Extra Innings and In His Wildest Dreams

by Debbi Rawlins

  Billy scrambled for it, while she tore a couple of pages out and passed them to Eric.

  He took the pen from Billy, who hadn’t stopped chattering about Eric’s hitting streak, then stared down at the paper. “You might want to keep this one.”

  Her grocery list. Crap. She doubted he cared that she needed green tea, a Snickers bar and tampons. Without looking up, she folded the paper in half, and gave him a clean sheet.

  Billy and Connor were joined by two other boys who’d run back from the parking lot while their mothers looked on. Eric was patient with the kids as he signed something personal to each one, asking their names, what position they played.

  Finally she couldn’t stand it. “Why are you here?”

  Eric glanced up. “I would’ve called.” Amusement twinkled in his gorgeous eyes. “But apparently I had the wrong number.”

  3

  SALLY HAD MENTIONED his eyes were blue. They were, but not just blue—a trace of smoky gray made them more interesting. They also made Tess stare like an idiot. She briefly wondered if she needed to explain that, yes, she had seen a man before.

  Good gravy. Now what was it he’d said? Oh, right. Last night’s call. Wonderful.

  She had only two choices: fess up or go straight home and have her number changed. Her preference was a hassle, not to mention terribly immature.

  “About that…” She cleared her throat. “I thought you were someone else pulling a prank.”

  “I figured that might be the case.” With a faint smile, he concentrated on signing the last autograph, the long, thick lashes brushing the top of his cheek at total odds with the chiseled masculine jaw and slightly crooked nose.

  He wasn’t scruffy, but it was obvious that he hadn’t shaved since early this morning. Except for the car commercial, she’d only seen him with a ball cap or helmet over his wavy brown hair, but she saw now that it was kind of long, touching his collar. The way it fell across his forehead made her want to reach over and let the shiny strands sift through her fingers.

  He had a dimple, too, in his left cheek. Not a deep one, but enough to warn a woman that he was about to smile and make her feel stupidly gooey inside. Oh, God, she was twenty-five years old, how could this reaction be happening to her?

  Tess sighed. Sally was right, damn her, he was even better looking up close.

  Eric passed the autograph to Connor, who immediately started peppering Eric with questions. “Hey, guys, your moms are waiting for you and I have business here.” He nodded at Tess. “If Coach doesn’t mind, I’ll come to your practice sometime in the next couple of weeks and you can ask me all the questions you want.”

  Billy’s freckled face flushed with excitement as he darted a look at his buddies, then opened his mouth to start in again.

  Eric held up a silencing finger. “But only if you listen and go meet your moms right now.”

  Tess folded her arms across her chest, and waited for Billy’s litany of “yeah, buts.” He was one of those kids who loved to test an adult’s patience. For a few seconds his gaze dueled with Eric’s, then to her amazement, Billy turned and motioned for the rest of the pack to follow him to the parking lot.

  “Wow, you have to teach me that trick.”

  “My stern look?” Eric glared at her, his dark brows drawn together, his mouth straining not to laugh.

  “I see you have it nailed. I’m scared.”

  He chuckled. “Does that get me a few minutes of your time, Coach?”

  “Seriously? You’re going to call me Coach?” she asked, though she really liked that he had in front of the kids.

  “I’d rather call you Tess.”

  “Okay…Eric.” She tugged down the bill of her cap more to hide her face than to block the sun. “What can I do for you?”

  “For starters, I’d love to buy you a beer or an iced tea.” He gave her that smile, the one that had snagged those two commercials.

  All she could think was, why? What could he possibly want from her? Mike and Sally had to have put him up to this. “Sorry, I don’t have time.”

  “Right, you have to go shopping.” He gestured to the notebook still in her hand, pursing his lips and looking as if he were trying to control a smile.

  “You’re hilarious,” she said, regretting her dry tone instantly. The truth was, part of her problem was embarrassment. Tampons. Really.

  He stuffed his hands in his pockets and squinted toward the parking lot, looking uncomfortable.

