Spring Training

by KB Winters

  I shrugged. “I don’t even know where I’d begin.”

  He chuckled and turned his eyes back to the road. “You want different music? I don’t normally do this, but for you, I’ll give you free rein over the radio. But please, no country. Just ’cause we’re in Texas doesn’t mean I’m ready to Boot Scoot and Boogey.”

  I laughed at the visual image of Trey in a pair of cowboy boots, shuffling around doing the two-step with a Stetson on his head. Damn, he’d look hot in a cowboy hat. I winced, blinking away the thought. “All right, that’s fair. Let’s see…” I started flicking through the stations and we both agreed on one that was in the middle of a Matchbox Twenty song. “That’s safe.”

  Trey chuckled. “You a country fan? Or the boots just a fashion statement?”

  I grinned over at him. “You’re still thinking about those boots?”

  Trey laughed and I smiled at the lines that formed at the edges of his eyes. He was a beautiful man. Strong and sexy. He could look intimidating as hell on the field, but off the diamond, he was almost always cracking a joke or laughing along with someone else’s. Sure, he was cocky and liked to be the center of attention, but there was more to him than that, and I had a feeling that I’d only started to learn who Trey really was.

  “Damn straight, baby, I’m always thinking about those damn boots. Thinking about your beautiful legs wrapped around my waist…”

  I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop smiling. I loved driving him crazy. There were thousands—if not millions—of women who would throw themselves at Trey’s feet. No matter where we went, I caught women staring at him, checking out his ass, and whispering with their friends. But in all the time we’d spent together, I’d never caught him so much as give them a second glance. He was aware of the attention but didn’t let it sway his own.

  “I might have some good news for you then…when I’m at the ranch, all I wear are boots.”

  “Jackpot!”

  I giggled but it caught in my throat as his large hand dropped to my thigh. It was an absent minded gesture, something couples did without even thinking. Trey touching me, holding onto me, and kissing me was as natural to him as playing baseball. My eyes flicked from his hand up to his face and found him watching me. “Trey…just so you know, my parents don’t know you’re coming.”

  “Oh?” He paused, turning the piece of information over in his mind. A surge of guilt swept through me, wondering what conclusions he was jumping to. “Why’s that?”

  I sucked in a long, slow breath. “Well, I wasn’t sure how to explain…us. This.”

  “What’s there to explain?”

  I arched an eyebrow at him. “Trey. Come on. You know what I mean.”

  He sighed. “I guess. I mean, I’m not really a label kind of guy. We just are.”

  “Right.” I turned away and stared out my window. I don’t know what I’d been hoping for, but his non-answer left a deflated feeling in my chest.

  “Josie?”

  “Yeah?”

  “What do you want this to be?”

  I laughed softly. “I have no freakin’ clue.”

  The GPS signaled for Trey to take the next exit and my heart rate started to kick up. We were less than ten minutes away from the ranch. The window of time to figure things out was shrinking fast. We should’ve had this conversation on the plane instead of hooking up in the bathroom. Then again, if we hadn’t hooked up, I probably wouldn’t feel so confused in the first place.

  Damn it. Why did this have to be so damn complicated? Was this what the Facebook status was referring to?

  I turned to face Trey, ignoring the way the seatbelt dug into my chest. “Trey, listen, I don’t know what I want. But I do know that I’m not the friends with benefits no-strings-attached kinda girl. So, if that’s all you’re interested in, let’s just go ahead and put an end to that part of our relationship right here, right now. It’ll make it easier on both of us.”

  Trey dragged his eyes to mine. They were wider than ever in the low light as the sun dipped over the horizon. “And if that’s not all I’m looking for?”

  I chewed the inside of my cheek. “Then…I don’t know.”

  “So, you’re not interested in being fuck buddies—” I cringed at the crude term. “—but you don’t know what else you’d want?”

  I turned it over and then nodded. “I think so…”

  Trey laughed and looked back at the road. “All right…well…then we say we’re friends until you figure out what you want.”

  “And you’re okay with that?”

