Chapter 3
3
Sam
Laura huffs at my reply and storms out of the room. I caught her innuendo, but I’m not interested for two reasons. One, it’s clear she wasn’t honest with me about being a sports fan when we talked at work before she asked for a ride home. And I don’t like liars. Two, I met Josie.
Now it’s only me and this goddess sitting next to me. Josie peaked my interest the second I walked in and saw her wearing an Ice Cats hoodie. For having been so sick she lost her voice, she’s still a vision.
Her dark blonde hair is piled top of her head in a messy bun. Glasses with pale blue frames highlight her deep blue eyes. Her lips are full and soft-looking. I almost leaned in to kiss her during our hug, but remembered she might not be agreeable to that since she’s sick.
I’ve never met a girl who likes the Ice Cats. When we embraced after the Cats’ goal, I could feel the curves hiding under her baggy hoodie. She was also witty during our modified 20-questions. The fact that she also likes baseball is a bonus. I’ve met girls who are hockey fans and way too many who claim to be baseball fans considering how much time I spend on the diamond.
I think I’ve finally met my match. The thought doesn’t scare me when it probably should.
We watch the game. Me throwing curses at the refs, and her making quiet, creative hand gestures. The game ends tied. It’ll be a quick break before overtime. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. The longer this game, the more time I get to spend with Josie. She’s got me enthralled without uttering a single word.
I have one question left, and I’m saving it for after the game ends. I have the perfect question in mind.
Right before overtime starts, the sound of the front door slamming shut breaks off my thoughts of Josie and the question I’m dying to ask her. Two guys walk in dropping duffle bags in the hallway. I recognize them immediately as my teammates.
“Josie babydoll. You’re alive! She’s alive!” Parker exclaims waving his hands in the air. He has blonde hair and hazel eyes. He’s always eating or complaining about being hungry. Josie points to her mouth and frowns.
“Cat still got your tongue? Guess we can say whatever we want, and you can’t respond.” Lucas laughs. He looks a lot like Laura with the same dark hair, big brown eyes, and perfect sized nose. Josie shakes in a silent laugh.
Both are great guys, and I’m curious about what kind of relationship they have with Josie. She lives with them. That’s bound to make any potential date a little nervous. It makes me a little nervous as I plan on dating her.
“Hey Sam, what’s up dude?” Parker raises his arm for fist bump. Lucas looks from me to Josie and back, then narrows his eyes at me.
“Hey Luc. Hey Park. Just watching the Ice Cats game.”
“No shit. It’s still on?” Lucas asks.
“Overtime.”
“Yeah. Our little Josie is quite the Cats super fan. She watches all the replays if she can’t watch live. Probably knows more about the team than anyone except maybe you.” Parker chuckles.
“Shit, I forgot you’re a big fan too” Lucas adds and pats his pec. He’s seen my tattoo in the locker room plenty of times.
“Wait. I didn’t realize you were the Sam who was going to be taking Laura home from work tonight. Where is Laura?” Lucas asks looking around the living room.
“Yeah. We’re coworkers. She went to bed I think.”
“How ya’ feeling babydoll?” Parker asks as he sits down on the other side of Josie and wraps his arm around her shoulders. I barely stifle a growl. My arms belong around her. Not his.
It’s not my place to get upset. Not yet anyway. Parker rubs his knuckles in her hair, and she punches him in the side. He mocks a cry of pain and pulls his arms off her shoulders. I smirk. Good girl. Lucas is eyeing me. I glance at the TV. Overtime ends with the game still tied though I’m barely paying attention.
“She can’t talk you idiot.” Lucas says as he sits down in a recliner. Josie rolls her eyes. She’s probably used to this. I am too. After two years playing with these knuckleheads, I know they are as close as brothers. They also love to prank each other, and our teammates frequently end up as collateral damage.
“At least you finally showered.” Parker deadpans. Josie flips him off then grunts as the Cats miss their first pass in the shootout.
“How do you two know each other?” Lucas questions, pointing between me and Josie.
“We just met when I dropped Laura off. I saw she was watching the Cats game and asked to join.” I’ve hung out with Lucas and Parker plenty of times, but declined their invitations for game nights. If I hadn’t, I would have met Josie sooner. I kick myself internally for that, but I work a lot in the winter.
I can’t work during the season as my free time is filled with practice, training, meetings, and games. My family has known Bob, the owner of Westerly Grocery, for decades. Bob lets me set my own schedule to help him with his financials, office stuff, and managing the store. I enjoy the work and plan on a career in financial services, but my father insists I pursue baseball first.
The Cats score on their next pass. Still alive as their opponent also missed. Josie claps.
“Sam’s a catcher on our team.” Parker adds.
“I thought Josie was the only Cats fan in town until I saw your tattoo. Have you shown it to her yet?” Lucas asks. Josie blushes. It’s fucking adorable.
Parker raises an eyebrow at me. Is he interested in her? I hope not. He’s got a reputation as a player, but I don’t want to interfere if a teammate has a thing for Josie. That would mean she’s off limits. I really, really, hope she’s not off limits.
“I showed her.” I smirk, remembering I intentionally lifted my entire shirt up. I work hard on my physique and if it can help get me the girl, I’ll happily show it off. Parker grins wickedly while Lucas shakes his head.
I’m not sure what the relationship is between these guys and Josie. They seem fond of her and protective. Better figure it out. I most definitely want to date her.
The Cats miss on their next pass. Josie and I both groan, though her’s sounds like a heavy sigh. It has me wondering what she sounds like when she moans. What she sounds like when she climaxes. My dick has taken notice and now I have a semi. I discretely tilt my hip to relieve a bit of the pressure behind my zipper.
