Chapter 36
Saturday
ME
Met this angel at the hospital today.
[picture enclosed of me and the girl in her hospital room]
brEE
Aw, she’s a cutie for sure.
Do I have anything to worry about?
ME
Out of my age range. The only one robbing the cradle here is you.
brEE
Fuck off.
ME
I’d rather fuck you.
brEE
Soon.
ME
You going to use that key I gave you and wait for me at home?
brEE
Guess you’ll have to wait and see.
ME
Can’t wait to see you.
brEE
Me too.
ME
One more sleep.
brEE
Have a good game
ME
Always thinking of you.
I was hoping to stay with Bree tonight, but I decided to sleep at my condo instead since we didn’t land until the early morning hours.
The game went into a rain delay in the fourth inning, and I still don’t have a key to her place.
Bark in the Park is tomorrow, and we all need to be at the stadium in the morning for the all-day event.
I’m dead tired when I walk into my condo and see the light in the kitchen was left on.
I didn’t leave any lights on. Glancing down, I see her shoes lined against the wall in the entryway.
She used the key.
Toeing off my shoes, I leave them with hers before continuing into the living room. Her purse is on the counter in the kitchen. There’s a blanket on the couch that wasn’t there when I left. She’s made herself at home, and I love the idea of her invading my space.
When I open the bedroom door, she’s curled under the comforter facing the window.
I ditch my clothes and crawl into bed behind her.
The need to be close to her is overwhelming.
I’ve never experienced this deep ache for someone, but it’s here for her.
Only her. Bree has me in knots, and I don’t even feel bad about it.
Instead of wanting to run away, I want to run toward her.
To the world, I’m Chase Bennett. The Chaser, star rookie with the highest stolen base percentage.
The troublemaker who showed out one too many times and got busted.
Bree sees beyond the cocky asshole rookie I show the world.
She has from the very first moment I met her in that bar on St. John.
Here, with her, we’re two people who found each other in the unlikeliest of ways driven by passion and lust. By a connection I can’t explain.
One I’ve stopped trying to fight. I’ve never been a relationship man, but Bree isn’t like anyone else.
There’s a pull to her. A magnetism. I know she feels it too beneath all the fear and worry.
She rolls when the bed dips and drapes herself across my chest. She may try to downplay this relationship outside the four walls of the bedroom, but her body is drawn to mine.
Like there’s an invisible string tying us together.
As I wrap my arms around her body and tuck her deeper into my chest, I feel all the tension and stress melt away from her shoulders.
I love being the safe place for her to land.
The place where she can let go and allow herself to just be. She’s that for me too.
As exhaustion overtakes me, it strikes me that I’m falling in love with this woman. I only hope she’s falling too so I can catch her at the bottom because I may have stolen a lot of bases in my lifetime, but stealing her heart is a privilege. One I’ll never take for granted.
Stella Stadium has been completely transformed for Bark at the Park.
I’m impressed with what the staff has been able to accomplish in such a short period of time.
They’ve turned this pet adoption event into an entire family fun day.
There’s a bounce house on the concourse by left field.
An obstacle course behind right field and face painting, games, and concessions scattered throughout the area.
A stage is also set up for local musicians to perform throughout the day.
On the field, they’ve roped off separate areas, like mini dog parks where the dogs can roam free of their kennels. It also allows people to play with the pets even if they don’t ultimately decide to adopt them.
I greet Taylor with a hug. “Wow, this looks great.”
“Doesn’t it? I’m pretty good at what I do.”
“I’d say.” She’s gone above and beyond to help me get everything set up. She even worked with my team to set up my foundation.
“We’ve got everything set up, but it’d be great if you could make the rounds and say hello to the individual groups.” She points to the tent where a group of people are gathered when my phone vibrates in my hand with an incoming text.
brEE
Why are you so hot right now?
Looking up, I see Bree across the sidewalk.
We woke up together a few hours ago and spent what little time we had this morning lost in each other.
When Bree walked out of the bedroom wearing shorts and a polo shirt with the Troubadours logo, I almost fainted.
Her long, tan legs are on full display and the vision of her relaxed and enjoying the day makes me happier than I realize.
She’s been more playful today than she normally is, and I hope it’s because she’s finally decided to stop overthinking our relationship.
ME
Keep it in your pants, Princess.
brEE
I’m not wearing pant(ies).
ME
Jesus Christ, Bree. Don’t give me a boner when I’m about to pet puppies.
brEE
I’m starting to think this was a terrible idea.
ME
What idea is that?
brEE
You, hot, tatted up, puppies. Guaranteed to make the women melt.
