Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
~AUGUST~
The elevator ding lets me know that Hendrix has arrived. It makes me smile to have her here with me. We’re not staying, so I have to be careful with my hands.
Tonight, I’m taking her to a Marlins game.
My brother has a home game—a rarity as of late—and I told him that I would come hang out in the box.
I even asked if I could bring a date with me.
He had no issues with it; didn’t even ask me who I was bringing, so I’m sure seeing Hendrix there is going to be a surprise.
“Hello there, handsome,” she coos as she struts off the elevator and heads over to me.
She comes right over into my arms. I still can’t believe this happens now.
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the sight of her, wide eyes shining at mine, smile beaming as she reaches me.
I notice that her hair is dried and straightened tonight.
There is no ponytail or messy bun. Not that it would matter; she looks beautiful no matter what.
Dark jean shorts, and a pair of Nike Dunks on her feet.
She looks adorable. The only thing missing is the shirt I have for her to wear.
“You look so seriously beautiful,” I say to her before I kiss her quickly. “There is only one problem with that outfit,” I tease her.
She looks herself over. “What’s wrong with it?”
“That Blaze shirt you are wearing has got to go, baby. I have something else for you to wear tonight,” I say, reaching for the white Marlins jersey. “Here, put this on.”
I watch as she takes in the jersey. The smile grows as she spins it around and sees the name ‘Cromwell’ on the back.
“Of course, you have a jersey with your last name on the back of it. How very August of you,” she teases me.
I lean in, capturing her lips in a quick kiss. “I thought that you might like it.”
“Tell me, if I’m wearing this, what will you wear?” She moves in close, still holding the fabric between her fingers.
“I have this shirt,” I say, gesturing towards the white T-shirt I’m wearing with the simple Marlins team name across the front. “I thought that it was better if it was only you who was branded tonight.”
“Oh, so you’re branding me. I’m not sure I’m okay with that.” Hendrix puts on her best serious face and fails. As soon as I grin widely after lightly pressing quick kisses to her lips, she folds. “I guess I could get used to this.”
I chuckle. “Baby, I sure hope so. Now put that jersey on because we’ve gotta get ready to go,” I say, reaching around and smacking her ass. She yips in response.
“Sir, yes, sir.” She boldly pulls the Blaze tee over her head and drops it to the floor.
I gulp taking in the sight of her breasts on display for me in the grey push-up bra. I fight the urge to step forward, biting on my lip.
“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” she teases.
“Not quite a cat,” I say, lifting my hands up so that I can cup her breasts.
But just as quickly as they appeared, they disappear as she pulls the jersey over her head. “What do you think?” she asks, turning slightly for me so that I have a view of that magnificent ass in those tight jean shorts.
“I think we shouldn’t leave the apartment tonight,” I husk out.
“Oh no, you promised me a fun night tonight. So, we are going to a baseball game. I had to make Ash an angry little fucker to see you tonight. We’re going to the game,” she says, shooting me a pointed look.
I move over and pull her into my arms, my hands finding her ass and giving it a squeeze. I’m rewarded with that megawatt smile. “I’m sorry he’s still giving you shit about us.”
“He’ll get over it. Or he won’t.” She shrugs. “He can’t stay here forever.”
“No, he certainly can’t. But I don’t want to be the source of tension between you and your brother,” I say, leaning in and quickly capturing another kiss.
She pulls back, brow furrowed. “Who are you and what have you done with the August Cromwell I know?”
“What?”
“Look at you caring for other people. How very un-August-like of you.” Her grin tells me she’s kidding, but the insinuation still bothers me.
“I know how to be a human being,” I remind her.
She giggles. “I know you do.” She stares at me a bit harder. “August, baby, I’m only teasing you. I know that you are human being, and I do see the way you care for your friends… and me.”
“Sure you do,” I say, doing my best to brush off the insult.
“I mean it, I really do. I’m sorry,” she says as she pulls me into a hug. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
I nod. “It’s okay. We should go, though, so we’re not late for the box.” I quickly change the subject, hoping that she’ll just let it drop.
“We’re in the box?” She asks, taking the hint and not saying any more about it.
“Yeah, I thought it would be fun to go and sit in the box with Drew,” I throw out there casually, watching her eyes widen a bit as I deliver the news of our seats.
