Ball Buster

by Kara Sheridan

  “You and Carson could have the same.”

  Sadie wouldn’t confirm or deny it. She’d always been her own worst enemy. Leonard considered it self-sabotaging. Sadie called it self-preservation. Regardless, there was so much to consider. If she decided to fully embrace this newfound happiness with Carson, there were so many logistics to work out. Where to live. Where to work. How to just live without maintaining that tight control she seemed to have such a hard time letting go of.

  Twenty minutes later, Carson arrived with his four sisters, who exploded into the kitchen and hugged and kissed Sadie, asking a hundred questions about where she’d been all these years and if she was staying in Fairhope.

  The dinner with Carson’s mom and sisters had gone better than he’d hoped it would. Sadie had always flourished with his family, like she belonged with them, which gave him even more hope, and every reason to convince her to stay with him as his girlfriend or wife. The latter being his first choice. “The girls were happy to see you.”

  “Genny and Stacy look like your father.” She turned the volume on the radio down.

  “I know.”

  “Heather is so beautiful,” Sadie observed.

  “And Suzanne is going to win a Nobel Prize.”

  Sadie chuckled.

  “Do you think it’s a strange goal for a twelve-year-old to have?” Carson asked.

  “No. She dreams big.”

  “Did you bother asking her how she plans on winning it?”

  “Yes, of course. She named a couple ways, including for literature.”

  “Suzanne doesn’t write.”

  “Not yet,” Sadie said. “But I encouraged her to follow her dreams.”

  “Did you enjoy your time with Mama? Did she say anything interesting while I was gone?”

  “We reminisced about your father mostly. She told me how she ended up in California after high school.”

  “She did?” Carson couldn’t believe it. He knew the story, but his mother guarded her secrets carefully, mostly ashamed about the choices she’d made when she was young, though Carson disagreed with her completely. His mother had just wanted to fulfill her dreams.

  “She’s lonely Carson. And she hoped her story would demonstrate why we should treat each other differently.”

  “And do you think we can?” Carson asked.

  “I think we already are. We’ve learned the hard way, Carson. Being alone isn’t what I ever wanted.” She gazed at him. “But it’s easier than risking your heart.”

  “There’s no risk here, Kitty Kat. You’ve owned my heart from the beginning.”

  Carson decided to stop by the Fairhope pier so they could talk and enjoy the night air. He parked, then walked around to the passenger side of the Jeep and opened Sadie’s door. “You’re not feeling uncomfortable, are you?”

  “No. Don’t worry so much, Carson. If I have a problem, I’ll speak up, promise.”

  Carson threaded his fingers with Sadie’s as they circled the fountain located between the parking lot and pier. “I remember dancing with you here, Sadie.”

  She nodded. “Ray Dresher’s seventeenth birthday party, right? The chief received several complaints about the loud music, but didn’t do anything about it. Told anyone who called that the football team had delivered another state title and deserved to party as much as they wanted to.”

  “Yep.” Carson rubbed his knuckles on his chest. “Fairhope royalty.”

  Sadie rolled her eyes. “Have you devolved all of a sudden?”

  Carson let go of her hand and perched on one of the nearby benches. “Being here makes me feel nostalgic. And if that means resorting to the arrogant, badass high school quarterback I used to be, so be it, because it means I still have you, too.”

  “That’s very true.”

  Carson reached inside his front jeans pocket and pulled out some change. “Make a wish, sweetheart.”

  Sadie chose a couple pennies and walked to the edge of the fountain. “Should I tell you first?”

  “If you say it out loud, it won’t come true.”

  Sadie threw him a cute smile before she tossed the pennies in the fountain. “There. I made two wishes, one for you, and one for me.”

  Carson was damn happy to be sitting in the same park he’d spent so much time at as a kid with the only girl he’d ever loved. She’d chosen him again, and he felt lucky. “Come here, Kitty Kat.” He patted his knee as he reclined on the bench, making room for her to sit on his lap. Just after nine o’clock, the park was relatively empty, just a few fishermen out on the pier.

