Chapter 10 #2
“I’m driving you home. Come on.” I reached for her hand and intertwined our fingers, just waiting for her to tell me to stop. When she didn’t, I led us out of the office and back toward the VIP exit. “Do you need anything before we go? Water? Food?”
“I’m okay, thanks, Nate.”
God, that was the softest she’s ever said my name. There was no attitude or fire or disdain there, just gratefulness and while I liked her sass, I liked this version too. “I know a secret way out to my truck. We can go down the elevators and through a tunnel.”
“Away from the press?”
“Exactly.”
I led us toward the elevator, not letting go of her hand even while we waited. I kept rubbing my thumb over the back of her hand. Her skin was so soft and smooth. It was addicting to keep touching her there. The elevator dinged and I led us in, where she finally let go of me.
“This is handy,” she said, her voice not quite back to her usual tone. “Do you use this escape often?”
“When I’m in a mood, yeah. It’s safer. I’ll make sure you get access to this next game. And, I’ll make sure security follows you.”
“Oh, there’s no—”
“Its not up for debate. I’ve never seen you look so scared and its fucking killing me that no one was there to help you. If you’re going to continue to come to games, you’re going to have more of those interactions. I don’t want you unsafe at any point.”
“Jeez, now you’re starting to sound like my dad,” she said, rolling her eyes with a hint of a smile.
“Is it because I’m old?”
Her gaze met mine and it was like a light switch went off. Her eyes filled with joy as she smiled. “Look at you making jokes. Well done, O’Brien.”
“Glad to see you smile again, Calloway.”
She sighed as we got off on a lower floor, but before I stepped too far into the hallway, she tugged at my shirt, stopping me.
I stared at where her fingers clung to the fabric, intrigued and captivated at this complicated confusing woman.
“Hey,” she said, her tone soft again. “I’m sorry for everything.
You wouldn’t have to be doing this charade, or taking me home, or any of this if I didn’t do the stupid date thing for my dad.
This is all my fault and I’m really sorry. We can find a way out—”
This was her—truly her real self. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she was remorseful and lost, and it did something weird to my chest.
“No,” I blurted out, my voice raising. “This isn’t—”
“It is though.” She smiled up at me, sadly.
“I feel close to my dad here in a way I can’t find elsewhere.
Even annoying you was fun and I’d imagine telling my dad the stories.
But tonight when I had to throw out that pitch?
I was so nervous I almost passed out. You do that all the time and I minimized how hard that is.
I poked at you because it was entertaining, not understanding the depth and challenges of it. That was wrong of me.”
“This is my job. I’m used to the pressure. I shouldn’t have blamed you for my performance, that was immature.”
She shook her head, her eyes losing the little joy I saw earlier. “No, I shouldn’t have done that. I’m going to talk to Lauren to see if we can get out of this. I don’t want to do this to you anymore.”
“Cassidy, no, it’s…” I lost my trail of thought. She stared at me with her wide sad eyes and lips parted, and god, I had never seen a prettier picture. “It’s been a tough night for you. Let’s get you home and we can talk tomorrow.”
“I really can get a ride myself.”
“And I really can take you.” I held out my hand, waiting, and she took it after what felt like five minutes.
I couldn’t figure out why her words, her willingness to end this charade hurt me.
Sure, it’d free me up and it annoyed me because I wasn’t a thirst trap or a booktok boy toy.
But in a twisted way, I liked knowing I’d get to see her again.
I had no idea what that meant but after seeing her tonight, sad and alone and still trying to stand strong?
I was pulled to her despite all the reasons I shouldn’t be.
“Here we go,” I said, moving my hand toward her lower back as we walked through the parking lot.
This section was sealed off from the rest and I scanned the area, ensuring she was safe before walking toward my white chevy.
“Allow me, please.” I opened the passenger door for her, ensuring she got in alright since it was a little high. Once she was seated, I tapped the side of the door and shut it. I quickly jumped in my side and buckled in, trying not to admire how perfect and cute she looked in my truck. “Where to?”
“Scottsdale area.”
“Oh yeah? I live up there too. Not too bad of a drive to get to the stadium or spring training.”
“Nate? Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.” I glanced at her and she stared at me with her brows furrowed. “What is it?”
