“I could never forget you twice. Are you ready since I’m early?”
“Yes, I am.” I grab my clutch. “Am I dressed okay? You didn’t tell me where we were going.”
“You look beautiful.” He grins.
“Aw, see? You’re getting better at flirting.” I shut the door and we head down the stairs to this car.
“Really? Maybe I’ll just say that all the time. Should still work, right, since it’s true? And what girl doesn’t like to hear she’s beautiful?”
I laugh as he opens the door and I slide into the seat. When he gets in, I tell him, “Every girl likes to hear that. Now, are you going to telling me where we are going? I’m not a fan of surprises.”
Felix doesn’t tell me right away as he drives out of the complex and heads toward the other end of town. “We’re going to a reading. Still excited?”
I gasp. “A reading? Really? Who?”
“Tom Clary.”
“Shut up.” My mouth drops. He’s one of my favorite murder mystery authors. “I didn’t even know Tom Clary was in town. I just finished his latest book. Damn, if I’d known this, I would have brought the book with me. I’m sure they’ll sell some I can buy, right?” I’m trying not to pout because I’m excited to go, but I hate that I don’t have anything for him to sign.
“I already have two copies of the book. They’re in the backseat. I wasn’t sure if you had it yet or not.”
“You did?” I’m in shock that he thought of me. I glance in the backseat and I see the two hardback books lying there. My heart swells. “That’s sweet, Felix.” I lean over and kiss his freshly shaven cheek. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And we’re going to Clarabell’s for dinner afterward.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Since we’re not that far from the event, there isn’t much conversation. Felix pulls into the lot and parks. He holds my hand as we walk into the library, which is already packed with people. Felix keeps his hand on the small of my back. I can feel the small circles he traces through the thin material of the dress. It sends small shivers through me.
We’re able to find seats and I may have scooted in closer to him. He puts his arm around me and I want to lay my head on his shoulder, but I refrain as the reading starts. I hang onto Mr. Clary’s every word as he reads two chapters of his book. He takes a few questions and as soon as it started, it’s over, and we’re shuffling out to the lobby to have our books signed.
“I can’t believe what a great reading that was. He’s very passionate when he reads, don’t you think?” I hold my book close to my chest.
“Yeah, he is. Hopefully I’ll be able to read it on the next road trip.” He puts his in the backseat and he drives to the restaurant.
“You read the books you have signed? Not me. I set them on the shelf and worship them as idols.” I giggle because that’s almost the full truth. “I use my Kindle most of the time.”
“I’m not that committed. I don’t own an e-reader and why buy two copies of a book just because one is signed? The story doesn’t change you know,” he jokes.
“This date was going well until you said that. What do you mean you don’t own an e-reader? It’s a necessity in life. And the reason I buy two is because one is for my shelf and one is so I can read it. I don’t want to damage the one I have signed.”
“Do you somehow damage the one that isn’t signed?”
“Yes. You get fingerprints on it, you might bend the spine, and God forbid you might spill something on it.” How can he not care about the books?
Felix booms out a laugh and he pulls up to the curb to the valet. I reluctantly sit my book in the back and step out of the BMW.
“This date was going well until I realized you’re crazy,” he whispers close to my ear as we walk in. “Fingerprints, really? Books are meant to be read. If you bend the spine, it’s a good thing.”
“Oh dear, I don’t think I can hear such blasphemy. Let’s change the topic before I accidentally stab you with my fork.” Felix chuckles and tells the hostess his name and she leads us to a table. “How’s baseball going?” I ask once we’re seated.
“Baseball is fine. Did I tell you I caught Blake kissing the team’s massage therapist?” He looks at his menu and sips on his water.
“What?” That seems a bit bold. “Isn’t he the ‘player’ of the team? I think LA told he’s the man-whore of the Angels. Or is that Hector?” I remember LA telling me all about the players on the team, but I only half-listen to her.
“Blake’s nickname is Grumpy. Do you think he could be a player with a nickname like that? I don’t know if he is or not, though. It’s not like he shares much.”
