Page 291 of Well Played

THE VAMPIRE AND THE CORSAIR

BY JCC DOWNING

Nando Vargas, the rookie catcher for the San Diego Corsairs, wasn’t looking for Miss Right. Finally getting his shot in the big leagues, he knows that women will come and go, so for now, he’ll settle for Miss Right Now.

Lila dela Cruz had her share of meathead athletes and macho jocks. She wants a man that will respect her and treat her right. When the rookie catcher finds his way to her station at the team blood drive, sparks fly.

Is Lila his Miss Right? Or is she just another notch in his belt? Can Nando prove to her he’s only a player when it comes to baseball? Or will the Corsair strike out with his Vampire?

Special shout out to Naomi Springthorp, who reignited my love of baseball and romance stories and for being a spectacular cheerleader for this work. You’re a good egg.

1

“Hey, Vargas! Great game!”

Hernando Vargas, Nando to his friends, rookie catcher of the San Diego Corsairs, nodded to his teammate. “Thanks, man.” He tossed his shirt into the laundry and grabbed a towel before heading to the showers.

“Sunday is the last of the season, are you finally gonna hit the club with us?” Dalton Brooks, right fielder and team playboy, tapped on the doorframe.

“Maybe,” Nando answered. “My family is here for the series; they want to do something after.”

“C’mon, man,” Brooks prodded, “You gotta come out! The beer will be cold, the bitches, hot, and both will be wet and free flowing! Tell them it’s a team tradition to come for the last drink of the season.”

“Is it a tradition?”

“Nah,” Brooks laughed, “but with the amount of pussy there, it could help spark a new tradition, if you know what I mean.”

Nando laughed. “Let me know where you guys will be, and I’ll meet up with you after I get my mom settled.”

“Suit yourself, mama’s boy,” Brooks laughed as he walked away.

Nando just shook his head and turned on the taps.

The keys jingledin his hand as Nando got to his apartment door. His family was at a four-star hotel near the stadium. They said they’d be happy staying with him like when they’d come for his major league debut, but remembering how cramped they were with his parents in his bedroom, his sisters in the guest room, and he and his brother sharing the living room, he decided to spoil them and book them in one of the fanciest hotels downtown.

His mom scolded him for spending so much money. His brother, Amador, wanted to know how good the bars nearby were. His dad wanted to know if he’d put at least half of his paycheck into the bank. His sisters, Esther and Maija, just wanted to go shopping. He laughed and made dinner reservations for after every game.

Over dinner, they talked about their plans for the rest of the week. Nando had one final team meeting for the season, then two team events: the Sports City Blood Drive in late October and the Corsair ball in December. After that, he would fly back to Arizona and spend the holidays with his family before returning to San Diego for the fan fest then off to Peoria for Spring Training. He was signed with the team for the season, with the option for an extension, but truth be told, he wouldn't mind staying with them as long as he could. He liked the team, the management, the coaches, and San Diego was a perfect baseball town. Maybe after he signed his next contract, he’d think about settling down.

Not that he had a girl in mind, more of a general idea. There were always girls around. His mom would tan his hide if sheknew how many girls. His dad wouldn’t bat an eyelash, and his brother would just ask to get hooked up. But as much as he enjoyed all the cleat chasers and how they stroked his ego, he knew those weren’t the girls for him. He wanted a strong woman like his mother, one that would see him for more than his money or his job. He was more than a jock; he had his degree in psych. His backup plan was to be a sports psychologist, coach, or counselor. Whoever he chose to spend his life with had to have a career of her own. And she had to have a strong concept of family.

He was still young. He had plenty of time to find Miss Right. In the meantime, he’d make sure to enjoy the company of the current Miss Right Now.

2

“I needvolunteers for the blood drive this weekend! And remember, it’s all hands on for the Sports City Blood Drive! Plan accordingly!”

Lila dela Cruz called out, “I’ll take an early shift on Saturday, Jeanie.”

“Thanks, Lila. What shift do you want for City?”

“I’ll take the first shift.” Lila said. “Get in and get it over with.”

“Ah, come on,” her friend Davina asked. “Don’t you like hanging out with all them sexy ball players?”

“Yeah,” Lila drawled. “Sexy, narcissistic, egomaniacal meat heads that think they’re God’s gift to the world… yeah, gimme more of that.”

“Really?” Stefan asked. “Even if they’re just a bunch of stupid jocks, they’re just so pretty…”

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