5. Holden

5

HOLDEN

It’s been two days, and I’m about to track Catherine Maples down. I gotta stop thinking about her and start focusing on staying fit and getting back in the game. Baseball has always been my priority, but there’s been a shift in me since I met Cat two days ago. I swear at random times, I’ve smelled coconuts in my house, but I know it’s crazy because there’s no way she’s left her scent here after being here less than an hour.

She’s had plenty of time to talk to her son and her boyfriend, and so I’ve convinced myself she’s going to say no. Which means I’m going to have to track down my sister and then convince her to give me Cat’s phone number, and then I’m going to have to make her an offer she can’t refuse .

It's insane how I was totally against having someone stay at my place, and now I'm totally convinced it's the best option. It’s like there is no other option. I want Cat—and her son—here.

I pull at the weighted band and spread my arms wide. Pain shoots into my shoulder, and I try to hold the move but then finally let it go. In frustration, I groan and bring my arms in. As soon as I do, the pain goes away, and I get more discouraged. I’ve tried to stay positive, but I can’t help but wonder how in the world I’m going to get better in two months.

The doorbell ringing has me running up the stairs and to the front door. The fact it could be Cat has me stopping before I open it and trying to catch my breath and pull myself together. I’ve never been this crazy over a woman, especially one I just met, but there’s no denying there is something special about Cat Maples. I open the door, and there’s no hiding the disappointment from my face. “Kendall… what are you doing here?”

She breezes past me and looks around my foyer before turning back to me. “You could at least act like you’re happy to see me.”

I look at the woman that I’ve dated on and off for the past few months. She was hinting that she wanted me to give her a ring until I was injured. Which in itself was crazy because we’ve never even had sex. She was my plus one for some events, but my schedule doesn’t allow for a lot of dating. We haven’t seen each other since I got benched, and honestly I’m surprised that she’s showed up at my house now. I lean against the open door. “I guess I’m just wondering what you’re doing here, that’s all.”

She’s not fazed by my indifference. “Come on, Holden, don’t be like that. I’ve been worried about you.”

I blurt out a laugh and shake my head before shutting the front door. If she was worried about me, she would have shown up before now. Maybe even called me to check on me when she found out I was not going to be playing in the game last week. “What are you doing here, Kendall?”

She reaches for me, and I take a step back. She pouts, but I’m not falling for it this time. In the past, I would give in to what she wanted, but I’m half out of patience. “I was in the middle of something, and I need to get back to it, so whatever you’re here to say, please just say it. ”

She fidgets, her hands in front of her. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing… what are the doctors saying?”

My shoulders tense, and I don’t want to have this conversation with her. “I have a rotator cuff strain. I have to do physical therapy.”

Her eyes light up. “And then you’ll be able to play again?”

I’m about to say yes but then reconsider. “Who knows, Kendall? I mean, that’s the goal, right? I want to play, but no one really knows for sure what’s going to happen.”

She looks uneasy, and I can see the way she’s considering everything. She shakes her head. “So I’ve been thinking…”

Her voice trails off, and I should probably offer for her to come in or to sit down, but I don’t. I know that all Kendall cares about is status. It was fine these past few months because I knew exactly what it was, but there’s no reason to carry on with the charade. It’s time for this to be over. “Go ahead, what have you been thinking?”

She puts on a fake smile. “I think I should give you space to heal. I know you want to focus on”—she waves her hand to my shoulder—“you know… everything. I don’t want to be the one to st and between you and getting back into the action.”

I don’t even hesitate. “I think that’s a good idea. I have a lot of doctor appointments, therapy appointments, and everything else. I need to focus.”

She nods and couldn’t be more obvious. “Right, and when you’re back on the team then we can catch back up.”

I grit my teeth because I know that’s not going to happen. “Right, well, I better get back to it.”

She’s completely clueless about everything. She doesn’t realize that I’m on to her. I know she was only wanting to date me because I’m a pro baseball player, and now that my future with the team is in question, she’s not interested. I’m not a fool, and I’ve dealt with plenty of women like her in the past. I go to the door and hold it open for her.

She walks toward it and stops in front of me. She presses her chest against mine, goes to her tiptoes, and tries to kiss me. I turn my head at the last second, and her lips go to my cheek. If she’s surprised, she doesn’t act like it. Her smile remains, and she gives me a wave and walks out the door. As soon as she gets outside, I shut the door and pull my phone from my pocket. My sister answers on the first ring. “Hey, bub, how’s it going? ”

She’s got that worried tone in her voice again. “I’m good. I need Catherine’s number.”

