Over the Fence: Lyssa Layne's Baseball Romances

by Lyssa Layne

  “I, I also wanted to apologize about…well, my entire attitude toward you. You’re right, I don’t know you and I shouldn’t have said the things I did. My ex is an asshole and he just dropped a huge bomb on me. Unfortunately, you were the first person to cross my path so I let it all out on you and I’m sorry. I’m not normally such a bit—”

  He reaches out and squeezes my hand, a smile adorning his face. “You always ramble when you’re nervous?” My already red cheeks are now almost on fire and I bite the inside of my mouth. Still searching for the right words to say, Jace lifts my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. “You know, you’re cute when you’re embarrassed.”

  Oh…my…fuckin’….god. Please Earth, open up and swallow me whole right now. I fully understand the term pantymelting right now. Good thing I’ve apologized because now I can focus on keeping my panties as far away as possible from Jace Richards.

  CHAPTER 8

  Jace

  The man in blue behind the plate points to his left and yells, “Strike!” and the stands erupt in cheers. It’s the first game of the season and we managed to pull off a win thanks to Grey’s six strikeouts. Trying to show some dignity, instead of jumping up and down and doing a happy dance, I clap my hands while the boys celebrate before lining up to high-five the other team. As we line up, I let my eyes drift to the bleachers so I can see Laurel’s reaction.

  She’s there, sitting on the top row, but I already knew that. I’ve been glancing in her direction between innings, hoping for any sign of her approval. Somehow, I went from wanting nothing to do with her from not being able to get her off my mind. Granted, she was already invading my dreams previously, but when she finally let her guard down, I saw the sweet, kind woman that Coach was talking about and I desperately want more of that. I should keep my distance though, I always end up hurting women and Laurel seems like she’s already experienced enough heartache from her ex-husband.

  She stands up, clapping her hands slowly and our eyes lock. I should look away before it gets awkward but when she lifts her lips, smiling softly, I can’t bear to turn away from her. Her dark hair is pulled back into a low ponytail that cascades over her fitted t-shirt that shows off her body much better than the scrubs I’ve seen her in. Her tight, low-rise jeans that she wears hugs her curves and immediately I’m tingling. Her lips move, mouthing “good job.” I nod, acknowledging her praise although inside I’m fuckin’ elated at her two words.

  After shaking hands with the other team, my players huddle around me and I give them a pep talk before we put our hands in and chant our team name. The kids all start to disperse as I pick up the equipment and put it away.

  “Hey there, ‘Coach.’ Nice game!”

  I look up and see the original Coach smiling at me as he hands me a bat. Extending my hand, I shake his and laugh. “Thanks, I couldn’t have done it without you.” Over his shoulder, I see Laurel talking to Grey, a huge smile on her face despite the dark haired man standing over her shoulder, staring at his phone. I don’t take my eyes off them until Coach clears his throat.

  “Laurel told me she apologized.”

  I quickly look away although I continue to glance in that direction. “It’s no big deal. Trust me, I’ve dealt with much more vicious females.”

  I snap the bag closed and Coach slaps my back with his deep belly laugh. “I can only imagine. Now, come on, a W always calls for pizza.”

  My heart picks up speed. “You and me…or the whole team?”

  A wicked grin takes over his face and he squeezes my shoulder. “The whole team… including Grey’s mom.” He winks as he says that last part. Suddenly, I find myself blushing like Laurel and then I laugh. Somehow my wing-man went from baseball players in their twenties to a sixty-year-old grandfather.

  Laurel

  “No more soda, Grey.”

  I try to make my voice stern but Grey’s a momma’s boy and he knows he can get away with anything. However, instead of arguing, he kisses my cheek and runs off with the rest of his teammates to play video games. Ashley rams her elbow in my side.

  “Is it me or did I notice you and Jace Richards making googly faces at each other during the game?”

  I bite the inside of my cheek, hoping to fight off the blush. “What are you talking about? I looked in the dugout a few times to check on Grey, that’s it.”

  Ashley tosses her napkin on the table. “Oh yeah? And what’s his excuse?”

