Walk Off (Double Play Series Book 5)

by Nicole Rodrigues

  “Lacey don't, you know I-”

  “You can leave now.”

  I walk towards the back door and open it, standing there still naked, waiting for him to leave.

  “Are you kidding me? Come on, we can get through this,” he pleads walking towards me.

  I close my eyes and shake my head, standing firm.

  “Not tonight we can’t. Answer one question for me. Was that the reason you were pursuin’ me so hard after the pub? Showin’ up everyday at my office? Makin’ sure I’d let you into my bed?”

  He lets out a breath and closes his eyes as he nods.

  “But Lacey you have to know-”

  “Leave Nico,” I say, my tone harsh but I don't care.

  “Can I just explain, maybe stay the night? Work through this and talk.”

  “Call me in the mornin’ and we'll talk...maybe. You ain't sharin’ my bed tonight, Nico, you don't deserve that privilege.”

  He nods, finding his clothes on the floor and dresses quickly as I watch. How many times has one of our escapades ended this same way? So many times I've kicked him out, before I finally let him in and this is what I get. We take four steps forward and five back.

  ‘You'll never be able to give yourself to someone, and when you do, they won't want you.’

  I close my eyes breathing past the pain. This is different than Weston. Nico loves me more than I could ever imagine.

  Then why are you pushing him away Lacey?

  “Lock up,” Nico commands breaking me out of my thoughts. “Goodnight, Lace. This ain't over though, remember Blondie, you're mine. Whenever, wherever, forever.”

  He kisses me softly on the lips and I let him because I'm a fucking fool. A fool that knew this would happen, knew I would get broken down again but fell anyway.

  ------

  “Did you ever trust him again after that night, Lacey?” Rose asks.

  “Of course I did. It took a little while, but I trusted him again after a few months apart.”

  “How did you deal with the time away from him?” Rose asks.

  “I...not easily….

  Two years ago...october

  “Can someone please tell me why we are doin’ a combined bachelor/bachelorette party? Is Damon that caveman that he can't even trust us to do our own thing?” I complain walking into Bella’s office with our lunch.

  Truthfully, I don't want to see Nico and I'm annoyed that I'll have to. I know I need to forgive him and move on, but my pride is damaged and my heart is unwilling to open up to him again.

  “It was actually my idea and no it ain't because I don't trust him, it's just because Vegas would be fun for everyone. We can do our own thing, we don't have to stay together,” Bella says eyeing me.

  “Good,” I snap.

  “What's up your ass? Or is your extra sass because somethin’ isn't?” Bella snaps.

  I grill her and cross my hands over my chest.

  “Oh, now that you got a ring on your finger you think you're all sexual sarcasm, huh?” I retort.

  “I just hang around you too much, it's startin’ to rub off,” Bella smirks. “So, what's the matter?”

  “Hulk and I just...we're still on and off. I miss him, okay?”

  “Oh my God, you've become the needy girlfriend!” Bella exclaims.

  “Shut up!” I hiss. “We ain't even...uhhh I don't know what we are!”

  “Forgive the poor guy. He made a stupid bet before y'all even met, Lace,” Bella says shaking her head.

  “It still is fucked up,” I say to Bella.

  “I agree with you, Lace, but is destroyin’ what y'all built really worth it? Love like that don't come around too often, cherish it. Let go of your pride a little,” Normani says.

  I look over to her with a mixture of shock and confusion. She is great at giving advice but there was something in her voice I haven't heard before. Wistfulness? I shake my head, trying to forget this whole conversation.

  “Just drop this, okay?” I say defeated.

  Bella and Normani both take the bait as I sit down with my sandwich and think about the past few months.

  Nico and I have talked on and off, but I told him not to come back to Louisiana until the season was over. I needed the space away from him, time to cool down, time to try and erase some of the hurt.

  I know it was a stupid bet but the doubts I've always had that were built into my brain from my mother and that fucking letter, made it worse than it was.

  I caved a couple weeks back though, ended up at the pub, drinking my sorrows away, missing his touch. I called him, drunk and needy...

  ----

  I fiddle with my phone on the bar, pressing Nico's name, and hovering over the call button.

  I down another shot then press it, putting the phone to my ear.

  “Lacey, hey,” he says quickly a hint of a smile.

  There's a spasm in my belly just from hearing his voice and maybe it's the tequila, but I'm pretty sure it's just him.

  “Hi, Hulk.”

  “Are you okay? It's late, what's going on?”

  “You ruined my life, you know. I...I don't know how to do this anymore, live, without you next to me. Why did you do this to me?” I slur.

  “Lacey, are you drunk? Where are you? Are you alone?”

  “Not drunk enough. It still hurts, you hurt. You hurt me. I let you in, I didn't even fuckin’ know I was doin’ it.”

