Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
BAILEY
A fter a long weekend of crying, Monday afternoon rolls around. I finally emerge from the safe confines of my bedroom and head into the kitchen. Kam is sitting at her laptop. She’s barely left my side for a single second. She’s truly the only person in the world I can rely on.
That’s not totally true, I have good friends, but they’re on the other side of the country right now. My sister is here and taking care of me. She even attempted to cook my favorite meal last night. It was an epic failure, and the fire alarm went off, but she tried, and that’s what matters most.
She looks up at me from her computer and examines me in my sweatshirt, leggings, and sneakers. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I need to pick up Harper from school, and then we have softball practice. You know I’m coaching her team this spring.”
Her chin drops. “Are you fucking kidding me? You need to quit your job.”
I shake my head. “No. I’m not doing that to Harper. She’s innocent. ”
“So are you.”
“I gave my word that if things went south with Tanner, I wouldn’t abandon Harper. I intend to live up to that. She’s my happy place right now. Honestly, I think I need her. And I committed to the team. Their season has only just begun. I won’t jump ship on them. It’s not right.”
She closes her laptop and stands. “Fine. I’m coming with you. I’ll be your assistant coach.”
I eye her skeptically. “You can’t curse in front of the girls.”
“I’ll fucking try. By the way, cursing is a sign of intelligence.”
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It’s a sign of social intelligence, knowing when and where to use it.”
“Well, then be socially smart enough to realize that a softball practice with twelve eight-year-old girls isn’t the time and place. I mean it. And remember they’re little kids. Keep things fun and age appropriate. They’re not training for the Olympics.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “The last game I attended, I watched little innocent Harper Montgomery charge a ball and throw from the slot with perfect precision and technique. Most college players can’t do that. Was that age appropriate?”
I twist my lips. “Hmm. Valid point.” I cross my arms. “Seriously, you can’t treat them like adults. They’re kids.”
She sighs. “I always preferred to be treated like an adult. Remember that dumb fuck on the cereal commercial we did once who tried to give us a lesson on how to hold a spoon like we were two, not ten?”
“I remember you taking said spoon and flicking the cereal all over his face and then saying something along the lines of, is that how I’m supposed to hold it? ”
She lets out a laugh. “I’ve always been so iconic, even back then.”
I can’t help but smile. “You’re something, that’s for sure.”
Her face lights up. “Ooh, your first smile in three days. Progress. ”
“I suppose. I’m fresh out of tears. It’s time to put one foot in front of the other.”
“I’m glad you feel that way because I made plans for us tomorrow night.”
“I have Harper tomorrow night.”
“You have Harper until seven. You’re coming. Don’t think about fighting me on this. We’re going out with Vance and crew. There’s a new Camel, and they want to introduce him to people and show him a good time.”
I sigh. “Fine. Put on a bra and let’s go. I don’t want to be late.”
“Why do I need a bra?”
I point to her bedroom. “Bra. Now.”
“Sapphire, get your ass down. Bend those knees.”
I snap my head toward Kam. “Mouth.”
She throws her hands up. “Ass isn’t a bad word. It’s a part of the body.”
“It is a bad word, and you can’t tell a little kid to get her ass down. Her parents will throw a fit.”
“Her parents gave her a stripper name. They must expect things like this.”
Fuck’s sake. Why did I bring her? Admittedly, the girls on the team were beyond excited to learn that she’s the new assistant coach but keeping her in check will be a full-time job for me.
Kam shouts, “Alright, let’s work on turning two.”
“Kamryn! They’re eight. There’s no chance that they’ll ever turn a double play in a game. We need to work on fundamentals.”
She shakes her head. “We’ve been doing that the whole time. Since Harper moved to second base, I think there’s a chance. She has a really good arm. ”
Harper has decided that she wants to be like me and play second base. I almost burst into tears when she told me.
“Fine. We can end practice with that as a fun activity.” I turn to Harper. “It’s different than when you play shortstop. At short, you swipe the bag with your right foot. At second, you tap it with your left before planting and throwing.”