  Standing up, I pick up our plates and walk toward the trash can but Ashley doesn’t give up as she follows me.

  “You’ll have to ask him.” I shrug my shoulders, trying to be coy.

  “Oh come on, Laur! You promised me that if you ever got with a baseball god, you’d tell me every last detail.”

  I can feel my cheeks heating up. “I didn’t ‘get’ with anyone. I apologized for being such a bitch to him and now we’re cool. Well, I mean, we just…have an understanding…as in I’m going to stay as far away from him as possible…” I’m doing it again, blah blah blah.

  Ashley laughs and puts her arm around my neck. “Yeah, whatever, keep telling yourself that. Now, do both of you a favor and go talk to him before he gives himself whiplash.”

  She gives me a shove in the direction of his table that he was sharing with my father, who is now busy trying to outshoot the boys in a basketball game. His back has been to me the whole time and I have noticed him glancing over his shoulder from time to time but I just figured he was looking at the T.V. Clearly stalling, I clear off a few more tables until I get to his.

  “You done with this?” I point to his empty plate.

  “Yeah, but I can get it.” His baby blues try to focus on mine, but I notice them roaming up and down my body.

  “No, it’s fine—”

  Our hands reach for the plate at the same time. When they touch, electricity jumps from his hand to mine. Quickly, I pull mine back and Jace lets out a low laugh. He takes my hand again and nods at the seat across from him.

  “Sit down for a bit. Your dad’s watching the boys.”

  Nervously, I take a seat, pulling my hand back and putting them both in my lap. “Thanks for working with Grey. I really appreciate it. His father used to play baseball in high school, but he’s always too busy to work with him now.”

  “Well, other than work and the team, I don’t have too much going on so any time he wants to practice, let me know.” He leans back in his seat, his t-shirt stretching tight over his chest muscles and the material is begging for relief around his biceps.

  “I appreciate that. Don’t tell Grey or he’ll want to spend every free second he has with you.”

  Jace nods. “No problem, bring Sam along. Those two make a dynamite duo.”

  I stare into Jace’s eyes, my heart is overjoyed by his words and all I can do is nod. Both of these boys need a positive male role model and I never thought Jace Richards would be that.

  “So, Laurel, what do you do for a living? I have to know who is lucky enough to watch you in scrubs all day long.” His eyes glint with humor and his voice is flirtatious.

  Narrowing my eyes, I lean forward and drop my voice. “Scrubs are sexy, don’t deny it.”

  Jace leans forward, our foreheads just a few inches away. “That they are, especially with you in them.”

  And like that, there goes my panties again.

  CHAPTER 9

  Jace

  Another win, these boys are on fire! I couldn’t be prouder of the progress they’re making and how hard the entire team works together. Not to mention there’s a blue-eyed beauty that’s happily sitting in the stands that I have to will myself to not stare at. It’s been a week since we flirted at the pizza party and I’m already looking forward to it again. I sigh, since when did flirting with a woman become the extent of my activities with the opposite sex? I’m starting to feel really pathetic…and turned on by the brunette making her way to me wearing a pair of short jean shorts and a tight purple tank top that lets me really see the perf
ect curves she has hidden under her scrubs.

  “Hey, great game!” Laurel pushes off her tip toes, sliding one arm around my neck in a hug attempt failed. It’s like halfway into the motions to wrap her arms around me, she changed her mind. I slip my arm around her waist, pulling her against me so I can feel her perky breasts pressed against my chest. She doesn’t seem to mind that I hold on to her a few seconds longer than needed as I tell her thanks.

  Reluctantly I release my grip, but let my hand linger on her back. Her cheeks almost look sunburnt from her blushing and she’s about to start the non-stop flow of words when someone calls my name. Laurel turns to see who wants my attention, pivoting her body and ending with her back against me. I glance down to confirm how close we are but my dick has already answered. My hand that was on her back, slips to her waist and I look to see who is calling for me without letting Laurel out of my touch.

