hit.

"Strike three! You're out!" the referee calls out.

It's the last inning, and Donnie and the other team are tied.

Two strikes and bases are loaded.

Donnie is back on the pitcher's mound as his team watches intently from the dugout, getting more excited.

Donnie throws the ball, and the batter hits it. The cracking sound fills the air—the ball flies toward the outfield.

"Out!"

The crowd goes wild. People are standing in the stands cheering for the home team.

Donnie's team won!

I jump up and scream in excitement.

"Yeah!"

Even Tia joins in.

We wait in the tunnel that joins the field to the locker rooms to meet up with the guys after the game. It feels weird being here, but Donnie said it wouldn't be an issue. Tia is on her phone while I lean against the wall with my face to the ceiling.

"Hey, Sadie."

Addy stands on my left standing in her cheerleader outfit, looking vulnerable and…scared.

The last time we were in the same room was at Donnie and Ash's birthday party—a memory I chose to forget. She made me feel so small and unimportant as if I wasn't good enough for Donnie.

"Oh, fuck no," Tia snaps. "This is not going to be a repeat of that night because last time I didn't get to kick your ass, but that can change tonight."

"Yeah, I—I wanted to say how sorry I am for what I said and for—"

"Being a judgmental bitch?" Tia finishes for her.

Addy nods and swallows. "Yeah."

"Everything all right here?" I turn to see Donnie, freshly showered and looking fine. He changed into a long-sleeved Henley and dark jeans. If he looks this sexy with clothes, imagine what his body looks like without them. My face feels like it's burning.

"Yeah, Donnie. Everything is fine," Addy says, interrupting my thoughts. She turns to me. "I really am sorry, Sadie. I never meant to hurt you or make you feel like you didn't matter."

"Shorty?" Donnie asks again.

"We're good."

Addy smiles wide. "Really?"

I nod and smile. There's no point in holding a grudge. Shit's all in the past. I have more important things to worry about than some petty high school bullshit.

I turn to face Donnie. "Yep. All good."

Addy says goodbye and walks past us.

"Would you relax?" I glare at Tia, who looks like she's about to Yu Shu Lien on her ass.

"I am relaxed," she argues.

Donnie steps in front of me and takes my hand into his. He rubs his thumb inside my palm. "You ready to go?" he asks in his deep, sexy voice.

"Go where?" I ask Donnie, as we walk hand in hand through the tunnel to the parking lot.

"There's an after-party—"

"Nope. You can drop me off at Tia's." A party at Highpoint was the last thing I wanted to be at, especially after what happened at the last party I attended.

Donnie stops me. "Come on," he mutters.

Tia laughs under her breath.

I glare at her and at Donnie when he's looking at me with those sad eyes.

"You're not playing fair."

He grins.

"Fine." I let myself give in to the craving of making him happy.

He smiles widely in triumph.

"Damn. That was easy. I thought you would've let him work for it, like let him eat—"

"You want to be another Latina statistic? Keep talking," I cut Tia off. I know the following words out of her mouth would have been dirty and sexual.

And with how I'm feeling right now, I can't have those images in my head.

We drive through another wealthy neighborhood and park on the side of the street in front of a beautiful brick mansion. Relief settles within me, knowing this isn't the same house where I found Donnie in bed with another girl.

"You okay?" Donnie asks, turning off the ignition.

No.

"Yeah, I'm good." I give him a half smile.

Donnie surveys my expression. "Bullshit."

"I'm fine, really."

"No, she's not. She is uncomfortable as fuck since the last time she showed up in a house like this was to find you in bed with your ex," Tia says from behind, popping her gum.

I swing around, ready to smack her, but Donnie's charm prevented me from murdering my best friend.

"Tia, do you mind stepping out for a minute?" Donnie asks.

She pops her gum again. "Nope." As soon as she responds, her door is pulled open.

"What's up Mama." Ash holds onto the door and sticks his head halfway in.

"Goddamnit! Why do you keep doing that?" Tia snaps.