She enthusiastically nods her head. “Got it, Coach Bails. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.”
I go on to show her how to do it before giving her the opportunity to do so. Kam shows Sapphire the proper way to toss the ball to Harper from shortstop.
After only a few attempts, they actually do a good job. It would take a perfect throw from Sapphire at short and a super slow batter for them to get it in a game, but it’s not out of the realm of reason.
I call them all into an end-of-practice huddle. “Great practice girls. We’ve got a big game this weekend. What’s the best way to prepare?”
Andie raises her hand, and I point to her. She happily answers, “Get lots of sleep and eat healthy.”
I nod. “Excellent. Throw your hands in the middle.” They do. “Snakelets on three. One, two, three,” and they all shout, “Snakelets!”
Kam mumbles to me, “Snakelets is a shitty name. Who wants a small snake?”
“It’s a baby snake, and they did that because of the Anacondas.”
“Still sucks. It would be better if there was a cool name for baby snakes. Like cygnets are baby swans. Cygnets is a badass name.”
“Perhaps you can make one up? You love making up words.”
“Perhaps I will.”
The girls are returning the equipment to the shed for storage when I see Fallon waiting on the sidelines. I approach her. “I didn’t realize you were coming. I thought I was driving her to Tanner’s?”
She shuffles nervously on her feet. “Umm…Tanner mentioned that you two are…no longer an item. I thought it might be easier for you if I picked her up tonight and drove her there. So you don’t have to see him.”
“I appreciate it, but I’ll be there tomorrow night. I’ll see him when he gets home, and I’m going to have to see him in the future.”
“Do you need me to come by tomorrow? Maybe for a few weeks until emotions simmer down?”
I shake my head. “No. I promised you that I would be devoted to Harper no matter what, and I am.”
She nods. “I appreciate it. If you have any issues, we can try to figure something else out. We don’t want to lose you, Bailey.”
“You won’t. I’m committed. I promise. I can manage my emotions.”
She bites her lip. “I told him a hundred times to tell you about the vasectomy. To give you all the information before you got in too deep.”
“Yeah, well, he didn’t listen to you. I certainly wish he did. I don’t know if it would have changed anything, but him keeping it from me feels very calculated.”
“You’re completely right.” Her face is full of nothing but compassion. “I don’t know that it will make you feel better, but he’s hurting too. Despite his behavior, he does care for you.”
“Thanks, Fallon. Can we just keep things about Harper moving forward? The wounds are a little fresh for me to be having this conversation with you right now.”
Her face falls. “I’m sorry. Of course. If you have any issues or need a little time away, just reach out.”
I give her a small smile. “I will. Thank you.”
“I’m here, so I’ll take her tonight. And you’re sure you’re good for tomorrow night?”
“I’m fine. I promise.”
It’s just before seven, and I instruct Harper, “Only set two places at the table.”
“I thought Daddy was coming home for dinner.”
“He is. I’m leaving.”
Her face falls. “Why? You always stay for dinner.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie, I have plans tonight. I need to leave as soon as Daddy gets home.” Like two seconds after he gets home.
She looks so sad. “Okay. Will you stay tomorrow night?” she asks hopefully.
“I’m sorry, I have plans tomorrow too.” I don’t, but my days of dinners here are over. It will take a little time, but she’ll get used to our new normal.
I see the headlights of his car beaming through the front windows. I quickly place the food on the table and gather my jacket and purse.
Giving Harper a hug, I tell her that I left Skittles for her inside the drawer in her night table. I knew she’d be a little upset at me leaving, so I left them as a happy surprise for her.
When he walks in through the garage door, the pain feels as fresh as if it just happened. Shit. I thought I was making progress. My heart physically hurts at the sight of him.
Harper runs to hug his leg. He hugs her back but maintains eye contact with me.
I force out a small smile and beg the tears to stay away. “Dinner is on the table. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
His face looks pained. “You’re not staying for dinner?”
