Rookie Mistake: A Sports Romance Novel (The Beasts of Baseball Book 1)

by Ward,Alice

  “Okay, let’s go!” Holly urged as she tugged at my arm and headed towards the front door. She hailed a cab like a native New Yorker and told the driver to take us to Fifth Avenue without any hesitation. He didn’t even ask for an exact address, pegging us for tourists who wanted to shop and the taxi zoomed off into traffic.

  My face was glued to the cab’s windows, staring out at all the ads flashing on screens that appeared to float from the tall buildings. This must be Times Square! It was just like the movies and my heart fluttered. The cab finally stopped and we stepped out onto iconic Fifth Avenue. Yeah, he’d pegged us alright as I looked up to see we were in front of Saks Fifth Avenue.

  Holly didn’t flinch at the price tags on the sexy dresses we tried on at Gucci, and when we entered Jimmy Choo, I lost all worry about cost and fell in love with the Romy pumps that perfectly matched my new dress as well as the Rebel Soft Mini bag to complete my ensemble. As I handed over Calvin’s credit card to the snobbish blonde sales lady, I felt a sense of empowerment that was deliciously new.

  “Now, didn’t that feel good?” Holly asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder as we walked out the door. It did feel good, but it just wasn’t me. I suddenly felt guilty for splurging on Calvin’s card and wanted to see him.

  “You wanna check out their practice?” I asked.

  “Snoresville. Don’t ya wanna do some more shopping? I mean, he kinda deserves more punishment than this,” she said with a smirk.

  “Ace Newman will be there,” I said with a smile and a wink. I knew that was all it would take to change her mind.

  “Okay, you twisted my arm.” She giggled and gripped my wrist. I hailed a cab and gave him instructions on where to go. I was beginning to feel like a real New Yorker myself.

  My nerves were getting the better of me as we pulled up in front of the stadium. “Do you need me to wait?” the cabby asked. I shook my head, swiped Cal’s credit card, my eyes going wide at how much it cost to get us here, and got out of the car. I hadn’t told Calvin about Holly’s visit yet, and I couldn’t imagine he would be very happy about seeing her walking into the stadium by my side.

  “This is incredible.” Holly looked up and twirled in a circle as she took in the large stadium’s presence. “I can’t believe he’s actually playing in the majors!” she exclaimed.

  I’d never doubted Calvin would make it; his accuracy and velocity were always impressive, even back in high school. College had excelled him into a league of his own, and now he was finally where he belonged. We were finally where we belonged.

  I wasn’t pleased about the droves of women who lined the fence near the dugout, but I was pleasantly surprised to find Calvin nowhere near them. He was practicing his fast ball while the coach clocked him. Ace, on the other hand, was hanging over the fence chatting with one of the bustier blondes that had come to watch the new team.

  “Why the Beasts?” Holly whispered in my ear as we neared the dugout.

  “The owner has an energy drink company. Ya know, the Release the Beast?” I did my best impression of the overly exaggerated commercial for the drink.

  “Is that him?” she asked, pushing into my side with her pointy fingernail.

  “Yes, that’s him.”

  His weathered good looks were rugged, and he did ooze a certain amount of sexuality without even saying a word. I got it, women loved him, and it was obvious why. But, my stomach didn’t get butterflies when I saw him. No, sir. That was the man who corrupted my Calvin. The one who dumped shots down his throat and tried to teach him his own whorish ways. I was sick just looking at the man.

  “Whitney!” Calvin waved as he ran towards the dugout.

  I watched his expression change as Holly stepped out from behind me as we neared the fence. “I’m glad you made it,” Calvin said, leaning over the fence to give me a kiss. “What’s Holly doing here?” he asked with caution in his voice.

  Yeah, you better tread lightly, party boy.

  “I just wanted to see New York,” Holly answered for me.

  “I hear Netflix has all the Sex and the City seasons. Isn’t that aired in New York?” he said with a snarkiness that was unbecoming.

