On the Ropes (Windy City Nights)

by Dania Voss

  Luke laughed at Heath. Heath was laying it on thick. It wouldn’t work. “Nope. Can’t. Sorry.” Jake and Heath would have to wait like everyone else as the events of the weekend unfolded. He prayed the tabloids didn’t skewer him when it was all over.

  In his rush to get everything ready to bring to the church, Luke had forgotten to bring something for pain. He needed a little something to take the edge off. “Do any of you have any kind of pain reliever with you?”

  “Didn’t the hospital prescribe you something?” Hannah asked.

  “Anything stronger than extra strength Tylenol and Darren would shit,” Jake replied. Darren kept a close eye on him. He didn’t mind, not really. Some might have found his Uncle Darren to be overbearing when it came with Luke, but he saw his uncle’s behavior as concern and love, and he didn’t want to ever let him down by doing something as reckless as tempting his fate with drugs.

  Hannah dug through her travel bag and produced a pill bottle. “This will help. It’s over-the-counter all-day pain reliever.” She shook a couple of pills into her palm and offered them to him.

  Jake went to the mini fridge near the desk, retrieved a bottle of water, and handed it to Luke. He popped the pain pills in his mouth and drank half the bottle of water. He hoped he’d feel relief soon.

  A knock at the door had everyone turning to look. “Hey, it’s Rocco. Can I come in?”

  Hannah let Rocco in and Jake and Heath greeted him with man hugs. “Guys, you’ve got to get dressed. Time to get serious, all right?” Hannah put her hand to her ear piece. “Thank you. I’ll be right there to take a look. All right, I’m going to take a look at the flower arrangements while you all get dressed.”

  Luke didn’t want to risk it. “I think I need help getting my t-shirt off.”

  Rocco raised a brow. “What’s going on?”

  Hannah quickly filled Rocco in on Luke’s accident and subsequent shoulder injury. She stood by while Jake and Heath helped Luke take his t-shirt off. Luke was relieved somewhat. His shoulder didn’t hurt too badly. He knew it didn’t look good though.

  Hannah was first to comment. “Oh my God, Luke, that looks awful. Do you need a sling? I don’t think anyone on my team has one. There’s a Walgreens nearby, I’ll have someone get one for you.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” Luke said. “I brought a shoulder support. It’s in my garment bag. No way am I wearing a sling for everyone to see. No one is supposed to know about this injury.”

  “When did this happen?” Rocco asked.

  Jake seemed upset. “Wednesday night. Luke, this doesn’t look good. Do you need surgery?”

  Heath frowned, shaking his head. “It’s still pretty early in the season. If you get surgery after the wedding, you should be finished with rehab fairly quick, right?”

  Theoretically, Heath was right. Luke didn’t need surgery though. He hadn’t dislocated his shoulder or broken any bones. He was badly bruised, and his shoulder looked much worse than it was. He’d just hit the ground really hard.

  Luke would need time to heal before he could return to play. During his brief hospital stay, his uncle had shared news so devastating and unexpected, he still couldn’t quite believe it. Hadn’t fully processed it yet. And it was that news that had Luke reconsidering returning to play at all.

  Luke was thirty. For a pitcher, he was getting old. Although he was still one of the fastest pitchers in the MLB, over the last couple of years, his fast ball had slowed. He needed more recovery time between games compared to three or four years ago. In a year or two, he would probably be traded to another team if it weren’t for the fact that his uncle owned the Cobras and would never let him go.

  The truth of the matter was Luke was tired. Ten years of non-stop Major League Baseball, coupled with going to college online to get his business degree then MBA, and everything else that being a professional athlete entailed—Luke had no more to give. The farce that had been Luke and Brenna for the last three years didn’t help either. Thankfully that was coming to an end this weekend.

  It was time to focus on what mattered most, getting Jake and Cassie married. And Abbey. Luke’s sweet, beautiful Abbey. Just thinking of her made his cock twitch. God, how he missed her. Her soft silky hair, the feel of her warm skin against his, and that body that fit so perfectly with his.

  Luke should have fought harder to convince her to stay with him after she walked in on him in his hotel room with that groupie his former manager and all-around asshole gave him to celebrate his first World Series win. Other than his teammates, there were only two people he had wanted to celebrate with, his Uncle Darren and his girl Abbey.

