Chapter 3

CHAPTER

THREE

ALEXANDER

I text Ashleigh to let her know I won’t be able to do the tour with the Franklins.

Meet you and the Franklins in our suite after the first inning. Hope that’s okay.

ASH

Sure, we’ll take care of them until then. I still remember my way around. It’s nice to know you haven’t cut my access off.

Nope. Still hoping you’ll forget about love and come back home.

Not a chance ??

Multitasking tonight - making sure Darcy meets the other WAGs. It’s a twofer kind of night.

Can’t think of a better wingman for her. Have fun. See you later.

My brother Julian knocks on the door and lets himself into my office. He drops down on the couch and puts his feet on the coffee table.

“Is that how you treat the furniture in your office?” I scowl at him, hoping it’s enough of a hint to move his feet. In typical Jullian fashion, he ignores me. He knows exactly how to push my buttons, and he does it regularly.

Before I meet Ashleigh, I still need to wrap up a few things and drop into the other suites for quick “grin and grips,” as I call them. The pressing of the flesh to our sponsors and leaders in the community. Fortunately, I make the rounds with Scoville, our hot pepper mascot. Everyone would rather have their picture with him than me, which suits me just fine.

“So, how’re you doing today?” Julian asks.

“Fine.”

“Seriously? One-word answers? I need you to loosen up and turn up the charm. Nobody likes the grumpy guy.” I hate his grumpy label. I’m not. Not really. I’m busy. Serious. Under a lot of pressure. Not all of us can gallivant around the country and spend weeks in Mexico “working remote.” Good thing he can’t see my internal eye roll.

“Jules, I’m glad you’re here. You’ve always had the people skills you like to point out that I lack. So why don’t you use those skills to help Ash and let me finish reviewing these financials?” I love my brother, but I don’t have the patience to deal with him right now.

“Whoa, whoa. Sorry to show concern for my brother.” He takes his feet off the table, and I let my shoulders relax a little.

“Look, I appreciate you being here. It was generous of you to give M att and Darcy your apartment until they get settled. Usually, I have someone to help with that, but right now, it’s all hands on deck dealing with this asshole, Pauly Jackson.” It’s not how I’d usually welcome a new player, so add a side dish of guilt to my plate while we’re at it.

“It’s no problem. After all, Matt’s my client, and Darcy’s practically family since Ash is marrying her brother. Now that I say that aloud, our family tree probably needs to branch out a little more, huh?” He shoots his million-dollar smile in my direction, and I loosen up a little more. Jules has a charm about him that puts people at ease. It’s probably what makes him so successful as an agent. Everyone trusts him, and honestly, they should. He’s an honorable bastard.

I chuckle at his realization regarding our circle of friends. Glancing at the picture on my desk of us at Ash’s engagement party makes me smile. We have a tight inner circle that expanded to include Cole, Darcy, and Matt. I admit they not only lower the median age, they’re excellent additions to the group. Our group. The Decker Connection.

“Probably a good idea, but we can’t let just anyone in. Not everyone can be privy to your girls’ nights.” I enjoy teasing Julian about his status with the girls in the group.

Jules doubles over in laughter. “You’re just jealous that the girls like me best.” Everyone likes him best, so I’m used to it.

“Go get the party started. I’ll be down shortly.” Hopefully, my dismissal will allow me a few minutes of peace before I have to drain my social battery.

“I’ll have a cold beer waiting for you. I’m buying.” He gets up to leave and makes it to the door when I realize what he said.

“How are you buying when it’s my suite, you jackass!” I yell at him as he leaves my office.

His laughter drifts down the hall as he calls back, “Whoops! Guess it’s on you then, brother!”

I take a deep breath and put on my public smile before I enter the owner’s suite to meet Mr. Franklin. I can hear the laughter in the hallway, and my smile grows from forced to genuine. Ashleigh said this was the right move, and once again, she proves to me she knows best. I’m so damn proud of my little sister. She’s amazing.

I open the door and find the suite filled to the brim with people. The Franklins must have invited everyone they know. Children are running around, and everyone seems to be having a good time. A few people are even seated watching the game. I see an older, dark-skinned man standing back, taking it all in. He's got this stiff posture like he's always in charge, but this suite is pure chaos, and he seems a little uncomfortable. It’s something we have in common. He has his arm around a stunning, older, white woman with beautiful silver hair. I approach him and extend my hand.

