Chapter 27 #2
She shrugs, pulling something out of her pocket.
I stare in disbelief at the tie I used to blindfold her that night in Chicago.
“I didn’t realize it until later. There was something familiar about him, and it wasn’t until you kissed me in Houston that I connected the dots.
I think I vaguely recognized it the time you kissed me outside my apartment, but Houston definitely cemented that you and Everett were the same person. My question is, how long did you know?”
I chuckle awkwardly as I look down at the ground. “Specifics?”
“Yes.”
“The first time you came, you tossed your head forward, and the light hit your face perfectly.”
Layla laughs. “You still fucked me, knowing it was me?”
“I did,” I murmur. “I shouldn’t have. I should have told you immediately and left.
But I was so attracted to you, and I thought maybe it would get you out of my system.
It did the exact opposite, by the way. You were more ingrained in my soul than I could have ever imagined.
Now I don’t know how to get through a three-day road trip without you. I played like shit this week.”
“I know,” she says with a giggle. “I watched.”
“I thought you’d be so angry with me,” I confess. “Like I was somehow cheating on you with … you. And lying at the same time.”
“At first I was mad. I felt a little used. But then I tried to put myself in your shoes. What would I have done in that situation? Would I have hightailed it out of there, or confronted you immediately? Maybe I would have done the same as you. Frankly, I knew it wasn’t intentional, because you didn’t hold it over my head.
” Her teasing grin stops as her face falls.
“This doesn’t change the fact that what we’re doing is bad in terms of my job.
I basically told them to keep you, and I can find another job.
I do love working with you guys, but I’d rather have you than the job. ”
A smile spreads across my face as I grab onto her hip, pulling her closer to me. “You have me, Lay. But it doesn’t matter. I talked to the GM today, and he said as long as we fill out some kind of consensual relationship agreement for them, we’re good to go.”
Her eyebrows shoot up almost to her hairline. “I don’t have to quit?”
“No, baby. You don’t have to quit. You’re stuck with us now,” I say, using my other hand to cup her cheek. “You ready to go inside and find Marcia? Let’s get this signed so I can kiss you in front of everyone.”
Layla places her arms around my neck. “I’m gonna need a kiss right now, Callahan.”
I’ve never been one who wants to participate in major PDAs.
I choose to keep my private life exactly that: private.
No one needs to know who I’m dating or see me kiss a woman.
But there’s nothing I want more in this world than to kiss the hell out of Layla, outside the ballpark that brought us together, letting everyone know that I belong to her.
Wrapping my arms around her, I let our lips softly touch, then pick her up to twirl her around. Layla squeals into my mouth as her arms squeeze me tightly as we spin. I know at least one person had to have gotten a picture, and it’ll be online before batting practice begins.
I’ll be printing it out and framing it.
“Oh!” Layla gasps as I set her back down. Eyes wide, she asks, “You said you had something for me. Is it my thong? I had a feeling you stole it that night.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I have it. But you have something else of mine that’s of much more importance.”
She looks at me in confusion. “The only thing left was the blindfold.”
“I’m not talking about that night, Peaches. I’m talking about now.”
“I’m not following.”
Cupping both her cheeks, I whisper, “You have my heart.”
Layla sighs wistfully as tears cascade down her face. “I promise I’ll take great care of it. It’s my most prized possession.”
“Even more than Marilyn and Muriel?” I ask, kissing her quickly.
Layla scoffs. “Please. They own me, and they know it. I’m their servant.”
“Honestly, that sounds about right. Let’s head inside to fill out this contract thing, and then I can introduce you to the team as my girlfriend,” I tell her, grabbing her hand as I walk toward the player entrance on the south side of the ballpark.
“Max Callahan’s girlfriend,” she muses, smiling while shaking her head. “Never thought that was what would happen when I agreed to this job. Life really works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it? At the beginning of last season, we were both with different teams.”
“We were meant to be, Peaches.”
Layla stops suddenly, yanking my arm. “I have to figure out a new nickname for you. I can’t call you Sunshine anymore. You’re almost happy, Max. It’s too fitting. I need something creative. Oh! I’ve got it! I’m going to call you my little McNugget! You know, since you love fast food and all.”
Groaning, I vehemently swing my head back and forth. “Little? Come on. I think we’ve addressed that I’m the opposite of little.”
Layla smiles prettily. “I certainly do love that Wiener Schnitzel, but McNugget does work exceptionally well. Come on, Nugs! Oh, wow. There are so many ways I can say this! It’s going to be so much fun!”
As she pulls me toward the entrance, I find I’m not even a little bit upset. Layla can call me anything she wants, as long as she calls me hers.