Chapter 13
Addison didn’t know the backstory between Nash and this baseball mom, but from the way his whole body stiffened when he saw her, it was clear he wasn’t happy to see her.
All it took was the edges of that gorgeous smile to fall, and Addison was in.
She didn’t know what or why, but damn it.
A protective instinct that was usually reserved for her besties and her mom reared its head.
This woman’s sour expression quickly morphed back into a seductive smile that was aimed solely at Nash. She didn’t have a clue what was about to hit her.
Addison relaxed her expression and scanned the field. She found Davey throwing a ball to the pitcher’s mound.
No scenes. She wouldn’t. She was better than that.
“Beth. Jillian.” Nash unfolded the chairs.
“Here, I can scooch down. You can slide in next to me.” Jillian moved her chair, making room for only one of them.
“Thanks, but there is plenty of room on the other side of Beth.”
“You must be Addison. And this has to be Max. I’m Beth. Davey’s so excited to have you at his game.” She scratched behind the puppy’s ear.
This was Nash’s ex-wife? The woman radiated a sweet confidence, and from first sight, Addison knew they could be friends.
“I’m Jillian. My Josh and Davey are best buddies.” She didn’t extend a hand, but just smiled. A fake one. After years of pageants, Addison could teach the woman a thing or two about how to smile and not show her real emotions. Jealousy was written all over this woman’s face.
Addison returned a smile that would dazzle and sat down next to Beth. “You have a charming son.”
“Thank you. He’s just like his father.” She laughed. “When I divorced Nash, I didn’t expect to be living with his mini-me.”
Addison had just met Davey, but she could definitely see the Steele genes had carried through.
“He has your brains.” Nash pulled a water and bowl from the bag for Max and then handed her a water bottle.
“Thanks.” She put Max on the ground and let him wander around the chairs. People stopped by to pet him. He was definitely the main attraction on the sidelines.
The game started, and Davey’s team was first at bat.
Beth leaned in. “How long have you and Nash been dating?”
She eyed Jillian. The other woman was digging in her bag for something and didn’t appear to be listening, but Addison lowered her voice anyway. “We aren’t. We work together. Davey invited me to the game.”
“That explains it. Nash has never brought a date to a game before.” She looked past her to her ex. “He likes you.”
Instinctively, Addison’s gaze slid to the man beside her, then back to Beth.
“We only just met, but I think you like him too. And really, what’s not to like?” Beth’s face softened. It was clear their divorce was amicable.
“What happened between you two?”
“He didn’t tell you?”
Addison shook her head.
Beth raised one shoulder in a half-shrug. “Well, it’s not like it’s a secret. We just grew apart. We dated in high school and got married right after so we could get housing as he was in the military. I don’t know. I guess I’m just a homebody. I wanted to be home.”
“And he wanted to stay in and travel?” Maybe she was right about him after all.
“No. He left when his initial service obligation was up, but I think by then, we’d both grown up and… apart. He’s a good man.”
Davey stepped up to bat, and Addison held her breath. Come on. Knock it out of the park.
A crack sounded as the bat connected with the ball. Davey took off like a rocket. His foot touched the base seconds before the ball landed in the first baseman’s glove.
“Yay!” Addison jumped up. She scooped up Max, cuddling him to her chest, raising his paw in a high five.
Jillian also jumped up, but she ran straight to Nash and clung to his chest. He froze, arms dangling.
That’s it. Time to step up to the plate. Addison didn’t react, not yet. She set Max on the ground, letting him wander a few feet in front of her.
The next batter hit one out into left field, and Davey rounded past second all the way to be safe at third. Jillian jumped up, and Addison threw her hands up and stretched, pulling the leash taut.
“Uff!” Jillian tripped, landing face down in the grass.
That dang leash… or it could have been Addison’s foot, not that she would tell.
“Oh, are you alright? You really should be more careful at your age.” Addison offered to help her up, but Jillian swatted her hand away.
Beth stifled a snicker.
Nash’s dimples were showing. He had to be biting back his grin.
They all settled in to watch. Next up to bat was Jillian’s son.
The woman cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “You got this, baby! Smash it.”
The first ball sailed right over the plate. Strike. He got a piece of the second, but it was a foul ball.
The pitcher leaned in and nodded to the catcher.
