“Actually, I’m calling to help you. I know this is a huge change for you since you’ve been with Denver for so many years. It can’t be easy to switch teams. I have no idea what that organization is thinking by letting you go, but I intend to take full advantage of their idiocy. So it’s my goal to make your transition as smooth as possible.”
“I appreciate that.”
“I’d love for you to come to Texas soon. I can show you around and help you find housing or whatever else you need.”
I think about my mother’s request and ask, “Do you know of any nice areas to live that aren’t right in the city? Maybe something with a bit of a slower pace?”
“Hell yes,” he crows, sounding pumped. “I live in a small town on the outskirts of Dallas. It’s a great community, and several of the Brewers live there. Sorry, but I don’t know a lot about your personal life. Do you have a family?”
“Just my mom and grandfather. That’s something else I could use advice on.” Swiping a droplet of sweat from the side of my neck, I say, “They’ll both be moving with me, but Gramps needs… special care. He has dementia.”
Baylor’s voice grows softer. “Sorry about that, man. That’s a hard situation to deal with, but I’ve got you covered. We may be a small town, but we have a great retirement facility with a top-notch dementia ward. Funnily enough, the retirement home is called Shady Pines. You know, like fromThe Golden Girls?”
I smile at that. “Sounds like someone has a good sense of humor.”
“It was actually my great-aunt who founded the dementia ward. Using our last name, it would have been called the Ward Ward, so instead she named it the Illumination Ward because she said she wanted it to be a place of light for those who live there.”
A tightness in my gut relaxes at that. “I would love to take a look at it when I come down for a visit.”
“I’ll get that set up. Most of my family volunteers in one way or another at Shady Pines. My dad is an army veteran, and he goes up and visits with the old guys and gals who also served. They love the opportunity to shoot the shit with another vet.”
“Gramps is a veteran too, so he would love that. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Baylor. Truly.”
“Like I said, I’m thrilled you’ll be joining us. And I know the other guys will be too once everything goes public. I have a realtor I can set you up with for housing. Does your mom live with you?”
“No, she’ll have her own house. Nothing too big since it’s just her. What’s the apartment situation in your town? That’s usually what I prefer so I don’t have to worry about yard upkeep when I’m away on road games.”
“Only two apartment buildings in town. One is definitely a no-go. Trust me.” I can practically hear his eye roll. “The other is where I live, as well as some of our teammates. Most of the units have indoor plumbing, but for the ones that don’t, the superintendent keeps the outhouses super clean.”
Did he say outhouses?My face scrunches into a scowl. “I’m sorry… what?”
A bark of laughter reaches my ear, and I relax again. “I’m fucking with you, dude. Nah, this place is nice. What my wife calls small-town luxury. You’re not gonna have gold plated bidets or anything, but they’re spacious and have high-end appliances and fixtures. I’d be happy to set you up with a tour if you want.”
“That sounds good.”
We talk a few more minutes about what I’d like for Ma, and Baylor says he’ll relay that to the realtor so she can start working on it. By the time we hang up, I’m actually getting excited about the move.
I walk back onto the path and see a familiar blonde up ahead. She’s staring at the sign in front of her that leads back to our cottage, and I grin. Juliette has been here for almost three weeks and still consults the little signs to make sure she’s going the correct way. Her lack of a sense of direction is adorably endearing.
Sneaking up behind her, I grab her cute ass and whisper, “Got your goose.”
Juliette squeals, whirls, and throws whatever is in her right hand straight at my face. I easily catch the small bright yellow bag and laugh when she recognizes me.
“Reno, you ass!” She pats her chest. “I think you scared ten years off my life.”
“Sorry,” I tell her, putting on my best puppy dog eyes as I hand over what I now recognize as one of the gift shop bags. She’s holding another one in her left hand.
Her face softens, but she still gives me a mock glare. “Just for that, maybe I won’t give you the little prize I bought for you.”
Gripping her hips, I back her against a palm tree and take her mouth in a long, sensual kiss. She tastes like cherry Starbursts.
“Please, dream girl,” I murmur against her lips, smiling when I feel her melt like a Hershey bar in the sunshine. “I’d be more than happy to earn my reward.”
Juliette giggles before pushing me back a couple steps and rummaging in one of the plastic sacks. “It’s nothing big. I just wanted to get youa little treat for being such a good listener and for opening up to me yesterday. I know that wasn’t easy to talk about.” She produces a large bag of Cheetos and blushes when she holds it out.
“My guilty pleasure snack,” I say, my heart on fire for this woman. She is so kind, so thoughtful. Sure, it’s just a bag of chips, but she remembered that conversation we had weeks ago.
I pop open the bag and pull out one of the cheesy snacks, putting the end of it between my lips. I lean forward, and she grins, getting my drift. Then she wraps her perfect lips around the other end of the Cheeto,a la Lady and the Tramp style, until our mouths meet.