  Tess gave herself a mental shake. She was also tired and annoyed with Sally, who’d obviously given out her number and then told him where to find her without warning Tess. She would’ve at least worn a little makeup.

  No, damn, she hadn’t wanted to meet him, she reminded herself. Too late. Though why was he here? And why did he have to be so gorgeous? “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. It’s not you. It’s just that—” She rubbed her damp neck. Oh, good, nice and sweaty. She backed toward the parking lot. “I really am busy because I’m a teacher and school’s starting—”

  “Fourth grade, right?”

  She nodded. How much had Sally told him? Tess took another step back and then made an about-face when it was clear he was going to walk with her. “Just so you know, you can’t tell kids you’re going to show up and then not. They have perfect memories as long as chores aren’t involved.”

  “I get that.” He shrugged. “I meant it about coming by, but I should’ve okayed it with you first. Sorry.”

  “No, it’s nice of you…” She waved off his apology, by mistake grazing his arm with the jagged nails she’d broken during practice. They left two white streaks on his tanned skin. Instinctively she grabbed his bicep for a closer look. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s nothing.”

  She traced one of the lines with the tip of her finger.

  Thank goodness she’d only left a mark and hadn’t broken the skin. His muscle flexed against her palm. He wasn’t overly muscled…just the right amount of contour and definition. Perfect, actually.

  “You didn’t even draw blood.”

  Tess gazed up into his laughing eyes and immediately released his arm. Crap, how long had she been staring? Practically feeling him up… “Sorry. Really, I, uh—” She cleared her throat, gestured a bit wildly. “The kids are always getting scraped—”

  “Hey, it’s okay.” He caught one of her hands and smiled as he nodded toward the trees. Probably worried she’d scratch him again. “Maybe we could continue to apologize back and forth in the shade.”

  “There’s a bench over there.” She motioned with her chin to the huge elm where the kids often gathered to pick up their equipment, at the same time tugging her hand back to safety.

  See, this was another reason why meeting him was a bad idea. She couldn’t trust herself not to get all fan girlie and stupid. All she’d done was touch his arm, he’d casually held her hand, and now her nipples had tightened, and thank God she was wearing an industrial-strength sports bra.

  Her fault entirely. She shouldn’t have touched him in the first place. Over a ridiculous nothing scratch. What was next, offering him mouth-to-mouth?

  Oh, terrific, that was not an image she needed stuck in her brain right now. Because naturally she noticed that along with those dreamy blue eyes, he had great lips. Nothing miserly about them, wide and full and…

  Not helping.

  Tess sat first, on the left side of the bench. Oblivious of her personal space, he sat in the middle, his thigh a few inches from hers. “You’re good to offer to spend time with the team.”

  “No problem. I like kids.”

  “Me, too,” she said, then added, “most of the time.”

  He grinned. “Yeah, gotta admit, that’s a ditto.”

  “But you’re not here to talk about that.”

  “No.” He squinted toward the parking lot, watching as the last of the cars left. “I was hoping after the game tonight you’d go to dinner with me.”

  A nervous laugh bu
bbled up in her throat but she quelled it from spilling out. Not that she didn’t feel electric heat flood her body. He wanted to go to dinner with her. With her. It was impossible. He had his choice of women. “Why?”

  “We’d be eating late but my manager takes a dim view of his players not showing up for games.” He gave her that smile, the one that caused many a feminine heart to skip a beat.

  “I can imagine,” she said, while trying to think of something witty to say. Nothing came to mind. “The thing is, as much as I appreciate the offer, I’m really busy…school is starting and— What?”

  He gave her the oddest look, and it took her a moment to get that he wasn’t accustomed to being turned down by a woman. Perfectly understandable, and she didn’t hold it against him. He was simply one of those kinds of guys women fantasized about. Even when they didn’t know him at all. At the thought, she felt her face heat up. Women like her. She’d die of humiliation if he ever found out how often she daydreamed about him.

