Playing Hardball, Part 1 (A Baseball Romance Serial) (Playing Hardball (A Baseball Romance Serial))
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“Thank you,” Jessica said, as she laughed. “I am glad you approve of my ass. It is a beautiful dress. You have such good taste.”
“Of course I do,” Renee laughed. “Go have a great time. We will be here having fun. Please try to enjoy yourself.”
“I will,” Jessica said. “I feel weird that I don't have a date. I don't want to be the only single woman there.”
“I'm sure you won't be the only one without a date,” Renee said. “Maybe there will be a super sexy hottie there for you. If not you can always go home with John from work. He has been into you forever.”
“That's not funny,” Jessica replied. “You know I don't feel that way toward him.”
“Get out of here,” Renee said. “Don't do anything I wouldn't do.”
They both laughed as Jessica hugged her son and left for the party.
Chapter 2
Jessica
Jessica pulled up to her friend Linda's house. She parked her car as she thought about her life. Since high school, she had accomplished so much and was proud of herself. She had gotten a job in an office as a scared teenager. Seven years later, she had worked herself into management. She had become strong and confident. That scared little girl was gone. She owned her own home and had taken care of her and her son. Surely, she could get through a tiny party.
She let out a deep, nervous breath as she got out of her car. Only stay for a little while, and then you can leave. She had no idea why she was so nervous about going alone. Her friends at work knew she was single. It was not a big secret. She still felt weird about going into the party without a date. Jessica walked up the steps to the front door and froze. Maybe she should just go back home, she thought. Before she could turn around, the door swung open, and Linda reached out and grabbed her arm.
Linda pulled her into the house. There was music playing and laughter everywhere. Linda had her house decorated for the holiday, with cute things everywhere. Jessica was surprised at how many people were already there. The party had just started. Linda walked her to the bar area so she knew where to get her drinks. Then, she pulled her off to meet people. Jessica had no idea how she was going to remember all of the names Linda was throwing at her. She met so many new people. Linda was so proud of her party, and she was having such a great time.
Jessica laughed as she walked over to her group of friends from work. She was the manager in their department, but nobody would ever know watching them. They all got along really well. Tammy, Leslie, and John were already there. Their friend Heather would be there later with her date. A few more people were supposed to be going also. They were surprised to see her all dressed up. She felt beautiful for the first time in a long time. John ran off and came back with a drink for her. He made sure to tell her how beautiful she looked. She took the drink and thanked him. He was very nice to her. She did not know why she had not given him a chance. He really liked her and was always concerned with her and how she was doing. It was not that he was not attractive. Many of the ladies at work liked him. He was tall and muscular. His hair was dark and his eyes were blue. He was very attractive. No matter how many times she turned him down, he still tried to get her to go out with him. He would laugh and joke about it, but she knew he was serious. She thought he was super sweet. Her sister thought she was crazy for not going out with him. Renee would joke about how good he would be in bed. Jessica would always tell her to be quiet. Jessica caught him looking at her several times during the party as they all talked. There was nothing wrong with him. If she was going to date, he would be her first choice. Jessica didn't care how many times he asked her out, she would always say no. Love was not in her future. She saw no reason to put her heart out there for someone to tear it up and throw it back at her. Her life was just fine the way it was.
Leslie grabbed Jessica's arm and pulled her off to dance. Tammy and John joined them as well. They all danced like crazy. Every few songs, they would stop to grab a drink and talk. Jessica was having an amazing time. It was nice to not think about stress for an evening. She was happy her sister had talked her into going. The night was turning out to be so much fun. A slow song came on, and John pulled her toward him. They laughed as he spun her and pulled her back in. She felt so pretty and confident. It was the first time she had really let herself go around her friends from work. They were shocked by how well she could dance. She agreed to let them take her out to a club one day. Jessica was actually looking forward to it. She continued to dance with John. Jessica heard the door bell and saw Linda bring Heather and her date in as John dipped her. She felt her body freeze as she heard Heather's date laugh. Jessica would know that laugh anywhere. He came into view and their eyes connected.
A Crush on Her Best Friend's Brother, Part 1
Rachel had been away from her best friend Karen for three whole months. It was the longest they had been apart since they were twelve. Rachel remembered moving in across the street like it was yesterday. Her mother had been offered a job in the area. When Karen ran across the street to introduce herself, they became best friends instantly. The girls would visit each other after school and sleep over almost every weekend. When they were accepted to colleges on opposite sides of the map, they were devastated. They talked and emailed every day, but it wasn't the same as being face to face.
It was Thanksgiving break, and they were both home for four days. They had been on the phone making plans for their time off. Karen was flying in one day earlier but made Rachel promise to come over as soon as the cab dropped her off.
Rachel felt tired from the flight, as she stepped out of the cab. She grabbed her bags and looked across the street to her best friend's house. It would only take her a few minutes to take her bags in and freshen up. She wanted to grab a drink and something small to eat before running across to see her friend. They had so much to catch up on. She wanted to talk about school, her dorm, and of course the boys she had met since she left. Quickly, she pulled her phone out to text Karen.
Rachel: I'm home but need to do a couple of things. I'll be over in a few minutes.
She shoved her phone into the back pocket of her jeans and went to the kitchen. When she was finished with her drink and snack, her friend still hadn't text her back. She was probably watching television downstairs or something, Rachel thought. She had seen Karen's car in the driveway, so she knew she must have been home. Rachel hurried to her room and got ready. She pulled her ponytail holder out of her long, brown hair and brushed it, as she left it down around her neck. Then, she put on a little makeup. A pair of jeans and t-shirt were good enough. They weren't going out right away, and she could run home and change if they did. She stood in front of the mirror and thought.
Karen had one brother. His name was Brad. He was a complete ass. Rachel couldn't stand him. When she had first moved in, she thought he was really cute. He was two years ahead of her in school and star of the football team. The better he got at the game, the bigger his head became. He had brown hair, blue eyes, and a muscular body. She could see why all the girls liked him. Brad was extremely good looking, but his personality was the worst. He was so full of himself and thought he was God's gift to women. She was surprised that he kept his grades at such a high level as much as he was out with friends all the time. He was sarcastic and extremely cocky. She made sure to stay away from Karen's house when her brother was home. He made jokes about the two girls and seemed to enjoy calling them names around his friends. She couldn't stand to even look at him, not anymore.
She hadn't always felt that way about him. When she was thirteen, she thought he was the cutest boy in the world. He loved football and worked hard to the best he could be at it. She watched him practice and play in the yard with his friends almost every day. He had passion for the game, and she looked up to him. They shared a moment once, but she made sure never to tell her best friend. Rachel was sleeping over their house and woke up in the middle of the night. When she walked past his room, she noticed he was still awake and went in to tal
k to him. He was sixteen, and she thought he could do no wrong. She couldn't even remember how it happened, but they shared a very passionate kiss. It was her first kiss, and she felt so special. He was in high school and so grown up. She couldn't believe it had really happened. Rachel felt so good, but neither of them ever mentioned that kiss again...
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