Chapter 4

CHAPTER

FOUR

DANI

The suite attendant approaches us and offers Tyler a Capri Sun, and I look around for Ashleigh and the mystery man who left with her.

Archie’s mom, Casey, sits down beside me and offers me her nachos as we watch our boys discussing the game.

“Isn’t this the sweet life?” She laughs at herself. “Suite life? Get it?”

Jenny’s next to me and reaches across to offer her a high-five. “Good one. I love homophones.”

“Mom, what’s a homophone?” Tyler asks. I swear, that kid has supersonic hearing. I thought he was watching the game and talking to Archie.

“It’s a word that sounds like another word, but it’s spelled differently, and it has a different meaning.”

“Huh? Never mind.” Tyler goes back to watching the game with Archie, peppering him with questions too. Tyler is at that stage where he questions everything. Constantly. He’s so curious, taking everything in around him. I feel sorry for his teacher when school starts in a few weeks.

“I take it you don’t watch every game from the suites?” I try to get the conversation back on track.

“Are you kidding? No, this is a treat. We usually sit in the family section closer to the field or the mother’s room downstairs where we can take fussy kids or nurse. We’re beyond blessed Joey got traded to the Reapers two years ago. They take care of their players and families.”

“Where were you before Charlotte?”

“Chicago. It was fun, but the winters were brutal. I’m from Alabama, so I’m used to snow as a novelty, not a seasonal thing.”

“I admit, I’m partial to the mild winters too. Snow should be measured in inches instead of feet.” I’ve lived all over the world and never found a place that felt like home until we settled here in Charlotte. Moving from Washington, DC to here two years ago was quite the culture shock, but in a good way.

“So, Darcy, tell me about you and Matt. Have you been together for a long time?” I ask.

She laughs. “Well, it’s complicated. Childhood crush on my brother’s best friend that came to fruition recently. A few days ago.” She blows out a breath. “Has it only been a few days?” she says to herself. She shakes her head, and her dark locks fan around her head. She tucks her hair behind her ear and smiles. “Well, a few days ago, I had the best day of my life, and we came to Charlotte. It’s been a whirlwind ever since.”

“Yeah, it was crazy he got called up so quickly,” Casey says. “Lucky you getting to skip those minor league years.” She gives Darcy a warm smile.

“I guess,” she responds with a shrug.

“That is a lot in a short period of time,” I add. “Try to enjoy the moments, even in the chaos.” I met Darcy today with Ashleigh, and she’s a doll.

“Why was he called up so quickly?” Jenny asks.

Darcy bites her lip and sneaks a quick glance at me. I know. I’m the reason Darcy and Matt are here. I give her a sincere smile and reach over Casey to grab her hand. “Hey, I’m so happy there was a good outcome. It wasn’t that big of a deal. Look at all the good things that came from it. I wouldn’t undo it if I could.”

Ashleigh joins us and sits behind Darcy. Her hands go to Darcy’s shoulders, and she gives a little squeeze. “I’m so sorry for the how, but I’m with Dani. Blessings abound.”

Casey's face lights up, and she gets wide-eyed when it clicks. I’m sure she knows about the incident, but had no idea it was me. “Wow. Are you okay?” Her concern makes my smile dim a little. I hate people fretting and worrying about me. The last thing I ever want from people is pity.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Really.” I look over to Tyler and Archie as they chat and watch the game, Archie occasionally pointing to something on the field. “Looks like Tyler’s made a new friend.”

Casey laughs. “I need Tyler at every game. Archie’s seven-year-old energy usually starts rearing its head about now, and tonight, he’s been a gem.”

I laugh because I know exactly what she means.

“Dani, can I get you anything?” Ashleigh asks. I look around the suite again for the man she left with.

He was incredibly handsome with his chiseled jaw and perfect nose. I couldn’t take my eyes off his luscious lips, which looked soft and kissable. His styled, wavy, dark blonde hair was perfect, but I wanted to run my hands through it and mess it up a little. He did that himself when he let go of my hand, and it was hot. The rumpled look is sexy, and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of it.

He dressed impeccably, especially for a baseball game. His look was more boardroom than ballpark, and he had an aura of someone used to being in control. His smile was forced but not fake, like he didn’t do it often, and his cologne was so intoxicating that I’m convinced it was pure pheromones. I’ve never had such a strong, immediate, physical reaction to anyone, and I’m curious to talk to him again .

“Lose something?” Casey asks.

“I’m sorry?” Did I miss part of the conversation?

“You seem to be looking for someone?” Casey questions. She’s giving me a I know but won’t out you look. Casey just moved up the friend list with that gesture.

I blush, caught in the act.