  I'm rambling, probably not making any sense, but I don't care.

  “Lacey, I'm calling Bella. Why did you go out by yourself? Stay where you are,” he says his voice hard.

  “Don't act like you care, you jerk. You bet on me. Fuckin’ bet on me! You made her words true. I'm nothin’ but a prize, a good fuck. God, I miss fuckin’ you. Where are you? Come and fuck me, I'm goin’ home,” I say getting to my feet, but stumbling a little.

  “Lacey, let me call you a cab,” I hear Lenny, the bartender says from next to me.

  “Who the fuck is that?” Nico growls through the phone.

  “Lenny. Don't be jealous, I only let Hulks inside my body,” I giggle walking to the front of the bar with Lenny by my side.

  I look over to him and he's trying to stifle a smile.

  “You better, Blondie. I swear I'll spank that ass so hard my hand will be tattooed on it.”

  I gasp, clenching my thighs together and close my eyes, picturing it.

  “Do it. Come to my house right now, Hulk. Spank my ass raw,” I whisper.

  Lenny laughs next to me and we stop on the sidewalk.

  “Dammit, Lacey. Stop talking like that in front of him,” Nico snaps.

  “You're the one tellin’ me you wanna imprint my ass, Hulk. All talk.”

  I smile leaning my head on Lenny's shoulder, feeling my eyes get heavy.

  “I tried to give you space, but fuck this.”

  Nico hangs up and I glance at my phone, my mouth open.

  “You're in trouble girlie. You got a big mouth, you know that?” Lenny laughs walking us over to the cab.

  “Good job, Lenny. You're a good guy. Thank you,” I say slapping his chest as I get into the cab.

  ---

  I wake up and roll over, my head pounding as I try and remember what the hell happened. I reach around the bed in search of my phone and find the green vibrator Nico bought me. I shake my head and feel my phone vibrating from under the blanket.

  I see Bella's name on the screen and swipe to answer.

  “What,” I say groggily pinching the bridge of my nose.

  “What the hell is goin’ on? Nico called me all frantic last night and you didn't answer your phone. I've called you about 100 times. Mani went over and the key under your mat is gone. The next phone call was gonna be the police,” Bella snaps.

  “Calm down. I went to the pub. I'm home, in one piece and fully clothed without a naked man in my bed. Winnin’ night if you ask me, nice and responsible.”

  “I get back tomorrow, enough of this shit, Lacey.”

&
nbsp; “Oh shut up. Enjoy your fiancé, I'm a big girl, I can handle myself.”

  “I'm not so sure about that. Call Nico, he was about to charter a fuckin’ plane last night and fly to you.”

  I laugh and shake my head and hear a knock at my front door. The smile drops from my lips and I drop the phone to the bed, hearing Bella’s voice still on the line.

  “Lacey?”

  “Sorry, sorry. I gotta go, love you.”

  I hang up the phone and walk slowly to my front door, peeking through the side glass and freeze.

  Shit.

  I take a big breath, trying to calm my hormones, my nerves and my stubborn heart.

  I open the door and Nico’s gaze darkens as he pushes through the entrance and lifts me in his arms, slamming his lips against mine. He holds my head firm in his hands, keeping our lips pressed together as he stomps down the hall to my bedroom.

  He drops me to my feet and breaks the kiss, pulling my t-shirt over my head and throwing it over his shoulder.

  Our lips. come together again as he pulls down my leggings. I break the kiss, standing there in my bra and booty shorts, putting my hand on his chest and shaking my head.

  “I can't, Nico. I...can't do this. This...this was never the problem between us.”

  I hear him growl and I close my eyes, my body telling my brain to just shut the hell up. I haven't been filled with him in two months and my vagina is going to explode if I have this man in my bedroom and don't take advantage of it.

  “Did you fuck someone last night?” he snaps.

  I open my eyes and furrow my brows, pushing against his chest and reaching to the floor to get my shirt.

  “Seriously? Yeah I did...this,” I say grabbing the vibrator off my bed and throwing it at him. “I can't believe you just asked me that, why the hell are you here, Nico? To fuck? Because it ain't happenin’.”

  I angrily pull my shirt over my head and pull my leggings back on, brushing past him but he grabs my arm and pushes me into the wall.

  “You told me to come and fuck you,” he says in a low menacing voice

  “I was drunk and horny. Now I'm sober and satisfied. You can leave.”

  I try and pull my arm away, but he holds on, running a finger up my arm, past my shoulder to behind my ear. His finger trails a slow path across my jaw to my bottom lip. My tongue instinctively goes out and connects with his thumb, both of us panting now, trying to ignore the spark that small touch ignited.

  “Are you sure you're satisfied, Blondie?” he whispers.

  “Please don't, Nico. You know how easy it would be for me to let you in my bed. Don't use that to solve our problems,” I say defeated.

