by JL Paul
“I know,” Taylor sighed.
When the batter walked, Brady approached the plate. He watched two pitches go by and listened as the umpire called them balls. He dug his cleats into the dirt, swung the bat twice, and waited. He made contact with the very next pitch and Taylor jumped to her feet at the ‘clink’ of the ball firing off the aluminum bat. Her eyes followed it as it sailed past the right fielder and over the fence. He blew her a kiss as he jogged past, making his way around the bases. She grinned and continued to cheer with the rest of the fans.
After the game, she waited outside the locker room. When he came out, hair still damp from the shower, he grabbed her waist, pulled her flush with his body, and kissed her so hard she gasped. He broke the kiss to grin. “Tell me how proud you are of me.”
Rolling her eyes, she toyed with the ends of his damp hair. “Please. Anyone can hit the ball over the fence.”
Laughing, he draped an arm around her shoulders as he led her to his car. “Maybe. But do they look as good as I do when they do it?”
She shook her head at him. “You are your biggest fan.”
They reached his car and he leaned against the passenger side door. He gently brought her closer, lifting her chin with his index finger. He kissed her softly before whispering in her ear. “I thought you were, love?”
She pecked him on the lips before pushing him away from the door, heart furiously beating against her ribcage. “I can’t compete with you,” she told him with a wink before jumping in and closing the door behind her.
“Hello, Taylor. You with us?” Tia asked, brows furrowed.
“Huh?” Taylor answered. “Sorry. I got a little lost in my head for a second.”
“I was asking if you wanted another beer,” Tia repeated.
Taylor looked at the nearly full plastic cup in her hand and shook her head.
“You okay?” Tabby whispered, worry in her eyes. Taylor offered her a weak smile, nodded, and sat back to watch the rest of the game.
***
After the game, Taylor wanted to make a quick escape, but Tabby coaxed them into going back to her house. Tia was beside herself with joy so Taylor didn’t have the heart to refuse.
They gathered out on the deck, enjoying the warm, evening breeze. The crickets sang in the grass as the fireflies blinked on and off, celebrating in the joy of summer.
Taylor took a seat at the patio table with the rest of the females, as far away from Brady as she could get. Tabby stuck an icy cold bottle of beer in front of her with a grin.
“Thanks,” Taylor smiled, sipping slowly. She wasn’t much of a drinker and the two beers she’d already consumed had her far too relaxed.
“Taylor, when does your story on Nolan come out?” Alex asked. He had his tall, lean frame propped against the deck railing. Brady hopped up next to him, sitting atop the rail. They both held sweating bottles of beer in their hands.
“Probably Sunday,” she replied. She ignored Brady’s glare. It unnerved her immensely the way he kept looking at her and she didn’t want to let him see how much it was affecting her.
“I can’t wait to read it,” Tabby added. “I haven’t done a story on him yet.”
“You’d do a much better job than me,” Taylor blushed. “I’ve read all the profiles you’ve written on the players. They were marvelous.”
“Maybe you could sell your story on Brady to the magazine,” Tabby suggested, excitement brewing in her eyes. "I could talk to my publisher."
Taylor’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. I don’t think it would compare to your work.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Brady said. “You were always the smartest girl in our class.”
“I was not,” she denied hotly.
“Pretty much. Didn’t you tell me you skipped a grade?”
She snorted. “It was only first grade.”
“Yeah, maybe, but they don’t allow kids to skip grades, even that young, if they’re not intelligent,” Zoey remarked.
Taylor lifted a shoulder, wishing the attention would turn away from her.
“I told you she was smart. If it wasn’t for her, I would have never passed my English class,” Brady stated.
Taylor took a big gulp of her beer, looking at him in disgust. “You didn’t need me. That was all part of your plan.”
All the blood left Brady's face. “No, Taylor. That’s not true. Maybe it was an excuse to talk to you but it was never any plan.”
