Chapter 63 All the Things I Love #2
I wake up the next morning to my alarm with Annie in my arms. I’m spooned around her back, and it feels like the best way to wake up.
Annie grumbles about the alarm and is now back asleep; my girl isn’t much of a morning person.
I like that I’m getting to learn this detail about her.
We’ve only woken up next to each other a few times, but I know they’ve been my favorite mornings.
What guy wouldn’t want to wake up to a naked, beautiful girl, even if she is a little grumpy at first?
I know I need to get up and do all my pregame routines, but I also don’t want to leave this bed.
The only reason I finally convince myself that I do, in fact, have to get up is that I know I’m off tomorrow and we have the whole day to spend in bed.
When I come back in the room, Annie stirs under the covers, and I get a muffled “good morning” from the bed.
But then she throws the covers off of her and sits up, saying in her fully awake voice, “Happy Birthday, Drew,” and then launches into a little happy birthday song.
I can’t help thinking that this is the best version, because who doesn’t want a sexy naked woman they love singing them a happy birthday?
***
It has been hard not to walk over to Annie in that bed and make love to her again, but today is a game day, and games here in Arizona are played earlier to accommodate the heat, so as much as I want to, I know I can’t.
Later, I’ll make up for our missed morning.
So, I settle for the kiss she gave me before she hopped into the shower.
I can hear Perez in the living room and join him to ask if we can ride together to the ballpark, that way Annie can have my car so she doesn’t have to be stuck at the club all morning.
Perez tells me it’s my present because he didn’t get me one.
I laugh and say it’s a great gift all the same.
He gives me shit about the fact that I do have a roommate, and even though his birthday isn’t until November, he could use better noise-cancelling headphones.
I tell him that he can handle it for only three more days, and I return to the bedroom to get myself ready and to get at least some kisses from my girl before we leave.
***
What the fuck is going on. I think in the dugout a few hours later.
I have been on a pretty good kick until today, and I’m not sure why I’m so off.
I have struck out on all of my at-bats except the first one.
I’ve been slow on defense, and I can’t find the right gear.
I wanted to play a great game with Annie here, but something isn’t clicking today.
Maybe I need that rest day after all. Maybe a day away from baseball will be what I need, because I can’t let this be the direction the rest of the season goes.
Perez breaks through my thoughts. “Oh, lover boy, earth to lover boy.” “Oh, I see I’m the lover boy.
Ha ha, funny man,” I reply. “Maybe you need a little less mattress exercise with Blondie before the next game,” he says, laughing.
“You’re just jealous my mattress got some exercise,” I reply.
Perez loops Smith in on the conversation.
“I mean, I think anyone would be enjoying mattress time with Blondie, what do you say, Smithy?” Smith looks confused.
“Who is Blondie?” he asks, and Perez stands out of the dugout on the railing and looks into the stands.
“Smith. she is right behind the dugout in the 17 jersey, can’t miss her.
” Perez jumps down from the railing, and Smith jumps up and looks around.
I know the moment he sees Annie, because he smiles and jumps down.
“Yeah, Perez, I wouldn’t mind some time with Blondie.
” “Well, you can go fuck right the hell off because she’s taken,” I spit back at both of them.
“You three going to focus on the game?” the coach cuts into the conversation, and that ends anything else they could have said about Annie.
I turn my attention back to the game, not that it helps, as I continue to make stupid mistakes until it’s over.
***
I shower and leave quickly after the game.
I’d texted Annie to wait for me, and we ride back to the apartment together.
At first, we are both quiet. We hold hands over the console but listen to the radio.
I break the silence. “It’s ok, we can both admit it was a shitty game.
” Annie takes a deep breath, “I mean, I’ve seen you play better, but off days happen, right?
” “Right,” I agree. We head back to the apartment, and I get distracted from my awful play today by, and in, her body.
Eventually, we do have to put on clothing to go out with the guys.
I’d wanted to cancel, but she said it sounded like fun.
She’s been right, and the club has been more fun than I’d originally thought.
I think that has a lot to do with Annie.
She’s chatting with all the guys, and half the guys are already half in love with my girl.
She’d even given Perez some shit on his reaction at the plate today, and it was priceless to see his face.
At some point, she tells me she wants to dance, and we do: all bodies pressed together, moving to the beat of the music.
“Let’s get out of here,” I say next to her ear so she can hear me with the music.
She smiles, takes my hand, and leads me out of the club, a feeling of déjà vu playing through me.