  Christ, he’d never forget the look on her face when she walked in on him and whatever the hell her name was. He’d been drunk for the first in his life. The groupie was naked and had gotten Luke’s shirt off. He had been drunk, sure, but he’d had enough sense to know he didn’t want some random chick with bleached-out hair, fake tits, and who smelled like cigarettes anywhere near him or his dick. Luke had been trying to push the groupie off of him when Abbey had walked in. It must have looked like he was encouraging her rather than trying to fight her off. She’d taken one look at them, hurt and betrayal in her bright blue eyes, cried, and ran off.

  That was it. That was the last time Luke had seen Abbey. She’d effectively frozen him out. For ten years. She told him over the phone the following day that it was better if they weren’t together. She was letting him go so he could focus on his career and whatever else he wanted without her getting in his way.

  Luke wanted Abbey by his side while he focused on his pitching career and everything that went along with it. But she wouldn’t hear of it. She refused to listen to anything he had to say. Refused to believe that he hadn’t cheated on her. He assumed Abbey needed time to calm down before he could make her see reason. Months went by and she never allowed him to explain what happened the night she walked in on him and never forgave him.

  That was then, and this was now. Luke would not allow her to push him away any longer. No. This weekend he’d have his say and he’d prove to her that they belonged together. Always had. Mission Abbey was on.

  Luke watched Hannah dig through that magic travel bag of hers. “Okay, no more shoulder talk, all right? It’s crunch time.”

  Hannah held up a white jar in her hand, smiling brightly. “I think this will help, too. Let me put a little of this on your shoulder before you get dressed. You can keep the jar in case you need to apply more.” Hannah scooped some cream onto her fingertips and touched his shoulder.

  Luke hissed when the cream made contact with his skin. Rocco grabbed Hannah’s wrist so fast he startled everyone. “You’re hurting him,” he growled.

  “No, she’s not, Rocco. Stand down. The cream is cold, that’s all. I wasn’t expecting that. What’s in this?” Luke wasn’t interested in some crazy potion or tricks. He just needed to get through the weekend before meeting with his orthopedic doctor and surgeon.

  Hannah pulled her arm away from Rocco. Both of them stared at each other a little too long. All right, that was interesting. Rocco and the lovely Hannah Hailey. Yeah, Luke could see them together. Rocco needed someone tough like Hannah. Someone who wouldn’t put up with any shit. Someone who was their own person. Who might soften the tough Italian guy up a little. Smooth out some of the man’s rough edges.

  Hannah gently rubbed the cream all around Luke’s shoulder. It warmed up as she did. It had a light pleasant smell. Not medicinal. “It’s natural, don’t worry. It has healing botanicals and emu oil in it. It’ll help with the soreness and the bruising. If you need relief later in the day, I’ll apply more.”

  Luke had to admit, she was right. As she continued to work his shoulder, he was feeling better. Add in the fact that the pain reliever started kicking in, and he was confident he could get through the wedding and the reception with little trouble.

  “Thanks, Hannah. It’s helping. We’ll get ourselves ready. You go and do whateve
r you need to do. We’re good here.” Luke moved his arm up to the side, thankful there wasn’t much soreness at all. It would be all right.

  Hannah put the lid back on the jar and shoved it in Rocco’s chest. A little blush stained her cheeks. “Think you can hold on to this for Luke?”

  Rocco seemed a little dumbstruck. He nodded and took the jar from her.

  “Good.” And with that, Hannah left, closing the door quietly behind her.

  Jake smiled at Heath and Luke, then turned to Rocco. “That sure was interesting. I think maybe Rocco’s got a thing for little event planner Hannah,” Jake teased.

  Rocco’s mouth fell open and he quickly closed it. “Bullshit, no, I don’t. She’s bossy. I’m not used to that.”

  It was Luke’s turn to take a little dig. “Uh huh. When you grabbed her, I didn’t know if you wanted to hurt her or fuck her, man.”

  “And the way you watched that ass as she walked out the door. Yup, I agree with Jake and Luke, you want her. She’s got some nice curves under that little pantsuit of hers. Can’t say I blame you,” Heath added and chuckled.