  Sadie didn’t hesitate, she sat on his lap sideways, slipping an arm around his shoulder. “Tell me about the dinner tomorrow.”

  “It’s supposed to be a surprise.”

  “Really? I already know about it.”

  “Not the finer details.” He massaged her back, then kissed her cheek.

  She gazed up at him, blinking rapidly like a Southern belle. “Then do tell, Mr. Savage.”

  “We’re going to Chasers for dinner with Barbi, Erika, Lori, and Maggie.”

  “What? You keep in touch with all of my friends?”

  “Wait…that’s just the beginning. Harp, Georgie, Miguel, and even Jonathan are coming tomorrow, too.”

  “The Front Five back together again? I didn’t know they all lived in Alabama.”

  “Harp and Miguel stayed in Fairhope. Georgie lives in Mobile. Jonathan is catching a flight from Atlanta.”

  “I didn’t realize how much this meant to you, Carson.”

  He didn’t realize it, either, not until Sadie had agreed to spend the weekend in Fairhope. It did something to him inside, made him want to share his joy with the people he grew up with and loved. Sadie had touched all of their lives once she started dating Carson. When she left Fairhope, their tight-knit group fell apart. It had taken years to recover emotionally for him, even longer for the Front Five to reestablish their close friendships.

  “You mean the world to me, Sadie. Don’t blame me for wanting to let everyone know we’re together again.”

  Sadie’s cell phone vibrated, and she hopped off his lap, pulling it from her pocket. She answered it. “Sadie Reynolds,” she said.

  Carson focused on the waterfront, wanting to take a walk on the pier. Just as he was about to say something, Sadie cried out.

  “Who is this?” she demanded.

  Carson shot up from the bench. “Give me the phone, Sadie.”

  She did, and Carson put it on speaker. But whoever it was hung up.

  “Jesus Christ.” Carson said. “The number is blocked again. Do you think it’s Jason?”

  “I don’t really care,” she said. “Carson?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Can we go back to the apartment now?”

  “Sure, sweetheart.”

  “I’d like to fall asleep in your arms.”

  He’d like to do a lot more than hold her. Carson felt an almost insatiable need to make love to her—to keep reminding her how much he cared. How much he loved her. But tonight was about Sadie, not him.

  The ride home was short and quiet. Once they were inside, Sadie changed into her pajamas, a Warriors T-shirt and panties. Carson nearly exploded inside his pants, she looked so hot.

  “You curl up under the covers. I’m going to take a quick shower.” A cold one.

  By the time he finished, Sadie’s little half-snores filled his apartment. He laughed and crawled between the sheets, pulling her against his body, breathing in the clean scent of her hair, wanting to hold her forever.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Sadie did a final touchup on her makeup, dusting her cheeks with translucent powder and then freshening her red lipstick. She’d dressed fashionably casual in a pair of expensive skinny jeans, a white lace off-the-shoulder peasant top, and black heels. Her hair was swept up in a loose bun, with curly tendrils everywhere. A gold choker and oversized hoops completed the sexy look. She smiled at her reflection.

  “Ready,
baby?” Carson called from the other side of the door.

  “Ready,” she answered, opening the door.

  Carson pretended to get weak-kneed as soon as he saw her, stumbling back a couple of feet. “Maybe we should stay in tonight. Not sure I’m ready to share you with the world after all.” He crept close and nibbled on her collarbone, raising goose flesh all over her body.

  “Carson…” She ran her long fingernails up his arms and he shivered.

  “You’re beautiful, Sadie.”

  She didn’t know what to do, because Carson wasn’t just saying it to be nice. Love shined in his blue eyes—the consuming kind of love women spent a lifetime searching for. And all of it was for her.

  He looked handsome in stonewashed denim, a short-sleeved ribbed T-shirt, and Lucchese cowboy boots. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Then Carson produced a delicate, black velvet box. She covered her mouth with both hands, her heart beating erratically.