The four of us sit in silence as the Cats player skates with the puck towards the goalie. He fakes to the left and shoots to the right, but the puck bounces off the post. The Cats lose. Josie gives the TV two thumbs down, and I chuckle. Adorable.
“Can’t win them all babydoll.” Parker shrugs. Josie flips him off again then waves her hand in front of her nose. Yeah. I just realized how much the guys stink too.
“Yeah, yeah. We always stink after a workout. You know you love our sweat smell.” Parker winks at her. Josie makes a face like she’s gaging. I chuckle at their banter to hide my nervousness that there may be more than a friendly connection between them.
“Come on Parker, we’ve got that thing in the morning so we better get to bed.” Lucas states as he gets up off the loveseat.
“What thing? And it’s only like 10pm?” Parker looks at him in confusion. Lucas presses his lips together and gives him a look I can’t quite read.
“You know,” Lucas waves his hand, “that meeting.” He angles his head towards me and then to Josie. Parker’s eyes widen.
“Oh yeah. That meeting. I forgot. Good night you two. Don’t keep her up too late bud. She’s finally back from the dead, and we need her alive to make us cheese dip on game nights.” Parker winks at me. Well, I guess that answers my question about the nature of their relationship. I believe that was bro code for go for it.
“Night.” I say to them, happy to be alone with Josie again. She waves before they disappear down the hallway.
“Our babydoll is growing up.” I hear Parker whisper yell and fake a sniffle. Josie shakes her head. I look over to study her profile. She looks exhausted. I need to put my plans to woo her on hold. She needs rest.
“I should get going so you can get some rest. Thanks for letting me watch the game with you.” She gives me a sweet grin. I walk to the door. “Come lock the door after I leave.” I wait until I hear the lock click before heading to my SUV. I shoot her a text as my vehicle warms up.
Me: I have one question left. Wanna have dinner with me on Saturday night? I know a great little Italian place.
It’s Monday. Hopefully that’s plenty of time for her to feel better and get her voice back. No response. I head for home hoping she’ll respond by the time I get there.
I pull in the driveway of the house I share with my brothers. My father bought this house for us after he demanded we all attend his alma matter. This house is our reward for obeying him. It was fine with me, who wouldn’t want free housing.
It’s quiet and dark when I walk inside. My younger brother, Shawn, is probably in bed. He has an early class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The freshman didn’t listen when we told him to not pick any classes starting before 10am.
Sebastian, my half-brother who is 4 months younger than me, is probably staying at a girl’s house tonight. He’s the product of our father’s affair. Shawn and Seb are why I obey my father’s demand to continue playing baseball.
I check my phone and see that Josie still hasn’t responded. Shit. I hope I’m not wrong about the connection we shared.
I hop in the shower and try not to think about the woman wearing a Cats hoodie. I try not to think about what she might have been wearing under that hoodie. My cock is rock hard thinking about peeling it off her. I grab my cock and stroke it a few times.
I imagine those plump pink lips and the feel of them against my own. I picture her beneath me, our naked bodies pressed up against each other while I thrust into her over and over. My breaths become short and ragged, my strokes frenzied. Grunting, Josie’s name rips from my throat as I climax.
As I’m pulling my own Ice Cats shirt on after my shower, my phone pings. It’s a thumbs down emoji from Josie. Fuck she said no. I collapse on the bed as another ping comes.
Josie: I can’t. Laura wants you, and I can’t do that to her. Chicks before dicks.
Me: I’m not interested in Laura. I’m interested in you.
Josie: Can we be friends for now?
Fuck. Friend zone. If friend zone means I can still spend time with her, then so be it. She’s the only woman I’ve ever met who likes the Ice Cats. Bonus, she didn’t fawn all over me when she found out I was a teammate of Lucas and Parker. Girls are always trying to land athletes thinking if we go pro, we’ll be their money train ticket. Josie doesn’t strike me as the kind.
Me: Can I take my new friend to my favorite restaurant on Saturday night?
Josie: Is this a fancy or a casual restaurant?
Me: Causal, but wear whatever you like.
Josie: So I can wear my glittery pink pajamas and fluorescent yellow crocs?
Me: Whatever you like. I want to hang out with my new friend and get to know her.
Josie: Fine. Dinner as friends.
Josie: For the record, I hate crocs. Please don’t wear them either.
Me: Thank fuck. Worst shoes ever.
Josie: Obviously you’ve never worn stilettos.
Me: Oh, I have. Lost a bet to my brother. Crocs are worse. Stilettos make my ass look hot.
Josie: Pics or it didn’t happen.
Me: *pic of me*
Josie: Damn. You look hot in a sundress. Nice cleavage.
Me: Thank you. Bet you would look hotter. Get some rest so you can be well for our not-a-date-just-a-guy-and-girl-who-are-friends-having-dinner-together.
Josie: Good night, Sam.
Me: Night beautiful.
Josie: Friends don’t call each other beautiful. You can do better.
Me: Challenge accepted.
I grin at my phone. Challenge accepted to win her over. Friends turn into lovers all the time. This woman has potential to be long-term relationship status. Am I ready for that in my life knowing I may be drafted and put on some random minor league team on the other side of the country?
It would only be until Sebastian and Shawn finish school, then I could quit baseball and go into financial services. Would Josie wait for me? Or better yet, come with me? She may be worth the risk. I have to be firm in turning Laura down. Operation Convince Josie To Date Me is a go, a plan forming in my head. But I’m going to need some help.