  Holly didn’t seem to mind; she was already focusing on Ace. Calvin gripped my arm and gently pulled me towards the dugout. “Seriously, Whitney, what is she doing here?” he practically growled into my ear.

  “She came to check on me,” I said quickly. “I called her last night.”

  “Oh my God! Why would you call her?” he asked, his tone rising, but the volume staying low enough to not be overheard. “This is not what we need. You just got here.”

  “Yes, and what were you doing when I arrived?” I planted my hand on my hip and shifted my weight to one leg as I glared at the man I loved, the one who was making me so damn angry right now. Silence, nothing but a dumbfounded look was given for a reply to my comment. “Exactly… that’s why she’s here,” I said.

  Ace came running up to Calvin, throwing his arm over his shoulder like they were already old pals. “Who’s this lovely lady?” His eyes took me in, slowly and a little too dramatically for my liking.

  “This is Whitney. Whitney, this is Ace Newman,” Calvin said proudly.

  “Of course.” He drawled out the words. I stared at him with a fake tight smile and empty eyes. He knew exactly who I was. He’d seen me storm into the club and break up his party.

  “I’d like to apologize for last night,” he said smoothly. “The owner was out, and he’s rarely a fixture when it’s just us players. Calvin tried to leave several times, but you know it’s always best to schmooze with the boss so I may have fed him a few too many drinks.” He paused, offered up his charming smile and a quick wink in my direction. “I was just looking out for him; it’s never good for a rookie to decline a drink with the boss man.”

  Yeah, if you were looking out for him, you would have sent him home…

  Damn, he was charming, and even though I could smell the bullshit falling from his lips, it was still hard to ignore. Holly was pushed up next to me, her arm intertwined with mine. She pinched me as a warning to introduce her.

  “I’m Holly,” she blurted out, pushing her hand towards his before I had the chance. I watched in horror as their hands touched and my best friend’s face lit up with excitement. I’d seen that look before; prom night when Kevin Harper, the star quarterback, asked her to dance. She left her date, spun around the dance floor with Kevin and then ended the night with her panties in the floorboard of Kevin’s Camaro. I wasn’t ready for another Kevin Harper incident. When he didn’t call her the next day and acted as if he didn’t know her at school afterwards, she was a mess, a train wreck really. Ace made that boy look like Mr. Rogers. This couldn’t happen!

  I watched Ace’s tongue glide out of his mouth and rest on his bottom lip as his eyebrows rose high to his forehead. “Hello, Holly, what a beautiful name,” his words spit like venom. Both his hands clamped over hers, and I watched as his fingers caressed her palm and she began to melt in his presence. “You have the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen,” he said sweetly. She giggled. Oh God, she giggled, that’s it, she’s done for…

  I glared at Calvin, trying desperately for him to read my thoughts. No, don’t let this happen, he’s a snake!

  “Why don’t we all go out for dinner later?” Calvin asked. Good job, dumbass, that was not what I was thinking!

  Holly lit up like a Christmas tree. Her breasts bounced as she hopped in place. Calm down girl, wow.

  “That sounds like an excellent plan,” Ace said as he pulled Holly’s hand towards his lips. Calvin smiled proudly, for what I have no idea. Holly melted and let out a sigh as Ace puckered his weathered lips against her soft tan skin. I knew I rolled my eyes, but no one seemed to notice or care. “It’s a date.” Ace winked at Holly as he released her hand.

  She looked like her bones had turned to rubber. Her shoulders slouched, and her head cocked to the side. It was like the marionette I had as a child w
hen it wasn’t in use.

  “Seriously?” I asked after he walked away, not even trying to hide my sarcasm.

  “What?” Calvin asked. He seemed cautiously aware that he had messed up yet again, but wasn’t sure how or why.

  “He’s a player,” I snapped.

  “He can play me anytime he wants,” Holly said, almost as a sigh.

  Calvin frowned. “You need to get to know him. He isn’t all bad. Give him a chance.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  e

  Calvin

  The double date was planned, and even though Whitney wasn’t entirely onboard, I thought it would be a great way to smooth over the bad feelings from last night. As Ace pushed for details about Holly, I started to rethink my carelessness and knew that she may be out of his league. “So, this Holly chick, she looks like a wild fire in bed,” Ace spat. “Any inside information?”