Harper shakes her head. “She has plans tonight.” She loudly whispers, “I think she has a date.”
Tanner’s jaw tightens. I have no idea where Harper got that from.
“I’m just going out with some friends, sweetie. Have a good night. ”
I practically sprint out the front door. It takes all of two seconds for him to follow me out, closing the front door behind him. “Can we talk without Mike Tyson around?”
I stop and turn around to face him. “Mike Tyson?”
“Your sister beat the shit out of me when I tried to come see you.”
I didn’t know that, but I can’t say that I’m disappointed to hear it. “Good for her. I have nothing to say to you.” I turn toward the car but stop again and turn toward him. “I’m going to buy a car this week. I don’t feel comfortable using yours anymore. It doesn’t feel right. I’ll make sure to get something safe for Harper.”
“That’s ridiculous. I don’t ever use this car. Keep it.”
“No.” He approaches me, but I hold up my hands. “Don’t. Just leave me alone.”
He tries to grab my arm, but I pull away and rush to get into the car, quickly closing the door. He speaks through the window. “You’re going to have to talk to me at some point.”
Maybe, but today is not that day.
We’re out with Vance, Daylen, a teammate named Beau, and the new guy on their team, Champ Williamson. He’s a star running back and was just traded here from the Fort Worth Wranglers down in Texas. He’s attractive, with mocha-colored skin and huge brown eyes with exceedingly long lashes. His curly hair is longer on top and is bleached.
Beau has practically been forcing Champ on me all night. While I’m not ready for anything along those lines, I’m hitting it off with Champ. He’s so sweet and funny. Hopefully, we can be friends.
Girls have been hitting on him all night, but he acts completely disinterested. The girls in this club are so obvious and forward. I can’t ever imagine acting that way. One woman came up to our booth and introduced herself as Lana. She then said, “It’s easy to remember my name if you spell it in reverse,” before winking at the boys.
Kam “accidentally” spilled a drink on Lana, and she left in a huff. The guys were all hysterically laughing about the whole scene.
Kam was in my ear on the way here that the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. Fortunately, she hasn’t been pushy since we arrived. She knows it’s just not my style to jump into bed with someone else to nurse a broken heart.
Their teammate, Presley, walks in. I’m surprised to see him. His wife just had their first baby. I’ve only met him once before.
Vance lifts an eyebrow. “Elvis?” Their nickname for him. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be knee-deep in diapers and shit.”
Presley runs his fingers through his blond, messy hair. “Layla kicked me out.”
Daylen chuckles. “What did you do?”
He scrunches his face. “She doesn’t care for my sense of humor. She had her four-week checkup with her OB today. When she came home, she said he told her we still can’t have sex for another two weeks. I asked her what the proctologist said.”
We all burst out in laughter though I feel my face flushing, knowing what Tanner did to me last week.
He nods. “It’s funny, right? It was a joke. But she got mad and told me to leave for a few hours.” He sits down and rests his head on the table. “All I really want to do is sleep. Fatherhood is exhausting. The baby cries and shits all the time.”
Champ leans over and whispers in my ear, “Let’s get away from Debbie Downer. Want to dance, sexy?”
“Sure. Why not?”
He grabs my hand, and we walk out of the booth toward the dance floor. Every female eye moves to Champ as he glides to the dance floor. He’s a physical specimen, that’s for sure. I think I’m the envy of every woman here.
Champ twirls me around for a few songs. We’re both laughing and having a great time. He’s easy to be with. I’m glad Kam made me come. I needed a fun night like this.
As a slow song begins, he pulls me into his giant arms but not too close. He’s being respectful, and I appreciate that.
He looks down at me. “I’m glad we met, Bailey. You’ll officially be my first friend in Philly.”
I smile. “I’m glad we met too.”
He blows out a breath. “Since we’re besties now, can I tell you something?”
I giggle. “Of course, bestie .”
“I’m…umm…I’m not into women that way. The guys, particularly Beau, have been very obvious in trying to play matchmaker tonight. I don’t want you to expect anything from me along those lines. I really like you and don’t want to give any mixed signals.”