"Because the sound of your screaming brings my dick—"

Tia glares at Ash. "Are you going to help me or just stare at my tits all night?"

Ash grins wide. "Come on, baby." He holds his hand out for her, which she takes.

When the door shuts behind them, Tia taps on my window. She leans down close enough for only me to hear. "He loves you. Only you. Don't start second-guessing yourself."

"I wasn't—"

"Yeah, you were. You forget how much I know you. Have fun, and just be with him." Pure kindness replaces her sass.

"You too. Have fun and let him in. He's good for you." I look over my shoulder at Ash, who's giving me a sweet smile, letting me know he's got my girl.

"Yeah, I will. He's not so bad." She kisses my cheek and allows Ash to wrap his arms around her shoulder. They make the short walk to the cherry wood double doors.

I can feel the intensity of Donnie's stare through the reflection in the window.

Sighing. I turn to Donnie with weariness shining in his bright blue eyes.

"You know nothing happened with Addy that night. You believe me, right?" His words are softly spoken.

"I know that."

He pauses, and when he seems satisfied with my response, he nods.

"We don't have to stay here. We can go somewhere else. I don't want you to be uncomfortable. I only wanted to show you off." He smirks.

"No, it's fine."

He gives me that sweet boyish smile and leans in and kisses me. It's slow and soft.

"Let's go."

I stay glued to Donnie's side as we walk through the chaos until we reach the gourmet kitchen, where all the drinks and snacks are set out.

"Do you want something to drink? It doesn't have to be alcohol." His features soften.

I know why he's asking, even though I was almost shit-faced at his birthday party. People think that because you grew up with an alcoholic, you cannot enjoy a drink, but that's not always the case. Though it may be true for other people, not me. I refuse to go down the same path after seeing firsthand what it did to the people I love.

"I'll just have water."

"It's about time!" Tia comes from behind and wraps her arm around my neck.

"You good?" I ask, glancing sideways.

"Yep." She pops the P and kisses my cheek.

"Whine Up" by Kat DeLuna featuring Elephant Man blares through the speakers.

"Don't worry, Shorty. Mama's good with me," Ash says as he tries to drag Tia to the dance floor.

"Yo, D!" Wyatt, Jag, and another of Donnie's teammates I recognize from after the game walk up to us.

"This your girl, D?" the third guy says, tipping his beer in my direction.

"Yeah, she is. Babe, this is Tommy. He's on the team." Donnie wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to his side.

"Nice," Tommy says in agreement, taking a swig of his beer. His eyes never leave mine.

Donnie growls under his breath. "Really, Tommy? Take your eyes of my girl."

I chuckle at his possessiveness.

Tommy laughs and holds his hands up taking a few steps back until he disappears into the crowd.

"Hey, short stack, good to see you again." Wyatt smiles widely.

Jag smiles, his eyes darting back and forth to me and Donnie.

"Hey, are you okay?" Donnie asks again, leaning into me.

I lift my head and give him an assuring smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

After parting ways with the other guys, we enter the open space leading to the living room with its pine floors. Donnie leads me to a high-end sectional and pulls me down to his lap.

A few minutes later, Donnie's teammates join us on the couch. We make small talk—well, I smile and listen. Donnie asking me for the hundredth time if I am okay is driving me fucking crazy. I want him to enjoy his win with his team, not worry about me.

The song changes to "Apologize" by OneRepublic.

"Dance with me." Donnie's hot breath fans against my neck, sending chills down my spine.

I glance over his shoulder and smile in response. Donnie scoops me off his lap and leads me to the dance floor.

He holds me close to his body like we're magnets as we sway from side to side to the music. His arms wrap around my waist, and I lay my head against his chest, snuggling against him.

I never want this moment to end.

Eventually, the song is over, and my bladder is crying out for me.

"I have to go to the bathroom." Donnie pouts, refusing to let me go.

"I'll come with you," he insists.

I give him a WTF look, and he laughs.

"Come on. I'll wait outside the door."

Deciding not to argue, I follow him up to the second floor. He leads me to an empty guest room with an attached bathroom.