  He hitched the shoulder closest to me and removed his hand from my leg. “I don’t think I have much of a choice.”

  * * * *

  My parents’ farmhouse was lit up with bright lights that were spaced out every three feet down the wrap around porch. A light was on in their bedroom but the view was blocked by light grey curtains. I imagined my mother was up there, getting ready for my arrival. My dad was likely downstairs in the kitchen, trying to sneak some snacks before supper. It was a little later than they normally ate, but I knew they would’ve held off until we arrived.

  Trey pulled up the long, gravel drive and parked in front of the three car detached garage. “Wow, this place is nice.”

  I nodded. “Thanks. Daddy did a lot of it himself.”

  “He built it?”

  “Yeah, he did. Worst time of my life. They couldn’t figure out how big to make the kitchen and what wood to use on the damn cabinets. Night after night, the contractors came with samples and Mama finally agreed to some dark mahogany. Now it’s too pretty to cook in. I’m just glad it’s over.”

  “Wow. Impressive.”

  “Cabinets?”

  “The whole thing. I think it’s cool your mom and dad built their dream house.”

  I pushed open the passenger door a few inches and then turned back to Trey. “You good?”

  He grinned. “Always.”

  Trey proved to be the gentleman and swooped our bags from the trunk, insisting on carting them both to the front door. As he moved, the wheels got stuck in the gravel and he cursed under his breath as he tugged them along. I suppressed a laugh and shot out ahead of him to go to the front door. A surge of excitement took the place of anxiety. It had been too long since I’d seen my parents. I rang the bell and stood back just as Trey managed to get the two rolling suitcases carted up the front steps.

  The door flew open and my mom appeared. She was wearing a fitted skirt and a peach colored blouse. Her dark hair was pulled back in a fancy chignon and she’d even put on a pair of hoop earrings. Susan Crawford wasn’t usually a skirt, makeup, and earrings kind of gal. Sure, she could get dolled up if Daddy had a business dinner or they were hosting clients, but if she had it her way, every day would be casual Friday. She was much more at home with a fresh face, worn jeans, and her favorite pair of riding boots.

  “Mama!” I said, the sound bubbling with joy. She flung the door open wider and gathered me into her arms. Her hand went to the back of my head and she absently stroked over my hair. “It’s so good to see you.” She smelled like home and I didn’t want to let go.

  “Baby girl, your hair is so long! Oh, just look at you!” She pulled back but kept each of her hands on my shoulders so she could take me in. “Honey, you look so happy! You’re positively glowing!”

  Her eyes wandered over my shoulder and my stomach flipped over as I watched them go as wide as dinner plates. “And…who is this?” she asked, dropping her hands from my shoulders, still staring open-mouthed at Trey. “Wait. I know you from somewhere…”

  Trey smiled and stepped forward, fully immersing himself in the light from the porch lights. “Trey Delgado, ma’am.”

  He offered her his hand and she immediately grabbed for it. “The Trey Delgado? Oh my…” Her eyes darted from mine to Trey’s and then back again. “I’m so sorry. Where are my manners? It’s very nice to meet you, Trey. Won’t you please come in. Both of you.”

  “Jo
ey girl?” my father’s voice boomed from down the hall. I swiped my sweaty palms against my jeans. Moment of truth. “That you?”

  “Daddy!”

  My father, Jeffery Crawford, came into the grand, two story foyer but stopped short as Trey stepped inside the house behind me. I swore I could hear my dad’s heart beating out of his chest. “Jo?”

  “Um, Daddy, this is Trey. He’s my friend.”

  My dad recovered like a true pro and stepped forward to shake Trey’s hand. “Nice to meet you, son. I obviously know who you are.”

  “At least by reputation,” Trey said, his voice light, with an edge of humor. “Might as well get the elephant outta the way so we don’t all have to suffer through a really long, uncomfortable dinner, right?”

  Beside me, my mother let out a snort.