With a grunt, she turned her head. She ran her finger through the water rings made by her beer bottle on the table.
Tabby glanced between the both of them. “What plan?”
Brady shot Taylor a look that almost seemed pleading. She glared back at him before replying. “Nothing. Just a disagreement we had.”
“Did you two date or something?” Zoey asked innocently, resting her arms on the table.
Taylor choked on her drink so Tia gave her a hefty thump on the back.
“Something like that,” Brady mumbled as he studied the bottle in his hands.
“Well, I take it things didn’t go well,” Kyle observed, giving Taylor a wink. “Maybe a change of subject would be in order.”
“How are your dad and brother doing, by the way?” Brady asked. The cocky lift of his lips dared her to contradict him - call him out for asking after her family when she felt he had no right.
“Fine,” she replied. “Teddy’s in South Bend.”
Brady’s eyes brightened. “Ah, that’s right. Notre Dame. Did you graduate from there as well?”
She looked at Tia for help but Tia only offered a weak smile.
“No, I didn’t go to college,” she grudgingly admitted, her heart twinging in despair.
Brady slid off the rail, empty beer bottle swinging between his fingers. “But you got accepted. I remember that. They offered you a scholarship and everything.”
“That’s pretty impressive,” Mark stated. “Why didn’t you go?”
“Stuff came up,” Taylor mumbled, shifting uncomfortably in her chair. “I couldn’t go.”
“Taylor,” Brady pleaded. “Tell me it wasn’t because of me. Tell me it wasn’t because of the …”
“No,” she snapped, effectively cutting him off. “Not everything revolves around you, Brady.”
“Okay,” Tabby sighed, trying to relieve the tension. She turned to Taylor. “So, if you didn’t go to college, how did you start reporting? I mean, I know a college degree isn’t required, but most publications I know want their reporters to have one.”
Relief gushed through Taylor as she granted Tabby a smile, grateful to look away from Brady.
“I only recently started reporting. One of my best friends was already interning at the paper and he knew I needed a job so he asked Luther to hook me up. I’ve been there for years and after I wrote some whimsical piece, Luther let me start writing.” She took a drink. “Mostly all I get to cover is garden parties and stuff.”
“Uncle Luther told me earlier that the piece you did on Brady was outstanding,” Tia exclaimed. “He said you’re done doing the garden party kind of thing.”
Taylor's cheeks heated and she ducked her head, wanting desperately to crawl under the table. “I hope so.”
Brady bent to retrieve another beer out of the color, lifting his eyes to her. “Maybe he’ll let you cover who’s sleeping with whom and who’s been committed to the nuthouse now.”
Taylor stood abruptly, nearly upsetting the table. “Yeah and maybe someone will discover a cure for your cocky, arrogant attitude."
With a deep breath, Taylor faced Tabby. “I’m sorry. Thanks for everything but I need to go.”
She pulled Tia to her to her feet before she stormed through the sliding patio door.
Brady started after her but Tia grabbed his arm, swinging him around.
“You insensitive bastard,” she accused before pushing him away and following her friend’s path.
***
After letting herself into the fron
t door, Taylor collapsed on the sagging couch. She groaned when her cell phone rang until she recognized the number as her brother’s.
“Hi Teddy,” she greeted, plastering a smile on her face. She hoped he'd hear it in her voice and not figure out how upset she was. “How are you?”
“Good, T. What’s up?” His voice held a tint of concern.
She sighed. “Teddy, when can you come home?”
“Dad?”
“Yeah,” she admitted and filled him in on her conversation with the doctor.
“I don’t know, T. I just started a summer semester and a new job in the book store. Let me see what I can do, okay?”
“Why are you working, Teddy?” she asked. “You’re supposed to be concentrating on your studies. I can send you money if you need it.”
“Relax,” he reassured her. “It’s a light semester and I thought I’d earn my own money. I promise it won’t interfere with my course work.”
