Page 40 of Curveball

She’s tiny, with short gray hair styled like a football helmet and bright blue eyes. She’s wearing one of those sweatsuits that you can hear swishing when the person walks.

The woman looks at my shirtless chest and fans her face. “You shouldn’t answer your door like that. You’ll give this old crow a heart attack.”

I can’t help but let out a laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind. Can I help you?”

“Oh yes, I’m sorry, I was distracted by your beefcake body. It looks like our building has a Dr. McDreamy in the house. I’m Blanche, your new neighbor.”

I do my best to bite back my smile. “Hi, Blanche. I’m Quincy, Quincy McDreamy.”

She giggles as she hands me a basket. “I made you cookies. I could lie and tell you that I made them from scratch, but I didn’t. I can’t bake but want to be neighborly. Welcome to the building. Thanks for bringing me some eye candy.”

I smile as I take them. She’s a riot. “Thank you, Blanche. They smell amazing. Just like they’re homemade. I’d never know the difference.” They don’t. They’re very obviously store bought.

She giggles.

I nod toward the dog. “Is he a Great Dane?”

“He is. His name is Thor. I have a thing for muscular men with longer blond hair and broad chests.” She winks at me. Blanche is a full-fledged flirt. I inwardly laugh. She must have well over forty years on me.

“I had a Great Dane growing up. It’s my favorite breed. One day when I own a house, I hope to have another.”

She nods. “Yes, they’re hard to have in a building like this, but I had him before I moved here, when we lived in a bigger place. My husband passed two years ago, and I decided just this year that I didn’t want to care for a house. The move hasn’t been so great for Thor though. There’s a teenager in the building who takes him for long walks every day so Thor can get some exercise.”

“I’m happy to take him for walks too.”

She reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Thank you. I’m getting a little old for those long walks, but I’m not too old for everything.” She winks again.

I can’t help but chuckle. “That’s…umm…good to know.”

“I may be getting old, but I’ll never grow up.”

“You’re not old, Blanche. You’re perfect just as you are. Prettiest lady I’ve met in the building yet.”

She waves her hand dismissively. “Oh please. I’m so old that when I let out a huge fart last week, it threw out my back for two days.”

I can’t help but let out a loud laugh at that one. “You’re funny, Blanche. I happen to like my women funny.”

She giggles like a schoolgirl. I think I officially love Blanche.

I see a guy walking down the hallway toward us. As he gets closer, I realize it’s one of the most famous athletes in all of baseball, Layton Lancaster. He’s the catcher on the Cougars. He’s a bit older than me, nearing the end of his career, but he’s likely a future Hall of Famer, and I’m excited to play with him.

He smiles as he approaches. “Quincy Abbott, right?”

I nod.

He holds out his hand. “I’m Layton. Harold asked me to stop by and welcome you to Philly. We’re excited to have you.”

I shake his hand in return. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’m a huge fan of yours.”

“Nonsense. It’s me who’s a fan of yours.” He smiles at Blanche. “I didn’t realize you had beautiful company. I can come back later if you’re on a hot date.”

She blushes at the compliment before fanning herself again. “First Thor and now Captain America? My battery-operated friend will be getting a workout later tonight.”

Layton and I look at each other with huge grins on our faces.

“I’ll leave you boys to it. You know where to find me for a good time. I’ve never had a threesome, but YOLO.”

“Bye, Blanche. Thanks for the cookies. Don’t forget to come by when Thor needs a walk.”

---