  “Is it because of the blind-date thing?’ he asked. “Because it was nothing personal. Sally means well, but I’ve just never gone in for that kind of set-up.”

  “We’re in agreement once again.”

  “You don’t do blind dates.”

  “Never.”

  “How about now that you know it’s me?”

  Tess laughed. She couldn’t help it, even though it seemed to offend him a bit. He actually flushed.

  “What I meant was I’m not some faceless guy you don’t know anything about.”

  “No, you’re not. And I appreciate the invitation, but I don’t think so.” She gave a small shrug. Really, what else could she do? He was only pursuing this dinner thing as a favor to Mike and Sally, but Tess would never be able to stand it. Not the dinner, that would be beyond belief, but the aftermath. When he’d fulfilled his obligation and forgotten she’d ever existed. She couldn’t even bear to think about feeling that pathetic.

  “Well, okay,” he said, exhaling through pursed lips.

  She sighed. He really did have an excellent mouth. “Like you said, nothing personal.”

  He ran a hand over his face. He should’ve seemed happier. She’d let him off the hook. “But you’re coming to the game tonight?”

  “I’d like to, but I’m not sure.”

  His entire expression changed, and he caught her hand again. “Oh, man, you have to.”

  “I do?” Her heart started fluttering at the way he’d pressed her hand between his large slightly rough palms. He was looking her right in the eyes and he sure didn’t seem to be faking it. Eric wanted her at that game tonight.

  Something seemed to be clogging her throat. Her stomach was a mess, and she had the sudden urge to clamp her thighs together. She’d be insane not to go out with him. So what she might be miserable later—for one night she could pretend…

  “Please, Tess.” He squeezed her hand, and tucked a fly away tendril of hair behind her ear. His fingertips brushed the side of her face, and she felt the touch all the way down to her core. “Say you’ll come.”

  A soft gasp escaped her lips. Oh, he could make her come all right. She wanted to laugh, wanted to lean in and see if he’d kiss her. His gaze slid to her mouth, and she held her breath. “I’ll be there,” she whispered.

  He stared at her for another second, then blinked and sagged with what seemed like relief. He clasped her hand a bit tighter before releasing it. “Thanks,” he said. “I’m usually not that superstitious, but the guys have been razzing me, and now I’m being—”

  She blinked. “Superstitious? About what?”

  “You.” His laugh came out a little strained. “Every time you’re at the game I hit like I’m on fire.”

  “You’re kidding.” She straightened. “You think I have something to do with how well you’ve been hitting,” she said in total disbelief. Why hadn’t Sally mentioned it?

  “I know it sounds crazy,” he said, his expression a mixture of irritation and embarrassment.

  “Uh, yeah.” She laughed, at herself, mostly. Of course.

  Now she got it. It wasn’t a trick, or an obligation, but it wasn’t a dream, either. How she could have thought for even a second… “You’re hitting well because you’re focused and very talented. I use you as an example for the kids all the time.”

  He frowned slightly, looking more curious than anything else.

  She was glad because a lot of players were superstitious, including him whether he admitted it or not, and she shouldn’t have laughed at him. Not after she’d made such a big idiot of herself. For a few minutes she’d actually believed he’d been interested in her. The good news was she could breathe again. “You came back from knee surgery an even better player than you were before. That tells me you dedicated yourself to rehab instead of wallowing in self-pity.”

  “I did some of that,” he admitted. “Mostly I was mad at myself for getting injured in the first place. Do you know how it happened?” he asked hesitantly.

  She bit back a smile, glad she still had a sense of humor. She’d just needed to know the score, that’s all. He was adorable, and he’d meant her no harm. Still, she didn’t let herself grin, afraid he’d misconstrue her amusement. It was his expression that tickled her, sort of like how Tommy looked when he’d done something really stupid and he hoped no one saw. “I might’ve heard something about it.”

  Eric shook his head, staring toward the red-and-yellow jungle gym across the park, his mouth lifting in something close to a smirk. “Perfect example of do first, think later.” He glanced at her. “Knowing there are coaches like you using me as an example is a wake-up call. It makes me watch my step.”