“Oh. Why don’t you just tell them? You’re not out?”
“Honestly, I don’t feel like I should have to announce it to people. Did you come out as heterosexual?”
“Hmm. Valid point. I never thought of it that way. You can tell Vance and Daylen. They’re great guys. I’m sure the others are too, but I don’t know them well.”
“You’re probably right, but I’m not sure everyone in the league will feel the same. I’m not looking to be the poster child for gay men in professional sports. My private life should remain just that. Private.”
I zip my lips. “Your secret is safe with me. Are there any men here tonight who interest you?”
He scrunches his face. “I left someone behind in Texas. I’m nursing a broken heart right now. I’m not ready for that yet.”
I nod. “So am I. Maybe we can just be there for each other, so everyone leaves us alone.”
He gives me a million-dollar smile and then kisses my cheek. “I like that idea, bestie. Maybe we can go out for dinner in the next few weeks and get to know each other better. Just the two of us.”
I can’t help but smile. “I’d like that.”
He kisses my cheek again. He’s very kissy. “Great. I need to scout the local steakhouses to find my favorite. We’ll hit one of them.”
“Perfect. I love a good piece of steak.”
We make our way back to the booth. I expect Kam to crack jokes about me dancing with Champ, but she doesn’t. It’s kind of odd. I wonder if she sensed his sexuality. She’s got much better radar for that than I do.
She slides out of the booth. “The waitress is taking forever. I’m going up to the bar to get another round for everyone.”
She returns a few moments later and places a huge tray on the table. Suddenly I see Cheetah appear, but he brings his finger to his lips indicating that I should keep quiet about his arrival.
I subtly nod that I will.
He walks up behind Kam, cages her in with his arms, and speaks into her ear, “Want to play Titanic?”
Her lips curl in amusement before she answers, “Fine, but I’m going be the iceberg this time, and you’re going to be the ship that goes down.”
They both smile as she turns around in his arms. His hands move down to her ass, pulling her close to him. They’re practically nose to nose.
She places her hands on his shoulders. “You’re back early, kitten.”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “I am. Our final game in Florida scheduled for tomorrow was canceled with the forecast of rain, so a few of us flew back tonight. Trey practically sprinted to the airport as soon as he found out, but I wasn’t far behind. I missed you, Kam bam.”
“How did you know where I was? ”
“Find My iPhone.”
“Stalker.”
He nods. “Don’t lie to yourself. You get off on me stalking you. Happy to see me?”
“Hmm.”
“Use your words, Kamryn.”
“Parts of my body are extremely happy, including my lips.”
“I like your lips.”
“There are twenty-five billion lips on this planet. Are my four your favorites?”
He chuckles. “I think so, but it’s been a few weeks. I’ll need a refresher to make sure.”
“That can be arranged. Which two do you want first?”
He smiles as his mouth meets hers. It starts off innocent enough, but in true Kam and Cheetah fashion, it doesn’t stay that way for long.
Kam said they’re “casually fucking” but she didn’t “casually fuck” anyone else the entire month he’s been gone. That must be a record for her. I wonder if they’re more than she’s letting on.
The over-the-top kiss eventually ends after everyone in the booth catcalls and whistles.
She pulls away, though their faces and bodies remain close together. “I think you were the last to arrive tonight, kitten. You know what that means.”
He grins widely. “I’ve got a good one for you. The clitoris is made up of the same tissue as a penis. It expands and engorges when aroused, so technically women get erections too.”
“That makes sense for what I’m feeling right now.”
He rubs his nose along her cheek. “Let’s get out of here, Kam bam.”
She turns her head to me. “We’re going to take off. Are you okay to get home?”
I nod. “I’ll be fine. Have fun.”
Champ wraps his arm around me. “I’ll get her home. Don’t worry. ”
Kam gives him a skeptical look before turning back to me. “Are you good with that?”
“Yep.”
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”