She nodded, not realizing he couldn’t see her. “Okay. How’s school going?”
“Great. I love it.” He paused. “T you sound awfully tired. Anything else going on I need to know about?”
“Nah,” she answered. “Except I finally got a real assignment.”
“That’s cool,” he said. “Tell me about it.”
Haltingly at first, but with growing confidence, she filled him in on her story about Brady.
“Send me a copy,” he requested. “Isn’t that the Brady you went out with your senior year?”
“Yes,” she grimaced.
“He was a nice guy.”
“He was a pompous ass.”
Her brother laughed. “You went out with him.”
“I know,” she sighed. “Don’t remind me. Listen, I need to get to bed. Call me when you know when you can come home.”
“Okay. I love ya, T. Take it easy.”
“Love you too, little brother.” She flipped the phone shut with a smile.
She missed him and wished he could be home with her again. They had never really been extremely close until the summer after her senior year when their father’s health had deteriorated rapidly and she took over running the household. Teddy, who had been approaching his fourteenth birthday at the time, pitched in as much as she’d allowed. She’d tried desperately to shoulder all the responsibility; wanting her kid brother to remain a kid for as long as possible.
But when their father had been admitted to the hospital and Taylor was hired at the paper, he’d taken on dinner responsibilities. She hadn’t been crazy about it, but as long as his homework was finished and his grades weren’t suffering, she hadn’t grumbled.
She’d worried about how she could possibly put him through college on her salary, even if they did receive some kind of financial aid, but he, too, had earned a scholarship and several grants, making it a little easier for her to breathe.
Her paycheck was modest and she lived as frugally as she could so she could send money to Teddy for the things his scholarship didn’t cover. Her apartment was small and shabby, but she kept it clean and furnished it with the stuff from her parents’ home she hadn’t had to sell. She didn’t have much, true, but she took pride in the things she did have. Especially those she’d worked hard to earn.
She pushed all thoughts from her head as she turned on the TV just in time to see highlights from the day’s game. She rolled her eyes as they showed Brady’s diving catch and ensuing double play. She sat forward and looked at his eyes. Gone was the arrogant, I’m-better-than-you look and in its place was nothing but adrenaline and intensity. He may be a cocky bastard off the field but on it, he was pure determination.
She rubbed her tired face angrily. She was not going to waste her evening thinking about Brady Nolan. His sudden reappearance in her life had caused her enough grief.
When her cell phone rang again, she picked it up warily. It was Tabby Hays.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Taylor,” Tabby greeted. “I’m not bothering you, am I?”
“No, not at all. Is something wrong?”
“I could ask you the same question,” Tabby remarked, drawing a frown to Taylor’s face.
“I’m really sorry for earlier. Brady just really gets to me,” she explained, embarrassment suddenly filling her entire body.
“No need to apologize.” Tabby paused. “I was wondering if you weren’t busy tomorrow if you’d like to come to the game with me. Zoey’s not going and I have an extra ticket.”
“I don’t know. I think I’ve had my fill of Brady for awhile.”
Tabby chuckled. “Yeah, I can see how he really gets under your skin. I’ll tell you what, if I promise to keep him away from you, will you come?”
Taylor bit her lip. “Why are you so insistent?”
Tabby sighed. “I just thought we’d talk.”
Curiosity got the better of her and even though her instincts balked at the idea of returning to the ballpark - and possibly running into Brady - she relented.
“Okay,” Taylor said. “Where should we meet?”
***
They settled back in their seats, sipping from icy cold water bottles and munching on deliciously salty popcorn. Excitement radiated from the eager fans scurrying to their seats, anxious to not miss a single pitch.
“So, what did you need to talk to me about?” Taylor asked between mouthfuls of popcorn.
Tabby grinned. “Boy, you cut straight to the chase, huh?”
Taylor shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound rude.”
“It’s all right,” Tabby reassured. She pulled her sunglasses off the top of her head and covered her bright green eyes. “I just wanted to talk to you about Brady.”
