35. So Fucking Screwed

THIRTY-FIVE

SO FUCKING SCREWED

Dessa

It's been a month since I visited Garrett in Arizona. We chatted almost every day, either with a phone call or FaceTime. Of course, it got difficult to sync our schedules especially when his games can either be in the afternoon or in the evening. In between work and talking to Garrett, I got drinks with Georgia. She told me she filed for a divorce from Tony. While he never admitted to trying to kiss me in Chicago, she caught him blatantly flirting with other women. She's served him the papers, but he's been dragging his feet on signing them. I'm sure it's to squeeze out whatever he can from Georgia like the snake he is. The last she heard, he left Harbor Highlands and has been spotted in Chicago. Since Georgia recently opened her new handbag boutique in Harbor Highlands, she's decided to stay here instead of going back to Chicago where her family is. She says Chicago may be big, but it's not big enough if Tony's there. I reassured her she'll always have a place with us.

I change the channel to the Seattle-Houston game at Porter's. If I can't see Garrett in person, watching him play on TV will have to suffice. They're still doing warm-ups while the announcers discuss the game. My heart flutters every time I get a glimpse of Garrett in his uniform. Is it wrong that it turns me on as much as it does? I wonder if that's some sort of fetish other baseball players' partners have. I'll have to ask Melanie and Tori. He does like seeing me wearing his jersey, so I guess it's the same for me to see him wearing his.

"I've never seen anyone with actual hearts in their eyes." Nora rests her elbow on the bar next to me. She picks up a cardboard coaster and fans me with it.

I twist to face her. "What are you doing?"

"You're panting. I thought I'd cool you down."

I laugh and yank the coaster from her hand. "I am not."

She studies me with a quizzical raised eyebrow. "So, when did you know you were in love with Garrett?"

My heart skips a beat. "Love? What are you talking about?" The words have been on the tip of my tongue several times, but it sounds so much different when someone else says them. I love that we've reconnected. I love watching him play a sport he loves. My pulse races whenever I'm with him. He sends tingles through my entire body whenever he touches me. He's constantly on my mind. Anticipation bubbles within me thinking about hearing his voice or catching a glimpse of his smile on video chat. He's the only one I want to be with.

"If the way you're staring at the TV, at Garrett, isn't love, then all the books and all the movies have been telling me nothing but lies." She quirks an eyebrow at me before she adds, "Go for it. It's clear he loves you just as much." Without another word, she turns away and helps a customer at the other end of the bar.

I do love him. I'm screwed. So fucking screwed. My gaze flits to the TV as the camera pans his way. He removes the Warblers cap and flips it backwards before setting it on his head. He's talking animatedly to one of his coaches and then his face lights up with his signature dazzling smile. I miss him. So damn much. Two weeks. I'll get to see him when he plays in Minnesota in two weeks.

It's Friday night, and I settle in to watch tonight's game on the TV. Since I had to work earlier, I wasn't able to make it to today's game in Minneapolis, but Garrett got me tickets for tomorrow. I click the button on the remote and flip to the channel for the game when a scrolling banner on the bottom of the screen says tonight's game has been canceled. I check my phone, but I have zero messages from Garrett about the game getting canceled. My heart sinks. I was looking forward to watching Garrett… er… the game, tonight. I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow to see him.

A knock on my front door startles me. Mentally, I do a quick rundown of everyone who could possibly be knocking on my front door right now. Lach and Nora are both at work. I just got off the phone with Rylee, and she's at home. Jake would never come to my house. Tony's gone AWOL, and Georgia is meeting with some investors. Another knock echoes through my townhome, only louder this time. I throw the blanket off my lap and race to the front door. I rise to my tippy toes and peek through the peephole. All that comes into view is the top of a Warblers baseball cap. My heart does a backflip. My fingers fumble to unlock the deadbolt, and I yank open the door. His head drifts up, deep emerald eyes stare into mine.

"W-what are you doing here?" I ask.