She’s silent and then softly answers. “I can’t give you her number. Why didn’t you ask her for it when she was there?”

I lean my head back against the wall and hold in my groan. I didn’t get her number because I thought she would say yes. I dangled the carrot, offering her an obscene amount of money, so who would have thought she’d have to think about it? “Have you talked to her? Is she taking the job?”

Chrissy laughs. “You said you didn’t want someone to move in and then you told her it was a requirement.”

Fuck! I could give in, but I want her here with me. But if my requirement means she won’t come, then I’m willing to give in. Before I can tell Chrissy that, she continues. “She’s working on it. I’m pretty sure the hospital has approved all her clients to be moved to other caseloads, and the last I heard, she was going to work things out with her family and everything.”

I interrupt her. “So you won’t give me her number?”

She laughs out loud. “It’s against the rules, Holden. Look, if you don’t hear from her tomorrow, I’ll give her a call. It’s a lot. She’s having to move her schedule for the next two months, she’s having to figure things out with her kid and her boyfriend. All these things to make this work, so you have to give her a few days.”

I’m probably wasting my time, but I don’t know when to shut up. “Have you met her boyfriend?”

The longer Chrissy is silent, the more I realize I’ve fucked up. I don’t know why it’s so important to me, but it is. Chrissy lets out a little gasp. “Holden Gray, are you for real right now? Do you like her?”

“What’s not to like? She’s smart, she’s beautiful, caring, and passionate about her job. I offered her a lot of money, and she had to think about it when most people would say yes on the spot while telling me they care about more than just money.”

“Awwwwww, Holden,” she sings-songs. “That’s so sweet… but I know Catherine, she is by the book. She’s not going to take the job if she thinks you’re interested in her.”

I groan and push my hand through the scruff on my chin. Every part of me wants to tell Cat that I like her, but there are so many things going against us already. She’s going to be my physical therapist, she has a son—this can’t be a fling or something, and she has a boyfriend. Nope, even though I’m attracted to her, I need to keep focused. I can be professional. But just as fast as I think it, I know I’m lying because there’s no resisting Cat Maples. “You know I could just call Cat at the hospital, right?”

“Bub, listen to me. Catherine is not like the other women you date. She’s down to earth, her kid comes first, she’s the best mom I’ve ever met. She doesn’t do flings.”

I put my hand to my chest. I try to laugh it off, but her words hit a little hard. “Really, is that what you think of me, sis? I’m not—”

“You haven’t had a serious relationship that I know of. Every picture online of you has a different woman draped on your arm, so forgive me if I think you’re up to no good. Look, you need to focus on your health and getting better. Then you can worry about finding you a date for your next big event.”

“It’s not like that…” I start to refuse but then trail off. Maybe I’m being ridiculous. I’m going all crazy over some woman I met for an hour. I need to chill the fuck out. Maybe it’s all the time I have on my hands, or maybe I’m just not thinking straight. Whatever it is, I need to get my shit together. “You kn ow what, you’re right. I’m being crazy. I’ll give her until tomorrow. If she can’t do it, then I’ll need to find someone else. Thanks for talking me down, Chrissy.”

She stutters, and her voice raises an octave. “What? No. I’m not saying you need to give up or anything, and I’m not saying that Catherine wouldn’t be lucky to be with you. I’m just saying don’t play with her. If you like her, then be right with her. She has a son… just don’t hurt her.”

As soon as she says it, she groans. “Darn, I’m not saying you’ll hurt her, you’re a good guy, but—”

“Chrissy, stop. You don’t have to keep tiptoeing around me. I got it. I know what you’re saying. Now can you get back to being the bossy little sister that gives me shit all the time instead of worrying you’re going to hurt my feelings. You’re right too. I need to focus on getting better.”

“You’re right. Okay, so get your shit together, Gray. If you don’t hear from Chrissy tomorrow, I’ll see what the holdup is, and I’ll let you know.”

“Okay, love you, sis.”

“Love you, too.”

I walk through my house and back downstairs. Instead of doing my band workout, I jump on the treadmill. I have some frustrations I need to take out, and I might as well do that with a brisk run. I won't think about those big blue eyes, the coconut smell, or how my body reacted when Cat touched me. Nope, I’m going to completely forget about the woman that has consumed my every thought since yesterday.