Taylor groaned. “Did he put you up to this?”
Tabby snapped her head to look at Taylor. “No. Oh, no. I didn’t mean talk to you like that.”
“Oh, good,” Taylor smiled. “Sorry.”
Tabby rested a hand on Taylor’s arm. “It’s okay, really.” Pulling back, she watched some of the players stretch out on the field. “Taylor, I wanted to ask you about your relationship with Brady. I know it’s none of my business but, well, you seem so angry at him and I wondered if maybe I could help.”
A puzzled look flashed across Taylor’s face. “Help? Help how?”
Tabby moved her sunglasses back to the top of her head and turned in her seat to face Taylor. “Did he force you to have sex?”
Taylor’s eyes grew wide as her stomach curled. “No. No. Not at all. He is a jackass but I don’t think he’s a monster.”
Relief flooded Tabby’s face. “Good.”
Taylor patted Tabby’s hand. “I read your article about the man that did that to those other girls, and to…um…you. It broke my heart. I'm sorry.”
Taylor had once read an expose Tabby had written about a reporter who had used his occupation - and date rape drugs - to take advantage of women - Tabby included. Tabby had met one of the other young women through a mutual friend and had gained her trust. She had listened to her side of the story and coupled it with her own. Tabby’s piece had been powerful and strong and full of emotion. Not only had it helped to bring the man down, and ultimately bring him a conviction, it had also made other publications notice her. She’d received many offers but her love of sports influenced her decision to remain at her job following her beloved Racers around the country and report not only statistics, but also the human interest side of the game.
Tabby pulled her sunglasses back down. “Yeah well, that’s how I thought I could help. I thought if Brady did something like that to you, maybe talking to someone would help. That girl that I did the piece on, she stayed silent for years.”
Sitting back in her seat, Taylor watched the players jog to their respective dugouts. “He didn’t do anything that terrible.”
“What did he do?”
Taylor’s eyes followed Brady as he sprinted to his spot between first and second, tossing a ball to Ian Pitner. “He broke my heart.
”
Chapter Six
After the game, Taylor thanked Tabby for inviting her before hurrying through the crowd to her car. She didn’t want to take the chance of running into Brady. She knew he’d been very much aware of her sitting in the stands with Tabby as his eyes had drifted to her each time he came off the field, heading to the dugout.
She rubbed her forehead as she weaved through the Indianapolis traffic. She was touched that Tabby had been concerned enough about her to invite her today. She genuinely liked Tabby and had enjoyed talking shop with her once they’d finished the Brady topic.
A rueful smirk invaded her face. Imagine someone thinking Brady Nolan had to force a girl to have sex. She snorted. Nah, he hadn’t forced her. He hadn’t forced her at all.
She admired her reflection in the full length mirror on the back of Mrs. Parker’s bedroom door. The pale, peach color of her dress set off her early summer tan. Memorial Day weekend had been sizzling and she’d spent most of it at Brady’s house, cooking out with his family and soaking up the sun by his pool.
Her hair had been drawn up in an elegant bun with a couple tendrils hanging down to frame her face. The stylist, who happened to be a friend of Mrs. Parker, also applied a light layer of makeup, enhancing her hazel eyes and highlighting her cheek bones.
Mrs. Parker knocked on the door as she entered the room. “Taylor, honey, you look beautiful!”
Taylor beamed and twirled around once more. “Thanks, Mrs. Parker.”
Taylor had originally intended to wear the dress she’d worn for the winter dance to her Prom but Mrs. Parker would have none of it. Taylor’s father had slipped further and further into a black hole, often drinking excessively or just sitting quietly in a dark room. Taylor refused to bother him with an issue as trivial as a new dress; that’s what she told Josh anyway. He, in turn, told his mother who took Taylor, kicking and screaming, to the mall and bought her a new one. She then arranged to have her hair and nails done.
