36. ISABELLA
thirty-six
I’m on cloud nine.
I don’t think I’ve ever been happier or more sore in my life.
Mateo and I spent the day tangled up in one another until he had to leave for his game.
The cool early September air means that I have to ditch my shorts for jeans tonight. I pair them with a navy bodysuit that does wonders for my boobs and decide to break out my black ankle boots for the first time this season.
I’m about to grab Mateo’s jersey, the very same one I had to wash this morning in order to hide the evidence of last night’s events, when I pause.
I really shouldn’t goad the man. These baseball games are his place of work. And we’ve been living in such bliss for the last twenty-four hours. Surely I shouldn’t rock the boat…
But then I remember what happens when Mateo “punishes” me, and I leave the jersey right where I left it, folded on my bed.
Guess I am a brat after all.
“Isabella!” Anna runs up to my seat and squishes me in a tight hug. I wave at Hank, who brought her down to our front-row seats, and he points up to where the suites are. I mouth, “good luck,” and he laughs good-naturedly as he makes his way up the stadium steps.
I direct my focus back to the cuddly kid who’s begging for my attention. “Where have you been? I missed you so much.” I squeeze her right back and help her climb onto my lap. She’s taller than the average five-year-old, and I’m sure that’s due to her father’s genes.
“I was helping feed tiny little puppies. Their mama was rescued when she was pregnant. Now that the babies are here, they need lots of help to get strong and ready for other families to adopt them so that they can go to their forever homes. I asked Abuela if I could stay over one more night to help, and she said yes. Do you want to come too? Abuela has extra guest rooms. I’m sure she’d be okay with it.” She wipes hair out of her face as she comes up for air.
“Slow down there, girl.” I laugh. “Maybe I can stop by during the day tomorrow. How does that sound?”
She nods enthusiastically. I’m about to ask her more questions about the pups when the crowd gets loud, and I assume I know the reason why.
Mateo Martinez. Number thirty-five, starting pitcher for the New York Monarchs and the man who’s given me more orgasms than I can count while whispering the filthiest words in my ear, is making his way over to us.
Anna hops off my lap, and we make our way to the small gate.
I tap her on the back, and she bolts toward her father. He easily catches her in his arms and kisses her cheek repeatedly. She squirms in his arms until he reluctantly lets her stand and ruffles her hair.
I let them have their moment, admiring how beautiful their relationship is. The crowd oohs and aahs at their interaction, and it reminds me that there are quite literally eyes everywhere.
The usual panic that starts to rise at the thought doesn’t reach its usual fever pitch. I know there will always be eyes on Mateo. And if I want to be a part of his life, then that means me as well.
I never thought I’d be put in a position like this again, but I also never knew a man like Mateo existed.
I would love to say it’s a light switch decision, and the fact that cameras are always pointed at him doesn’t bother me, but that’s not the case.
A part of me will probably always be a little extra sensitive to the limelight. The only difference is that I’m choosing to accept it and slowly learn to live with it if it means I get to be in Mateo’s arms at night.
A far cry from when I started a few weeks ago. Back when I was begging for this nannying gig. Crazy how life can change in such a short period of time.
A few of Mateo’s teammates walk over and greet Anna.
One in particular has me blushing at the memory of what I did once I arrived at the stadium.
I went to the gift shop and bought a jersey. One without Mateo’s name on it.
I was feeling pretty ballsy, but that was before I realized the player whose jersey I’m wearing might actually get close enough to see me wearing it.
As if my guilt were written all over my face, Mateo makes eye contact with me, lifting a questioning brow. I swear it means what are you up to, Morales?
I bite my lip and stare at the field as Anthony jogs over and calls my attention.
“Hey, Isa. Come over and meet some of the guys before we start.” He nods over to stadium security, and he and Charlie move to make room for me to slip out.
I cautiously make my way toward the half circle of giants. I forgot how tall these men could be. I always assumed only basketball players were tall, but these guys easily dwarf me.
Mateo tracks my movement like a predator, his eyes snagging on my chest for a touch longer than appropriate before he schools his features.
“Yo, guys. This is Denise’s friend, Isabella.”
“And my nanny and bestie,” Anna adds.
