Nineteen

"Now this is how you watch a baseball game," Blossom says while bouncing Addy on her lap, with her boyfriend Dalton seated next to her.

It's been a while since the girls have been able to spend time with her. You should have heard the squeals when Blossom and Dalton walked into the suite. She used to be Sloan's PA before she moved back to New York. So like me, they have become an extension of their friendship group over the years.

"It really is," Wes agrees, handing me a beer.

"Yeah, thanks again for doing all this," Sloan adds from behind us in the private sky box.

"Of course. I can"t wait to watch Eli kill it out there," I say with a smile.

"Pshhh. Some Yankees fan you are," Ava chides from beside me. My little brat, always trying to get a rise from me.

I raise my hand to my heart. "I am forever a Yankees fan, but I"m also a huge fan of my best friend. I think one trumps the other."

"Hell yeah! That's what I"m talking about," Quinn cheers with Sophie in her arms. She then turns her gaze to Ava. "See, he can compromise… I don't know what you"re talking about."

Ava's eyes go wide in shock, and a devious smirk spreads across Quinn's face. As if knowing what she just did.

Turning my body to face her, I quirk an eyebrow in question. "Uncompromising, huh?"

A gorgeous blush creeps up her cheeks as I feel our friends discretely watching our exchange. She licks her lips and tilts her defiant chin.

I lean in closer so only she can hear me. "I thought you like it when I take control, Angel. I might have to remind you of such things tonight." Backing away, I watch as her breathing becomes heavier, and her pupils dilate with the knowledge of what I"m going to do to her body later.

Changing the subject quickly, Ava directs her attention to Blossom. "I"m so glad you guys were able to make it. Feels like forever since I've seen you."

"I know! When Quinn mentioned the Bulls coming to New York and all of you were going to be together, I knew we had to get our asses to the East Coast. Bummed about the parentals not being here this weekend, though. I was looking forward to their shenanigans."

"Ugh, I know, they were totally bummed too. They booked this Mediterranean cruise over a year ago. When they heard we were all doing this, my mom was literally about to cancel their trip," Quinn says.

"Oh, that's crazy. I'm sure they're having the time of their lives there. I can picture it now," Blossom adds with a bright smile and a wink.

"I'd rather not picture it…" Sloan teases her former assistant. "But I'm glad you both decided to make New York one of your destinations during your travels. Feels like you have been everywhere but here these last six months."

"I wouldn't miss this reunion for the life of me. Besides, I've been dying to squish these little munchkins," Blossom says, pulling Addy in for a tight squeeze.

Addy squeaks, and then climbs over into Dalton's lap, seemingly fixated on his shiny watch.

It"s still early in the game, so we have the time to catch up and just relax before Eli is sent in. Quinn eventually sets up a pop-up pen for the girls to play in while we eat and have a few beers.

"Thank you," Ava whispers to me as she leans in.

"For what?" I ask, hoping she means the three orgasms from this morning. Although she already proved how thankful she was.

"For setting this all up. I miss them all. Seems like life is moving so fast. I miss these moments," Ava responds honestly.

I place a reassuring hand on her leg and squeeze gently. "I agree. Need to make time for the important things in life." And I know without a doubt her brain will be dissecting my every word, but I mean it. Having Ava around has opened my eyes to how much I"ve been missing out on… How little I"ve actually been living, as opposed to just going through the motions.

Once again, I feel the eyes of our friends observing our every move, and quite frankly, I don't give a shit. I'm not sure what Ava told her friends of our situationship, but if I know these girls like I think I do, she's told them everything…down to every orgasm.

As she places her hand on top of mine, I whisper to her, "Not sure if you noticed, but we have an audience."

"Oh, I've noticed." She chuckles, and I observe the way her face lights up with her smile. My eyes linger on her lips for a moment too long before my attention is being pulled to where little Sophie is using my pant leg to get herself into a standing position.

"How did you get out?" I ask the toddler, then bend down to pick her up, walking toward the back of the skybox where she and her sister were playing.

Sophie's giggles fill the room when I toss her into the air and catch her. Addy, not wanting to miss out on the action, makes her way over for a turn. Before I know it, I'm being attacked by two hysterical toddlers.

"Oh, you think that's funny?" I ask Addy as she steals the hat off my head and places it on hers. Sophie is koala-hugging my leg while sitting on my foot, waiting for me to take her on a ride around the space. I scan the room, searching for reinforcements, but everyone seems to be enjoying the spectacle.

I freeze when I take in the look of pure admiration in Ava's eyes. It has never been aimed in my direction before, and I want to find every opportunity to earn it again.

