Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Cole

I hate seeing women cry, period. But, to see this gorgeous woman who just fearlessly moved across the country for a job crying has me seeing red. I’m glad that she told me what she needs. Taking her hand to pull her up and out of her car, I can’t help but to wipe one last tear away before pulling her in for that bear hug. Letting her stay in our embrace until she is ready to let go seems like the right move. Something inside of me has me wanting to protect her from all the bad in the world. But right now, the only thing that matters is giving her what she needs. And that thought has me placing a kiss on the top of her head. Why? I don’t know. It just feels like the right thing to do.

“So now you want to hug me?” I say with a low laugh.

Just get her to laugh, to bring that smile back to her face.

I can feel her shoulders moving like she’s laughing. Mission accomplished. She squeezes me a little tighter, and it seems as if she doesn’t want to let go. The feeling is mutual. Reluctantly, my arms loosen from around her and she does the same, pulling back from her just enough to look into her face.

“Hey, you good?” I ask. She nods with a smile. “If you’re sure, let’s get you into the stadium. I’ll grab some of these boxes and walk you to Heather.”

“Thank you, Cole. I’m sorry you had to see me like that. Oh, Heather said to text her when I got here, but I was distracted. Let me do that now.” She pulls her phone out and sends off a text. “She said she’ll send some muscle power to grab them.” Pointing at the boxes in her car.

Moving to grab a box from the back seat of her car, she stops me because five guys are walking towards us. They grab all the boxes, not even leaving one for me.

Well then.

“Okay, let’s get you inside.” I say as we turn to go into the stadium.

I place my hand on her lower back, hoping that it gives her some comfort as we walk. Not sure if I should pry, but the need to know what made her upset is killing me. Wanting to make sure that there isn’t something she’s trying to hide that could hurt her spurs me on before we reach the doors of the stadium.

“Is everything okay?” I ask her while stopping us.

Adriana looks off to the side while biting her bottom lip like she’s contemplating what to share with me.

“Listen, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to but, I want you to know that I would like for us to be friends. You are pretty great and we’re going to be around each other a lot. Sorry, I don’t mean to pry, but I just need you to know that if you need a friend or muscle to handle someone, I got your back. And not just me, but Heather and Ty, too.” The words just vomited out of me.

Adriana is looking me straight in the eye with tears in hers. Fuck, that wasn’t supposed to make her upset.

“Thank you, Cole. That means a lot. I would love to be friends. I don’t have many of those these days. I got a phone call from my ex on my way here. It’s been about five, almost six months since I walked in on him cheating on me with not one but two women on the same day I was laid off. It seems as though he wants to get back together or something. To which I told him in no uncertain terms that there is a zero chance of that happening before hanging up on him. It was a surprise and honestly, it made angry enough to cry. I don’t understand why now when I’m finally starting to feel like myself again and that it’s okay to be happy.” she says with a smile now gracing her beautiful face.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with that. Want me to have a chat with him?” I ask.

“No, I made sure he knew that he wasn’t a part of my life anymore and that I’ve moved on and to never contact me again. But, thank you. It’s a really nice and tempting offer, though.” She says.

“The offer stands. Let’s get inside before Heather thinks you got kidnapped.” I tell her, turning us towards the door.

Just as we get to the door, the security guard opens it and Heather is standing right there.

“I was wondering where you were. I have your credentials here.” Heather says as she hands over a lanyard to Adriana. “Wait, are you okay? What happened?”

“Thanks! Sorry, a ghost popped up on my way over here. I’ll fill you in later. We need to finish getting set up.” Adriana says as she puts the lanyard around her neck, leaving no room for discussion.

“Have fun ladies. I need to get to the clubhouse.” I say, heading in the opposite direction of where they’re going.

Seeing Adriana cry has my blood boiling now that I know why. That guy is a fucking dumbass. What’s surprising though, is this notion to turn around and go back to make sure that she is truly good now and it’s making me drag my feet.

What the fuck? You barely know her.

I finally get through the doors of the clubhouse and make a bee-line to my locker. Tyler clocks me as I walk in through the doors of the clubhouse and he follows me.

“Hey, what took you so long? You’re normally here before me.” he says as he comes to stand next to me.

“Who was that fine ass woman you were hugging and walking into the stadium, Cole?” Sean Wilson says as he drops his bag into the locker next to me. I look over at him and give him a mind your business look. Now, Sean is one of my closest friends on the team. He’s 6’2 with short blond hair and green eyes and plays shortstop. The ladies eat him up and I want him nowhere near Adriana.

“What woman, Co?” Ty asks with a glare.

“I saw Adriana on my way in here. She was upset, so I went to check on her and then I walked her into the stadium to meet Heather.” I tell them.

“Who is Adriana and why am I just hearing her name? You’ve been single out to the world for like five seconds.” Sean mentions.

“She is Heather’s personal assistant. Which means you and your dick go nowhere near her. Do you understand me?” Ty asks. I look over at my brother and give him a nod. I’m thankful I didn’t have to say it. Sean would just get on my back about her if I were the one to tell him to stay away from her.

“Yeah, yeah. I don’t know why you think you have to worry about me. I wasn’t the one hugging her.” Sean replies as he rolls his eyes and turns to his locker.

“Sean, you know better about the breakup. Ty, we’ll chat about it later. It’s not my place to share. Now, let’s get ready to win this home opener.” I say, getting undressed from my suit and into my uniform.

There’s nothing like the first game at home. It’s exhilarating and nerve wrecking at the same time. Once my uniform is on, I make my way out to the field for warmups. We’re going to win today. Cocky? Maybe. I just have this feeling that if we can be a team and hold each other accountable on and off the field, then we can go all the way this year to the Championship Series. Stepping out onto the field, the smells of the stadium hit me. The food, the grass, and the dirt, and I know I’m home. With my stretches done and my catcher’s gear on, I get behind the plate as our starting pitcher for today, King Owens is just stepping towards the mound.

“You ready Owens?” I ask him.

“I was born ready, my dude.” King replies.

“Let’s get this win.” I say, squatting into position.