Playing for Keeps [Book 2]

by Gina Drayer

  He pressed a sweet kiss against the top of my head. “I’ve missed this. No, that didn’t come out right. What I missed was you.”

  I sucked in a deep breath and slid onto the bed next to him. I knew this was going to happen. Cooper got up and took care of the condom while I stared at the ceiling, trying to figure out what to say next.

  I wanted us to have another chance, but I knew he wasn’t ready. We’d moved too fast, jumped over too many steps, and this was the result. Now things were complicated. We couldn’t just go back and start over from the beginning. There was too much to lose, and I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to weather the storm.

  I’m not even strong enough to tell him the truth, I thought, sadly.

  Cooper came back to the bed and pulled me into his arms. I was surrounded by his unique smell blended with cinnamon and black coffee. It was a smell I would always associate with him. I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to go to a coffee shop again without thinking of him.

  I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, memorizing the scent. He pulled away and frowned.

  “Shit, I’m sorry. I must smell like a locker room. I wasn’t planning on coming in, so I came right from the gym. Let me grab a shower.”

  He hopped out of bed before I could stop him. I couldn’t exactly tell him I like his sweaty, coffee, cinnamon smell. I’d probably sound like a crazy woman. Lord knows, I felt like one.

  “Do you want to join me?”

  “My shower is barely big enough to hold me. There’s no way both of us can get in there. But more importantly, I’m not sure I can move after that.”

  “So you’re saying I fucked you so hard, you can’t walk now?” he said, deadpan.

  “Ugh. That was bad. Hit the showers, Player,” I said with a laugh, and I tossed a pillow in his direction. He caught the pillow with ease and tossed it back to the bed.

  “Just think of this as the seventh inning stretch. I‘ll be back to finish the game in a few minutes.” He winked and that sexy grin of his teased the corner of his lips.

  I watched as his perfectly sculpted ass disappeared around the corner and fell back onto the pillow.

  Maybe I didn’t have to end things. Maybe we could just do this. The sex, the teasing, and leave all the other messy emotions out of it. Hopefully, the rest would follow—when he was ready.

  My heart squeezed tight as I thought about the rest. Funny, how one single moment could change everything. The big question was would he ever be ready?

  6

  Cooper

  I’ve had a lot of women come and go in my life. Some have stuck around a lot longer than others. And when they wanted to end things, I’d move on to the next without a second thought. Because none of them ever mattered—until Emily.

  And so there I was, on Christmas Eve, trying to figure out how to get her to take me back.

  At least, things were looking up. I knew I wasn’t out of the doghouse yet, but the fact that I was here at all was a big step forward. If this was going to work, I had to keep the pressure on. I had to convince her that I could be the man she wanted.

  And I had to keep my fucking temper in check.

  It wasn’t going to be easy. I needed to bring my A-game these next few weeks before I leave for Spring Training. But I was up for the challenge. By the time I was done wooing her, she’d be madly in love with me. Easy as that.

  I jumped out of the shower, ready to put that plan into action right away. Only one problem. I wasn't prepared. The only thing I had to wear was my gross gym clothes. I would have been more than happy to spend the next twenty-four hours in Emily's bed naked, but I also didn’t have any more condoms.

  I could always run back to my house, pack a bag, and grab a dozen or more condoms. I could even stop and get some bagels for breakfast in the morning because I’m still not sold on her rice and eggs.

  I finished drying off and snatched my shirt from the counter. A bright pink box sitting on the floor caught my eye. I yanked my shirt on and bent down to pick it up.

  One-Step Pregnancy Test.

  I read the label again, sure my mind was playing tricks on me. Early result pregnancy test. Ninety-nine percent accurate. I opened the box, but it was empty. I checked the trash and the counter, but there was no sign of the test anywhere.

  Pregnancy.

  The word alone sent my brain racing in a million different directions. How did this happen? How could she be pregnant? I’ve always been so careful. But then I remembered coming over straight from the airport. Safety had been the last thing on my mind that night.

  And now she was pregnant.

  Was I ready to be a father? Would I even be a good dad? My own father had split. I would never do that. We had to get married. Tomorrow, as far as I was concerned. We could catch a flight to Vegas in a couple hours and be home by Monday.

  Home. That brought up another issue. Where were we going to live? The penthouse wouldn’t work, and this place was way too small. I could call Ben on my way to pack a bag and have him start looking for someplace with a yard. Although, maybe calling Ben wasn’t such a great idea. I needed to wait until after we were married.

  I read the box again. Seven days sooner than any other test.

  How long has she known?

  My mind pieced together snippets of conversation. All the signs were there. Tony commenting about her being sick. Emily mentioning the stomach flu and being tired. She was emotional. Tony insisting that she needed to see a doctor.

  She’s known for weeks. She’s known for weeks and didn’t bother to tell me.

  I cross the hall, box in hand. “How long have you known?”

  She sat up in bed, all the color draining from her face.

