Page 29 of Home Run Fiancé
“I gotta get to the afternoon game. Call you after?”
I nod and he pulls back to kiss me quick and then runs down the steps to his car. I watch him go, amazed at the man I’ve discovered behind the gruff frowns, thick beard, and piles of muscles. He waves as he pulls out onto the street and I enter my apartment. I could go through my list of video ideas and film another one. Probably should if I want to keep building my audience, but my heart’s just not in it today. Instead, I grab my purse and head out to Hit Me. I need some time with Charlotte. I have so much to update her on.
* * *
Jake
That kiss was the turning point. I know I said I only wanted a fake fiancée to get that transfer to the Sliders, but I hadn’t counted on Rhys. The wood cracks as the batter connects with the ball, slicing it deep to the outfield. I run to third base, ready for the throw if the guy on first gets anywhere near my base. Thankfully, our outfielder catches it easily and gets the third out.
We all run to the dugout and I tell myself to get my head back in the game. Been telling myself that same thing for five innings now, and yet here I am, reliving that kiss by the lake over and over again.
I have to call Asher tonight and update him on the talks with Bobby. Tomorrow at breakfast with Rhys, I plan to ask her to date me for real. To the public, we’ll remain engaged. In reality, we’ll rewind and go back to dating. Nothing fake about it this time. That’s my only stipulation. I think we could be good together. I trust her, something I can’t say I feel for very many people. It’s so much more than that though. She’s intoxicating.
I’m first at bat, swinging and missing two pitches in a row. I step out of the box and take a deep breath, centering my mind on hitting the ball and getting at least a run. I step back in and let the next ball go to the catcher where it’s called a ball. Next pitch comes in and I swing big, finally connecting and sending it shooting to the pitcher’s shins. He hops out of the way and I run for first. The second baseman gets the ball in his mitt and turns it to first. I slide and tap the bag a second before the first baseman’s glove touches me. I’m safe, but that was way too close. I won’t win the game distracted, so I buckle down and put everything else out of my mind until we win by one run in the last inning.
* * *
“Good, I’ll call to follow up tomorrow then.” Asher sounds as jazzed as I do about the talks with the Texas team. “How’s Rhys?”
I get a hint of nerves in my stomach at the question. I know it’s a flippant question, but so many things run through my head that aren’t appropriate to say to Rhys’ brother. “Good, good,” I answer vaguely. “We have plans to meet for breakfast tomorrow morning.”
“Oh. Okay, yeah, that’s good. I’ve gotten a ton of calls about the engagement. I think we should put out another formal statement tomorrow, this time announcing who Rhys is. She might get some reporters following her, but hopefully that’ll die down after the initial flurry of interest when they find out who she is.”
Another area of conversation I don’t want to get involved in. Rhys needs to tell Asher about school and work as soon as possible. “Sure, tomorrow sounds good. I’ll let her know to expect it.”
We hang up and I text her immediately.
Jake:Hey, beautiful. I’ll pick you up at eight tomorrow morning…that work?
Rhys:Sounds great, handsome!
Jake:We may have a problem. Asher just told me he’s releasing a press statement tomorrow about us being engaged and specifically with your name in it.
Rhys:Crud buckets.
Jake:?? Lol I think what you mean is you need to talk to Asher ASAP.
Rhys:*sigh* Yeah, I do. How about I go to his office right after breakfast tomorrow? He won’t yell at me in front of his colleagues. Right?
Jake:Sounds like a good plan. He won’t yell. But it is better to do it face to face. Sure you can’t talk to him tonight?
Rhys:Nope. He’s out schmoozing some client at a dinner tonight.
Jake:Wait. I’m not his only client??
Rhys:Hardy har. Surprise surprise, Earth does not revolve around Jake Kersh.
Jake:It totally should…
Rhys:Good night.
Jake:Night sweetheart.
I can’t wipe the grin off my face as I settle in for the night. I need to get some sleep, and even though my body is tired, my mind won’t shut up. I vacillate between euphoria over this budding relationship with Rhys and then I’m in a pit of nerves wondering if she’ll shoot me down. Maybe I’m the only one wanting more. Maybe I’m crazy for trusting her. Then I think about Asher and what he’ll think of the whole thing and I’m wide awake.
Asher’s been my friend for ten years. He only introduced me to his little sister for a business deal, not for me to develop feelings for her. If he knew I was kissing her, repeatedly, when cameras weren’t around, he’d have my head. I feel bad keeping my feelings for Rhys from him, but I can’t tell him anything until Rhys confirms she wants to date me for real. Asher’s in for some surprises when Rhys tells him about school and I tell him about Rhys and me. I’m not really sure he’ll be able to handle all we’ve been keeping from him. And for that, I feel bad. Keeping secrets from my best friend is a crappy thing to do, especially when he bends over backwards to help me.
Tomorrow.