“What a horrible nickname.” I wouldn’t want one like that. “I thought your team was close. The news keeps saying you’re all getting along well.”
The waiter comes over and we give him our orders and Felix orders a bottle of wine.
“We are. Hector gave him the nickname and he’s probably Blake’s closest friend on the team. Blake knows about it. That make it better?” He grins at me again.
“I guess. I never understood strange nicknames. I mean, LA’s is simple because she is Leigh Ann, but Grumpy?” I shake my head. “Do you have a nickname?”
“Grumpy isn’t strange. It fits because he’s, well, grumpy. I don’t have a nickname though. Must not be special enough for one,” he jokes.
“Not even from your brothers?”
“Nope. Just Felix. What about you? Do you have a nickname?”
“Yes. My dad gave one to me as a small child, and my sisters still use it. I hate it at times, but then…sometimes it reminds me of how much they love me.” I shrug.
“Well, what is it?” he pushes. I debate if I should tell him or not, but then again I’m sure he’ll hear it eventually.
“Abby-bear. I use to carry a teddy bear all the time and Dad started calling me Abby-bear after that.”
“That’s sweet.”
The waiter comes back with the bottle and I take a small sip of the white wine. It’s sweeter than I’ve had before, but soothes the dryness in my throat from all the talking I’ve done.
“When’s your family coming? Are you going to take them on a tour of Memphis?”
“They’ll be here in two weeks.” There’s some excitement in his eyes. “We’ll probably all go on a tour of Memphis. It’ll be fun and my mom likes to do all the touristy stuff, so we’ll do things like that.”
“There’s really a lot to see here. Make sure you take her to Beale Street. Oh, and Graceland. It sounds silly, but the building is gorgeous.”
“Maybe you should be like our tour guide!”
“I wouldn’t want to intrude on your family time. That would be rude.” I would like to meet his family, but it’s not something that happens when you’re just friends.
“Not if I invited you, Abigail. You know this place better than I do. Makes perfect sense that you show us all around. So, what do you say?”
“Felix, it’s your family and they came to spend time with you. I’m sure they don’t want your…friend or lucky charm tagging along.”
“I told you it’s no big deal, but if you don’t want to, it’s fine. I was planning to walk around aimlessly and hope we stumble upon a tourist hotspot.”
I roll my eyes. “You can’t do that. Fine, I’ll be your tour guide. I can’t believe you were going to wander aimlessly,” I mumble. “Have you even been around Memphis to see the sights?”
“Abigail, I still use my GPS to get almost anywhere in this city. What do you think?”
I laugh because I remember him saying that before. The waiter sets the food in front of us and I can’t believe how fast it arrived. “Well then, you do need me to help. Are you sure your family won’t mind?”
“Not at all. They’ll probably be grateful to have you show them around instead of me. You could even give me a private tour first, if you want to practice.” Felix’s grin is contagious and I smile back.
His brown eyes light up and it’s nice to see this sweet side of him.
“Look at that! Your flirting is getting better.” I laugh softly. “Maybe on a second date we could do that. There are a lot of great restaurants downtown. Well, I mean, if there’s a second date, of course. I don’t want to push my luck. Wait, I am the luck, aren’t I?” I wink.
“You’re starting to like being the lucky charm, aren’t you? But yes, you’re the luck and if you would like a second date, then we’ll go on another one.” He cuts into his prime rib.
“Well, you’re going to be home for the next five days. Maybe we can come up with something together. I do have a lot of work this week though. I think I’ve overdone it a bit, taking so many classes. Plus, I need to go to therapy this week.” Shit. I stop talking and turn away from him. Why am I telling him such personal stuff all the time?
“Does something like that help?”
His tone is sincere and I slowly face him again. Felix is looking at me and waiting for my answer, but it’s not a harsh look. He isn’t judging me; he’s sincere and concerned.