  Rocco put the jar of wonder cream on the table, shaking his head, just as Luke felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and read the text he just received.

  Brenna: Are we still “a go” for Mission Abbey?

  The guys looked over Luke’s shoulder as he typed his response. So much for privacy. The guys would have to wait out the weekend. Luke wasn’t planning on telling them shit. They would have to wait for events to unfold this weekend like everyone else.

  Luke: Yes, we’re still “a go”, I’ll keep you posted.

  Brenna: Excellent. I’ll enjoy my down time in the Windy City J

  Luke: Thank you Bren, appreciate you.

  Brenna: Thank YOU, it’s the least I can do.

  Luke: Talk later, assholes not giving me privacy.

  Brenna: L later…

  “Fuck you, man.” Heath smirked. “Now we’re assholes?”

  “No, not now. You’ve guys have always been assholes,” Luke answered.

  Jake was visibly upset. “I’m tired of all the secrets, Luke. What the hell was that?”

  “Yeah,” Rocco and Heath added.

  “Look, guys, you need to trust me on this. I’m sorry I can’t tell you. I’m not trying to keep secrets, but you know how crazy it’s been for me these last ten years. Living in the public eye isn’t easy. Please, let’s focus on the wedding.” Luke looked at Jake, Heath, and Rocco, hoping they could trust him and let things go.

  Jake sighed. He raised his hands in surrender. “Fine, Luke. You win. But I don’t like it. Shit, you said you weren’t together anymore and clearly Brenna’s in town. And she knows about Mission Abbey.”

  Luke would not divulge any more. He took Jake’s mission note out of his pocket and held it up. “Let’s continue with the Tyler Project mission, okay?”

  Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Luke jerked his head toward the cooler he brought that Hannah placed under the table. “A beer before the ceremony, right?”

  “Let’s get your shoulder support on first. Then we’ll continue with the Tyler Project.” Jake said.

  Rocco removed the white shoulder support from Luke’s garment bag and held it up. Luke slid his right arm in the half sleeve portion of the brace, which was more of a compression support garment than a brace or sling. The sleeve went over Luke’s entire shoulder, ending under his neckline. The Velcro fastening strap ran around his back and underneath his left arm. Once Rocco and Heath secured the strap, Luke breathed a sigh of relief. His shoulder felt secure without being too confined. Not much soreness at all.

  Jake helped him put a white t-shirt on, stood back, and looked Luke over. “Looks good. You can barely see it underneath the t-shirt. How’s the shoulder feel?”

  Luke rolled his shoulder and felt only a twinge of discomfort. “It feels good. That emu oil cream and pain reliever made a big difference. I’ll be fine. Stop worrying. Let’s get back to the Tyler Project.”

  Jake and Heath went to the cooler while Rocco removed Luke’s tuxedo shirt from his garment bag. Rocco made to help him put it on, but he took the shirt from him. “I got this, it’s all right, relax.”

  “You sure?” Rocco asked, looking skeptical.

  “Positive.” Luke put his crisp white tuxedo shirt on, not having any difficulties with the buttons. The fit was comfortable, even with the shoulder support and t-shirt. He waited for Jake to blow a gasket once he got a good look inside the beer cooler.

  “Holy shit, Luke, you’re kidding me right now!” Jake turned to Luke with a shocked expression on his face.

  Rocco raced over to the cooler, looking to see what the matter was. Luke smiled and shrugged. Luke had secured six bottles of Samuel Adams Utopia, their most renowned and sought-after, extreme barrel-aged beer. They wouldn't be released until later in the year but he was able to get Jake this special gift in exchange for doing some commercial spots for the brewer. Luke had also promised to get a few shots of himself and Jake in their tuxedos holding the specialty beer bottle.

  “Luke, this is too much. There are six bottles in here and two of the special Riedel glasses.”

  Rocco turned back to Luke, seeming confused. “I don’t understand. What are these?”

  “They’re Samuel Adams Utopias. And I can’t believe he got six. They’re only producing fifteen thousand this time around. I didn’t think they were available yet though,” Heath said.

  Jake frowned at Luke and shook his head. “They’re only releasing thirteen thousand bottles, not fifteen. And they aren’t due out until later this year. This is too much, Luke.”