ME
There’s only one woman I want to melt.
brEE
“Can you stop sexting with my best friend and pay attention?” Taylor’s voice startles me.
“We weren’t sexting.” I shoot off another quick text to Bree before we get busted and she kills me.
ME
Put a pin in that for later.
“Whatever you say. Now, as I was saying. You will give the initial address to the crowd and then we’re off to the races. You’ll smile and sign autographs.” Taylor walks down her list in the planner I notice she’s carrying more often than not.
“And play with the puppies, right?” Can’t miss out on puppy time.
She rolls her eyes and continues her instructions.
“Promote each rescue. The point of this event is to raise money and awareness for the pets around the city. Don’t stay at one booth too long.
You can trade off with the other guys. Most importantly, have fun!
We don’t want people to think this is just checking a box for you,” she adds, pointedly.
“It’s not. This is important to me.”
“I know that. I’ve seen how much work you put into this. The people need to know that. Don’t forget why we’re here.”
Well shit, that stung.
Nodding, I say, “Got it.”
Taylor lowers her planner and touches my arm. “That’s not what I meant. I’m not throwing it in your face. You’re not the same guy as you were a couple months ago. You’ve proven that.”
“Thanks, Taylor. That means a lot coming from you.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s go get you mic’d up.”
We walk to the pitcher’s mound where I’ll give my opening speech. People are everywhere. After the mic pack is attached, I step onto the mound and address fans waiting to be let onto the field.
“Thank you all for coming to the inaugural Bark in the Park! I’m so excited to be here today to host this pet adoption event, and while there are plenty of dogs here, don’t forget about our feline friends.
Cats are available for adoption on the suite level where it’s nice and cool.
Have a great time everyone, and if you see your favorite player around the park today, don’t be afraid to ask for a photo. I’ll be over playing with the puppies.”
Cheers erupt as the crowd disperses. Bree walks up to me after I hand off the mic pack to the closest assistant.
“You just had to tell them where you’d be, didn’t you,” she smarts.
“Are you jealous, Princess?”
“Of course not.”
I point to a line of people, mostly women, lined up at one of the rescue tents. “Look at that line of people to see the puppies.”
She frowns. “Yeah, definitely to see the puppies.”
“Gotta go. Maybe if I’m good today, I can get a treat after.” That does it. A smirk graces her beautiful face as she looks up at me.
“If you’re a good boy, we can talk about it.”
“Hearing you call me a good boy does things to me.” I whisper into her ear as I walk by. I don’t miss the way her eyes drop to my crotch and she blushes.
The day passes quickly as I shuffle between booths, play with the dogs, talk to fans, and take a million and five pictures.
Fields and I stop for lunch when Miller joins us. “Guys, I think I found him.”
“Found who?” I ask
“My new best friend.” Miller smiles wide.
“Hey,” Fields protests.
Miller pats him on the shoulder. “You can never be replaced, Gramps, don’t worry.”
“Then what are you talking about?” I unscrew the cap of the water bottle and take a long drink.
“A puppy, duh! That’s why we’re here right?” Miller waves his arm to the field behind us.
“We’re here to support the rescues, not to rescue a dog.” Fields reminds him. It seems they had this conversation before arriving today if his tone is anything to go by.
“You have to come look at this little nugget though. He’s so cute!” Miller sounds like a kid at Christmas begging his dad for a toy.
“Who’s cute?” Bree steps between me and Miller.
“Ah, Gabbers, I think I’m in love.” He turns to her and latches onto her hand.
“With who? Is Chloe here?” Bree looks around.
“Who’s Chloe?” I am so confused.
“Nobody.” Miller shuts me down. “Cooper!” he exclaims.
Bree furrows her brows and asks, “Who’s Cooper?”
“My new puppy!”
“Miller, you can’t get a puppy.” Fields reminds him again, pulling Ivory into his side when she walks up.
“Says who?”
“Me,” Fields, Bree, and Ivory say at the same time.
“Just come meet him before you shut me down.” Miller doesn’t wait. He grabs Bree’s arm again and drags her back down to the field where the puppies are playing in a pen.
A lady looks up and smiles when Miller blows past her to pick one up.
“Look at his cute whittle face.” He holds up a copper-colored golden retriever puppy and smooshes their faces together. The puppy licks his face and Miller laughs.
“Awwwww,” Ivory and Bree gush over the puppy and Miller shoots a smug ”I told you so” smile to Fields over their heads.
Sure enough, we leave the stadium after the event with a new puppy. The girls haven’t stopped loving on him all afternoon, and Miller’s more goofy than normal. I have no idea how he’s going to manage a puppy and another month of baseball.