  “It’s okay, baby. Listen to me. I’m not going to ask anything of you right now.” He opened the box, revealing a perfectly cut, oval-shaped blue diamond set in yellow gold with five rubies. “I’ve never seen a more perfect stone, Sadie. I struggled with it, trust me. My feelings, what I needed to do to keep you. To love you.”

  Tears stung her eyes, but Sadie refused to cry. She loved Carson.

  “If we never get any further than this, I want you to have this ring, to wear it, to remember this moment by. To know how much I love you. That I’m ready to drop to my knees and beg you to marry me. I won’t yet—not until you’re ready. But I can’t keep my feelings a secret any longer. You complete me, Sadie. You drive me crazy. And I’ll be damned if I’ll ever let you go again.”

  He had the courage to tell her everything she was already thinking. That she’d fantasized about being Sadie Savage forever. That she wanted a big family—five or six kids—maybe their own football team. That she never really hated Fairhope the way people thought she did, it was just that it was unbearable to live there without him. Yes—the town had turned on her, and that had scared her away more than anything. But today, she had the courage to reclaim her life. To hold her head high, step out in public as Carson Savage’s girlfriend—to love him openly and honestly.

  “Will you wear the ring, Sadie?”

  Blinking back more tears, Sadie held her left hand out for Carson.

  “What finger?” his voice cracked.

  “My ring finger,” she whispered.

  “Does that mean…”

  “Ask me tomorrow,” she said, captivated by the way his hand trembled when he slid the ring on her finger.

  Carson stepped back and eyed the ring on her hand.

  “Thank you,” she said, admiring the stones. “I love you so much.” She flung herself at him, and he caught her in his arms—capturing her mouth with his, kissing her so passionately she nearly fell down. But Carson held her up, giving her strength and hope that she’d finally found true happiness.

  He broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. “This isn’t over, Kitty Kat.”

  “I know.” And she did. Carson never did anything half-assed. And he never relented, not until he got what he wanted. Another reason she wanted this man. He’d never given up on her. Ever.

  “We’re going to be late.”

  They arrived at Chasers ten minutes later. The two-story brick building was located in the downtown historic district. It had been converted into a sports bar in the 1980s—the most popular place in town. The inside was exclusively dedicated to Alabama sports teams, with framed jerseys, team photos, and even a high school wall of fame.

  As soon as Sadie stepped inside, she couldn’t miss a signed Carson Savage Warriors jersey hanging over the hostess station. The couldn’t-be-older-than-sixteen employee squealed. “Oh. My. God.”

  Sadie struggled to hold back her laughter. The girl was obviously a huge fan and couldn’t believe Carson had just walked in.

  Composing herself enough to speak again, the teenager grabbed two menus from the table behind her. “Good evening, Mr. Savage. Are you here for dinner?”

  Carson looked at the nametag on the girl’s uniform. “We have a reservation in the bar, Elise. Thank you.”

  Obviously disappointed, she put the menus back on the table and turned back to Carson. “I’m not allowed in the bar. But if you walk through the double doors over there,” she pointed, “one of the cocktail waitresses will seat you.”

  “Only if you let me take a selfie with you first,” Carson said, holding up his cell.

  “Really?” Elise asked excitedly.

  “Do you follow me on Twitter? Facebook?”

  “Of course.”

  “After I take the pic, give me five minutes and then check for a new post. Okay?”

  She nearly ran around the podium and stood next to Carson, making the peace sign before Carson snapped a couple pics.

  Once he finished, he placed his hand at the small of Sadie’s back and gently guided her through the doors that opened into the busy bar. Big screens were everywhere, the NFL Network and ESPN blaring through the sound system. It didn’t take long for someone to point their direction and say, “It’s Carson Savage and Sadie Reynolds!”

  The room grew eerily silent for a moment, and Sadie melted into Carson’s protective body.

  Carson must have sensed her discomfort, because he leaned close and whispered, “I have you, baby.”

  She nodded, the anxiety disappearing.