  “Fine. Come to lunch with me,” he says taking a few steps away.

  I hate the distance, but I need it. Now I can think without smelling him, feeling his hot breath, moving a fraction of an inch to feel the effect I have on him, the same he has on me dripping down the inside of my leg at the moment.

  “Just give me the next few weeks. Come back to Louisiana when the season is done, okay?”

  He nods silently and then looks up at me, his gaze hardening.

  “Have you...been with anyone else? Talked to anyone else?”

  “Nico, you know the answer to that. Don't insult me. This break ain't about seein’ other people,” I say crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Good. The next weeks stay the same.”

  “I was plannin’ on it,” I say through gritted teeth.

  “Good. In a few weeks then.”

  “In a few weeks.”

  He doesn't say another word as he walks out of my house and I lean against the wall, my body sliding down to the floor, drained.

  Chapter 13

  Lacey

  I get the text from Bella late Saturday morning, asking if I could babysit Mia and Mason tonight. The little devils are four months old now and I know Bella and Damon have their hands full and don't get out as much as they want to. One night won't hurt, especially since Damon will be gone for the next two weeks playing.

  Bella: Can you watch the twins tonight? I'll watch your baby for a week straight if you give us a break tonight. Swear.

  Lacey: Of course as long as you feed me. And I'll need that offer in writin’ please!

  I decide to go back to sleep after eating breakfast, getting myself fueled for tonight. I'm usually an early riser and I never take naps, but this little girl is kicking my ass.

  I feel my phone vibrate on the bed and check the time, hopping out of bed.

  My short nap ended up being a few hours and I'm supposed to be at Bella and Damon’s in twenty minutes. I bypass the shower and change quickly, getting into my car and driving over.

  Bella opens the door with a wide smile, and I hug her, hearing one of the twins crying in the other room.

  “They've been greatttttttt today,” Bella laughs. “I feel terrible doin’ this to you, but if you need help, my mama said she's here in a minute. It's supposed to be date night for them, but she'll come in a heartbeat.”

  “I got it. Don't worry. I actually took a long nap today, so I'm ready.”

  “How you been feelin'? The third trimester was the worst for me.”

  “I'm okay, It's the other baby that's been drivin’ me crazy. Did Normani fill you in on the girl? Alessandra.”

  “She did, yeah. How do you feel about that?”

  “Oh God, you sound like our therapist. I'm pissed honestly. She shacked up with him in Miami, playin’ house. It's bullshit. He's supposed to be playin’ daddy with me, not her.”

  “Daddy huh? I can play daddy, Blondie,” says a deep voice from behind me.

  I turn around and see Nico walking through the front door.

  “What the fuck, Bella! You set me up?” I yell.

  “Hey man, glad you could come. Me and Bella really could use this break tonight,” Damon says coming into the room.

  “Oh shoot, honey!” Bella says in the fakest confused tone that I've ever heard. “Didn't you know I already asked Lacey to babysit tonight?”

  “Oh dammit, I asked Nico. Hmm darn, well this stinks. I guess you guys are just gonna have to watch them together. We're shit communicators, right, angel?”

  “Terrible communicators, baby. We should work on that, over dinner. Night y’all,” Bella says smiling as they walk out the front door.

  “This is bullshit,” I seethe.

  “Well now at least we're on man to man defense instead of zone. I was panicking a little having to watch the two of them by myself. I've only watched one at a time,” Nico says shrugging.

  “You know I wouldn't have come here if I knew you were, right?”

  “No doubt about that, Blondie. If it makes you feel better, I was ambushed too.”

  We stand in the front foyer just looking at each other and I pinch my legs together. Thinking about him between them has been easy to forget. Now standing in front of me though, it's impossible. Staying is a bad idea, a very bad idea.

  “If you were gonna fuck me one last time ya know,” Nico says walking closer to me. I slowly back away until my back hits the wall, his hand above my shoulder. “I think I deserve a do over.”

  “Do you now? You're the one that was left unsatisfied. I think it was just fine,” I huff.

  “Blondie, we both know I can fuck you better than ‘just fine’,” he whispers.

  “Nico…”

  I close my eyes trying to breathe past the desire. His breath is warm on my neck, his hand slowly caressing my hip. Must...not...give...in.

  He grabs my chin forcing me to look at him, our eyes locked as he brings his face closer to mine, his lips about to touch my own, then a loud cry comes from upstairs and I snap myself out of the daze, pushing him off me.

  “Stop it, dammit. You're takin’ advantage of my hormones. This ain't me, it's my vagina!”

  He follows me up the stairs laughing.

  “Well I agree with her, she's lonely, she wants company.”

  “She d
on't want your company. She wants someone to come over that hasn't been over at anyone else's place.”