DONOVAN

I was hesitant to bring Shorty to the after-party, but I want her to be part of my life and show her how how serious I am about our relationship.

The door opens, and my girl finally emerges. She's wearing skinny jeans and low Nike shoes that make her feet look extra small. Her long curly hair is straightened in a half up and half down style, flowing in waves. My eyes linger on the curve of her hips to the swell of her breasts.

"What?" she asks suspiciously, a slow blush creeping into her cheeks.

"Come here." I curl my finger at her.

"Why?"

I chuckle. "Just come here. Please."

She slowly walks toward me, and I gently grab her wrists when she's within reach. I pull her into me until she's settled between my legs.

Keeping my eyes on her, I run my hands behind her legs up to her ass, giving it a quick squeeze, and rest on her hips. She gazes down at me with longing. She smiles, noticing my expression mirroring hers.

God, I've wanted her since the first night at the restaurant, and at the time, I didn't even know who she was.

"Donnie," she whispers, holding onto my shoulders, pupils dilated.

Oh, yeah. My girl feels the pull between us.

I tug on her hand, bringing her toward me until she sits onto my lap, forcing her knees to rest on the bed on each side of me. I keep her steady with my hands on her ass.

I groan when she rubs on my hard-on.

Jesus.

She leans down and nips my lower lip. I part my lips, giving her easy access, and she takes the bait. She slides her tongue into my mouth, and I devour her.

"Fuck," I groan against her lips, pulling her closer, needing more.

She tastes like cherry from her lip gloss and mint from her gum. I pull back and snatched her gum from her mouth into mine.

I chew and flash her a sexy grin.

She gasps in surprise and laughs. "You're so crazy."

"Crazy about you."

She tugs on the ends of my hair and leans down as if to kiss me, but then the door slams open.

Damnit to hell.

"Oh, shit! My bad, dude." Tommy and his girl are fucking wasted, laughing hysterically at nothing.

"It's all right. Have the room." I tap Shorty's thigh, and she climbs off me. I regret it immediately when my dick strains against my pants. I grab Shorty by her waist, making her squeal, using her as my shield to hide my hard-on.

"See what you do to me? I'm going to die of blue balls," I whisper in a groan, nibbling on her earlobe.

She chuckles lightly and looks over her shoulder, smacking my chest with the palm of her hand.

With my arms still around her waist, I guide her out of the room. We walk through the crowd, lingering as we descend the stairs.

"Where the hell have you been?" Tia raises her eyebrows at us, twirling the drink in her hand. I glance over to Ash when he pulls up behind her, resting his hands on her hips.

"You good?" Shorty yells over "I'm Good (Blue)" by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha.

"Yes, Mom." Tia rolls her eyes, but when they return to Shorty, she sees the worry in her eyes.

Tia's face softens. "Yeah, babe, I'm good."

"Low" by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain blasts through the speakers when Tia yanks Shorty away from me.

"I'm stealing your girl!" Tia shouts, dragging Shorty to the next room.

Shorty glances at me, pleading with me to save her, but I shake my head and mouth, "Have fun."

Shorty sticks her tongue out, making me grin.

"You good, man?" Ash asks, stepping beside me.

"Yeah, man, really good." My eyes never leave Shorty.

We talk for a while and later join the guys from the team in a game of beer pong in the other room. After a few rounds, I am itching to get to my baby.

I walk back toward the girls and lean against the wall. I watch as Shorty shakes her ass in those tight jeans to the music. Shorty and Tia have been at it for what seems like hours. I forgot they can go on forever without breaking a sweat.

"You guys look great together." Addy's voice startles me.

"Thanks," I say, keeping my eyes on my girl.

Since the night at the party, Addy and I have returned to being friends. We keep things simple with a hello as we pass by in the hall at school. She still sits at the same table as us during lunchtime, but on the opposite side with the rest of the cheerleaders.

"Hey, Donnie." Arms that do not belong to Shorty wrap around my waist.

"Seriously, Bianca," Addy snaps.