  “When were you going to tell me? After the baby was born?” I tossed the empty box onto the bed and started to pace her small room.

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “So you didn’t take a pregnancy test and not tell me about it?”

  “I did, but—”

  “You’ve known since the Market, haven’t you? Tony wanted you to go to the doctor. Why did you tell him and not me? It’s my fucking baby.”

  “I thought it was the flu,” she said, grabbing my hand, forcing me to stop. “I came home that night and took both tests. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday morning. I didn’t want to tell you until I saw the doctor.”

  “Damn, Emily. You still took the test. It’s positive, and you didn’t call me.”

  “I didn’t want to worry you until I knew for sure. I didn’t think—”

  “What? You didn’t think I wanted to be there for you? I would have come over and been with you. Or did you think I was the kind of guy who wouldn’t care?” He ran his hand through his hair and shook his head, frowning. “Is that really the kind of man you think I am?”

  “That’s just it, I don’t know.” She pulled the blankets around her. A few tears streamed down her cheeks. “We don’t really know each other. I don’t even know if you want to have kids.”

  “Maybe. I don’t know.” I rubbed the back of my neck, fighting my anger. She was right. I didn’t even know if I wanted kids. How could I expect her to know? “I’ve never been with a woman I wanted to have a baby with. I always thought, someday sure. But you have to believe me, I’m not the kind of guy that would let you do this alone.”

  “I believe you. I wasn’t trying to keep this from you. I needed to be sure.” She looked down at her hands. “This changes everything. It’s not just about you and me. I don’t think we can go on like this anymore.”

  “Are you breaking up with me? Again? After telling me you’re having my baby? Are you serious?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know. This isn’t working. I think we should slow things down and get to know each other better.”

  “You’re the one that invited me in,” I snapped.

  “I know,” she said, covering her face with her hands. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight. And when you gave me that
gift… I wasn't thinking.”

  “And if you hadn’t invited me in, when exactly would you have told me?”

  “I swear, I would have told you. After my doctor’s appointment. That’s why I wanted to go out Monday.” She bit her lip and sniffed, looking defeated. “I’m sorry.”

  “Not as much as I am.” I grabbed my pants off the floor and yanked them on. My mind was swirling in all different directions. “I need some time to think.”

  I spent the drive home trying to figure out what I was going to do next. I was angry, frustrated and disappointed all at the same time. She didn’t trust me. But then again, I hadn’t done much to instill trust.

  I’d gone there tonight with the sole purpose of mending our relationship. I left with more doubts than before. I needed some advice, and there are only a few people I trusted enough to not pull any punches.

  Once I got home, I packed a bag and headed to the airport.

  Cooper: I’m leaving town for a couple of days. Be back by New Year’s Eve. I’ll pick you up at seven for the party.

  7

  Cooper

  “Your car is here to take you to the airport.”

  I looked up from the coloring book I was working on and frowned. “But I’m not done.”

  My sister crossed her arms and just shook her head. “It’s like having another kid when you’re around. Aiden. Cora. Kiss your uncle goodbye. It’s time for you to be an adult for a change and deal with your shit.”

  I’d spent the last five days hanging out with my niece and nephew, and getting advice from the two women I trusted most; my mom and my sister. I’d enjoyed the first activity. The second left a lot to be desired. Instead of being supportive, the two women had sided with Emily. They both thought it would be better if we slowed things down—even with a baby on the way.

  “Now, remember what I told you about the rat,” I whispered. “Don’t tell your mom I bought it for you until bedtime. It’s a surprise. And don’t forget to feed it.”

  “Thanks, Uncle Coop.”

  “I love you, Uncle Cooper!”

  “You too, squirt.”

  Much to my surprise, I wanted this. All of it. The kids. The house in the suburbs. I should have been angry or upset that everything in my life was going to change, but as I helped the kids pick up the crayons, I realized that this was exactly what had been missing in my life. Emily was going to be a fantastic mom. She’d be patient and loving. She’d kiss every scraped knee and fix big family dinners. Okay, maybe not the dinner thing. I could do the cooking.

  We would make this work.

  I gave them both a big hug and joined my sister in the living room. “Thanks for letting me stay. I needed the time away.”

  “No, you needed to pull your head out of your ass. I hope you haven’t screwed things up by being yourself.”

  “Thanks, Sis. I love you too.”

  “This is serious. Don’t run away just because it didn’t turn out the way you expected. I saw those photos of you at the hospital. I heard the way you talked to her when you visited on Thanksgiving. This is more than just an infatuation, and I think she could be your one.”

  I sighed and picked up my bag. “I think so, too. I’m just afraid I’ve already screwed things up beyond repair.”

  She wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek. “Just remember what I said. You have to listen to her. If she wants to slow things down, then slow things down. Love isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. You won’t be able to steal a base to win this game.”

  I pulled back and made a face. “You know how much I hate it when you mix sports metaphors.”

  “I’m being serious. She’s kept you around this long, so she obviously sees something in you.”