  I drew in a breath and licked my lips. “Um, Trey and I met while I was covering the team. You remember when I told you about that, Daddy?” I paused and waited for my dad to give a slight nod. “Anyway, he’s always wanted to learn to ride and since I was coming home anyway, I thought I’d invite him along…” my tone lost its conviction as I rambled on. My entire story was full of holes and questions. I hadn’t been scheduled to come see my parents for another month and with the last minute nature of the trip, it didn’t line up that it was a just casual vacation. There was also the problem we’d have to explain of why Trey wasn’t with the Warriors in the middle of baseball season.

  Unless they’d seen the news lately…then they’d know the reason why he wasn’t with the team, and I wouldn’t have to tell them. Trey’s suspension was all over the headlines. I’d been avoiding all the media, knowing it would only rile me up further.

  My father glanced from Trey then back to me, as though he was trying to put a puzzle together. After a long, inquisitive look, he plastered on a polite smile and ushered us into the dining room. “Let’s get dinner on the table and you can tell us all about it.”

  Great.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Trey

  “You know your parents think you’re full of shit, right?” I asked Josie, once we got settled for the night.

  She groaned and continued the frantic pacing she’d been doing for the better part of the last twenty minutes. “I’m acutely aware. But thanks for rubbing it in.”

  During dinner, Josie tried to play our relationship off as a casual friendship, but from the knowing glances her parents exchanged throughout the entire meal, neither one of them was buying it. She was mortified. I, on the other hand, found it pretty damn funny watching her bob and weave through the conversation. And it was even more fun when she crashed and burned. At the end of dinner, her mother led the way up the stairs and started to say goodnight, but Josie interrupted her to loudly insist that I have my own room. The smirk on Susan’s face provided further confirmation that our just friends story wasn’t flying. However, Josie got her way, and I was shown to the guest room down the hall from Josie’s bedroom. Her mother said goodnight and left us alone, probably figuring we would end up in one room or the other before the night was over, and would want some alone time.

  Sure enough, ten minutes after Susan left to retire to her own bedroom, Josie was sneaking down the hall to mine.

  Not that I was complaining.

  She’d shown up wearing a light colored nightgown that had my body on fire at first sight. Her pajamas weren’t meant to be sexy. There were no lace cutouts and it covered her completely to mid-thigh, but it was made out of some kind of clingy fabric that showed off her tits to perfection as she stalked the length of the room. I couldn’t wait to peel the damn thing off her. I cocked my head, only halfway listening to whatever she was flustered about, and wondered if she should leave it on while I fucked her. Next, my mind wandered into debating whether or not she was wearing anything underneath.

  “Trey? Are you even listening?” Josie said, her sharp, impatient tone snapping me back to reality.

  “Uh-huh. What?” My eyes snapped back up her body and met her pointed stare. “Do you have any panties on?”

  She rolled her eyes and threw herself into a plush chair that sat in the corner of the guest room. “Ugh! You’re impossible!”

  “What?”

  Josie sighed and leaned forward. She couldn’t sit still. Instead, she propped her arms on her knees and stared at me. “I take it you just find the whole thing amusing? Judging from your smirk through dinner.”

  Josie’s parents’ house was casual, but stately all at the same time. A sort of lived-in elegance. The guest room was large and spacious, fitted with a queen sized bed, two low profile dressers, and two overstuffed chairs in the alcove window that likely had a fantastic view of the property during the day. There was even an attached bathroom.

  I shrugged. “I guess I don’t get why it’s a big deal. Who cares what they think about us? If they disapproved, they would’ve said something to you, right? I mean, that’s what parents do. They bitch and moan and tell their kids when they’re fucking up.”

  “I guess.” She paused, nibbling on her lower lip. “Though that seems like kind of a grim assessment of parenting.”

  I chuckled. “Did they tell you to stay away from me? Ask you if you’d lost your mind? Or demanded to know if I was really the fucktard the media wants everyone to think I am?”

  She considered my question with care, gently nibbling on her lower lip. If she only knew what that little nibble did to my cock. “No…”

  I grinned and leaned back on the bed. “Then we’re good.”