Davey led off the base. In the blink of an eye, the pitcher pivoted and threw hard and fast to third. Davey dove for the bag. Safe.
Addison released her breath. Her lungs hurt from holding it so long.
Finally, the player pitched. It was high, but Jillian’s son connected. The ball sailed out into center field, inches above the second-baseman’s glove. Davey took off.
All four of the adults jumped to their feet.
“Go. Go. Go.” Addison watched as Davey crossed home plate. “Yes!”
She high-fived Beth and turned to Nash. Before she could blink, he scooped her up in his arms, and his lips were on hers.
What the…? Addison’s feet dangled in midair. She locked her arms around his neck. Not that she needed to for balance. The man held her weight as if she were a feather.
The cheers of the crowd faded as her entire consciousness focused on the feel of his lips…of his body pressed to hers.
The kiss ended as fast as it started, but in that moment, Addison became aware of everything.
The press of his hand to her hip. The way his hair smelled of expensive shampoo.
The raspy feel of his chin as it brushed over her cheek.
And his mouth. She bit back a sigh, thinking about his kiss.
Firm, but soft. Closed mouth, but not too short.
Don’t get distracted. He’s still a pretty boy.
She’d learned that lesson. Nash may have surprised her in some ways, but he wasn’t her picket-fence guy.
She slid down his body. Every nerve in her danced with awareness. Her legs quivered as her feet touched the ground.
Nash kept one arm around her waist as he shifted his focus to the field. “Way to go, Davey!”
Oh, yeah. The game. Davey. Thank goodness Nash remembered.
The tingling left her legs, and she pulled out of his embrace. Composing herself, she picked up Max. She waved his little paws in the air, cheering on his boy.
As she sat back down, she snuck a look at Beth, who was grinning at her.
Jillian, on the other hand, scowled over Beth’s shoulder.
Addison smiled at her. “That was a fantastic hit.”
At Addison’s compliment, the other woman straightened. “It was.”
Addison leaned back in her chair and pulled the brim of her cap down. The game was getting good.
“I need to make a stop before we head back to Gray Duck Grove,” Nash said as he inched the truck forward through the post-game traffic.
“I hope it’s for food. I’m starving.” Addison had enjoyed the game thoroughly. Not just the sideline action, but the actual game. Davey’s team lost by one, but it was a hard-fought battle. After the game, they said goodbye, and then Davey headed out with his mom.
Addison thought about today as they turned out onto the main street.
While the kiss scrambled her brain for a moment, the tension dissipated quickly into a comfortable silence as they watched the game.
No doubt Nash had kissed her to ward off Jillian’s advances.
It must have worked, for the other woman focused on the game, with only the occasional glance of longing toward Nash.
Yup, Addison’s work here was done. Now if she could shake this stupid attraction to Nash.
Sure, the man was all that and a sparkly tiara, but he wasn’t the guy for her. She snuck a look at him from her periphery. Maybe she should jump his bones and get it out of her system? She suppressed the urge. That would not be wise, even if it would be fabulous.
“How about pizza? There’s a great wood-fired pizza place on the way home.”
“Sounds good.” Addison tipped her head back and closed her eyes. The sleeping puppy’s breathing lulled her into a relaxed state. Before she knew it, Nash pulled up in front of this cute little house in a middle-class neighborhood.
“Where are we?”
“My parent’s house. It won’t take long, I promise.” He jumped out of the truck and rounded the front.
“Parents?” she muttered under her breath as he opened her door. No need to be nervous. They weren’t dating. Hell, she’d met his ex-wife and son. So why did she have this anxious feeling in the pit of her stomach?
Because you were just lusting for their son.
He extended a hand, long fingers waiting.
She eyed it, debating if touching him was a good idea. It wasn’t, but she slid her hand into his anyway and jumped from the truck.
Max wiggled free from her grasp and raced around the yard. He did two laps before he found the perfect spot to do his business.
Nash whistled from the front step, and Max tripped over his own paws rushing to him. “Good boy.”
With one knock, Nash opened the door. “Mom? Dad? I’m home.”
“How was the game? Did they win?” The soft lilt of an older woman’s voice carried from inside the house.
Addison peeked around Nash to see a woman in capris and a tank top. Her face lit up at the sight of her son. Addison could see where Nash got his dimples.