I grab the girl's hands and spin around to tell her to fuck off, but then she slams her fake lips on mine.

"The fuck!" I push her away. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I hiss, wiping her slobber off my face. Can this bitch be more fake? Fake lips, fake tits, fake tan, and fake blonde hair.

"It's not what you said last time." She glances over my shoulder and seductively runs the pad of her finger on her bottom lip.

I couldn't place her at first, but this is the bitch who thought she could jump on my dick. Bianca used to run with Addy's crowd until they had a fall out last year.

"Oh, no, you didn't bitch," Tia snarls, suddenly appearing.

"Who the hell are you?" She glares over my shoulder and then turns back to me. "Seriously, Donnie. You downgraded."

"Watch it." I cut Bianca a warning look and her face flattens. Her eyes dart to the movement over my shoulder and her smug look returns. Shorty stands beside me, and I pull her to my side.

"He's a good kisser, isn't he?" She looks at Shorty.

"I never kissed you," I hiss through gritted teeth.

"You did; you just don't remember. You were so fucking trashed that night." Bianca lets out a bitter laugh.

No. I woke up to her humping my groin, almost removing my pants. Who knows how far she would've taken it if I had not snapped out of my drunken stupor.

"Wait a minute." Tia brushes past me and up to Bianca's face. "You're the bitch that almost took advantage of him?" She points in my direction.

Bianca's eyes go wide. "What? No. He wanted it," she defends herself.

Tia throws her head back and laughs. "Bitch, please. If he was so trashed, then his dick wasn't working."

"No, she's lying!" Bianca yells, but it falls on deaf ears.

Tia looks over at Shorty with a mischievous grin. "If we get caught, remember you're deaf and I don't speak English."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Bianca snaps.

"Just let it go, Tia. She's not worth it." Shorty looks up at me with a bored expression. "Can we go now?"

Bianca snaps her fingers at Shorty. "Just so you know, he wanted me that night… Why would he pass this up"—she gestures to her fake tits—"for a ghetto ass trash—"

Bianca doesn't get to finish her sentence when Tia cocks her arm back and throws a punch to her nose.

Loud whoops and laughter fill the room over the loud music.

"What the hell?" Bianca screeches, drawing attention to our little circle.

Tia goes in for round two, but Ash lifts her off the floor and throws her over his shoulder.

"Put me down, asshole! I'm not done with her!" Tia yells while hanging upside down over Ash's shoulder.

"Yes, you are!" Ash yells back with a humorous laugh.

"You are nothing but trash!" Bianca yells.

Before I can tell Bianca to fuck off, Shorty yanks away from me, gets into her space, and slaps Bianca so hard that her face snaps to the side. Bianca holds her cheek as tears run down her face.

"You stay the fuck away from him. And the only trash I see is you," Shorty hisses and walks past me to the front door, not waiting for a response.

I follow and catch up to her once we're at the end of the driveway.

"Wait, baby, hold on a second." I reach for her arm, but she pulls away from my grasp.

My chest tightens, making breathing hard as panic sets in.

"Shorty?" I swallow the lump in my throat.

She spins around and points to my chest. "This is why I don't go to these types of parties. Why didn't you tell me what she did to you?"

I rub my hands down my face. "Because I didn't remember what happened, and I was afraid you wouldn't forgive me if something did happen."

"Is that what you think?"

I don't respond. I was so ashamed of my behavior that night. If Addy hadn't shown up, I would've made a big mistake, losing my future with Shorty.

She surprises me by wrapping her arms around my waist. She looks up at me, her chin hitting my chest. "Even if something did happen, I would've given you the benefit of the doubt."

God, I love this girl.

"That was a nice slap." I kiss her forehead, squeezing her against me.

"Yeah, well, next time, I'll cut off her V-jay if she comes near you again."

A deep chuckle comes out of me, and I hold her tighter. "Well, you won't have to worry about that, because I will never put myself in that position again."

"Good." She smiles, and I lean in for a kiss.

And all is right in the world again.