Lifting my chin to her, she snaps out of the daze she was in. Setting aside her wandering thoughts for another day, she comes to my rescue, scooping Sophie off my foot. Ava nuzzles her neck, earning her a belly laugh.

"Didn't realize you were the fun uncle," she teases.

"I guess there're still things for you to learn about me." I wink, granting me another genuine smile from Ava.

"Come on, you two. Eli is warming up in the bullpen," Quinn says, and I pass her a squirming Addy.

"Do you know how sexy you look with babies in your arms?" Ava finally says when we take our seats, just moments before our section bursts into cheers as number Forty-One jogs across the field to the mound.

"You think I"m sexy?" I prod, nudging her with my elbow.

"You know damn well you"re fucking sexy. But seeing you with babies like that…" she trails off as she bites her knuckle in exaggeration, but I can see the lingering desire shining in her hazel eyes.

Who would have thought that babies would turn her on so much? Not me, that's for sure. To be honest, I haven't given the idea of kids much thought. With the things I've been through in life, I've often thought the heartache that comes with having a family may not be worth the happiness. But I'm not so sure living that way is really living anymore.

I must be staring, because Ava waves her hand in front of my face, breaking my trance-like state.

"You okay? I thought I lost you there for a minute," she says, grabbing her beer and taking a sip.

I clear my throat, pushing away those foreign ideas. "Yeah, yeah. I"m good."

She side-eyes me for a moment longer, then focuses back on the game, where Eli has already struck out two batters.

The next half hour flies by, with Eli crushing it on the mound, and leading the Bulls to a 4 to 3 win over the Yankees.

We stay in the box and wait for Eli's arrival. In the meantime, the girls are busy planning their summer visits.

"I guess you knew what you were doing," Wes says, throwing his words from the first night at Masqued back at me while we hang out by the ice bucket filled with beer.

Chuckling to myself, I take a sip of my beer, shrugging my shoulders. "Does anyone truly know what they"re doing?"

"I sure as fuck did. Might have taken me a while, but I got what I wanted," he replies, and his eyes laser in on where Sloan is laughing with her girls.

"We're just having fun. I enjoy hanging out with her." I cringe slightly as soon as the words leave my mouth. Even though they're the truth, there's more to it…to us, than just that. But both of us are too stubborn to admit it.

"Ha! I've heard those words before," Dalton chimes in.

"Just don't fuck it up," Wes says. Not only for Ava's sake, but for his wife's.

I raise my beer to his. "Wasn't planning on it."

Cheers erupt from the girls' circle, and they turn to face us all at once. "Uh oh, here comes trouble," Wes jokes.

"Oh stop, no trouble." Sloan comes over and bats Wes in the chest playfully.

Quinn comes to stand in front of us. "We just figured out our family trip weekend. And you and Ava are both coming… No excuses." Ah yes, their annual family trip, a tradition they've upheld since their childhood. I've been invited to tag along before but never wanted to impose even though they're always more than welcoming.

Ava comes to stand in front of me, hazel eyes searching my face. "We're thinking the weekend after Thanksgiving," she says to me, but also to the group. I can't help but feel a sense of relief that Ava wants me there too.

"We're thinking of going back to that ski resort in Vermont," Quinn says, just as Eli comes through the suite doors.

"Dada!" the littles scream and set off to attack him. He picks them both up, one in each arm, and showers them in love.

"So, what did I walk into? Where we going?" Eli asks as he leans in to kiss Quinn.

"Skiing!" the ladies cheer in practical unison.

"Eep! So excited we were able to figure out a weekend. Been hearing about this trip for years!" Blossom exclaims with a little dance.

"This is going to be so much fun. Even though I'm not much of a skier, I love tubing," Ava says cheerfully, then turns to me. "The cabins there are amazing, with cozy living rooms and big fireplaces. Plus they are huge, so we will have all the privacy we'll need." She adds that last bit just above a whisper.

I don't think she realizes that she's making plans for us six months from now. Surprisingly, the thought doesn't make me want to run. Instead, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her body into me, and place a light kiss on the top of her head.

"We will get you on those slopes this year," Quinn says to Ava.

"Like hell you will. I am perfectly fine riding my ass down the tubing hill." Ava laughs, and the girls all break into their own conversation once more.

"Great game, man," Wes says to Eli. The three guys start talking stats, and I"m trying my best to listen, but I"m too distracted.

My gaze is set on Ava and every move she makes. I stare at her in awe. It astounds me how easily our lives have meshed together. But I know from experience to never get your hopes up.

It's like they say, no expectations, no disappointments. Unfortunately, I've learned to live my life that way.