“Will your dad be there?” Her voice comes out small and I hate the way her playful tone has quickly changed.
“No, he won’t be there. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t put you through that without full warning and your say-so first,” I promise her.
“I know that he wouldn’t be your favorite person to spend the evening with either.
” She nods, digesting the information. “I mean it. He’s not coming. ” I punctuate every word with a kiss.
“Does your brother…” her voice trails off.
“Does my brother what?” I ask her. My hands gently run up and down her arms as I wait for her to say the words.
She sighs and looks away from me for a beat before continuing. “Does he know about college?”
I nod, confirming it. “Yeah, he’s heard your name before. So, he will know exactly who you are. And he’ll be just fine with it. I already told him that you were coming and he was cool with it.”
“Are you sure?” Her voice is so small. I hate how concerned she sounds.
“Yes, it’s going to be fine, Hen. He’s not liked my father either, despite having been raised by him.
” I hesitate for a second. “He’s not as fun-loving as I am, but he’s cool.
You’ll like him, I promise.” She nods. “I wouldn’t take you to a game where my brother would ridicule you or hurt you. Promise.”
Hendrix smiles widely at me, and her jitters appear to be gone.
“You’re right, I’m sorry I doubted you.”
The stadium buzzes with that easy summer nighttime fun. Kids are waiving foam fingers, the smell of popcorn dances in the air and every few minutes, the crack of the bat echoes.
Of course, we were late to the game. I knew Drew was going to give me shit for this because I am never on time. But I don’t care. I hold her hand and lead the way into the owner’s box, where we will soon find my brother.
Drew spots me as soon as the doors open, and like the Blaze box, it’s half empty. Neither of us are good at letting people in or being surrounded by crowds.
“There they are!” he calls out to us. “The owner of the Blaze and his keeper!” he shouts out.
“Don’t,” I say, holding my hand up in protest.
“We’re not—” Hendrix begins from behind me.
Drew grins and laughs at us. “Relax, I know, I know.” He looks around me. “He told me all about you when he confirmed that he was bringing you tonight.”
Drew grins at her. “Fine. The power acquaintances.” I get ready to smack him, but he goes on. “Or how about my brother and the woman that is too good for him?”
Hendrix snorts, laughing at him, then covering her mouth immediately. “That first one is worse. I like the second one better.”
“Exactly!” Drew says, handing her a beer. “Drink this. You look like you haven’t had any fun in a month.”
I shoot Drew a look. “Subtle, man, real subtle.”
Drew just grins at me. “I wasn’t trying to be.”
I shake my head and we hug quickly. He’s wearing that same jersey that Hendrix has on, but his is with a pair of khakis. I grin. That is so my brother—putting his hair down but not really.
I turn and see Hendrix grinning at us. “You two look a lot alike,” she says just to me in a hushed tone.
I lean over and give her a quick peck on the cheek. “Told you, you would like him.”
“Thanks,” Hendrix says, holding the beer up.
“You’re welcome. Like the Blaze, we’ve got a pretty well-stocked bar back there as well as some good food options, so please help yourselves,” Drew tells us.
“Thanks, and since you only grabbed her a beer and not me, I’m going to go get one,” I tell them before sitting down in the seats in front of the screen.
That’s the difference between Drew’s stadium and mine. The front of his box isn’t glass. There’s been a screen installed so that Drew can still smell the aromas of the ballpark, whereas the Blaze box is just glass. I head towards the back, feeling her hand still in mine.
“You didn’t have to come follow me; he doesn’t bite,” I remind her.
She chuckles. “I know he doesn’t bite, but I’m hungry too.”
“Uh-huh,” I say, pulling her in for a quick kiss.
“Sure, you are.” The bartender clears his throat and I pull back.
“See, you are already getting me in trouble. I’ll have an Old Elephant IPA, please,” I order.
“The food is over there; we can just go pick up some pizza or looks like he has some sliders out tonight.”
She nods, watching me for a beat. “What?” I ask her.
“I like your brother. He seems like a fun-but-more-serious version of you,” she replies.
I chuckle and shake my head. “You just met him, but that is spot on.”
“First impressions are usually correct, August.” She rocks on her heels, grinning.