  “No, I’ve never slept with Holly,” I deadpanned.

  His question offended me, but in Ace’s world, monogamy didn’t exist, so I decided to let it roll off my back.

  “She has a hot little ass,” he hissed.

  My tension increased at the comments Ace made about Whitney’s best friend. She had always been a pain in my ass, but I looked at her like a sister, not my favorite sister, but a sister nonetheless.

  “She’s a good girl, Ace, not one of your typical groupies,” I warned.

  I could tell that my comments fell on deaf ears as Ace continued his ranting about the size of Holly’s breasts, wondering if they would fit in his mouth. “You’re a sick fuck,” I scoffed.

  His smile widened, and it was obvious he took that as a compliment. What had I done?

  I arrived back at the apartment to find both Holly and Whitney in my bedroom. Clothes were strewn all over the room. They were fussing with their hair, their makeup, and their clothes, not exactly the fantasy I had as a teenage boy about having two women in my bedroom.

  “How does this look?” Whitney asked. She stood in front of me wearing a shiny blue dress, low cut, making her breasts look amazing. It was new, the tag hung from under her arm; I leaned in, lifted the tag and turned it so I could see the price. Holy shit!

  “You look stunning,” I said, not mentioning the outrageous price though my brain still felt slightly numb.

  “It’s too much,” she pouted.

  “No, it’s beautiful,” I insisted instead of agreeing that, yes, it was way too much. It was more than I paid for my first car.

  “Thank you,” she said sweetly and then tiptoed to reach me with her lips.

  “I have to get a shower,” I announced, hoping that would clear out my bedroom. No such luck. Holly was leaning over the bathroom sink, smearing makeup all over her face. It was so thick I almost offered her a spackle but knew that would only upset Whitney. I’d done enough upsetting her already to last a lifetime.

  “Can you use the other bathroom?” Whitney questioned, again sweetly.

  “Sure.” I reached into my shower and grabbed my body wash and took it to the other bathroom. It was much smaller, the water pressure wasn’t as good, and none of my stuff was readily available in there. I hated using that shower. How long was Holly planning on staying?

  I pulled back the curtain, turned on the faucet and stripped down. My muscles were aching, and I was looking forward to a hot shower to soothe them from a hard day’s practice. We had a scrimmage planned for tomorrow, and I needed these next twenty-four hours to recover from all my hard work. I felt the water; it was hot, so hot I could barely stand it, which was perfect. I stepped inside, let the water roll off my shoulders and down my backside as it began cooling off quickly. Too quickly. I turned around and adjusted the temperature, still cold. Fuck, the girls ran me out of hot water!

  I finished my shower with water that felt like ice on my skin, but inside I was steaming. “Is the bedroom clear?’ I yelled out into the hall. Holly called out “all clear” from the living room, so I wrapped my towel around my waist and made a quick dash from the hallway to my room.

  Whitney was in the bathroom applying a coat of lipstick. She really did look amazing in that dress. “You’re so beautiful,” I whispered in her ear, sneaking up behind her. I dropped my towel to the floor and pressed my damp body against hers. The excitement from her touch quickly sent blood rushing to my cock, which now was pressing against the deep curve in her lower back.

  “Calvin, not now,” she squealed, turning in my arms. “Do you really like the dress?”

  “Oh yes, but it would look much better on the floor,” I teased. She rolled her eyes but also smiled. I knew she liked my attentions, but I also knew she wouldn’t ruin two hours of primping for a quickie.

  I kissed her softly on the lips and then let them dribble down to her neck where I teased her further with a sharp nibble. “Calvin,” she said, sounding exhausted. “I have to finish getting ready, and you need to get dressed.”

  My erection was slowly dwindling as I reached down and grabbed my towel to cover myself back up. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Whitney asked.

  “What?”

  “Having Ace and Holly together,” she hissed, giving me a stop being such a guy look.

