Chapter 22
CREW
My elbow may be throbbing and my body sore, but the energy at Makers rattles through me like never before.
Maybe it’s because of the weekend off we had.
Or maybe it’s because Doc is in the stadium tonight. Dressed in all-black Striker swag with stiletto knee-high boots that drew me in like a kid drooling over a fucking cupcake.
Yeah, that’s definitely it.
I take my place in the warm-up circle, preparing for my turn at bat. King walks to the plate but makes a point to face me beforehand and winks. “Don’t choke, Briggsby. There’s a pretty doctor watching.”
I don’t have to look in the Bourbon Booth to know she’s there—I can feel her—but fuck, am I going to do it anyway.
The moment my head turns, and our eyes connect, I feel the most electrifying sense of peace wash over me.
Juniper’s megawatt smile is directed at me, and shit, it makes me want to run to her.
But since I’m technically forced by contract to play, I’m gonna make the most of having her eyes on me and give her something pretty fucking legendary to look at.
“I’m ready for my close-up, Doc,” I shout, causing fans all around to search for whoever I’m smiling at.
Juniper’s hands find her face in bashfulness, and I find it incredibly endearing.
Cute and sexy. “Time to give you the proper welcome to Atlanta…Atlanta boys style.” And I wink, turning back just in time to catch King hit a slammer into left field.
“Don’t let that elbow slow you down, Suburban Daddy!”
A sly grin spreads across my face at the sound of her voice. I love when she calls me that. The crowd goes nuts as King rounds first base, winding up safe at second.
Now it’s my turn.
Because I’m anything if not consistent in teaching my child the greatest hits of my decade, a throwback artist with a brand-new single invades the stadium speakers as my walk-out song this season. “Let Em’ Know” by T.I. makes me want to fuck shit up in this ballpark tonight.
“Atlanta boys, where you at?” I hear Mack, our team captain and first baseman, yell from the dugout, the rest of the team answering in chants. “We right hereeeee!”
Mack shouts again as the pitcher gets into position while I square off at home plate. “Briggsby, where you at?”
I point my bat to the outfield. “I’m way out there, boys. Best job in the biz. Now, watch me work.”
And just because I can, and I have a woman to impress, I shake my ass to give her a show and send the first pitch into outer space.
Homerrun, baby.
I make my run around the bases leisurely and with every intention of taking my time so the other team gets a taste of what playing against the Atlanta fucking Strikers feels like.
But I wouldn’t dream of missing the opportunity to acknowledge Juniper in the stands amidst my victory.
I point to her mid-stride with a cheesy-as-fuck smile across my face and hope to something bigger and greater she likes what she sees.
I guess what I mean is, I hope she likes me. I hope she someday more than likes me.
At some point after our kiss, I started caring less about her being Addie’s doctor and thinking more about how that could actually be a positive thing.
It’s been a long minute since a woman has captivated me the way Juniper has, and I guess I’m just looking for a sign that she’s into me the way I am her.
As far as I know, she’s still going on dates with other men.
But she kissed me.
As far as I know, she’s still planning her future and not waiting around for a man who isn’t ready.
But she kissed me.
And I kissed her back. And it was the greatest kiss of my life. I kinda wanna kiss her again right now.
I’ve just crossed home plate when the rest of the team rushes at me, jumping up and down, Gatorade shooting from water bottles, and covering us in blue liquid.
“That’s how you play some baseball, my brother!
” Callaway shouts in my ear, he and Bodhi hoisting me on each of their shoulders.
I’m tossed around like a mosh pit, the boys celebrating our win big time today.
My shoulder still aches, and my circumstances haven’t changed.
But this life? There really isn’t much better.
Except maybe adding that beautiful woman up there into my mix.
Yeah, that would be far greater.
“Lock the door.”
I’m steps inside the utility closet before the light flips on, revealing all four of my best friends with smug looks on their faces. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Think we should restrain him?” Gus bites out, looking me up and down like some kind of predator.
“Restrain me? The fuck?” I jerk back to try and slip away, but I’m swiftly directed to sit on an old plastic chair placed at the back end of the closet—not carefully, if I might add.