  Or she’s contractually obligated to keep seeing me. I kept that part to myself. “I guess you’re right.”

  “I’m always right,” she said and kissed my cheek. “You’re not the first couple to have an unplanned pregnancy. Go home and make-up with her. And next time, I expect you to bring Emily with you.”

  I flew back to New York, feeling a little better about our situation, but no less apprehensive. I didn’t have a lot of time before the season started, but time was exactly what Emily was asking for.

  After six days and a restless night’s sleep, I found myself back on Emily’s porch.

  “Let me get my purse.”

  Those were the first words she’d said to me in almost a week. We’d texted a few times. Sexy logistical texts.

  When are you coming to pick me up? What should I wear? Do I need to bring a gift for the host?

  But there had been no flirting, not even a wink emoji, and no late night phone sex like last time I’d been away.

  She came back to the door with her jacket tossed over her arm. She was wearing a thigh length black sweater with silver threads woven into the knit over simple black leggings and silver flats. It was casual while still being appropriate for an intimate party. I also noticed she was wearing the opal I’d gotten her.

  “You look beautiful,” I said as we headed to my car.

  “Thank you,” she said, flatly. The weather had warmed to an unseasonable fifty, but the chill coming from her was noticeable. We both got into the car without another word, but that only lasted a few blocks.

  “About Christmas Eve,” I said, not sure exactly where to begin. “I wanted to explain. I was blindsided and—”

  “You don’t have to explain anything,” she said, cutting me off. “I get it. I wanted to run away, too. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”

  I frowned. It almost sounded like an apology, but we both knew what she was saying was a load of bullshit. We drove the rest of the way in silence. When the car pulled up to our destination, I grabbed her hand and brought it to my mouth, desperate to put off the rest of the world for one more second.

  “I want you to know, I didn’t leave because you were pregnant. Well, yes, it was why I left, but not because I was angry. I knew immediately that I wanted that with you. But I also realized that you didn’t feel the same way. You didn’t tell me. You didn’t trust me to be there for you. And I didn’t know how to handle that.”

  If I’d thought my confession would smooth things over, I was wrong. She pulled her hand back and sighed.

  “When things get tough, you can’t just run away from your problems. If you’re not willing to stick around and fight when things are difficult, then you don’t deserve to stay when things are good.”

  And with that, she grabbed her jacket and stepped out of the car. Deep down, I knew she was right but was determined to show her I was ready to stick it out. I was going to fight for her, for us.

  Sports Time Weekly

  Cooper Reynolds Signs a Two-Year Deal

  After months of contentious negotiations, New York’s star third baseman has finally sealed a two-year deal. Along with a sizable signing bonus, Reynolds contract includes a rather restrictive behavior clause. Rumors around the clubhouse say that not everyone in management was happy with the deal.

  8

  Emily

  Greg and Joni’s beautiful Chelsea apartment had an almost 360-degree view of the Manhattan skyline and the Hudson River. They lived in the exclusive 100 Eleventh Avenue building. I’d always wanted to tour one of the apartments in the modern glass building, but now that I was standing in front of the spectacular view, I felt out of place.

  This kind of luxury was worlds away from the life I lived just a few miles up the street. It was the kind of life Cooper lived, and I just didn’t fit in.

  I touched the opal Cooper had given me. The stone felt heavy around my neck. Our differences were never clearer. I’d been right to push him away. It had been fun playing Cinderella for a while, but this wasn’t my life. I had more important things to focus on now.

  As he introduced me around the room, I smiled, falling into the role of devoted girlfriend. Everyone was nice, but I felt like a fraud. I’d never see any of these people again.
<
br />   Joni, the woman from the charity auction that had started this whole thing, approached us. “I’m glad to see that you and Cooper actually had a real connection. After that bid, I knew there had to be something there.” She smiled and shook her head. “I swear, I thought Cooper was a lost cause before you came along. I’m so happy things worked out.”

  “I wasn’t going to give up my freedom for just anyone,” Cooper said, pulling me a little closer.

  “You make it sound as if I’m holding you captive. You’re not my prisoner. You can leave anytime you want.”

  “I don’t know. I’m still not convinced Coop’s not holding her prisoner.” Ramon leaned in and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. “Blink twice if you’re being held against your will. Blink three times if you need help escaping.”

  “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it. It worries me is that she’s free to leave anytime she wants.” Cooper picked up my hand and brought it to his lips. “That’s why I have to bring my A-game. I need to make damn sure you never want to leave.”

  A few people within earshot laughed, and my stomach turned. I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or if this was still part of the act. I smiled and laughed along, continuing to play my part. To his credit, Cooper was charming and attentive all night, never leaving my side. He introduced me to everyone in the room and always made sure I was part of the conversation. If things hadn’t crashed and burned so badly the other night, I could see us working out.

  It was just past eleven when his teammate Greg pulled him away.

  “I’ll only be gone a minute or two,” he said and kissed my cheek. He turned to Marcela. “Try not to tell her too many terrible things about me while I’m gone.”