14. Nicole
NICOLE
I can’t stop smiling. My dad threw a no hitter, and Guy hit three home runs. The whole stadium is going crazy as the Jasper Bears celebrate another win on the field. I’m watching both of them when Guy looks up into the stands straight at me. I can’t stop myself from waving excitedly.
He winks and waves back.
My stomach flips. He disappears toward the dugout, and I turn my attention back to Dad as everyone on the team congratulates him.
He may be a veteran, but tonight he pitched better than ever.
I’m about to head down toward the tunnel when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
I pull it out and instantly smile when I see Guy’s name. You coming over?
God, I want to. Last night was amazing, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it all day. But I’ve also spent the entire day reminding myself that I need to take this slowly and protect myself. I will not become another woman on Guy Brody’s list of conquests. I can’t.
I type my response into my phone. Congratulations on your three home runs. I can’t come over. I’m eating pancakes with my dad.
I send the message and stare at my phone waiting for a response, but nothing comes.
Disappointment hits me harder than it should.
I shove my phone back into my pocket and head toward the tunnel to wait for Dad.
I know him well enough to know he’ll refuse to spend much time in the interview room.
I get there just in time to see Guy signing a couple of shirts for fans before Coach grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him toward the media area.
I’d hoped to congratulate him in person, but I don’t have time to dwell on it because Dad is walking toward me.
I throw my arms around him. “Congratulations, Dad. What a game. That was amazing.”
He winces slightly. “Thanks, honey.”
I pull back and put my hand on his shoulder. “How bad is it?”
He gives me a small smile. “Nothing pancakes won’t fix.”
I roll my eyes. “You probably need an ice bath or for the trainer to work on your shoulder. I can wait.” Normally, he would insist it can wait, so when he nods, I know he’s really hurting. “I’ll meet you at the restaurant in two hours.”
“Hour and a half,” he says. “I’m starving.”
I laugh. “Fine. An hour and a half.”
Dad hugs me again before heading toward the training room.
Part of me wants to hang around and wait for Guy, but I resist. Instead, I walk across the stadium to my car and drive to the restaurant.
I get our usual corner booth, and the waitress comes over almost immediately.
“Your dad was amazing tonight. He joining you?”
I nod. “Yeah, but he’s going to be a little while. Is it okay if I wait here?”
Dad always tips really well, so I’m sure she doesn’t mind if I take up a booth. “Of course, honey. Can I get you anything while you wait?”
“Just water, please.”
She disappears, and I pull up the romance book I’ve been reading on my phone. I’m not sure how much time passes before the bell over the door rings, and it pulls me from my book. I look up and instantly smile when I see Dad, then my smile freezes. Guy is walking in behind him.
His expression is a mixture of happiness and uncertainty, like he’s not quite sure how I’m going to react to him being here. As they get closer, Dad gestures toward him. “Is it okay if this guy joins us? Seems he was hankering for pancakes tonight.”
The way Dad says it makes me wonder if he already suspects something. “Sure,” I mutter.
Guy slides into the booth across from Dad and me. I look at him. “Good game tonight.”
The smile he gives me absolutely melts me. He points toward my dad. “Grant and I make a pretty good team.”
Dad laughs, and the waitress comes over to take our order. While the two of them start talking about the game, I keep staring at my white hair tie that is still wrapped around Guy’s wrist. He plays with it while he talks.
We talk and laugh while Dad and Guy go over replays from tonight and strategies for the next game.
When Guy excuses himself to go to the restroom, Dad turns toward me. “Did you get anything moved into your apartment today?”
“My bed frame and mattress were delivered. Everything else will be there tomorrow morning at eight.”
Dad nods. “Don’t try carrying anything yourself. I’ve got some of the guys coming over to help me. We’ll be there at eight.”
I know better than to argue. “Thanks, Dad.”
He nods once, then studies me. “Is there something going on with you and Guy that I should know about?”
This is it. My dad is a smart man, and I should have known I wouldn’t be able to hide much from him. “No. I mean, Guy and I are friends. That’s all.”
Heat rushes into my face. Thankfully, the waitress appears with our food before Dad can say anything else.
Guy comes back a minute later and sits down. Dad doesn’t waste any time. “Guy, is there something going on between you and my daughter?”
Guy’s eyes widen, and my face gets even hotter. How embarrassing is this? I’m twenty-three years old. Guy looks at me, clears his throat, and then turns back to Dad. “Grant, I’d like to date your daughter.”
My mouth falls open. Did he seriously just tell my dad that? “We’re just hanging out, Dad,” I blurt.
Guy looks at me, and hurt flashes across his face. “We’re not just hanging out.”
Dad looks between the two of us before focusing on Guy. “How old are you?”
Guy swallows. “Thirty-six.”
Dad rubs a hand over the scruff on his jaw. “You’re thirteen years older than Nicole.”
Guy nods. “Yes.”
“Dad,” I start, but I have no idea what I’m going to say. I’m waiting for him to punch Guy or threaten him or do something dramatic. Instead Dad calmly cuts into his pancakes and takes another bite. Guy and I sit here in silence, watching him.
Guy can’t seem to stand the silence. “This is different, sir. Nicole is different.”
My dad’s eyebrows rise at the “sir.” They look at each other, and it seems there is a silent conversation between them.
Finally Dad looks at me and then back at Guy. “If you hurt my daughter, I’ll use your bat on your head.”
Guy doesn’t look scared at all. If anything, he looks completely sure of himself. “I promise I won’t hurt her.”
My mouth falls open again. He can’t promise that. I almost say it but stop myself. Dad turns to me. “You’re a grown woman. You can make your own choices. But if you ever need me, you tell me.”
I nod. “I know, Dad.”
He gestures toward my plate. “Now eat before your food gets cold.”
Thankfully, the conversation goes back to normal after that, and we all eat our food.
But the second Dad leaves, I turn on Guy. “What the hell was that?”
Guy shakes his head. “I wasn’t going to start whatever this is between us by lying to your father, Nicole. You know I couldn’t do that.”
“We had a deal. This is a fling. Something private.”
Guy reaches across the table and takes my hand. “We agreed to keep this private. I never agreed it was a fling.”
I lift one shoulder. “But that’s what this is, and the fewer people who know about it, the better.”
His jaw tightens. “You really believe that?”
I pull my hand from his. “I’m trying to be realistic.”
“No. You’re trying to make this mean less than it does because you’re scared.”
My back stiffens. “You don’t get to tell me how I feel.”
“You’re right.” His voice softens. “But I do get to tell you how I feel.”
I stare at him. Guy leans closer across the table. “This isn’t a fling to me, Nicole. I’m not asking you to announce anything or put our business out there, but I’m also not going to pretend you’re just someone I’m sleeping with.”
My heart pounds. “Guy—”
He squeezes my hand again. “What are you so scared of?”
I pull my hand back and bind my fingers together in front of me. “You want the truth?”
He nods. “Always.”
I wrap my arms around myself as the pancakes I just ate threaten to rise. “Fine, you want the truth? Nothing can come of this.”