Just for the Plot (Bay Area Players #2)

PROLOGUE BENNETT

PROLOGUE

BENNETT

Bennett—Sixteen years old

“Bennett, hurry up.” Gabby, my big sister, bangs on the bathroom door. “Bower will be here any second and I don’t want you in the shower when she arrives.”

I open the door, startling her so much that her hand falls to her chest.

“What’s the big deal? She’s just your friend,” I reply, trying not to act like the annoyed sixteen-year-old that I am, because my sister takes care of me.

She makes sure there’s a roof over our heads—even if it’s a one-bedroom apartment that we share—and despite the toll on her, she brought us closer to Almond Bay so I have a better chance of getting scouted for baseball.

Yes, I’m grateful. But she’s still annoying me right now. Hence the rant.

“I know, but this is the first time she’s going to be at our place since we’ve moved, and well, I don’t need your scrawny body waltzing out in a towel.”

I glance down at my jeans and T-shirt and then back up at my sister. “Not naked.”

“I can see that, thank you.”

Bower has been friends with Gabby for almost a year now, but because of their schedules, including school, I’ve never met her, only heard about her.

I know she’s funny.

She cares for my sister.

And that her dad is the manager at the Olive Garden they both work at, and if Gabby asks for it, she’s always given overtime, because Bower’s family understands our situation.

Foster kids growing up until Gabby turned eighteen, when she pulled me out of the system with her, begging our foster parents to let us, even swearing they could keep the government assistance, just not to bother us.

Still don’t know how she was able to do that, but now we’re out on our own. My job is to train while she works to pay our bills. And there are months when all we eat is leftover soup from Olive Garden that’s going to be thrown out along with stale breadsticks, but we make the most of it.

Now that I’m sixteen and she’s twenty-four, we have a system that works for us. A system that keeps us out of trouble, that keeps us together, and that will lift me into a position to make the most of our dreams.

Gabby glances around our small, five-hundred-square-foot apartment. “Should I vacuum again?”

“No.” I groan as I move past her. “She’s your friend. I don’t think she’s going to care that you vacuumed twice before she arrived.”

“I know, you’re right, but her family has been so supportive of us. I just want her to know that we’re okay.”

“She will know,” I say as I flop back on the couch, the smell of Gabby’s Crock-Pot chicken making my stomach ache. It’s rare when she buys chicken because it’s so expensive, but when she does, I devour it, especially since it’s a far cry from the barely buttered noodles or soup we usually eat.

Knock. Knock.

Gabby’s eyes fly to the door and then back to me. Whispering, she says, “That’s her. Be nice.”

“As if I wouldn’t.” I roll my eyes while she answers the door. If anything, if it’s important to my sister, then it’s important to me.

“Gabby,” a sweet but excited voice sounds through the apartment. “Oh my God, this place is so cute.”

“Thank you. It was a good find after, well, you know…”

After Gabby had to live in a car for a week while I stayed with a friend because her abusive boyfriend hit her in the head with a bottle, but you know, we’re not talking about that anymore.

My fingers curl into the cushion of the couch as I attempt to regulate the anger that’s still simmering in the pit of my stomach from that situation. I can’t think about it or I might just take retribution.

“Oh, you must be Bennett.”

I glance up, my eyes focusing on the drop-dead gorgeous girl in front of me.

Holy.

Shit.

Long, golden blond hair, straight and tucked behind her ears, letting the insanely light green of her eyes take center stage, highlighted under thick, black lashes and black eyeliner.

Her lips are coated in some sort of gloss, pouty and pink, while a beauty mark rests just above the right of her lip.

Jesus…

“Uh, yeah.” I clear my throat and stand, trying not to be awkward as I hold my hand out to her. “Nice to, uh, nice to meet you.”

“Ooo, the manners, good job, Gabby.” Bower smiles brightly at me. “Nice to meet you too, Bennett. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Thank you. I mean, you’re welcome…wait, no, thank you,” I say stupidly. Fucking smooth, bro.

She smirks and drops my hand just as Gabby’s alarm goes off. “Oh shoot, that’s the laundry. I have to go switch it.”