“At first, when LA took me, I thought I was going to be lying on a couch, pouring my guts out to some idiot who didn’t care, but I ended up becoming close to my therapist.” I cut a small piece of my chicken. “She’s very kind and truly cares. So, yes, it does help. I slacked off a bit, but I need to get back to it, especially since I’m having trouble sleeping again.” I keep my voice soft. I’m not sure if I’m embarrassed or if I don’t want anyone to hear.
“I’m glad it helps you then. If there’s something I can do to help, just let me know.”
“Don’t let this go straight to your head or anything, but the running helps. It tires me out and by the time the night comes, I seem to sleep better.”
He’s trying to hold back a smile. Yeah, his ego is growing. “I’m glad it helps. I run in the afternoon, too, you know. Maybe you’ll sleep even better if you switch from the morning to the afternoon? I wouldn’t ask you to do both.”
“You run twice a day? Oh my God, do you enjoy torturing yourself? I think I have leg cramps thinking about running twice in one day.” I rub the top of my leg thinking of the pain from all that running.
“Want a quick massage?” Felix grins at me.
“Maybe when we finish eating.” I try not to sound thrilled about it, but the thought of him touching me sends me into a small frenzy. “Tell me about growing up in Cali. Did you surf every day and see celebrities all the time?” I need to get my thoughts away from his hands on me or me touching him.
“I’m going to ruin your idea of men from California. I’ve never surfed a day in my life and we didn’t live near the celebrity hotspots. Sorry to disappoint.”
“So, what did you do? Just play baseball twenty-four seven?”
For the first time, I see him hesitate and he doesn’t answer me right away. “Not exactly. Maybe we should start with your life, growing up here first. What are some of your favorite childhood memories?”
“Oh, well, some of my favorites were when my sisters and I would hang out. They’re much older than I am and it was cool hanging with teenagers when I wasn’t one. They would let me wear their makeup and teach me about fashion, things like that.”
“I know what you mean. About the hanging out with the older kids, I mean. I’m the youngest in the family and my brothers are a few years older than I am. Plus, they brought all the cute older girls around, too.”
“So, it’s your brothers’ fault you suck at flirting?” I laugh. “Were you that creepy little brother always trying to hit on the girls?”
“No,” he softly chuckles as he finishes the food on his plate. “I was the adorable little brother who managed to hang out with the girls even though I sucked at flirting. I was cute. No one could resist.”
“Does that mean you lost your virginity to some older girl?” I push away my food, well, what’s left of it.
“Abigail,” he gasps in a fake horror fashion. “What kind of question is that for a first date?!”
“Please,” I roll my eyes. Has he forgotten who he’s on a date with? “I think we’ve passed that, don’t you? And now I really want to know since you’re dodging it, Felix.”
“You really, really want to know? Is it that interesting?”
“Still dodging. This has got to be a great story.”
The waiter comes back and asks if we want dessert. We both decline and he hands Felix the bill. He quickly pulls out his credit card and pays for it.
“I draw the line at telling you the story,” he continues after the waiter leaves. “The short answer is yes. Happy? Can we go back to your childhood now?”
“I’m dying to know it now, but if you don’t want to tell, then fine. Why don’t you tell me a childhood story? Who taught you to pitch? Was it your dad?”
“Dad got me into baseball. My brothers played, too. I was actually a first baseman for a long time and when I started playing again in high school, the coach trained me to be a pitcher instead.”
“Playing again? Did you stop playing?”
Before Felix can answer me, the waiter returns his card. Felix stands and I follow suit. He guides me by putting his hand on the small off my back again. I notice a few people are looking at us. Since the Angels have been on the news, more people are taking second glances at the players.
“Um, yeah,” he answers my question as we wait for his car. “Remember, I told you before that I didn’t always play? That’s what I meant. I had a little break.”
“That’s right, I do remember. Did you stop playing because you were hurt?”
Felix opens his mouth, but closes it as the BMW pulls up and he opens my door. He doesn’t say anything as we head back towards the apartment complex.