“Nah. He doesn’t stand a chance at getting out,” Bodhi contributes, causing me to side-eye the traitor.
“I’ll stand behind him,” Cal directs. “King, you take the door.”
“On it,” King agrees while Bodhi and Gus guard me at the sides. Fucking guard me like watchdogs or some shit. I’m fuming at this point, unsure what in god’s name is going on and why I’m being cornered.
Once we celebrated our much-earned win, the team headed back to the clubhouse to shower before doing some press and heading home.
At least, I thought we were heading home.
I was hoping I’d get a chance to talk to Juniper before she left, but the boys had other plans.
One second, I was on my way to the guest entrance of the clubhouse, spotting the backs of Tenley and Juniper as they exited, and the next, I’m being manhandled by a bunch of overgrown children, shoving me into a broom closet.
Now, I’m held captive, without a single clue why.
Crossing my arms at my chest to contain my rage, I spin my head around the small space, eyeing each of them individually. Gus with his smug look and Bodhi, acting all fucking innocent. Someone better speak up. “Anyone care to tell me what’s going on and why you idiots trapped me in a damn closet?”
They stay silent, and I realize now this situation likely wasn’t thought through. “Who wants to start?” King questions, and I roll my eyes, expecting nothing less.
“Okay, well, if that’s it, I’ll just be going now.” I rise to stand, but Cal stops me, pushing me down by the shoulders and muttering, “Not so fast, Briggsby.”
“Gus, this was your idea. If anyone should talk, it’s you,” Bodhi exclaims, already aggravated with this childish game.
Yeah, you and me both, B.
“Someone speak, goddamn it. I’ve got things to do,” I deadpan.
“Things to do? Or doctors to do?” Gus probes, a stupid grin at large across his mustached face. I’ve never wanted to rip a strip of hair off someone more than I do now.
“Sexual surgery to perform?” King teases, all of them busting out in hysterics.
Again, idiots.
Bodhi seems to have had enough, cutting both of them off to finally get to the point. “What these dipshits are trying to say is…we’re calling an intervention.”
“Not exactly calling it, but forcing it. Nicely, of course.” Gus smirks.
“Intervention?” I mumble slowly through disbelief.
Cal circles around, putting the four of them front and center for my…intervention. “Basically, you’re being a certified pussy, and we’re here to convince you to man the fuck up and change your ways,” he tells me honestly.
I blink. “And how exactly am I being a pussy?”
“Juniper,” the four of them proclaim in unison.
“Juniper?” I repeat, questions swarming in my head. “What’s Juniper got to do with anything?”
Gus huffs. “Only everything. You’ve got it bad, man. Crazy bad, and none of us can figure out why you aren’t doing anything about it.”
I won’t deny the fact that I’m crazy about her. The guys have seen it.
“Why do you think?” I protest. “I’m falling apart.
My arm is shot, which means I’m definitely retiring at the end of the season, whether I need surgery or not.
I’m halfway running a restaurant I should be more involved in, and my little girl is finally doing great in school and home after struggling for so long. ”
“Thanks to Juniper!” King blurts. He’s not wrong.
I shake my head, just trying to get through to them.
“Exactly. Juniper is Addie’s doctor. And I’m incredibly grateful for the care she’s given her.
So, how could I ever mess up that relationship by letting myself fall for her?
Trust me, I’ve thought about the possibility more than I’m proud to admit. ”
“Who says falling for her would ruin anything? Fuck, Briggs. This isn’t some teacher-student shit.
If you ask me, I’d say having Juniper as Addie’s doctor and also in her life in other ways is an advantage.
More care for Addie. Isn’t that what you want for her?
” Cal asks, and I know how passionate he is about his own kids, so this checks out.
“Of course that’s what I want.”
“Then, I think you’re just making excuses,” King adds.
“And I think you’re afraid to take on too much. Yes, you’ll be going through a big transition soon enough, but wouldn’t it make the thick of it that much easier with a partner who wants to see you succeed, maybe even more than you do?”