  Rocco shrugged, not seeming to understand what the big deal was. “It’s just beer. There’s Boston Lager in the cooler too.”

  Jake took out four bottles of the Boston Lager and closed the cooler lid. He handed everyone a bottle, keeping one for himself. “It’s not just beer, Roc. The Utopias are only produced every two years, this being the tenth release. And those bottles are two hundred dollars each.”

  Rocco chocked on a sip of his beer. “What?”

  Jake continued. “Yeah, two hundred bucks a bottle. The blending, brewing, and aging process of the Utopias is time consuming and complex. It’s sort of like a vintage Port, old Cognac, or fine Sherry. It has a twenty-eight percent alcohol content, and is illegal in twelve states.”

  Rocco took another pull of his beer. “No shit.”

  “Samuel Adams recommends only drinking an ounce or two at the most at one time since it’s so strong.” Jake took a long pull of his own beer. “This is twelve hundred dollars’ worth of beer plus the cost of the two Riedel glasses. Plus the honeymoon suite at the Fairchild Hotel for two nights, plus Darren paying for the event planner. It’s all too much.”

  Luke didn’t see it that way. He wanted to share his good fortune with his friends. Some beer, a hotel room, and event planning fees were a drop in the bucket to Luke. He would have paid for Jake and Cassie’s honeymoon in Aruba but it hadn’t been worth the argument with Jake. “Look, Jake, I know it seems like a lot, but shit, did you expect me to go to Nordstrom’s and get you a pair of candle stick holders from your bridal registry? This was something special just for you and Cass. I would have done so much more if you had let me, so let me have this, all right?”

  Heath put a hand on Jake’s shoulder. “I’m with Luke on this one. It’s something special no one else would have considered or been able to get for you and Cassie. Be gracious and enjoy it. I think Cassie will be touched by the gesture.”

  Luke agreed. Jake and Cassie weren’t heavy drinkers, but they both enjoyed their Boston Lager and the six Utopia bottles would last them a long, long time. He hoped Jake would accept his gift without feeling bad about it. Everyone took a few more pulls from their beers, waiting on Jake to answer.

  Jake went to his garment bag, pulled out his tuxedo, and began getting dressed. Heath and Luke looked at each other, shrugged
, and got dressed too.

  Cassie had wanted something old school and traditional for the men. Once they were all decked out in their black tails, Luke couldn’t take Jake’s silence any longer. “Jake, tell me you’re not that upset over some beer and a hotel room. Come on, man.” Luke couldn’t have Jake upset on his wedding day. He’d take the Utopias back if he had to.

  Jake shook his head and stared at his feet. “You’re right. I think Cassie will be excited by the Utopias. It’s just she won’t even be able to enjoy them for a long time…”

  “What? Why,” Luke pressed.

  “I really shouldn’t say anything.” Jake looked at both doors to make sure they were still closed. He switched to ASL, or American Sign Language. After Heath’s injury in Afghanistan, the three of them learned to sign in case Heath’s hearing deteriorated to the point where even the most state-of-the-art hearing aids couldn’t provide him with adequate hearing. Rocco had picked up enough to converse pretty well in sign too.

  Jake: Because Cass is eight weeks pregnant.

  Luke: Couldn’t wait until the honeymoon, huh?

  Jake: Well, she went off the pill three months ago and since then we haven’t been as careful as we should have been, I guess.

  Heath: Even so, congratulations.

  Rocco: Heath’s right, this is great news, a blessing.

  Luke: You two can enjoy the Utopias after the baby’s born. It’s not a big deal. They’ll keep.

  Jake: Oh, I know, just don’t say anything. We’re waiting until after she’s past the first trimester before we tell everyone.

  Luke was thrilled but also couldn’t help but feel envious of his friend. If things had worked out how they should have ten years ago, he and Abbey would probably have a few kids by now. All boys, of course. Future Chicago Cobras. Just thinking of Abbey swollen with his baby had his cock hardening. Soon enough, he’d have his blonde-haired princess pregnant with their first child. He grinned, excited for the future.

  Luke grabbed his beer bottle and held it up in salute. Heath, Jake, and Rocco did the same with their bottles. “The first toast of the day. To Jake and Cassie,” Luke began. Then he whispered, “And little baby Tyler.” All four men clinked their bottles and took long pulls.