“Want me to grab it?” I ask, sticking my hands in my back pockets.

“No, I have some…well, some underwear I don’t need my little brother fondling.”

“Fondling.” My voice cracks awkwardly. “I wouldn’t…I’d never do that, Gabby.”

She chuckles. “I know, but it’s fine. I can handle it. I’ll be right back. You good staying here?” she asks Bower.

“Of course,” Bower says, waving her off, giving me a chance to take the rest of her in.

She’s wearing a pair of yoga pants with a waistband that folds over her hips, keeping them low cut and showing off a few inches of her toned and tanned stomach.

Her white V-neck shirt clings to her torso while the neckline dips just low enough to give me a view of her ample cleavage.

Shit, she’s so hot.

“Great, be right back.” Gabby takes off, and Bower turns to me, her eyes so freaking hypnotizing that I immediately get lost in them. Like a, uh…mossy field or something. I don’t know, I’m no poet, but if I were one, I could spend hours just staring—

“Bennett?”

“Huh?” I ask.

“I asked if we could chat for a moment before Gabby gets back?”

“Oh, uh, sure.” I lead her to the couch where we both take a seat, her sitting comfortably on one end, me having a near panic attack from the scent of her perfume swirling all around me.

“Okay, I’m glad I have a chance to speak with you, because after what happened with Gabby’s ex and her need to blow it off as nothing, I felt this very protective instinct fall over me.”

“Me too,” I say.

“I’m sure. I couldn’t imagine what you must have been feeling that day. And since she’s my bestie, I want to make sure that she’s not only taken care of, but that she’s not, well…lying about anything. I love her, but she made it seem like everything was good with her ex, when clearly it wasn’t.”

“Yeah, he was a dick.”

“Exactly. And I was thinking, she does such a wonderful job of making sure you have everything you need and caring for you, it’s her top priority, but I don’t think she ever pauses for a moment to take care of herself. Nor does she communicate with either of us about what she needs.”

“Because she claims she doesn’t need anything.”

“I think we can both agree that’s a lie.”

I nod, because it is.

“Then, if it’s okay with you, I would be grateful if you give me your phone number so if anything comes up, or if we see anything off about Gabby, we can communicate and help her out, even when she denies the need for help.”

Wow…I can guarantee you that never in my life have I heard anyone want to take care of my sister the way that I want to take care of her.

She spends countless hours working, paying for our shelter, or food, providing for us so that I can have a future.

She has set aside so much of her life so I can chase my dream of becoming a professional baseball player that I’ve ingrained it in my mind that when it happens, the roles will be reversed and I’ll be the one taking care of her.

But to have someone else want to do that now, want to keep her safe and protected, it hits different.

Makes me feel like this weight that’s sitting on my chest is a little less heavy.

Do I have hearts in my eyes?

Because that’s what it feels like.

“Do you mind?” she asks. “If I get your phone number?”

“Oh, uh, sure. That’s cool.”

“Great.” She sighs with relief. “I appreciate it. I know this is so heavy for you, but Gabby told me you’ve grown up faster than any other kid your age, so I thought you could handle helping out.”

“I want to help out. I love my sister and just want the best for her.”

“I know.” Bower smiles softly. “If you’re good with it, hand me your phone and I can text myself with it.”

“Oh, it’s, uh, it’s not one of those fancy phones or anything,” I say.

“Doesn’t matter.” She waves her hand at me. “I couldn’t care less and you shouldn’t either.”

Shit, she’s cool.

“Sure.” I pull my flip phone from my pocket and hand it to her.

“Perfect.” She enters her number into my phone and then hands it back to me.

“I texted myself so I have your number too. I really appreciate this, Bennett. And feel free to text me if you ever need anything, okay? I love your sister so much. She’s helped me through a lot and I want to be there for her just as much as she’s there for me, but her stubborn pride tends to get in the way. ”

“Something I know a lot about.”

“And let’s make a promise right now to be as transparent as possible. We don’t want another situation like she had with her ex.” She points at me. “Truth only.”

Oddly, I just met this girl and because she’s best friends with Gabby, I’m putting all my trust in her. I nod. “Truth only.”