“Mr. Franklin?”

He takes my hand. “Yes sir, that’s me,” he responds with a smile and a tilt of his head.

“Hi. I’m Alexander Decker, General Manager of the Reapers. I’m so glad you could make it tonight.”

“Me too. It was quite a surprise, but we’ve had a good time so far. Thanks for having us. This is my wife, Carol.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Franklin. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Reaper hospitality. It was the least we could do. I also want to apologize for the behavior of one of our ex-players. I’m embarrassed and ashamed that he represented our team and my family. I hope he didn’t cause you any harm.”

“I appreciate your apology, young man, but I’m not the one he hit. That would be Dani.”

I scan the suite and don’t see any other men. Upon further inspection, it looks like the suite is filled with our players’ wives, girlfriends, and kids. “Was Danny not able to come tonight?”

“Dani’s watching the game with my grandson, Tyler. He loves the Reapers and playing baseball. I’ll never be able to bring him to a game and sit in the cheap seats again after today. He’s being spoiled rotten by your charming sister.”

“I’m glad we could do it. I’ll make sure Ashleigh gives you my assistant’s number so you can bring Tyler anytime. Excuse me while I make my apologies to Danny. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Franklin. Mrs. Franklin.”

He shakes my hand. “You’re an impressive man, Alexander. You run a top-tier team. I appreciate you held this athlete accountable. I don’t want Tyler looking up to men like him.”

“Thank you, sir. I agree, if athletes are going to be role models, they need to earn it.”

I give them a slight nod of my head and make my way down to the front of the suite. The padded seats are open to the stadium, so you can still get the game’s sights, sounds, and smells but still have climate control and private restrooms. It’s the best of both worlds. Although, I cherish the rare occasion when I can catch a game sitting in the outfield with the fans. Mr. Franklin mentioned the cheap seats, and I admit, they’re my favorites.

Two little boys are leaning against the rail, watching the field. “That’s my dad down there,” Archie Samuels says, pointing to his dad, Joey Samuels, our catcher, at bat.

The little boy I don’t recognize and assume is Tyler, appears fascinated with the game.

“Do you think he’ll sign my ball?”

“Sure,” Archie says with a shrug, not fully understanding why someone would want his dad’s signature.

“Mom, look, it’s Matt’s turn up to bat! That’s Ashleigh and Darcy’s friend. We met him, and he signed my ball,” Tyler says, with so much animation that he doesn’t even take a pause.

The stunning woman he addresses as mom practically takes my breath away. Her unruly, caramel-colored curls frame her face, and her expressive eyes are filled with unfettered joy. Her smile blooms when she takes in his excitement.

The boy pushes the ball toward me, and I’m not sure what he wants me to do with it. “Look! See my ball! Matt and some other players signed it.” I take the ball from him and carefully inspect his treasure. It has several Reaper signatures, most of whom have wives and kids in the suite today. Ashleigh must have had him in the middle of the Reaper family. That’s what this sport should be about—family fun.

“You’ll need to keep that ball safe. It’ll be worth a lot someday.” I grin, hand him his ball, and scan the suite again, looking for Danny and Ashleigh. “Is your dad here somewhere?”

“I don’t have a dad,” the boy responds matter-of-factly.

I’m a little confused. The person Pauly assaulted was Danny Franklin. If it wasn’t the man I already met, and it wasn’t the boy’s father, then who was the victim?

“I’m sorry. I asked the wrong question. I was looking for Danny Franklin.”

The gorgeous woman with the incredible smile turns in her seat and gives me her full attention.

“I’m Dani Franklin. Happens all the time.” She laughs at my faux pas.

I’m shaken to my core. The person Pauly assaulted is a woman? I’m even more angry than I was before. I never asked Jack the details of the assault because I was focused on getting Pauly Jackson off my team. Now I take in the incredible woman beside me and see a faint bruise on her cheek. That bastard hit a woman! What else did he do to her? I need to step away and gather myself, but I can’t be rude. I school my expression and give her my Reaper’s owner smile.

She watches me take her in, detail by detail, and her ringless left hand covers her cheek. Her smile fades, and the light literally dims around me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Are you okay? Did he, um, hurt you?” I’m grinding my molars to keep my cool. Of course, he hurt her, dumbass. Look at her beautiful face. Her glowing skin, marred only by a hidden bruise concealed by makeup, reveals the evidence of her injuries .