“No. Three to four, but Davey got a run.” Nash crossed to her and enveloped her in a hug. “Where’s Dad?”
“Downstairs. The air conditioner froze up. I told him to wait for you, but you know him.” She turned to Addison. “Oh, hello. I didn’t realize Nash was bringing a guest.”
“Mom, this is Addison. Addison, this is my mom, Georgia Steele.” He placed his hand on the small of Addison’s back as he introduced her. She ignored the tingle of awareness that accompanied his touch.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Steele.” She took his mother’s offered hand.
“Oh, please. It’s Georgia.” She clapped her hands together. “You’re just in time for lunch.”
“Sorry, Mom, but I promised Addison pizza.”
“P’sh. Don’t be silly. Save your money. I have leftover chicken, and I can whip up some dumplings in no time. Now go help your father while I get to know your friend.”
Nash shot her an apologetic look right before he disappeared down the stairs.
“So, Addison. That’s a pretty name, by the way. How do you know my boy?” Georgia pulled plastic containers from the refrigerator as she talked.
“We work together. Well, actually, we met last winter. My best friend is engaged to his.”
“Laney? Oh yes, I’ve heard wonderful things about her. It’s about time Cade found himself a keeper.” She pulled out a bag of carrots.
“Can I help you with lunch?” Addison felt odd watching her work. Max had curled up in the corner.
“Thank you, but I’m good. You just keep Max from chewing on my rug.
Yes, I’m talking about you.” She waved a finger at the puppy, but a smile cracked through her stern facade.
“There are some dog toys in the basket beside the table. We always had dogs when Nash and his sister were growing up, but when we lost old Blue last year, I couldn’t bring myself to get another dog. ”
Addison grabbed a squeaker toy from the basket. Max bounced with excitement.
“Do you have pets?”
“Yes. A cat. I love dogs, but growing up, my mom worked a lot.”
Georgia leaned a hip against the counter and listened.
“For my sixteenth birthday, she brought home a spunky black kitten. The first night, he tore up the living room curtains. The second day, he puked on her bed.” She smiled at the memory. “So we called him Lucifer.”
“Sounds like the name fits. Do you still have him?”
“Yes. Lu is in his teens, and he’s still a little devil.”
“Does he get along with Max?”
“They haven’t met. I doubt they will. Lu doesn’t like anyone. He barely tolerates me most days.” He likes Nash. She pondered that oddity.
“How long have you and my son been dating?”
The question pulled Addison out of her thought. “Sorry, no. We aren’t dating.”
“Huh.” She turned back to the stove.
“Really. Davey was the one who invited me to the game.”
“But you aren’t dating?” Confusion furrowed her brow.
“No. We aren’t.” Man, it was getting hot in here.
“Nash introduced you to his son. He brought you to Davey’s game. And here you sit, in my kitchen, but you say you’re not dating?”
When she put it that way, it did seem like they were in a relationship, and they hadn’t even had a date. She swallowed. “No?”
Georgia stopped stirring the broth. “Is that a question?”
“Yes. I mean, no, we’re not dating. We’re friends. Work friends, really. I had some car issues the other night, and he gave me a ride home. That’s when I met Davey, and he invited me to his game.” Addison was babbling. She never babbled… until now.
“And you said yes. Interesting.”
Addison bit back another stream of over sharing. Was Nash’s mom always this direct? And why did Addison suddenly want to curl up like a little girl? She’d never had this issue before. Then again, she’d never met any of her boyfriends’ mothers. But if she had, she was sure she wouldn’t have babbled.
“If you say so, dear.”
Nash wasn’t her boyfriend. But… between the meet-the-family moments and those steam-up-her-sunglasses kisses, it was all getting muddled up in her brain.
Georgia set down her spoon and crossed to Addison.
She pulled out a chair and patted her hand.
“Sorry if I’m overstepping. You’re the first woman he’s introduced to us, or Davey, since Beth.
So, forgive me if I misread the signs, but from where I’m standing, this looks like more than a mere work friendship. ”
Well, shit. Addison stared into blue eyes so similar to Nash’s. Kind eyes. Wise eyes. And they scared her to death. Not because she didn’t believe this woman, but because she did.