  Tess smiled then. “That’s good to hear.”

  He studied her face, his gaze lingering on her eyes, skimming her nose, resting on her lips. “You have a nice smile.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I said I’ll be at the game.”

  “I wasn’t playing you.” He shrugged. “I think that’s the first real smile you’ve given me. Good thing I have a healthy ego.”

  She laughed a little at that, but he was right. She’d been defensive at first. “My excuse is Sally,” Tess said simply. “She’s been getting on my nerves about us meeting. I don’t know how well you know her, and I love Sally to pieces, but she can be a real pain in the butt.”

  The corners of his mouth twitched. “Yep, her and Mike make a great pair.”

  Funny how suddenly relaxed she felt. Which meant it was probably time to leave. “Well,” she said, abruptly getting to her feet, “I have a lot of work to do if I want to make it to the game.”

  He stood along with her. “If you can’t, I understand,” he said, looking delightfully eager for her response.

  “I’ll get there.”

  “Hey, I’ll help you grade papers to make up the time.”

  “School hasn’t started yet.” Damn, he was just too cute. No, more like tragically handsome. And as far from her league as the Majors were to T-ball. “I’m working on lesson plans.”

  “Can’t help you there.” He swiped back the stubborn lock of hair slipping across his forehead. “But I can take over your coaching for an afternoon, if you want.”

  “Uh, you do that and the kids will never want me back.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Ah, I bet you say that to all your lucky charms.”

  Eric laughed, gave her a long look. “I think Mike and Sally need some payback for all their meddling.”

  She noticed the change of subject, but it didn’t bother her. In fact, it gave them something to focus on that wasn’t personal. “That could be interesting.”

  “Yeah, let’s think about it.”

  “Deal,” she said, and he gave her that heart-stopping smile of his. Except this time she understood it meant nothing. Nothing at all. She started for her car, pleased she could trust her legs again. “Good luck tonight.”

  4

  CARAMEL. That’s what it was.

  After
being bugged all evening, it finally occurred to him. Tess’s eyes were caramel colored. They were sure different, nothing he’d seen before. Really pretty, especially with her dark hair.

  “Steee-rike.”

  The umpire’s loud call jerked Eric’s attention back to the game.

  Shit.

  A moment’s panic tightened his chest. How could he have let his mind wander like that? He never broke his concentration in the middle of a play. He was supposed to be protecting first base and could’ve missed a pop fly or a—

  He stopped. Cleared his head. Though still shaken, he forced his attention back to the batter, waited for the pitch.

  The Riverton Roadrunners’ outfielder struck out a third time and the game was over. Another win for the Bulls.

  For Eric, the victory was a relief. He’d been a friggin’ moron. Letting himself get distracted. By a woman, no less, who wasn’t even his type. She was nice, and prettier than he’d thought before meeting her face-to-face, but…Jesus.

  Eric knew she was there, sitting next to Sally in the wives’ section. But he hadn’t dared acknowledge Tess until he’d hit a double, and then it was just a glance. She’d been gazing up at the scoreboard, biting at her lower lip, looking anxious over the tied score.

  Before leaving first base for the locker room, he looked over and caught her eye. She gave him a surprisingly shy smile and abruptly turned her head to listen to something Sally was saying.

  Dammit. He was hoping to get her to meet him after his shower so he could thank her for coming. He hesitated, thought for a second about going to the fence to get her attention, but knew he would get sidelined by the two women leaning over the railing smiling coyly at him. He vaguely knew them, most of the players did because the women rarely missed a game and usually showed up at the bar some of the single players frequented.

  Politely he smiled back, but kept on going. He was no saint. He’d casually messed around with his share of groupies over the years. But not now, not at this point in his career when so much was at stake. In fact, until things were…settled, he was trying to keep a low profile with the ladies. One beer, keep to his exercise regime and maybe an occasional woman. Damn, that he’d let himself get distracted still rattled him.