Page 14 of Hard Ball

Josh is looking down at me with way too much passion in his eyes and when I look back at Henry, he’s oblivious to the tension between us.

“You doing okay?” he asks again, inspecting my eyes and probably seeing the redness there.

I avert my gaze, not wanting him to worry. “Yeah, I’m good. Just needed a second to myself.”

Henry nods, giving me a small smile.

“I need to get back to the field. The first session of the day is starting soon. I’ll see you later.” I turn to Josh, his eyes locked on mine. “It was nice meeting you, Josh.” There’s a spark in his eyes and the barest hint of a smile on his lips as I turn and walk away,

“It was nice meeting you too, Harper.”

I turn back only to watch those eyes turn molten. The farther I get, the more I know that the feel of his fingers on my skin will be something that haunts me until it happens again.

7

Josh

I watch her leave for the third time in two days and I don’t know why I’m standing here, stock-still and not running after her. This girl brings me to my knees every time she’s near me, and I can’t seem to grasp common sense.

My back pocket vibrates, a text coming in but I don’t check it, instead I obsess over the way her cheeks blush that pretty pink color every time I’m near, and the fact that her breath hitches every time my fingers brush her skin. She’s beginning to make me feel something I haven’t felt in a very long time, and I refuse to let it get away. So, I let her go… this time, knowing that I can’t pressure her, or she’ll run farther and farther away.

Once Harper is out of sight, I check my phone and see it’s a text from Will. He’s been my best friend since college and because he has horseshoes up his ass, he’s also my teammate. We spent the first five years of our career apart, him in Colorado, me here in Toronto, and I can’t deny that when I heard the news that he was traded here, a sense of relief washed over me. Will has always been my voice of reason and having him close is always a good idea, especially when King is around causing trouble.

Will: We’re going out tonight.

I glance at my watch and see it’s still morning, so I have time to get my shit together. But as I’m in the middle of texting him back, another one comes through.

Will: With King, so be prepared.

I groan out loud. Going out with King is nothing short of an adventure, and I’m not sure I’m up for that tonight. Will and I are more than happy to stay in, play video games or play some online poker, but with King? I need to be on my A game. That man loves attention, probably more than any person I have ever met, and if he decides that he’s not getting enough of it, he will seek it out by any means necessary.

Me: I’ll be there. Just text me the time and place.

My phone goes back into my back pocket as I make my way back toward Henry’s office. When I first decided to partner with a small business in the area, I never expected it to lead to someone like Harper. From what Henry’s told me so far, she’s pretty much made this place what it is and I can see why he looks at her like she hangs the sun. Hard Ball is unlike anything I have ever seen, and the second I walked in—even before I knew Harper was involved—I was hooked. If I have anything to say, I’ll be spending a lot of time here.

My eyes drift over the open space and spot her instantly. She tenses, sensing my eyes on her as she starts cleaning some of the machines with a towel. Just when I decide to go over there and try and talk to her again, a throat clears behind me.

Henry is a very imposing person, so when I turn toward him and see him leaning against the doorjamb of his office, arms crossed over his chest and his eyes staring daggers into mine, I hold my breath. His head tilts, motioning me to come closer, and when I do, I sense the tension as it builds between us. When I’m about a foot away, he speaks. I expect to be scolded, but what comes out of his mouth surprises me.

“That girl right there?” he says, pointing toward Harper as she steps through the door that leads to the practice field. “That girl is my whole life. She has been through more in her twenty-six years of life than most grown adults.”

I peer back over my shoulder and wonder what he means, Harper has quickly become this puzzle I’m dying to solve, and I can’t seem to stay away.

“Josh…”

My eyes flick to his once more.

“I see the way you look at her.” He must notice my eyes bulging because he starts laughing. “I’m old, not blind,” he says with a smile, but my eyes continue to drift back to where Harper is hiding, and I hope I can see her one last time before I have to go to the field for practice. “I need you to be sure before this goes any further.”

“Sure of what?”

“Sure that she’s worth the fight, because, son, she will definitely put up one hell of a fight.” His hand rests on my shoulder before he gives it a sympathetic squeeze. “Boy, will she fight…” he rumbles to himself as he smiles and walks back into his office, leaving me alone leaning against the wall.

I knew last night after the bar when she refused to go out with me that Harper wasn’t like any other woman I’ve dated. She didn’t want my fame; she didn’t want the stories to tell her girlfriends over a glass of wine. She wanted something real and for some reason that I can’t put my finger on, baseball players are not a part of that plan. No matter what she thinks, no matter what she keeps telling herself, I will fight for her. I will fight for her until she threatens to call the cops because I know in my bones that she will change everything.

I give Will a look that tells him he owes me for coming out tonight. If it were up to me, I would be anywhere but here, but I was stupid and thought tonight would be different. I’m sitting with King on one side and Will on the other while we are surrounded by basketball fans. After Will texted me, I hoped tonight would be low key, but when he told me King got tickets to a basketball game, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Eleven-year-old me would have given his left leg to be at this game, so I conceded, agreed to come. Something I am very much regretting right now.

“Here,” Will says, handing me a beer. “Relax and try and have a good time. It’s the playoffs!” He’s laughing at his own sarcasm, but we both know he’s right.

---