“Uh-huh,” I chuckle, accepting my beer and heading to grab some food before we go back to Drew.
The game is already two innings in when we reach the seats again. The crowd rises as a fly ball soars into the outfield. Drew hops up on his feet, cheering. I remain seated, leaning back in my seat, one hand draped over the back of Hendrix’s chair.
“You’re not going to cheer?” Hendrix nudges me.
“I cheer internally,” I tell her.
Drew turns towards us. “He’s the worst person ever to bring to a baseball game. Zero enthusiasm. Negative vibes,” he explains, winking at Hendrix.
“I have plenty of enthusiasm,” I say defensively. “At the Blaze games, I have no trouble cheering.”
“Uh-huh, so what’s the difference here?” he further goads me, and I don’t miss how wide Hendrix is smiling as she stares from him to me.
Hendrix laughs. “He is kind of a buzzkill sometimes.”
I point in her direction and say, “Traitor.”
She shrugs at me. “If the shoe fits.”
Drew leans over and whispers to her, “He’s always been a whiny little bitch.”
I groan as the two burst out in laughter. “I am never bringing you anywhere again,” I say to Hendrix.
“Lies! He’ll take you wherever you want to go,” Drew promises her with a wink. “He’s kind of attached to you.”
I elbow Drew in the ribs. “That’s enough of that. Play attention to your team.”
Drew laughs and shakes his head. “I can do that and make you uncomfortable at the same time.”
I don’t answer; there’s no need to. The small smile on my face probably says enough already. Thankfully, Drew just lets it go.
A foul ball cracks off a bat and shoots into the stands a few sections in front of us.
The crowd goes nuts trying to get it to it.
Hendrix leans over, reaching down to cup my inner thigh, just holding onto it and giving it a bit of a squeeze before sitting upright.
I lean in and quickly capture her lips. She deepens it and lets out a low moan.
I lose myself in her before I hear Drew clear his throat beside me.
“Well, well,” Drew says, as I look over at his raised brows.
Hendrix pulls back a bit, heat rising in her cheeks. “Don’t start,” I warn him.
“I didn’t say anything,” Drew says, his hands raised. “Yet.”
I shoot him a warning look. “Drew.”
“Fine, fine. I will be good. I will behave,” he promises, laughing. “You two are no fun, by the way.”
Hendrix rolls her eyes and I do the same. But she’s still wearing a smile that reaches her eyes.
A cocktail waitress comes down and offers us three lemon drop shots. “The other box ordered them, and I thought you all might enjoy these too,” she says with a smile.
I don’t miss the way she’s grinning at Drew, but of course he doesn’t notice. He never does.
“Sure. Unless you’re too cool for shots,” Drew offers, looking over at both of us.
“No, but I thought you might be.”
Drew clutches his chest as he looks at me. “Wounded.”
I shake my head. “You two are going to be unbearable together.”
Hendrix quickly downs her shot before pointing out, “You invited me.”
“And I’m regretting it,” I tell her, swallowing the shot and letting the alcohol burn on the way down.
Drew elbows me before doing his own shot. “He’s not regretting it.”
Hendrix looks out at the crowd and the game, taking it all in. For the first time since we got here, she looks truly relaxed and a lot like herself. More so than she has in a long time.
Drew leans back, stretching his hands over the back of his neck. “You know,” he says casually, “I like her.”
“Hendrix?” I ask him, as if there could be anyone else he’s referring to.
“Yeah, she’s good for you,” he says quietly.
“Thanks,” I reply, stealing a glance in her direction. She’s not paying attention, or at least if she heard us, she’s not letting on that she did.
“Bring her around more often,” he says.
“Drew,” I warn him again.
“What? I’m being supportive.”
“We’re not—” but he cuts me off.
“Oh, I know you. You’re not labeling anything,” he says, patting me on the thigh. “I get it. You’re growing, just not too much.”
I nod and don’t bother to say anything else. I don’t miss his snicker when I take her hand and give it a quick kiss. But I couldn’t care less. We spend the rest of the night teasing one another, and her hand stays in mine the entire time. Which is my favorite part.
It feels good.
Easy.
I let myself enjoy because we both deserve a little good and easy.
Something that might actually last for a change.