  “Well, he may be out of her league,” I admitted. “From what I hear he’s a player, so she shouldn’t get attached.”

  It was more than just hearsay, I knew from watching him in action, but I wasn’t ready to incriminate myself, so hearsay it’d be.

  “I don’t want her getting hurt,” Whitney murmured. “I know you don’t care for her, but I do.”

  Guilt twisted in my gut at her words. I did care about Holly; I just didn’t care for her butting into our life, like right now. “I do care for her,” I confessed. “But, I don’t understand why you had to bring her here.”

  That look in Whitney’s eye returned; the one I noticed right after we made love this morning. “I’m sorry, I understand,” I said quickly so she wouldn’t lash out at me again. I wanted to have a good night, and hopefully, after tonight she would feel a little better about Ace.

  I found a button-up shirt, a black one that looked good with my dark denim jeans. “Jeans?” Whitney asked, frowning at me.

  “Yes, that’s what Ace will be wearing,” I assured her. Her eyes rolled, and a soft sigh escaped her lips, letting me know she wasn’t going to argue. I found a pair of nice black shoes in the back of the closet, slicked back my shaggy blond hair with a small amount of gel and splashed on cologne.

  “Ready,” I announced.

  See that? Ten minutes and I’m ready to roll. Two hours later and these girls are still making last minute adjustments to their face and hair.

  “How do I look?” Holly asked, spinning in front of me to show off her new dress. It was nice, actually quite sexy, but I wasn’t going to admit that. “Beautiful,” I said and then turned to Whitney to give her my let’s fucking go! face.

  We squeezed into the back of a cab and gave him the address to the restaurant Ace had chosen. I looked at my watch, felt the beads of sweat working on my forehead as the car halted to a deadlock of traffic. “Is there another route?” I asked. The cabby looked in the rearview mirror and smiled as he shook his head. Holly was rambling on about Ace, how hot he was and how much she liked him. She didn’t even know him.

  Whitney was warning her that he was a player and continued telling her she could do much better. That really wasn’t true. Holly was cute, but she was a pain in the ass. Ace would be a huge step up from her past boyfriends, in my opinion.

  Relief fell over me as traffic began to move again. The cabby turned down a side road and then zipped past the traffic through a one-way alley before pulling back out onto the street. The car stopped in front of a red bricked building with a white awning and red carpet lining the path to the door.

  “Here we go, sir,” he said with a thick foreign accent.

  I shoved a couple twenty dollar bills towards him. “Keep the change.” I was so fucking grateful to be out of
that death trap.

  Ace was on his phone outside the building as we exited the cab. “Hey, you guys made it,” he said as he shoved his phone in his pocket.

  “Sorry, traffic was bad,” I explained.

  “You’ll learn, hot shot. You want to get anywhere on time in this city, you leave a day early,” he teased.

  Holly immediately left Whitney’s side and pushed her arm into Ace’s. Her smile looked frozen on her face, her lipstick so bright pink it nearly glowed under the bright lights outside the restaurant. “What is this place?” she asked.

  “You’ll love it,” he replied, giving her no more details about what to expect once inside.

  We entered a long narrow hallway that led to a small open room with only a hostess at the counter. Her lips pursed together tightly as she forced a smile. “We’ve already seated for the eight o’clock tasting,” she snapped with polite sarcasm.

  Ace immediately moved forward. He leaned onto her podium and locked eyes with her. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart, but we had a long day at practice,” he said with his deep, drawling voice. “Anyway, if you could just make some room?”

  Her lips parted, and her face relaxed, making her look much prettier than with her cold stare. “It hasn’t started yet. I’ll see what we can do,” she whispered in his ear and then disappeared through a set of double doors.

  I’d never been anywhere with a starting time to eat. I was confused by her comment about the eight o’clock tasting, and looking at Whitney, it was obvious she was as well. She gripped my arm, leaned her head against my shoulder and let out a soft sigh. I loved how she made those little noises without realizing it.

  “Right this way, Mr. Newman,” the hostess stated cheerfully as she held the doors open.