"It's pouring rain in Minneapolis and not letting up anytime soon. Since they canceled the game, I told the manager I was going to make a drive two hours north."

I hold the door open and motion for him to come in. "You drove all the way up here to see me? What did your manager say?"

He laughs. "He told me if I'm not on the field by one, he'll be using my balls to throw the first pitch. When Skip makes a threat, you don't take it lightly. And I'd rather not have to catch my own balls."

I scrunch my nose and giggle. "That sounds exactly like Jake. When he says something, he means it. Plus, I kind of like your balls. So, your manager's name is Skip?"

"His name is Cory Lockwood, but Skip is a nickname some managers go by." I nod along. "Anyway," a slow grin spreads across is mouth, "I have eighteen hours before I need to be at the field."

"And two of those will be spent in a car. So, what are you planning on doing with those sixteen hours?"

"Well first, I'm going to kiss you because it's been way too long since the last time." He presses his lips to mine in a soft, lingering kiss. He pulls back, entirely too soon, and rests his forehead against mine. "Next, as much as I want to ravish every inch of your naked body, it will have to wait until later. I have other plans first."

I drag my fingers over his chest. "I really like the first option."

"I promise," he kisses me again, "the wait will be worth it." His heated gaze drops. "While I love you in this white Warblers tank top," his finger hooks under the strap, slides it over my shoulder, and presses a warm kiss on my bare skin, "I certainly won't be able to keep my hands to myself. So, I'll need you to change."

I press my hips into him. His growing erection digs into my belly. "What should I wear?"

"Something warm. We'll be outside."

"Oookay," I drawl out, not entirely sure what he has planned, but I trust him. I spin around and he smacks my butt before I run up the stairs and tug on a pair of dark skinny jeans and a cream colored sweater. When I make my way downstairs, Garrett's standing by the door.

"Now that I'm dressed, are you going to tell me where we're going?"

"The Harbor Highlands Huskies are playing tonight. Their pitcher has been drawing a lot of attention. I'd like to see him play."

"So, on your night off from baseball, you want to watch baseball?" He nods. A soft smile forms on my lips. "Baseball really does flow through your veins."

"I eat, sleep, dream of nothing but baseball. And you." He winks.

A laugh bubbles out of me, and I playfully slap his chest. "Good save."

Garrett drives us across town to Atwood Stadium, where the Huskies play, a Double-A minor league for the Mallards. Garrett buys our tickets, and we find a spot on the steel bleachers. Stadium lights flood the field as the sky darkens above us. I've never attended a Huskies game, but they appear to be fairly popular since a majority of the seats are taken. After we sit, Garrett wraps his arm around my shoulder, and I snuggle into his side. I love the warm comfort of him next to me. It's becoming my favorite thing in the world. Being with him feels so natural, like we're meant to be.

Since we got here late, we catch the last five innings. Throughout the game, he tells me what they should have done, what they did right, and what they did wrong. Some people may take that as arrogance, but Garrett's anything but. Baseball is his life, people should listen to what he has to say about the sport.

"Have you ever thought of going into coaching? Once you're done playing baseball."

He taps his chin. "I haven't put a lot of thought into it. If all goes well and I avoid injury, I could still play another ten years."

"With your knowledge, I think you would be great at it. It's something to consider."

He nods.

The Harbor Highland Huskies win eight to five. When the game is over, everyone shuffles out of the stands, including Garrett and me. Before we reach Garrett's rental car, he stops and turns to me. "Aren't the Hillside ball fields close to here?"

"Yeah, it's only a couple of blocks." I point toward the sidewalk path that leads in that direction.

"Let's check it out. I haven't been there since high school."

A light breeze kicks up, and I wrap my arms around myself.

"Are you cold? We don't have to go."

"No, we can keep going. You'll just have to keep me warm."

"My pleasure."

He wraps his arms around my shoulder and pulls me to his side. His scent invades my senses. It's comforting. It's my home. He's my home.