  Camila waves from the other side of the backstop while Evan glares from behind her. What the hell did I do now? Maybe they stopped by the house first and he’s pissed because I repainted the porch and tossed the Christmas lights. I don’t know and I really don’t give a fuck either. Laurel takes a step forward and as much as I want to keep my hands firmly on her body, I let her go.

  “Evan Purser!” she says in an upbeat voice and jogs through the dugout toward the linebacker. Fuck, maybe football players are her thing.

  I follow behind but stop in my steps when she throws her arms around his neck, not even hesitating like she did with me. Evan laughs and lifts her up into a bear hug. Camila and I glance at each other, both of us uncomfortable at this display although Camila has much more reason than I do. Evan sets Laurel back on the ground and when the two turn to us, they both suddenly realize how awkward this is and jump apart from each other. Evan wastes no time moving to Camila and kissing her cheek while Laurel stands there, unsure where to go.

  Before she starts talking and doesn’t know when to stop, I casually comment, “So, you two know each other?”

  Evan nods. “Her dad was my football coach…guess you never called him.”

  Laurel steps between the two of us and looks up at Evan. “Actually, Daddy speaks very highly of Jace.” She looks at me. “He’s having us over for a barbecue today and wanted to know if you would like to come.”

  I lift an eyebrow, wondering if she’s asking or Coach is. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

  Turning her attention back to Evan, she adds, “He’d love for you and your girlfriend to come, too, Ev.”

  I see Camila flinch slightly as Laurel speaks to Evan with a familiarity that she’s not used to. I laugh and pick up the ball bag as the three of them make plans. Grey and Sam are still on the field practicing and I wonder if I’ve created baseball monsters but they’re happy and staying out of trouble so I’m not going to complain.

  “Jace, why don’t you ride with us?” Camila says and Evan’s nostrils flare. Shit, I’m in trouble now.

  “He’s riding with us. I hope you don’t mind,” Laurel says to Camila, putting on a smile that is as fake as some of the tits I’ve seen.

  Camila nods and she and Evan walk toward the parking lot. Grey and Sam are done, complaining that they’re starving. The four of us walk toward Laurel’s car, passing her dad, who is parked a few spots away from her.

  “Hey Daddy, add three more to the guest list. Jace, Evan, and his girlfriend are coming over.”

  His eyes light up when she calls him “Daddy” and love exudes from the two of them as she gives him a hug. Coach nods as she pulls away. “You know the more the merrier. Stop and get some more drinks on your way over. Grey and Sam, why don’t you two ride with me?”

  The boys thrust their gloves at Laurel and jump into Coach’s old truck. Laurel calls out, “Wait, I…he…” She glances in my direction nervously.

  Taking the two gloves out of her hand, I smile and move my hand to her back, guiding us toward her car. “Don’t worry, Hot Shot, I don’t bite…hard.”

  She shakes her head and as we get to the car, she turns, leaning against it. My eyes travel over her facial features, taking in the freckles that pepper her skin and those damn sweet, kissable lips. Even though I know she doesn’t realize it, she clamps down on her bottom lip in a way that the old Jace would’ve taken as an invitation to bend her over the hood and have my way with her.

  “You don’t have to ride with me if you don’t want to. I just know that Evan can be—”

  “An overbearing asshole?” I cut her off, my hands safely on the ball gloves and keeping me from running them over her body.

  “I was going to say overprotective.” Her eyebrows are drawn down in a disapproving way.

  Reaching around her, I open the car door for her. “Yeah, that’s what I meant.”

  Laurel may not know me well but she cocks her eyebrow as I wait for her to get in. “Bullshit.”

  I grin and close the door behind her. This should be interesting. Aside from Camila, I’ve never met a woman who has called me out before but I can already tell I’m going to like it. Laurel Darbis keeps getting more and more attractive.

  Laurel

  The radio plays a familiar Aerosmith tune and I glance over at Jace, who picked out the music. His profile is prominent from this view and I take note of his long face with his narrow chin. I always hated Adam’s neatly trimmed beard and mustache, it gave me razor burn when we’d make out, but somehow Jace’s facial hair looks incredibly sexy. He drums his fingers on his legs to the beat of the music and my eyes slip past his thighs, leaving me to wonder what’s under that denim. Jace looks over at me and I quickly glance back to the road, hoping he didn’t notice me checking him out.

