38. ISABELLA
thirty-eight
And so began our little routine.
For every away game, I have the appropriate number of Spanish words written on Post-its for him to study while he was gone. Now, I find bright neon notes of my own.
On his pillow when he gets up before Anna wakes up or needs to go to the gym and train. They usually say tesoro, but recently, he’s added other Spanish terms of endearment, like mi amor, querida, and mi cielo.
And for home games like tonight, he asks me to reveal my jersey as he stands to the side of the dugout and shakes his head at the name not matching his own on my back.
I could stop, but the postgame sex with a hint of aggression is just too good to pass up. Even though we’ve had to get creative and keep it quiet for Anna’s sake.
Mateo was gone for a long stretch of away games, and we haven’t had the time to tell her in person. But I’m hoping we can finally get to it this weekend, since it’s a rare weekend that Mateo has off and will be at home with us.
I hear the crowd begin to cheer around me and smile. Luisa or Daisy have been on jersey swap duty for the last couple of games. They don’t mind since it gives us a chance to catch up. I never intended to tell my friends before Anna, but after the scene Mateo apparently caused before he found me on the night we got together, I had no choice but to fill them in.
A group video chat later, and all the women were up to date on all things Mateo and me. Well, most things, since I can barely think about our wild nights without burning up at the memories.
The crowd gets louder, and I lean forward to see whether all the noise is for Luisa or Daisy, since they’re both loved in this stadium. Luisa, the general manager, for being a girl boss. And Daisy for being the head of community connections, a role she made up entirely. My favorite part of her job is Hot Mic, where random players get mic’d up during the game. She then gathers all the content, along with what the cameras catch, and creates the funniest videos of the shit these guys say when they’re not up to bat.
But as I look down my row, it’s not Luisa or Daisy heading my way. I suck in a shocked breath as the man who seems more urban legend than real starts to make his way toward me. Tall, dark, and offensively handsome, wearing a tailored black suit and shiny black shoes with an unmistakable number thirty-five jersey in his hand.
Nicholas Stonehaven.
He takes the empty seat next to me, since Anna and Charlie are currently on their second snack run.
“Isabella Morales. Happy to finally make your acquaintance.” His hand reaches out to shake mine.
“Nicholas Stonehaven.” I shake.
“Please, call me Nick.” He smiles.
I nod. “Nick. Nice to meet you as well.”
“Yes, I feel like it is a bit overdue. Given that you’re good friends with my sister and currently dating my starting pitcher,” he says smoothly, running a hand down his immaculate tie. My eyes widen, and he quickly waves my fears away. “Don’t worry, my sister didn’t spill the beans, if that’s what you’re concerned about.” He turns slightly, facing me. “It’s my job to know things about people. And you are quite the interesting one. By the way, congrats on landing a book box deal. I hear those aren’t as easy to come by as a newbie graphic designer.”
My jaw drops. I only received the email before the game. I hadn’t even mentioned to Mateo that I had applied in case I didn’t get it. “How did you—”
“Like I said, Miss Morales—”
“Isa.”
He smiles. “Isa. It’s my job to know things. Which brings me to why I’m here and why I intercepted my sister on the way down to give you your delivery.” He hands me the jersey. “Cute, by the way. This thing between you and thirty-five. And I want to make sure it stays that way, so I’m here to let you know that I’m aware of your past with your ex, and I want to make it clear that it won’t be a problem here.”
I feel my heart drop.
I’ve been so wrapped up in my own little world that I haven’t even given my ex a second thought. How foolish of me to think this kind of high would last forever.
“Isa, are you all right?” Nick touches my shoulder lightly. “Shit, I’m fucking this up, aren’t I?” A bit of a British accent slips through as he speaks. He clears his throat, and I meet his concerned eyes. “Listen, all I was trying to say is that you’re a part of the Monarch family now, which makes you my family. Whether that’s because of your close friendship with Daisy or your relationship with Martinez. You’re safe here, and I just wanted you to know that.” He pauses. “I’m highly disgusted with how the media handled your ordeal years ago, and I promise that my company will make sure that something of that sort will never happen again. Not under my roof—or, um, stadium.” He smiles warmly.
My eyes water, and I try my best to blink back tears. “Oh. Thank you.” I reel in my emotions long enough to ask, “But why? You don’t even know me.” And to be honest, the little I know isn’t exactly great since it’s usually spewed from Luisa’s lips after she’s had a glass of wine or two.
He shrugs, looking less like a multibillionaire and more like the guy you’d ask to walk you home. “It’s what I would do for my sister,” he says simply. “And like I said, you’re family now. Daisy told me all about how you asked her to hang out with your friends, and I’ll be honest, I was suspicious of your intentions at first. Unfortunately, that’s par for the course for us and our family, never being too sure of newcomers. Which led me into having you looked into. My apologies if that sounds too invasive, but when it comes to my sister, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her safe and happy.”
I chuckle, because this rich guy is talking to me like having me investigated and then suddenly welcoming me into the “family” like the mafia is a normal occurrence for me. “Okay. Thanks again, but that’s a lot to take in at once.”
I swear his cheeks take on a blush. “Sorry. Again, I don’t exactly come from a normal world, and I misstep.” He seems uncomfortable and starts to look for the nearest exit. I’m afraid he might just walk out to the field.
“No, it’s fine. I just didn’t think I’d meet you for the first time under such circumstances, but tell me—what kind of perks do I get as someone who’s a part of the Monarchs’ fam bam? Are there Sunday lunches? Do I get a monogrammed hat? Matching tattoos?” I whisper shadily.
He laughs, and I see a bit of the tension leave his rigid shoulders when he does. “No, none of that at the moment, but I can now see how you and Daisy have become such fast friends. You’re a funny one, Isa.”
“Thanks, and you have two fewer horns than I expected—from speaking to Luisa, of course. Wanna tell the fam why she calls you Lucifer?”
He smirks, and suddenly, his face takes on a more devious nature. “Let’s just say that our prickly little Luisa and I just… got off on the wrong foot. Shall we?” He stands, straightening his jacket sleeve as he does, looking every bit like someone who owns an entire baseball team. “Although if you see her around tonight, please send her my regards and tell her to start brainstorming on any future pet names for me. I do have a reputation to uphold and whatnot.” He winks, and then he’s off.
I quickly put on Mateo’s jersey in case he looks over during this inning and immediately text Luisa. I would blow up the group chat, but that would probably make things uncomfortable for Daisy, given Nick is her brother and all.
Me:
So why didn’t you tell me that the reason you hate Nick Stonehaven is probably because you haven’t fucked him yet?
Luisa:
Not you too.
Me:
ME TOO?! Who else has landed on my genius assumption?
Luisa:
Daisy. Which is weird. And for the record, you’re both dead wrong. I’d sooner hand in my resignation than touch that egomaniac with a ten-foot pole.
Me:
Sorry, did you say he has a ten-foot pole? Ouch, but intriguing.
Luisa:
You’re certifiable.
Me:
Probably, but I know I’m on to something.
Luisa:
Promise you, that’s never going to happen.
Me:
Careful. Never say never. Might end up eating those words, friend.