Page 55 of Caught Stealing

I clasp a hand on his shoulder and direct him toward our angry coach. “First, just know that if you call me old man again, I’ll take out your knees. Second, don’t ever get the coach this mad again and you’ll be all right.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Charlotte

There’s nothing like giving yourself a pep talk while navigating traffic, but here I am reminding myself that this date I orchestrated that goes against everything I said I wouldn’t do is just a date. Nothing more, nothing less, except my heart pounds like I’m in a dark alley alone and something just snuck out of the shadows. I’m terrified of the feelings I have whenever Andrew pops into my mind.

The rational side of my brain says this is not a big deal. Andrew is a good guy as far as I can tell, and spending a little more time with him in his element might even be the best way to figure out how I actually feel about him. Maybe even help me settle into a real relationship with him.

Meanwhile, crazy Charlotte is already ticking off the reasons why this is insane and will only lead me to heartache. In short, I can’t believe I agreed to go to a baseball game with him, but here I am. A date. Not a full commitment. Just a date. Just seeing how things go.

I pull into the side lot by the stadium and hand the attendant the ticket Andrew had delivered to the school at lunch time.

“Just pull up to one of those first rows and take any space available.” The attendant points toward the rows behind employee parking, right up by the entrance.

I choose a space and pull in, then check myself in the mirror. My wild eyes can use some coaching, but otherwise, I’m as ready as I can ever be. Through the gate a short line forms at the main door but it moves quickly. A bright and sunny brunette woman smiles at me and accepts my ticket. A quick scan later, and I have a special pass with a lanyard I’m supposed to wear, a team magazine, and an escort to the lounge area.

It’s still hot out despite the sun sinking quickly beneath the horizon. Hopefully, it will cool down soon or else I’ll be sweating like a packed mule in my seat, which is the opposite of what it was like attending Rory’s games. I frown and try to stop comparing the experiences because it isn’t fair to Andrew. It’s difficult to separate them, though, because it’s a whole different lifestyle than dating anyone else. You date a doctor, and you don’t get special passes into the examination rooms, thank goodness. I once went on a few dates with a coroner, and I cannot express how pleased I am that I was not invited to watch him work.

“Here we are, Miss Clarke,” the woman says. “Someone will be by once the game begins to take any food orders you’d like.”

“Oh, uh, thank you,” I say while taking in the sheer size of the stadium. I haven’t been in it since I was a kid, but still, it seems even bigger now than it did then. I check my ticket and realize I’m allowed to sit anywhere in the lounge. There are several tables set up beneath a shaded pavilion as well as regular row seating toward the front. I’m not sure where I’m supposed to meet Andrew, so I settle into one of the tables to watch both directions—the main entrance, and a side entrance that says employees on the door.

However, I don’t expect him to scale the stairs from the dugout at the bottom of the stadium, two at a time, until he reaches the divider. He leans over it and rests his elbows on the wall. “Hey, beautiful. You made it.”

He’s not wearing his uniform, but still sports a team tee and his ballcap. Breathtaking isn’t the right word for this man, but neither is handsome. He’s somewhere between downright angelic and rugged woodsman. Whatever the proper descriptors are, I can’t quite believe he’s looking at me and calling me beautiful.

“I didn’t realize this was such an exclusive lounge. The one at the hockey rink is…never mind.” Ugh, why did I bring that up?

Andrew frowns but moves on with the conversation after a little shrug. “Eh, baseball is better anyway. I’ll meet you in a second. Gotta take the side door around.” He motions that the dividing wall is the only thing between us and heads toward a short hallway. Once he disappears, I take a second to pull myself together. The hockey rink? For crying out loud, I need to stop comparing this to my past experience.

The employee door opens and Andrew steps into the lounge. “Hungry?” he asks.

“A little. The attendant said someone would be around soon to see about food.” I run my hands through my slightly damp-from-sweat hair and try to calm myself. Speaking with him on the phone over the past week was one thing. We got to know each other’s likes and dislikes, a little more about our families, and that sort of thing. But now that he’s here in front of me again and I remember how scorching hot he is, my whole body is in a panic. I’m going to do something stupid.

“I can get you something now if you’re hungry. Didn’t you leave right from school?” He leans on the table beside me, giving me a view of his gorgeous eyes.

“I went home to let Ginger out first and grabbed a protein bar. I’m good for now.” I smile as wide as possible hoping it will not only convince him I’m excited, but also soothe my frazzled nerves.

“Okay. Well, the game is about to begin so do you want to watch or talk?”

“Oh, uh, well if I’m honest, I don’t watch much baseball. Not since I was a kid. Wanna teach me all about it?” Surely, sitting quietly while he explains everything about the game will help me calm down and settle back into the easy relationship we had before he went on the road.

On the road.

That’s it.

That’s why my heart is pounding and my brain is on the fritz. It didn’t hit me until now, but him going on the road brought up insecurities I thought I was working through. Every single time Rory went on the road without me, he was spending time with someone else. Eating dinner with someone else. Kissing someone else.

“Lottie, are you okay?” Andrew reaches across the table and squeezes my hand, bringing me back to reality.

“Um…” I try to swallow the wad of cotton in my mouth, but it’s too dry.

“Hey, if you don’t want to be here, it’s okay with me. We can do something else after the game or meet up tomorrow if you want.” His thumb strokes the back of my hand, soothing me enough to remember that not all men are like my ex. Andrew called me every night. He texted me several times throughout each day. He sent me pictures of Goblin that his sister sent him. He even sent me a list of ideas for the carnival that he came up with on the ride to the first game. I was on his mind while he was gone, and it showed.

“No, I’m okay. I think I’m a little overwhelmed, but I want to be here. Teach me everything.” This doesn’t eliminate his furrowed brow or pursed lips, but he gives me a little nod anyway and pulls out the chair across from me.

“A crazy thing happened after the last game in Tennessee. I talked to Martinez.”

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