Chapter 2 #2
Closing our distance, I pull her to me, as if I’m her protector, but in truth, I’ll be damned if anyone leaks the video.
I have my own personal reasons why it can’t happen, but April is still the major factor.
“My publicist and lawyer are on it. I don’t think it will ever see the light of day.
This kind of thing happens to my teammates all the time.
We just need to stay on the down-low until it’s solved. ”
“What the fuck is with my life? Exactly what I need now. I mean, my lawyer mother will be so proud that her daughter made a hate-sex tape with her favorite baseball player,” she bites out.
“I’m her favorite player?” I can’t help but smirk proudly.
Her eyes bug out at me. “Not the time for your stupid arrogance. Holy shit, this is bad. Like, really bad.” Her hand finds her forehead. “I mean, we didn’t even intentionally mean to make it.”
True. We were kind of at each other’s throats before ripping our clothes off happened, and then we went at it like two wild animals. By the time I realized that my phone video was on while it sat on the docking station, it only seemed to encourage us more.
“They can tell it’s more me than you. Besides, I won’t let the leak happen.” I hear the sincerity in my voice, a sort of possessiveness that I feel, like I want to owe it to her.
“How are you going to do that, Spencer?” She attempts to breathe out a calming breath.
My head lolls slightly at an angle, and I feel my face strain because if I didn’t know she enjoyed my dick, I'd be worried she may just hit me in the balls in a second.
“It’s best if we're off the radar for a bit. I was heading back to Lake Spark, but I think you should also stay there for a while.”
“What?”
“It’s better to tackle this when we are away from the city. We need to be near each other to stay updated, plus if shit really hits the fan, then it's easier to spin that you are a long-term…”
Her finger flies up to stop me. “Don’t say that either.”
“Girlfriend? I mean, we don’t need to fake a relationship, just if the press somehow finds us, then it looks slightly better, and they'll be more sympathetic.”
April cocks a brow. “Finds us?”
I swipe a hand across my jaw. “I mean, I hate suggesting it, because I can only imagine that hell resembles something similar to living with you, but you should stay at my place until the dust settles.”
She throws her hands up in the air to demonstrate that she has given up on this conversation. “Roommates. Just fantastic.” This woman seethes cynicism flawlessly. “How long do you think this will take?”
“Two weeks maybe. Look, I’m sorry, truly I am, but I think it’s for the best that you tell Dr. McLoser to take a hike since there was no way you were enjoying it anyhow, then go home and pack your bags.”
“Hey, Ted could be a real contender if you didn’t interrupt.” She sounds almost offended.
I look at her skeptically. “You looked bored until I showed up.”
Right on cue, Dr.McLoser taps on Piper’s arm. “Hey, the hospital called, and I’m needed.”
“Really?” I throw out my doubt.
“Hey, man, could I get your autograph before I go? I’m such a fan.” Ted looks at me, excited.
April shakes her head, as if she has nothing left to lose.
I shoot him a fuck-off grin. “You know, I don’t do autographs after dinner time. Work-life balance, am I right?”
“Oh, yeah, sure, I totally get that.” He tries to save himself and then turns his attention to April. “I guess I’ll…”
She rolls her eyes. “It’s fine. We don’t need to pretend we'll call one another. Have a good night.”
“You too.”
Jesus, that was painful to watch.
I wait for the doctor to disappear and for April, who now looks defeated, to say something, but she doesn’t. Instead, her shoulders fall before she plops herself on a free bar stool. She raises her finger to grab the barman’s attention.
Stepping closer to her, I lean against the bar as she asks for two shots of vodka. Yikes, this is bad, as that’s a bold order.
“April,” I say her name with firmness, but I need her attention again.
An audible breath escapes as she twirls on the stool to focus on me.
“Are you okay with the plan?” God, I wish I had another option.
“I have no choice. So, shacking up with you it is.”
Huh, I thought this would require a little more debate.
My jaw flexes as I ponder that thought before it registers that by letting April stay at my house, I’m letting her into the parts of my personal life that not many people know.
I require a lot of trust when it comes to my life outside of baseball, but April staying at my place is the only way.
I need to chance it, and a part of me doesn’t seem to be second-guessing about letting April in.
The shots of vodka show up, and we each take one. She doesn’t hesitate and downs it.
I tap my drink on her now-empty glass that she set on the bar. "Cheers."
Her head makes a sharp turn in my direction, and she narrows her eyes in on me. “How do you know they can tell it’s more you than me?”
I scoff a sound instead of giving her words.
“Did you watch the video?” she wonders.
It isn’t anger, nerves, or fear that is in her voice. It’s almost an acknowledgment that there is something underlying if I did.
I’ve been caught out because I may have watched a scene or two. “How could I not? Hate sex brings out the best performance, which means we were award-worthy, since we might've actually looked like two people who passionately want each other.”
I stand and decide this is my moment to leave her.
We’ll have enough time to soak in our situation when she is under my roof.