Chapter 4
Fletcher
“So, how did the tour go?” Hudson asks as we finish up our showers in the Honky Tonk locker room.
The air is thick as steam rolls out from the showers and chases after us. I love the familiar, yet sharp and unmistakable scent of fresh cologne and deodorant as it battles the lingering funk of our day out on the field.
Not only had we worked on our baseball skills in the warm Texas sun, but we’d practiced some of the choreographed dances for this weekend’s opening game as well.
“Could’ve gone better.” I secure my towel around my waist as we head toward our lockers.
“She was especially excited to hang out with me after you and Easten here,” I say, patting the team’s centerfielder on the shoulder as we pass by him, “told her he wouldn’t trust me around his hypothetical sister. ”
“Sorry about that,” Easten apologizes, at least having the decency to look somewhat remorseful.
“Hey man. You know we love you,” Hudson adds, grabbing deodorant from his cubby before going to town with it. “But it’s not like we made that shit up. Also, can you seriously tell me you think it’s a smart career decision to make a pass on Jared Clemmin’s daughter?”
“Smart? Definitely not,” I agree, fishing inside the open storage for my boxer briefs. “But it’s not like he ever said she was off-limits,” I continue as I step into them before letting my towel drop onto the floor.
“Whoa, whoa, whoah, hold up” Noah, our Honky Tonk pitcher, freezes mid-change. “You’re going after the owner’s daughter? Damn. I knew you had some massive cajones, but that’s ballsy, even for you.”
“I don’t know why you’re all so freaked out,” I chuckle, grabbing my jeans.
“And relax. She shot me down—again.” I confess, figuring there’s no use in hiding it from these guys.
Sure, they may be the ones who give me the most shit, but as my teammates, they’re practically my brothers.
They may tease me mercilessly, but nobody has my back better than them.
“Is it bad that hearing that only makes me like her more?” Hudson asks while sliding his shirt over his head. “Clearly she’s a smart woman with a good head on her shoulders.”
I should be annoyed, especially since he played a part in scaring Hollis away, but even I have to admit he’s not wrong.
“Is it weird that it only makes me like her even more too?” I joke, sliding the thick material of my jeans up my legs before zipping them up and securing the button.
“Not really,” Easten says. “I think it’s normal to want what you can’t have, and usually I’d say go for it, but I think this is one you really need to think about, man.
This is Jared’s daughter we’re talking about here.
If you’re only interested in getting your dick wet, then I suggest stopping while you’re ahead.
Sure, she’s hot as hell, but even I think this is one line that shouldn’t be crossed. ”
Easten has always been the team trouble-maker. He’s the one you call when you want a good time with zero judgment, and a 98% chance of questionable decision making. It’s probably why I should listen, but goddamn it. I really, really don’t want to.
“Who knows, maybe this time I actually want more than a good ol’ one night stand. Who’s to say I’m not looking for something a little more serious?” I ask.
The looks I receive are brutal. Not a single one of them even tries to pretend they’re buying it, which is fair given my track record.
In just under the year and a half we’ve played together, I’ve never given them any reason to believe otherwise. I sleep around. That’s just a well-known fact. Why wouldn’t they assume that’s all I’m after now?
Yeah, I’ve got quite a few contacts in my phone—women I call when I want to have a little fun—but we’re all on the same page. No expectations, no drama, and no strings attached. But why stop when I haven’t found someone worth changing for? And who’s to say Hollis isn’t the one to do that?
“Look, Fletch,” Hudson begins, his tone suggesting he’s trying to let me down gently.
“I get that you aren’t used to being turned down.
Believe me, I get it. The whole cat-and-mouse thing is fun, but what happens when you finally catch her?
Because I’m not so sure the boss’s daughter is the right one to test out this possible new-you thing with. ”
“Hell, everyone knows you’re his favorite player in the league,” Noah says. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to test out that loyalty?”
“Well, if I really am his favorite, maybe he’d actually be okay with me dating his daughter,” I say, slipping my shirt over my head.
“That’s a big what if. It’s clear he’s protective over her,” Hudson persists, taking a seat as he moves to slip on his shoes. “Plus, he knows how us baseball players are. Do you really think he’d be okay with one going after his daughter?”
“We don’t know what he’d think,” I try to argue, not ready to give up just yet.
” Plus, I’ve also always preferred to ask for forgiveness rather than permission anyway.
” I shrug, reaching into my cubby for my own shoes.
“And who’s to say he wouldn’t want me as his future son-in-law? I’d be a fucking delight.”
“Son-in-law?” Noah balks, his mouth dropping open. “Damn, bringing up marriage already? Maybe you are into her.”
“Maybe I am.”
Then again, maybe they are right. Maybe I’m only interested in her because she said no and I like the chase, but I still don’t fully buy it. I’ve never been this intrigued by a woman before, and there’s gotta be a reason for that.
If I care about my job and maybe even my self-respect, moving on and giving her the space she so clearly wants is what I should do. However, my competitive nature is kicking in and the side of me that hates giving up is winning out. I’m not ready to give up—at least not yet.
I lean back in my chair, lifting my beer to my lips as I take a long, slow gulp. Around me the bar hums with energy as country music thrums through the speakers while my teammates partake in our nightly ritual of charming any woman that comes within a ten-foot radius.