“Why are you being nice to me? You hate me and you’re being nice and I’m grateful for you helping me out, really, but I don’t know how I can repay you back for this and its making me really uneasy.”
Christ.
I gripped the wheel tight, her words hitting me like weights. “I don’t hate you.”
“Uh, pretty sure you do.”
“Cass, I do not hate you. I’m sorry I’ve been rude and made you think that.”
She sighed and leaned her head against the window. “Okay.”
“Why are you saying that like you don’t believe me?”
“Because I don’t.” She smiled as she closed her eyes, then yawned for a full thirty seconds. “My god, I’m tired.”
“Text me your address so you can close your eyes for a bit.”
“I’m not gonna sleep.”
“Text me anyway.”
I wanted to know where she lived so I could show up tomorrow and bring her something. Coffee, flowers. I don’t know, something. She deserved to be taken care of. The fact she didn’t believe me gutted me and I felt like a fucking asshole.
She swiped her fingers on her phone, a chime coming in through mine and I plugged it into the map. “You’re getting better at listening to me when I’m trying to be nice.”
“Don’t go too far, Nate. I’m sure I’m just exhausted. I’ll be back to a pain in the ass tomorrow.”
That made me smile.
In a twisted, weird way, I missed her poking at me. “It’s my turn now. Can I ask a question?”
“Sure.” She closed her eyes and had a little half smile on her face. I couldn’t stop sneaking glances at her. The braid, the hat, the fact my number was on her. If this were real—which it wasn’t at all—I’d lean over and fucking kiss her.
“Why were you in the suite alone tonight and not in your dad’s seats?”
She blinked her eyes open. “I didn’t have anyone to invite.”
“What … does that mean?” I scratched the back of my neck as it burned. Her answer made me sad and I really didn’t like that. She had millions of followers and commentors and friends online, but I didn’t say a word.
She shrugged. “I don’t have a lot of local friends. Most of mine are throughout the country.”
“And family?”
“My only cousin lives in Italy. That’s pretty much it. It’s okay though. I felt my dad everywhere tonight and that’s really all I wanted. The stadium is the one place I feel … okay.”
Fuck. An unfamiliar prickle formed in the back of my eyes, a burn in my throat having no place for this conversation.
She didn’t even sound sad anymore, just, matter of fact.
I didn’t even know what to say to her. I wanted to say she could invite everyone I know, but that would be weird.
Or that I’d go with her to games, but that was also not true.
Fuck. Sweat pooled down my back as the silence went on longer.
I didn’t want to say the wrong thing—which I clearly had with her numerous times.
I snuck a glance and she just stared out the window, silent.
“The stadium is the only place I feel like myself too. Not any stadium, just Gila Monsters. The thought of not playing there again causes a deep, unsettled fear in me. I want to leave a legacy here. It’s why this season is so important.”
She nodded. “I totally get that.”
“You’re brave, you know,” I said, my voice quieter as I turned onto a main drag in Scottsdale.
“Yeah. So brave. Making silly videos and smiling and flirting.” She made a face and scrunched her nose. “I don’t even know what I want anymore. Doesn’t seem fair to drag you into this. Seriously, I’ll call Lauren in the morning.”
“I’m asking you not to do that.”
She stared at me, the obvious question growing between us. I hope to god she didn’t ask me why because I wasn’t sure myself. Instead, she shrugged again. “Okay.”
We didn’t talk the rest of the drive, but I parked outside a nice condo and when I went to stop the car, she shook her head. “You’ve done enough for one night, Nate. I need to leave with the dignity I have. Do not get out of your truck.”
“I just wanna walk you to your door.”
“No. This isn’t a date. I’m okay. Thank you for your kindness tonight. I really needed it.” She gave me a sad smile then waved. “I guess I’ll see you later.”
I watched her walk toward a set of staircases and go up to the second floor.
At least she wasn’t on the ground floor alone.
It was a beautiful complex with iron gates and lots of plants.
There was also a security station and that helped me breathe a little easier.
She’d be safe here. But the tricky question remained that I had yet to figure out.
Four hours ago, I would’ve paid to have this arrangement over. But now? I didn’t want it to. What the hell was happening to me?