Bennett—Seventeen years old

Bennett: Did Gabby go into work today?

Bower: No, why? Did she tell you she was?

Bennett: Fuck, she did. I knew she was lying.

Bower: Okay, no need to panic. I’m assuming she’s gone now. Do you have any idea where she is?

Bennett: No idea. She said she was going into work, but she left her work apron and cash.

Bower: Let me casually ask her where she is.

Bennett: Let me know as soon as you can.

A few minutes later…

Bower: I know where she is. She’s safe.

Bennett: Where is she?

Bower: Just worry about going to practice and she will be home in a bit.

Bennett: You promised transparency. If I’m not going to lie to you, you can’t lie to me.

Bower: Bennett, trust me on this.

Bennett: Bower, tell me.

Bower: Ugh, fine. She was going out to get you a present, found something on the marketplace and had to drive two hours to get it.

Bennett: And she didn’t bring you?! That’s not fucking safe.

Bower: Trust me, I already yelled at her about it. But she’s safe and driving back. For what it’s worth, you’re going to love the gift.

Bennett: I don’t care. I care that she could have gotten hurt.

Bower: Same, but let’s just say she’s good. Okay?

Bennett: Fine.

Bower: Hey, it’s good. Now…how was baseball practice?

Bennett: Don’t change the subject when I’m mad.

Bower: Can’t be mad forever…especially when she gives you that present.

Bennett—Eighteen years old

Bower: Happy birthday, Mr. Eighteen! Any plans?

Bennett: Gabby has something planned. By the way, did she tell you about the guy she met at the bar? He tipped her two hundred dollars. Do I need to be worried?

Bower: The only thing you need to be worried about is the gift I have for you.

Bennett: Why?

Bower: Gabby might have given me access to some of your teenage pictures.

Bennett: Please…please don’t.

Bower: Too late for that. By the way, thanks for the tip on the shoes I got for Gabby. You’re right, she never would have taken them.

Bennett: She doesn’t like to take anything from you.

Bower: I know, but I told her I got them for me and they were too tight and I couldn’t return them. She took them, tried to pay me, so I told her I got them on super discount for fifteen dollars.

Bennett: She bought it?

Bower: Of course, I’m super convincing.

Bennett—Twenty years old

Bennett: Are you planning a party for Gabby?

Bower: I was. I was going to text you to see what your schedule was like. I know she said she didn’t want a graduation party, but she got her teaching degree, and we need to celebrate.

Bennett: I agree. I could probably sneak home this weekend, we have an off day.

Bower: Perfect. I’ll put things in motion. So excited to see you, it’s been a while. How have you been? Met any girls?

Bennett: Things are fine.

Bower: That doesn’t answer the question. Did you finally lose that virginity of yours?

Bennett: I lost it when I was seventeen.

Bower: What?? To whom?

Bennett: Someone who was extremely disappointed with my performance.

Bower: LOL!! We can’t all be perfect our first time. You’ll get better.

Bennett: Already am.

Bower: Ooo, love the confidence, big man.

Bennett—Twenty-two years old

Bennett: Coach Rowley and Gabby? WHAT THE FUCK?? Did you know?

Bower: Of course I knew. I encouraged it. He’s so hot.

Bennett: Bower! That’s my former coach.

Bower: I know, and he’s hot and apparently has an amazing penis from what your sister has told me. Don’t blame her. She needed a good boning.

Bennett: Jesus Christ.

Bower: What do you expect from her? To close up shop? No way! You’re getting laid every two seconds down there in the minor leagues, and she should get herself some as well.

Bennett: It’s not every two seconds.

Bower: Actually, you’re right. At least not when it comes to your crush. Whatever happened to that?

Bennett: Nothing. She’s not interested.

Bower: Are you sure? Did you even try? You play the shy and innocent, but we both know that’s far from the truth. That’s how you score the ladies. Maybe she’s different.

Bennett: She is different. Different from everyone I’ve ever met.

Bower: OH MY GOD! Then you need to go for it. What are you doing?

Bennett: Waiting.

Bower: Waiting for what?

Bennett: For the right moment.