  “So how do you know Evan?”

  “He played football for my dad. After his brother left for college, their mom started drinking, basically leaving Evan on his own. Our families kind of merged and he’s like a big brother, hence the overprotective asshole thing.” I raise my eyebrows in an accusatory way at Jace.

  He laughs, holding up his hands. “Okay, fine, he’s not an asshole. He just hasn’t welcomed me with open arms. I think he kinda feels the same way about me that you did.”

  “Why is that?”

  “He thinks I’m a douchebag for throwing away my career and even though he offered it, I don’t think he’s thrilled with the idea of me staying at his mom’s house.”

  My jaw drops. “You’re staying at Ms. Ann’s place?”

  How the hell did I miss that? No wonder Evan doesn’t like him. As much as Evan hated that his mom wouldn’t change the place because she thought their father might come back one day, he’s doing the exact same thing by refusing to fix up the place.

  Jace scoffs. “That’s not what I figured you’d focus on but yeah, that’s where I’m staying.”

  I pull into the grocery store lot and turn off the engine. “Oh trust me, I’ll grill you about your career when we get to that point.”

  Jace shakes his head. “What point is that?”

  I smirk and lean toward him. “The point where we’re comfortable enough with each other to share our darkest secrets.”

  Without waiting for him to respond, I get out of the car with my heart thumping against my chest. I have no idea where those words came from but for some reason, I want to get to that point with Jace Richards. I want to confide in him all my fears and I want to heal the wounds he’s carrying.

  CHAPTER 10

  Jace

  My fingers almost frozen, I dig around in the cooler of ice, looking for a chilled beer. A pair of legs appears beside the container and I follow them up to see Camila with her hands on her hips with a look of disapproval on her face.

  “I thought I told you to stay away from alcohol.”

  Standing up, I twist open the cap and take a long drink. “It’s a fuckin’ beer, Camila. It’s hot out and it’s the first one I’ve had since I’ve been in Florida. I know better than to drink away my misery like I was doing before so lay off.”

 
; Camila looks around to see if anyone is listening and lowers her voice when she speaks. “Jace, this is my ass on the line. If you fuck up, we’re both in trouble.”

  “What do you want me to do? Submit to piss tests? I’m getting my shit together, this is actually working out really well.”

  She sighs and grabs a beer for herself. “Fine, but just watch yourself, okay?”

  I clink my beer bottle against hers. “Yes, ma’am. I’m glad you’re here, I wanted to talk to you about something.” She nods and I go on. “I know you won’t believe me when I say that the whole gambling thing wasn’t entirely my fault. There’s a scout, Earl Floyd, that looks for promising athletes and manipulates them into working this scheme for him to make money.”

  Camila narrows her eyes. “That sounds sketchy, Jace, even for you.”

  “I know! That’s why I never said anything before. But I talked to Chuck Landers—”

  “The announcer for the Diplomats?”

  “Yeah. He told me—”

  “Where did you see him?” Camila asks, her voice menacing and her face letting me know she’s not going to buy my bullshit.

  “He was, uh…in town and—”

  Camila steps closely to me. “Don’t lie to me, Jacen Richards. I told you to stay away from spring training and anything associated with MLB. Do you understand?”

  “Fuck, Camila, you’re not my mom,” I mutter and take a long swig.

  She scoffs and takes my chin in her fingers. “One more thing. Stay away from Laurel Darbis.”

  Her eyes dart over to Evan and I know it’s his request, not necessarily hers. I jerk my head back, pushing her hand out of my face. “I’m not the same guy I was before, Camila. Shit, you’re just like everyone else. You preach that you’re trying to help me be better when in reality, you refuse to see any of the changes I’m making. I’m not the sack of shit that stomped all over Colie Adamson any more. There’s no way in hell that I’d ever treat Laurel Darbis that way so if we want to hang out, then we fuckin’ will.”