“No,” he finally speaks. “Once my brothers graduated, they took their friends with them. I hung out with all the older kids, so I had to find new ones. I didn’t make the best choices and did some things I’m not proud of. I got pissed at the coach, said some things, and ended up quitting. I started getting into more trouble and eventually, the coach reached out to me, got me playing again, and set me straight. I was lucky to have him, especially since he ended up being the person to turn me around, and it was clear that baseball was my saving grace. I haven’t stopped since.”
“Wow.” I didn’t expect him to say all of that. “I would have never thought that about you. I always figured you lived and breathed baseball since the first time you slipped on a glove.”
“Nope. But that’s why I’m like I am now.” He parks the BMW in his assigned spot and we walk hand-in-hand to my apartment.
I hold my book tightly in my other hand. I unlock my door and I feel Felix’s hand on back again. I turn and look at him for a moment. My body is screaming to invite him in, but my heart is telling me to be careful. “Would you like a beer?”
He smiles, nods, and follows me into the apartment. He takes a seat on the couch and I grab a couple beers.
“I had a good night,” I tell him, handing him the bottle and sitting next to him.
“I did, too. Thank you.” He turns, mirroring my pose, and stares at me. His brown eyes take in my face, and then he removes the bottle and sits it on the table. He pulls me toward him and stops right before our lips touch.
I gasp. He closes the gap and slips his tongue into my mouth. We battle for control of the feverish kiss. He grips my thighs and drags me even closer. I straddle him and press my core against his hardness. I dig my hands into his hair and he glides his hands under my dress.
He cups my ass and he gently bites my bottom lip. I moan and he moves his hands up and begins to toy with the thin string of my thong before getting brave and bringing it down.
“Felix, we need to stop this.” I pant, pulling away from him and gripping his wrist, stopping him from going any further. “We need to talk, please.”
“Okay, about what?” He’s breathing hard as well and moves his hand to my thighs again.
&nb
sp; “What is happening here? Seriously, do you just want me for sex?” I have to know before I do anything with him.
“No, I don’t. I do like you, Abigail.” He gently kisses me.
“Are you looking for me to be your girlfriend, then?”
Felix pulls back and looks at me. “I was thinking we could keep dating and see what happens. Unless you have a different idea?”
“No, no, no. That’s fine.” I pull my hands from his wrist and lay them on his hard pecs. “I want that, too, but I don’t want to have sex yet. Please.”
“No sex?” He processes the words. “Okay, no sex then.”
“I’m not the type of girl to fall into bed with every guy who shows her attention. I may not be a virgin, but I do have standards, Felix.” I move from his lap and sit on the coffee table across from him.
“And I respect that. Standards are good to have.” He takes my hand and kisses the inside of my wrist. “I should go.”
“I did have a great night,” I rush to tell him.
We stand, and he takes me in his arms. “I did too.” He kisses me one more time and let’s himself out of the apartment.
“SO, HOW’S IT going being that girl’s chauffeur? Are you still driving her everywhere?” Kevin asks.
“Yeah, I am. She goes running with me sometimes and we went on a date last night.”
“And?”
“And it was good. We talked a lot and went to a reading and dinner. She invited me in, we kissed, and she sent me home.”
“No sex?”
“Guys, she has standards. No sex on the first date and I’m pretty sure it’s no sex until we turn serious.”
“Do you want to be serious?” Lewis asks.
“Am I supposed to know the answer to that question? I like her, so maybe?”
“Hey, I’ve heard of love at first sight and all that crap. You seem sappy enough to be serious with a girl after a date. I mean, seriously, you went to a book reading. How girly can you be?” Lewis says.
“I wanted to go to that, too. It’s not like I suffered through it for her. I don’t know for sure about the whole serious thing. My other relationships pretty much just happened and then either she was crazy or clingy or they broke up with me because I kept forgetting about dates. I already forgot about what would have been our first date. If we enter into a relationship, I definitely can’t do that to her again and I don’t know how reliable I would be.”
Felix (The Ninth Inning #1) Page 8