She smiles at me and stands. Her hand reaches for mine, and she gives it a gentle squeeze. I’m frozen in shock. Is she comforting me? “No, not really. It mostly scared Tyler. I’ll be fine. He was drunk and had obviously never heard the word no before.” She laughs. Fucking laughs. Is she for real? A man struck her, and she can laugh about it.

My hands go to my hair as I try to wrap my mind around this. I’m immediately aware of our broken connection when my hand released hers. “I’m sorry. How are you able to laugh about this?” I don’t mean to sound harsh, but her behavior has me so confused. Who is this woman and why is she turning me upside down?

She does this little shrug thing, and her eyes, all bright and amber, meet mine. Her long lashes make her eyes look even more exotic. “I’ll be fine, I promise. I’m an Aries. I see everything half-full. I mean, he caught me off guard, that’s all. But with every storm cloud, there comes a rainbow, right?”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“If I hadn’t had that unfortunate incident, I wouldn’t be here watching my son have the best day of his life. So with every storm cloud comes a rainbow. Don’t you see it?”

“Um, I guess?” Honestly, I have no idea what she’s talking about. I watch her hair bounce around her face, adding to her animated expression. I want to run my hands through her curls to see if they’re as soft and springy as they look. Her golden-brown eyes twinkle with happiness. She’s captivating.

“Oh, I see you met Dani,” Ashleigh says as she approaches us. “Isn’t Tyler adorable?”

I glance toward the boy who’s watching the game. “Absolutely.” And he is. “Ash, can I talk to you for a minute? Dani, I’ll be right back. Can I get you or Tyler anything?”

It’s like he has super hearing because over the crowd’s roar and the chatter in the suite, from ten feet away, he yells, “Mom, can I have another Capri Sun, please?”

“Sure.” She looks at me. “That is, if you don’t mind? ”

“No problem. Can I get you anything?” An ice pack? Medical attention? Pauly’s head on a platter?

She holds up her half-empty water bottle. “No thanks. I’m good. It’s still half-full.”

I have no idea how she sees life that way.

Ashleigh and I walk out of the suite and I pull her into a supply closet down the hall. I don’t have time to go back to my office. My smile is a long-forgotten memory, and my blood’s boiling.

“When were you going to tell me he hit a gorgeous woman!?” I whisper shout at Ash through gritted teeth.

“Calm down, will you? She’s fantastic, isn’t she? And you said gorgeous. Hmmm.” Ashleigh is smiling like Dani. What’s up with these women?

“I can’t calm down. What the hell happened?” I’m regretting this supply closet because I need room to pace. I’m like a caged lion, and I don’t like it.

“It’s not my story to tell. It’s Dani’s. But I got a copy of the video if you want to see it. Some guy was filming the crowd and captured it.”

“There’s a fucking video?!” I try to keep my voice down, but I’m furious and can barely contain my rage. My pulse is hammering away like I just finished ten miles on the treadmill.

The door to the closet opens, and Julian’s head pops in. “Family meeting, and I wasn’t invited?” My brother will understand my frustration. “Did you know he hit a woman?” I try to keep my voice down, and it becomes more of a growl.

“No. Oh shit. Is she okay?” Julian’s smile is gone, and I finally have an ally in my anger. Finally. Someone that understands.

Ashleigh smiles at us and puts a hand on each of our faces. Her hand is a calming reminder to keep my cool. “Whoever says chivalry is dead has never met the Decker brothers. I love you guys, but once you spend some time with her, you’ll realize she’s fine. Now, I need you both to go in there and charm the pants off of her.”

Jules wiggles his eyebrows, and she playfully pops his face. “Figuratively, not literally. Her father, the retired Colonel, will have you in front of a firing squad if you try anything.”

“And why is our suite full of WAGs?” Not that I mind, but it’s unusual to have the wives and girlfriends in the suite.

“When we toured, I was introducing them and Darcy to everyone, and it occurred to me that if we wanted to show them our family values, we should share the Reapers’ family with them too.”

“Brilliant, Ash,” Jules comments. He seems to be more accepting of this than I am. I’m still not appeased.

“Send me the video,” I order as I storm out of the closet and head to my office.

Ashleigh and Julian have this under control for now.