Chapter 19 - Brooks #2
I was careful not to clue Ted in that Holly’s at the game.
I didn’t want him knowing about Lindsey, either.
And I’m damn glad I kept my mouth shut around Adler about my fan section for the night.
The only ones who realize I have family at the game are Roddy and Jayden, and only because the two of them are peppered with chirps from Deacon and Riggs for every foul ball that doesn’t clear the net.
“Look how many we got!” Deacon says, holding the front of his hoodie out to show off his collection of baseballs as if they’re Easter eggs.
“Nice, dude! Maybe we can use them for tee ball when the season starts. For practice,” I say, ruffling his hair.
“Yeah!” Riggs cheers, snagging one of the balls from his brother’s shirt and dropping it to the ground so he can kick it all the way to the parking lot.
“You were great tonight,” Lindsey says, her subtle smirk making me wish we’re alone so I could kiss it.
“Yeah?” I fish for more.
“You know you were good. Four RBIs and a solo homerun? Come on. Just don’t get yourself dealt to one of those faraway franchises like Seattle or Boston.”
“Linds, if Boston picks me up, I’m going and you’re coming with. We’re all going. Hell, I’ll even move Brandon there just to keep the custody intact. If Boston calls, you go.”
She chuckles and nods, then leans her body into my side. Holly is fast asleep in the carrier, and my forearm is tiring from hauling her. I’m not sure how Lindsey does it on her own. She might be stronger than me.
“Hey, so I’ve been thinking,” I say, my heart rate picking up as I venture into my question. I’ve been wanting to ask Lindsey to come on a road trip with me for a while, and Brandon has the boys next weekend, so this would be the perfect chance.
“Why am I nervous that you were thinking?” Lindsey teases.
I laugh, and my nerves show in the vibration. We get to her van, and I slide the door open so the boys can pile in before I lock Holly’s seat into place. I close the door but keep Lindsey outside for a moment so I can talk to her without her two little spies eavesdropping.
“On Thursday, we leave for Arkansas,” I begin.
“Uh huh,” Lindsey says, her head tilting as she gives me side eyes.
“And the boys will be at their dad’s.”
“Yeahhh,” she says.
I really thought she’d get it by now.
My head falls back as I let out a light groan, then I drop my chin and meet her gaze.
“Come with me.”
She blinks a few times.
“To Arkansas?”
“No, to the gas station. Yes, to Arkansas,” I tease.
She twists her lips, and I can sense her reluctance.
“Come on. It’s not that far of a drive, and I always get my own room. The story can be you’re watching Holly while I’m on the road.”
“But I already watch Holly . . . at home.”
I bend my knees and groan, glancing to the side.
“Yes, I know. But maybe if it works out well, you can come along for more games. And I’ll sell it to the guys that I’m nervous about leaving you and Holly alone since the break-in. Which isn’t much of a tall tale, to be honest. I don’t like leaving you guys.
“If it makes you feel better, we can get adjoining rooms. And according to everyone else, you’ll be there for Holly. Except at night, you’ll be there . . .” I feel dumb having to finish this.
“For you?” The way she says it, with a touch of snarky sass, makes me want to sink my head into my shoulders. I look off to the side again, my stomach quickly knotting.
“You know what? You’re probably right. It was a crazy idea. Just forget—”
“I’ll come,” she says.
My gaze flies back to her, and I temper my smile as I’m well aware of the audience pressed against the windows inside the van.
“Yeah, we’ll try it. I think we should get adjoining rooms, though. And if Brandon asks any questions, you better get one of those assholes on your team to vouch for this story. But yeah, Brooks. I’ll come to Arkansas with you.”
I bite my lower lip.
“You know I want to fucking kiss you so hard right now, right?”
“I know,” she says, smirking as she rounds the front of her van and opens the driver’s side door.
“What are you guys talking about? What’s funny? Why is Brooks so happy?” Her boys pepper her with questions, and she looks to me to fix the mess I made. She doesn’t seem upset, though. Instead, it’s like she’s challenging me.
“We had a bet that if I hit a home run, I could bring home donuts for second dinner. And guess what?” I say, earning me a killer eyeroll from Lindsey.
“You hit one!” Riggs shouts.
“Yep! I’ll pick them up on my way home. You guys get ready for bed, okay?”
I shift my gaze to Lindsey and she mouths, “I’m going to kill you.” She doesn’t mean it, though; I’ve seen her with a chocolate long john. She’s happy about the donuts, too.
“See you in twenty minutes,” I say, pushing Lindsey’s door shut, then waving goodbye.
I wait for my family—my family—to pull out of the lot before I head to the players’ section where my SUV is parked.
I press the remote start to get the engine going and start my seat warmer.
That shit feels amazing on a sore back. A man pops up from the driver’s side undercarriage when I start the truck, and I stop with the length of the vehicle between us, feeling my pocket for my phone.
I’ve never wanted one of those pocketknife keychains until right this moment.
“Can I help you?” I say, my senses pinging every clue around me. I smell weed in the air, and there are enough lights out here that I’m sure the security camera is picking this up. I’m okay. This is okay.
“Hey, man. Sorry, I was just sitting by your ride and waiting for you to come out. Name’s Marcus. I’m a big fan.” The guy is clearly a bit out of it. He sways on his feet as he attempts to walk toward me. I hold up a palm to stop him.
“Whoa, that’s good, man. We’re good. Nice to meet you, Marcus.” I shift my feet, guarding my stance so I’m ready for anything.
“This truck of yours, your mom give that to you?”
My gaze narrows on a dime.
“Marcus, I think you need to leave.” I pull my phone out, no longer caring if he sees me calling the cops.
“Oh, hey. No, no. It’s not like that. Just, I recognized it is all. Your mom and me, well, I knew her. I sold her this SUV. You were in college, I think. Maybe high school.”
I was in college, but Marcus doesn’t need to know shit about me.
“You ever think about selling it?” he says.
“Marcus, I’m calling the cops in about three seconds.”
“Yeah, I hear ya. It’s just, I really liked this car, ya know? And I’d buy it back. If you were selling it. Maybe get yourself a fancy new ride with that signing bonus.”
“I’m dialing now,” I blurt out, pressing the red button on my phone. I put it on speaker so he can hear the ring.
“Fuck, dude. Fine. I’ll go. Shit,” he mutters, hiking up his jeans that sag well below the band of his red boxer shorts.
His face is neatly shaven, but his body is skinny, and as he wanders into the darkness on the other side of the security fence, I catch the flare of a lighter flame and the glowing end of a smoke. Probably a joint.
“Nine-one-one, what’s—”
“I’m sorry. That was an accidental dial.
Thank you.” I end the call, but stick around the bright parking lot for a few minutes until I can’t see Marcus and his joint glowing in the distance.
He walked the opposite direction from where I’m going, but I’d be a whole lot happier if he never showed up at all.
He’s a junkie. Probably dealt with my mom.
Or paid off some debts by giving her this SUV.
And he’s right, I should sell it. There’s no sentimental value in it whatsoever.
It was more of a trophy for my survival.
But now, it’s dangerous, especially if Marcus wants it back.
Hell, maybe I’ll trade the guy at the donut shop for it.
A dozen long johns for one big pain in my ass.