  She threw her hands in the air and pushed up from the chair. “Trey, you don’t get it.”

  “Then explain it to me, Jo.”

  She paced the room and I tried to keep from staring at her bare legs. For once in my life, I needed to focus on what she was saying, not thinking about her sweet ass—or what she’d look like naked. “You know, I’ve never done this before. I’ve never brought a guy home to meet my parents. I don’t want them to think you and I are some kind of…I don’t know…couple?”

  I nodded. “Gotcha. Well, I promise not to spring a diamond ring on you while we’re here. How about that?”

  “Well, I wasn’t really worried about that happening,” she said, shooting me a sarcastic look. “I guess it just feels weird. I pictured this day going a little differently…”

  “How so?”

  She stared at me for a beat but then shook her head, deciding against saying whatever was on her mind. She got shut down and reserved all of a sudden. Her arms were locked tightly around her waist and she wouldn’t make eye contact with me.

  “Jo, baby, come on,” I said, reaching for her. “Come relax with me.”

  Her eyes met mine and held them for longer than normal, but then she tore them away and shook her head. “No. I should get back to bed…”

  I groaned and flopped down to my back, bouncing slightly on the springy mattress. “Damn, woman! I shouldn’t have even come with you. I should have known this would be weird.”

  “Trey…don’t say that.”

  I glanced over at her. “Why not? We’ve only been here a few hours and you’re all weirded out. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, Jo. I guess with the shit storm I’m caught up in right now, I didn’t think. I’m sorry if I’m fucking everything up for you.”

  Josie sighed. “You’re not. My parents like you and they’re happy to see me with someone. It’s all in my head. I just don’t want them to get their hopes up. You know? Remember what I told you that night at the bar, in Denver?”

  I nodded. “Your dad wants you to move here permanently, get married, and have some babies.”

  Josie laughed under her breath. “Yeah, that about covers it. That’s why I want it to be clear that that’s not what we’re doing here.”

  “Got it. Well, I’m pretty sure they know I’m not marriage material. Everyone knows that.”

  Josie stared at me, unblinking. “I don’t know that.”

  I laughed, thinking she w
as kidding, but she didn’t crack a smile or join in. “Jo…come on. I’m a fuckin’ mess. What do I have to offer a woman besides money and quasi-fame?”

  Josie smiled, the first one I’d seen most of the night, and it warmed me from the inside out. “Well you’re pretty good in bed.”

  I roared with laughter and Josie sprang toward me, shushing me. “Stop!” she said, giggling. “You’ll wake everyone up.”

  She was close enough for me to grab and I took advantage, quickly sitting up and locking my hands around her waist. Her giggles died as our eyes met and I captured her full, sexy lips with mine. Damn, she was sweet. Her tongue slipped over my lips and every muscle in my body went tight. She was hungry for me. Her body was just as hot and flushed as mine.

  I tried dragging her on top of me, but she resisted, and pulled away. When we broke apart, we locked eyes and the spark in hers got my heart racing even faster.

  “Come on,” she whispered, taking me by the hand.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, letting her lead me from the bedroom.

  “Shh!” she warned, turning around to let me see the one finger she had pressed against her lips. “You’ll see.”

  I followed her through the dark house and out into the yard. She was still only wearing her thin nightgown and I was wearing a pair of basketball shorts, a tee shirt and a hard on. Josie kept a hold of my hand as we walked. It was really dark once we got past the glowing porchlight but she didn’t falter or even slow down. It was clear that she knew the property like the back of her hand.

  I wanted to know where we were going, but there was a magical, mystical energy around us. Something exciting and seductive and I didn’t want to break it by demanding to know where she was taking me. We walked in silence for another ten minutes or so over the flat ground. In the silence, I could still hear crickets chirping and frogs croaking. The sound of water became clearer as we walked and up ahead, in the moonlight, there was a bank along the edge of a slow moving creek.

  “You feel like a little swim?” Josie asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Before I could answer, she reached for the hem of her nightgown and peeled it up her body in slow motion.