It would…
“I guess…”
“You guess? Briggs, wake the fuck up. That beautiful woman is going on dates with other men. What happens if she meets one who’s actually a good guy and you’re too late?” Gus rambles, an unbearable ache forming in my chest.
“Wait, she’s still dating?”
Gus nods. “She has a date on Friday. Trust me. I have my resources.”
Tenley.
I remember Juniper talking about her upcoming date over pancakes, but to be honest, I figured after our kiss, she would call it off. “We kissed. I thought she would cancel.”
“Did you ask her to cancel?” Cal questions, and I feel exceptionally stupid. All this time, I thought I was protecting our friendship by pretending my feelings weren’t there, no matter how often I slipped and made it evident they were.
I just pushed them down and made lame excuses.
“No. I didn’t. I may have even insisted we forget it happened.”
“Have I not taught you anything over the years?” Gus sighs, gripping the length of his hair in annoyance.
“Not really, no.” I squint, my thoughts running rapidly with the confirmed news of Juniper still dating. I’m not sure what I expected. I was the one who suggested we fake it for a moment, knowing we both could use the escape to a different time and place.
But I guess it was never really a charade for me after all.
Falling for Juniper Wilde is the most real thing I’ve ever felt, and I may have sabotaged every last shot I had with her simply out of fear.
Can I balance the ending of my career? An injury? Co-parenting with Hilary? And the restaurant, all while being in a new relationship?
“You think I can juggle it all?” I ask, searching the small room for any sign telling me I haven’t lost all chances.
“Listen, your elbow will heal. There’s no doubt about that.
Juniper has a career for herself, which means we know she’s not a moocher,” Gus chimes in, causing everyone to laugh.
“Addie’s doing fucking awesome in school and will only do better from here.
You said Hilary already met Juniper and loved her, right? ”
I nod. “Yeah. Actually, they’ve hung out a few times. Something about hot yoga and acai bowls.”
Not gonna lie, that threw me off. I knew Juniper did yoga occasionally, and so did Hilary, but Hilary inviting her that day at the office seemed like a fluke.
Like something they’d plan in passing, but never actually follow through with.
One class turned into two, and before I knew it, they were getting these weird fruit bowls together once a week and likely talking shit about me.
“Even better. No one’s saying marry her yet, but fuck, don’t let someone else snatch her first. Women that special are few and far between, man.”
For once in his life, August Graves is right.
All of my fears of Addie being neglected in my busyness, and taking on more than I can handle, are just that—fears. It seems like somewhere over the last few years, I’ve forgotten who I am. I’ve lost confidence in what I deserve and have a right to have.
And that’s my own personal happiness.
I want it. I’ll damn near chase it if I have to.
“I can do this. I can be what she needs. What Addie needs. I can do it all.” I feel the belief in myself rise in my chest. All this time…I could have spent loving her instead of pretending she was simply just my friend and staying distant.
The way I feel about Juniper and the thoughts I have about her are nothing close to friendship. That’s the honest truth.
Fuck distance. I want suffocation. To be so close to her that nothing can tear us apart.
“You can because you’ll be a team. You, Juniper, and Doodle. Just like the Strikers. It’s in our blood to have each other’s backs and cheer on the ones we love. You’ve got this, man,” King tells me kindly and without reservation.
Suddenly, I understand why they felt the need to corner me. I’ve been an idiot all along.
This extraordinary, intelligent, and fearlessly charming woman could be my person. My vice. My teammate. My everything.
I need a plan, though. I can’t just show up at her house and beg her to love me. She deserves better than that.
“I need a game plan.”
King rubs his palms together, a cheesy smile plastering his face. “Hell yeah. If there’s anything us boys know how to do, it’s come up with an efficient game plan.”
Bodhi claps. “Operation: lock the doctor down.”
Cal’s hand finds Bodhi’s back as he mutters playfully, “Always knew you were a big softie.”
“Help me keep my girl, boys,” I plead, proving how serious I am. Guess I needed a little push. Or a big one if the boys have anything to do with it.
“It would be our pleasure.” Gus’s voice, laced with thrill and pride, closes out their intervention, and despite how unconventional this encounter is, I’m grateful for the accountability.
That’s what family does. They root for each other.