16. Monty

Chapter sixteen

Monty

“I swear to fucking God, if you don’t stop whistling, I’m gonna tape your goddamn mouth shut.”

I purse my lips in Mav’s direction and let out a trill. “You love me, Maverick King, and you know it. Tell Sadie she needs to help you to lighten up some more. Let us see that big, beautiful smile of yours.”

My teammate glowers. But that’s basically his normal face, so I take no offense. Slapping him on the shoulder, I strut past him, taking my position in front of the pitching machine. I nod at Sin, who’s manning the machine, and the first ball comes flying at me.

CRACK.

“That’s how you do it, boys!” I crow, flipping my bat in the air before taking my stance again. Another ball comes at me and I swing.

CRACK .

“Oh yeah, baby.” I give my backside a little wiggle, too high on life to care how much of a fool I look. “More than just a pretty face with a good butt. ”

“I know it’s Monty, but don’t you think he’s a little extra today?” Ben Wilson mutters from outside the cage.

I hear Maverick’s grunt just before connecting with another pitch. “Woo! Watch and learn.”

“Maybe he’s gettin’ laid,” Darling jeers from next to him, and goddamn it, his comment makes me miss the next pitch. “Oh, damn! He is!”

I turn and glare at my teammates. “Would you please shut up? I’m trying to focus.”

“And your fucking whistling was preventing the rest of us from doing just that. Fair’s fair, Monty.” Maverick folds his arms across his chest with a smirk.

I finish my round with the machine and exit the cage, frowning at each of them in turn. “Just for that, I’m gonna sing next time. Any requests?”

Darling takes a ball I didn’t even realize he was holding and whips it at me, and it’s only thanks to my finely honed catcher reflexes that it doesn’t hit me in the head. Instead, it stings my bare hand.

The thing is, their teasing? It isn’t getting to me. Not at all. Because nothing can touch me right now. The girl of my dreams is within reach. And tomorrow, I’m taking her to my parents’ place. They’ve met a couple of times, but only briefly and only in professional situations. Now, I get to introduce her as my…something.

Maybe I gotta figure out what that is first. Friend? Almost girlfriend? Future wife?

All of the above?

Yeah, I’m on top of the fucking world, and it’s only gonna get better as Lark and I find our way together.

The guys and I wrap up our practice and head over to the diner next to the stadium for some lunch. Pushing open the door to the fifties-style diner is like pulling on your favourite pair of sweats. Comfortable and relaxed. The vinyl booths are bright teal to match our team colours, there’s always oldies music playing, and Maura, the owner, makes damn sure no one bothers us when we’re eating there.

“Hey boys, want your usuals?” the woman in question says as she bustles over with a tray of water.

“You’re an angel, Maura, thank you.” I give her my winningest smile. “If some fries landed on my plate with that burger and salad, I wouldn’t be mad.”

“You got it, honey.”

The rest of the guys confirm their orders, and she heads off to the kitchen.

“Okay, are we just not gonna talk about the elephant in the room?” Sin leans forward, folding his arms on the table in front of him.

Darling chokes out a laugh as Mav rolls his eyes.

“What elephant?” I ask stupidly.

“You and Lark,” Sin says, his gaze bouncing between the other two guys. “Willow said she broke up with what’s-his-fuck, so…”

“Oh shit, I was right? You are gettin’ some? And with Lark?” Darling sits forward, his eyes wide. “Fuck yeah, brother! And to think I was jokin’.”

My head is whipping back and forth. “No guys, stop. I’m not sleeping with Lark. ”

“Why the fuck not?” Mav barks out. “You’re fucking in love with her.”

“Exactly!” I throw my hands up in exasperation. These guys don’t know my secret, and I’m certainly not about to spill the beans right here and now. But I know I have to explain myself somehow. “I care about her —” Mav snorts, and I narrow my eyes at him. “Fine, I love her. And because of that, I don’t want to rush things. She was with that guy for years. And only just ended things. What kind of a dick move would it be to rush her into something before she’s ready?”