Ace Middlebrooks, the Monarchs’ third baseman, gives me a quick once-over, then grins at Mateo. “So this is the nanny, Martinez? Looks like you’ve been holding out on us.” He looks back at me and winks. Shit, this might have been a bad idea.
“Hey, Charlie, do me a favor and take Anna up to get some dinner for me, will you?”
Charlie nods. “Right away. Let’s go, kiddo.”
At the mention of food, Anna darts toward Charlie and starts reciting the concession stand menu from memory.
A part of me wants to turn and go with them, but then I’d have to turn my back on Mateo, which seems like a very dangerous thing to do while he’s silently staring down a grinning Ace.
Anthony notices and looks back and forth between Mateo and me. “Isa, tú sí estás bonita. Look at you. It’s like you’re glowing or something,” he teases, and the look I send his way only eggs him on more.
“Let me see, you decide to wear my jersey again? Give us a spin.”
My cheeks go bright red, and Mateo notices. “Torres, quit it.”
Mateo must be thinking that Anthony is teasing me for wearing his jersey, since we’re now a couple. Oh, this is gonna be bad.
“Sheesh, está bien. I just wanted to—” He leans back slightly and catches sight of the name on my jersey. “Oh. Oh, damn.” He starts to shake his head as he laughs. “Damn, Isabella. I’m gonna have to tell Denise about this one.”
“Torres, don’t make me tell you again. Leave her alone.” Mateo’s teammates start to pay closer attention, their confused gazes latching on to my panicked one.
Anthony raises his hands. “Okay, tranquilo. My bad. Didn’t know you were cool with Isa wearing Ace’s jersey, though, given how you just about lost your shit when she wore mine, and I’ve known her forever.”
I swear I can no longer hear the sound of the crowd.
When I put on this stupid jersey, I thought Mateo would ask me to spin, and he’d get riled up and take it out on me in bed tonight. I didn’t realize we’d have an audience and that the owner of said jersey would be looking at me like he doesn’t mind me sporting his name one bit.
“Shit, Mateo. I didn’t know your nanny had such good taste.” Ace moves to take a step closer to me, but Mateo’s gloved hand smacks his chest, stopping him in his tracks.
“Watch your mouth when speaking about my woman.”
A choir of whoa s and oh shit s echoes around the team as they all bow their heads slightly and take a large step back.
Ace’s playful face quickly turns serious. “Had no idea, man. Meant no disrespect.” He nods my way, his tone much less flirtatious than before. “Nice to meet you, Isabella. Thanks for holding down our guy here. He’s a good one. See you around.” He taps another player on the chest, and they all head to the dugout, whispering among one another.
Only Mateo, Anthony, and I remain.
They step closer, creating a small circle among us.
Anthony is basically bouncing on his feet. “So… it’s true? It happened? You two are finally—”
“Yes. And I fucked it up just now by letting it slip before Isa was ready to tell people.” Mateo closes his eyes and shakes his head, seeming upset with himself.
I discreetly poke him in the chest to look my way. “It’s fine, I promise. I don’t mind them knowing as long as they let us tell Anna before anything gets out.”
Anthony shakes his head, losing his smirk in the process. “Nah, don’t worry about it, Isa. The team’s a vault. Those guys would never talk. They aren’t rookies, and we know how to keep our business to ourselves. I trust them.” He squeezes my shoulder softly. “I’ll let you two lovebirds be and reinforce that notion now so you don’t have to worry about it.” He nods at Mateo. “See ya out there. Let’s get it done tonight.”
Mateo nods as Anthony jogs away.
“You know exactly what’s going to happen the second I get to that dugout, don’t you?” He raises a reproachful brow.
“I’m assuming I’ll be receiving a new jersey?” I smile innocently.
“You trying to rack up a collection of my jerseys or something? Say the word, and I’ll have your closet filled to the brim by tonight.”
“Jerseys, your gray hairs, whichever brings me more joy at the moment.” He shakes his head, probably concocting a devious plan for me tonight. “And nice touch with the whole ‘my woman’ bit.” I sigh dramatically. “And here I thought you would test out that new boyfriend title you worked so tirelessly for earlier in the kitchen.”
“I look like a boy to you?” he asks, eyes darkening as they quickly rove over my body. He doesn’t let me respond as he starts to back away. “Anna’s staying another night at my mom’s. Be ready for what’s coming your way, Morales. Your ass is going to regret this.”