Jenny, the best friend ever, catches on to my secret. She wiggles her eyebrows at me and gives me a not-so-subtle wink.

“Hey Ashleigh, who was that dreamy guy you left with? He didn’t introduce himself,” Jenny asks. I’m going to kill her for outing me.

Ashleigh laughs. “Dreamy? Not quite. I apologize for his lack of manners. I can assure you he was raised with them. He should have introduced himself, but I think he was caught off guard.” I knew the moment it happened because his mood shifted. It was when he realized I was the “victim” of the assault. “That was my brother, Alexander. He’s the General Manager for the Reapers.”

Casey giggles too. “Girl, I know he’s your brother, and I’m happily married, but I think Jenny’s right. You can’t deny he’s dreamy. I mean, he’s been on People Magazine’s hottest bachelor list for several years now. Between him and Chance Fuller, I don’t know which one has more appearances on there.” Her attention sweeps over to the boys. “Archie, do not throw popcorn at people.” He gives her a sorry, but mostly sorry I got caught look and smiles at her. He blows her a kiss, and I laugh. That kid’s a charmer.

At Archie’s reprimand, Tyler approaches me, sits on my lap, and wraps his arms around me. He doesn’t want to get in trouble by association. “Having fun, tiger?”

“Yeah. But I want to go closer to the game,” he whines.

“You know what,” Ashleigh starts. “I bet you and your grandfather would like seats closer to the action and away from all the girls, am I right?”

Tyler shakes his head enthusiastically. “Yeah.”

“Well, I know just the place. ”

“Wow, you know all the good stuff, Ms. Ashleigh,” Tyler says. He looks at her with a sense of wonder.

“Well, I kinda grew up here.” Tyler gets up from my lap so he can focus his full attention on Ashleigh.

“You lived at the ballpark?” Archie asks in awe. His eyes grow wide, thinking of the possibilities of living here. I think Ashleigh has a fan club.

“Not exactly, but my dad kinda owns the place, so he worked here, and I got to hang out all the time.” She gives them a small shrug, like it’s no big deal.

Both boys give Ashleigh their undivided attention. “Wow. That’s so cool. Did you get to eat hot dogs all the time?” Tyler asks.

“Yep.” She texts someone, and her phone buzzes with a response. She smiles at whatever the message is. “How about we go check out those closer seats? My friend Scoville is waiting for us. Dani, do you mind?”

“Not a bit. Dad would probably be grateful.”

“Can Archie come too?” Tyler asks.

Ashleigh looks to Casey, seeking permission. “Please and thank you,” Casey says.

“Come on, boys. We’ll be back before the game ends.” She gives me a wicked smile. “And Xander has been on the list once more than Chance and my brother Julian more than both. Trust me, Julian brings it up every year.” She holds out a hand for each boy, and they each take one. No complaints that they’re too old to hold hands this time. Tyler grips his prized autographed ball in his other hand. “Come on, Darcy, let’s get you closer to Matt.”

She gives us a wink and heads toward my dad. I can’t hear the conversation, but see Dad’s face light up. He and Mom leave the suite with Ashleigh, Darcy, and two very excited boys.

As I watch them leave, another extremely handsome man watches me from the bar. He has the same dark blonde hair as Alexander, but his shoulders aren’t as broad, and his smile looks more n atural. He raises his beer to me and gives a wink. I twist around in my seat and slide down a little, trying to hide.

“What?” Jenny asks, noticing my behavior.

“Nothing. Let’s watch the game,” I say in a hushed tone. You would have thought that Casey and Jenny thought I said, “Turn around and stare” because that’s what they both do. Casey turns back around and gives me a light elbow in the ribs, and Jenny makes noises that are somewhere between a purr and a moan.

Casey stage whispers, “And that would be the other Decker brother, Julian. Always has some actress or model on his arm, but he’s the nicest guy I’ve ever met. The total opposite of Alexander’s brooding, Julian is charming as hell. I didn’t know he was in town.” She stops and gives a brief pause. “Their family is tight, so I’m not surprised they’re all here to work through this PR nightmare.” She realizes what she said and touches my knee. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that you’re a nightmare. They have high expectations, and Pauly left them a mess to clean up in the media and with the fans.” Casey panics, embarrassed by what she said.

“No, it’s okay. I get it.” I put my hand on top of hers. Casey has been nothing but friendly and kind. She cares for her Reaper family, too. Who knew the behavior of one person would affect this many people? “It’s not their fault, but they’re dealing with the unfortunate fallout. I wish I could help.”

How can I help Alexander Decker? Many ideas come to mind, but most aren’t for sharing. No. I don’t think I want to share him at all.