“Look at you, bein’ all gentlemanly like,” Darling teases, punching my arm. “I’m proud of you, Monty.”

I roll my eyes. “For what? Doing the bare minimum of being a decent human being and respecting a woman?”

“Fair point.” He inclines his head toward me. “Well, we’re all rootin’ for ya. Hopefully, our Lark sees the light and puts you out of your misery soon.”

I’m saved by the arrival of our food, and the conversation drops off as we all devour our meals. We make quick work of it, what with being professional athletes who just worked our asses off in the gym and batting cages. And then, everyone heads their separate ways. But I should have known I wouldn’t get off that easy.

In the parking lot of the stadium, Sin follows me to my truck.

“I’m sorry if I overstepped back there, asking about Lark.”

I give him a small smile. “Nah, it’s fine. Everyone knows how I feel about Lark. Everyone except Lark, it seems.”

His eyes widen. “She doesn’t know?”

“Oh, she does now,” I quickly clarify, then instantly feel my cheeks start to heat up. “We, ahh, we’ve talked about it.”

Sin’s eyebrows raise as a smile breaks free. “Oh really. Talked about it, hmm?”

I unlock my truck and open the door. “Yeah. Talked. Okay, gotta go. Bye.”

Getting in, I close the door and turn on the engine without looking out the window. When I finally do lift my head, thankfully, Sin’s walking away. Phew , dodged that bullet.

Now, to get through tomorrow without Mom embarrassing me.

“Seriously?” I groan as I walk into the living room and see Mom and Lark pouring over an old photo album. “Baby pictures? Mom, come on.” My voice takes on a slight whine, but this is exactly what I was afraid of.

It’s not the fact that Mom and Lark are getting along so well. I expected that, Mom’s awesome and so is Lark. It was a given they’d love each other. But I was really trying to avoid the naked bath time photos a little while longer.

I set down the cups of coffee I just finished making and sit beside Lark, leaning over to see exactly where they’re at in the mortification process.

“Oh great. My shining moment as a sunflower in the grade one class play.”

Lark giggles. “You were an adorable sunflower.”

“Wait until you see his costume for Star Wars day the year he turned eight. He wanted to be a Wookiee! I spent hours gluing fake fur onto a brown sweater.”

I slump back against the couch with another groan. But Lark’s hand lands on my thigh, squeezing it gently, and my gaze darts over to her.

“Well, Chewie was the best character, so I support his decision.”

Goddamn, she’s perfect for me.

My hand covers hers, but only for a second so Mom doesn’t see. Baby photos are one thing. Meddling mothers are another. And from what I know, Lark had enough of that with Baron’s mom to last a lifetime.

I listen to the two of them chatter on for a while longer, content to just be here next to her. It’s familiar and yet so different all at the same time. Because now, when her leg presses against mine, I don’t have to pull away. And when she smiles at me, I can let myself believe it means something. And when she and my mom laugh over some crazy photo of me as a kid, I can imagine the future when she’s really mine.

Eventually, they take a break from looking at photos, and my mom shows Lark her quilting room, aka, my old bedroom. They’re gone for a while but given my mom’s a fucking genius at making quilts, I’m not worried. I wander downstairs to the store to check on my dad instead.

He’s just finished ringing up a customer, and I glance at the clock to see it’s closing time. “Want some help shutting up shop?” I ask, already moving to the front to get the signs from outside.

“Sure, son, thanks.”

We work in an easy silence for a while, going through the steps of locking up. It’s only when we’re done, and heading back upstairs for dinner, that I see him wince.

“You okay, old man?” I ask.

“Fine, fine. Just the sciatica,” he answers dismissively, and I know he’s minimizing things, like always.

I keep my mouth shut. Now’s not the time to push. But someday soon, I’m gonna sit my parents down and tell them they have to let me help.

Maybe once I secure my next contract, they’ll see I can take care of them and be secure in my own future. And who knows. Maybe by then, Lark will be by my side to help convince them.

A guy can always dream.