  A man dressed in a gray suit approached. “Welcome back to Chasers, Carson,” the bar manager said. “Several guests are waiting for you and Ms. Reynolds at your reserved tables in the back.”

  Without delay, the manager escorted them through the cluster of high-top tables filled with patrons, past the pool tables, and into the far corner of the room. Sadie relaxed more as soon as she spied Barbi and Erika and several Warriors sitting together.

  “You invited Ty?”

  “Of course,” Carson said. “We’re celebrating, right?”

  “And Solomon?”

  “He’s a friend, too.”

  “And what about the rookie?” she asked.

  “Donovan is turning out to be a great addition to the team.”

  “I’ll look forward to spending some time with him.”

  Carson gazed at his new friend. “Not too much time.”

  Sadie laughed.

  Barbi jumped up from her chair and gave Sadie a long hug. “I’m so happy to see you, girlie!”

  Sadie returned the hug with equal affection. “Did you ever think I’d come home? It’s surreal.”

  “Are you happy?” Barbi whispered.

  “Yes.” Sadie said as she pulled back a few inches to look at her best friend. “Take a trip to the ladies’ room with me?”

  “Try to stop me.”

  Once they were inside, Barbi checked underneath the stall doors to make sure they were alone before she spoke again. “You have a lot of explaining to do.”

  “I know. I’m so sorry I haven’t called lately. Between Carson and my work…”

  “How in God’s name did he convince you to come back to Fairhope?”

  “Stick and carrot.”

  “What?”

  “He dangled something too tempting to resist in my face.”

  Barbi gave her a toothy smile. “Like what?”

  “Two things. A second chance with him and a professional goldmine. “

  “Aww.” Barbi embraced her again. “You’re not so tough, are you?”

  Sadie lowered her head, staring at the ring Carson had just given her. “Does this answer your question?” She held her hand up.

  “What the hell?” Barbi grabbed her wrist and squealed like the young hostess up front. “Are you engaged?”

  “Almost.”

  “Wait. How does a girl get almost engaged?”

  Sadie gave her the condensed version, how Carson didn’t want to force her into making a hasty decision, but how he
couldn’t keep his feelings a secret anymore.

  “I think I hate you, Sadie Reynolds. The diamond is flawless, girl. If you don’t accept his marriage proposal, you better hand him over to me.”

  “You like Carson like that?”

  “Um, yeah. I’d fuck him.”

  Sadie snorted uncontrollably. “You’re endearingly offensive, you know. Thank you for letting me know you’d sleep with my boyfriend.”

  “You better get used to that kind of thing, Sadie. Seriously. He’s young, talented, and rich. Every single girl between the ages of sixteen and sixty wants to fuck your boyfriend.”

  Not in the mood to think about that, she changed the topic. “I told him to ask me tomorrow.”

  Barbi’s expression sobered. “And when he does?”

  “I’ll say yes.”

  The restroom door opened and Erika walked in. “Thanks for leaving me alone out there with all that testosterone.”

  “Oh, Erika.” Sadie gave her a hug. “I’m sorry—there’s so much to catch up on.”

  “Does this have anything to do with the grin plastered on Carson’s face?”

  “Everything to do with it,” Barbi answered.

  “Then I have all the time in the world,” Erika offered, sitting down on the padded bench in front of the mirrored vanity.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Carson took a swig of beer, then set the frosty mug on the table. “Did you hear about Tampa Bay?” Carson asked Ty. “Eddie Gomez just signed a contract extension. If that’s the best Tampa can do for a quarterback…”

  “Eddie still has some game left in him,” Ty said.

  “He needs to save his brand of game for the green.”

  “Eddie golfs?”

  “Religiously.”

  “Shit. The day I pick up a putter, shoot me,” Ty said.

  “I’ll remember that twenty years from now when you retire and move to Florida.”

  Ty smirked. “I’ll still be catching balls in twenty years. What about you?”

  “Hopefully watching one of my kids graduate from high school.”