“Are you seriously going to sit here all night?” Hudson asks as he rejoins me at the table where I’ve sat, uncharacteristically, for the majority of the evening, nursing my drink like a grumpy old man.
With the lead up to opening night, it’s become a bit of a tradition for us to blow off steam after practice, hitting up all the local bars and clubs.
Once the season kicks off, and for the next eight months our lives will be swallowed up by full-day practices and two games a week, with our nights of bar-hopping coming to an unofficial close.
That’s precisely why I should be enjoying my last few nights of freedom. I’m usually always the first one out there, ready to make myself the center of attention as I throw back some beers, laugh too loudly, and flirt way too easily, but tonight, the spark and desire just isn’t there.
“Is this because of what we said earlier about Hollis?” Hudson asks, casually sliding into the chair next to me like we’re at Sunday brunch, rather than the moral reckoning I know he’s about to bestow.
“While I meant what I said, and I get why Easten wouldn’t want you dating his hypothetical sister, it’s not like we don’t have a reason to worry.
I mean, I wouldn’t want you dating my real-life sister either.
No offense,” he offers with a grin, that does little to ease the burn.
“But that also doesn’t mean we think you’re some piece of shit.
You’re what—twenty-six? That’s the best time to make questionable decisions, especially since you’re still young enough to blame it on your youth,” he carries on, acting like some old and wise guru when in fact, he’s only two years older than me.
“Seriously, sleep with whomever you want, whenever you want. Be free. Frolic and do you,” he teases, shaking the baseball cap on my head.
I swat his hand away, even if my lips twitch.
“I’m just saying... Jared’s daughter? That’s not just playing with fire, that’s dousing yourself in gasoline before throwing yourself into a whole ass bonfire.
I mean, I get it” he adds, leaning in as he places a well-meaning hand on my shoulder.
“We all make stupid decisions from time to time, but maybe this is one you should really consider avoiding.”
“As always, I appreciate the candor,” I sigh, reaching for my beer. “And I don’t know what’s up with me because I'm positive this has nothing to do with what you guys said—at least not really.”
Does it suck knowing my closest friends wouldn’t trust me with their sisters?
Okay, so maybe that stung a little, but if I’m honest with myself, I get it.
I’ve never given them a reason to think I'd want anything long-term. Sure, I’d show their sisters a night of fun and provide all the orgasms they desire, but that’s about it.
Definitely not the kind of guy a good brother would want around his sister.
“Not really?” He arches a brow. “Care to elaborate?”
I tip my head from side to side, trying to figure out how to put this mess of thoughts into words.
“I don’t know,” I say, lightly tapping my fingers on the glass.
“I’m just not in the mood to do the same old thing.
And no,” I shoot him a look, “it’s not because you all gave me shit about it.
I just don’t see the point. At least not when no one’s caught my eye or given me a reason to put myself out there. ”
“Really?” he asks, his eyebrows practically hitting the ceiling as he scans the bar. “Are we looking at the same women here?”
“Yes,” I lean back in my seat. “I didn’t say they weren’t good looking. They are. That’s not the issue. It’s just that none of them are calling to me and I’m not in the mood to waste my time.”
His head rears back in disbelief.
“Okay… okay,” he starts, slowly nodding, despite looking like his brain is still buffering.
“I think I might be getting what you’re throwing my way.
But,” he continues, dragging out the t. “How can you really know if the spark is missing if you don’t put yourself out there?
Pretty sure your ass has been parked in that chair the entire night. ”
“Hey,” I raise my hands. “I’ve been approached. I’ve talked to people. I’m just… not interested, I guess.”
He reaches over and places the back of his hand against my forehead. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
I dip my head and swat his hand. “Yes, I’m feeling perfectly fine,” I say a bit too defensively before taking a breath and continuing. “If anything, maybe Hollis just threw me off my game. But don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll be back to my normal programming soon.”
“If you say so,” he says, skepticism lacing his tone. “But just so you know, those two gorgeous blondes over there,” he nods his head toward two very attractive women that are currently chatting it up with our teammates, “were just asking about you. I can always make the introduction.”
They are gorgeous, and maybe if this had happened a few days ago I’d be all over it, but tonight, I’m just not in the mood to force or fake it.
“Nah, I’m good.”
Hudson clicks his tongue before sliding out of his chair. “Alright, whatever you say, but I really think you’re missing out.”
“I’m not worried, but you go and have your fun. I’m perfectly content over here,” I assure him as I give his ass a quick send-off swat.
“Will do!” He offers a two finger salute before joining the rest of the team.
This isn’t me. Hell, I can practically feel the horny part of my brain waving a red flag as it attempts to pull me out of this strange stupor. However, as much as I want to join the guys, I can’t force myself up out of this chair.
Maybe I should listen to Hudson. Who knows, maybe a flirty conversation, or hell, even a reckless one-night stand is exactly what I need to re-wire my brain and get back to normal, but it just doesn’t feel right.
I’m not sure how, but Hollis has changed something in me. She’s flipped a switch I didn’t even know existed and I’m not quite ready to pretend it hasn’t happened. Not now, not tomorrow, and probably not anytime soon.
God help me because I think I might’ve developed actual feelings. Real ones that I'm not entirely sure how to deal with just yet.