I jumped when someone answered. It wasn’t Graham, though. It was a woman.
“Stewart residence.”
“Uh, hi. This is Addy. Addy Lafollette. I… had a message to call Graham.”
“Oh. Well hi, Addy. This is his aunt, Paula.”
“Hi.” I was disappointed it wasn’t Graham, but at the same time kinda relieved I wouldn’t have to talk to him yet.
“So, Addy, how do you know Graham?”
I held the phone away from me and frowned at it. Was she going to interrogate me?
“You there?”
I stuck the phone back to my ear. “Yeah, I’m here.” Sounded like I wouldn’t get to speak to Graham until I answered her question. “Well, I actually only just met him. Weekend before last.”
“Ahhh….”
What did that mean? “And like I said, he wanted me to call him. So…”
“So how old are you?”
Huh? What the heck?“I’m eighteen.”
“In college?”
“Getting ready to graduate high school.”
“I see.”
What did she see?
“Addy, you do know that my nephew is twenty-one, right?”
What was this lady’s deal? Unbelievable. “I figured that, since he said he went to school with Marcus.”
“Oh, so you know—” Something cut her off from finishing. A guy’s voice whispered across the phone lines. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, though. Whoever it was didn’t sound too happy.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have called. Uh, listen, Paula, it sounds like it’s not—”
“Addy?”
“Graham.” His name floated from my lips on a sigh. How did he have the power to do that when I couldn’t even see him?
“Sorry about that. I would have called you from my cell but I ran over it today and it’s not in such great shape.”
“You ran over your phone? Didn’t you see it on your driveway or wherever?”
“Actually, it was out in the pasture. I crushed it with the tractor.”
Oh, right. The farmer thing. “Well, no problem. Anyway, I had a message to call you back so…” My heartbeat was racing. Why was my mouth so dry?
“Yeah, uh… hold on a minute.”
I heard a rustling noise like maybe he held the phone to his shirt or jeans. Then there were faint footsteps. A door closed on his end.
“Now, where were we?”
I wrapped a strand of my hair around my finger. “Talking about your phone. And pastures. And a tractor.”
“Right. Um, so I wanted to tell you that I had really enjoyed, uh, meeting you last weekend.”
Meeting me? Was that code for kissing me senseless? “Yeah, me too.”
“Great, so… This Thursday night I’m playing in a softball tournament. Wondered if maybe you… wanted to come?”
He was asking me out! My heart leaped in my chest. I took a deep breath. Don’t act too excited since he made you wait until he called you. “Uh, sure…That sounds fun.”
“Cool. So, I’ll pick you up?”
“Was that a question? Like maybe you’re not sure?”
He laughed. “Oh, I’m sure. I just didn’t get your address the other night when we were, um…”
I shivered at the thought of just what we had been doing instead of talking. “Um, yeah.”
Chapter Eight
Graham
I turned up the radio as I drove to pick up Addy. I didn’t even know what kind of music she liked. Seemed like we were going about this the wrong way. Making out and then getting to know each other. She’d been fine on the phone, like she wasn’t mad at me for not calling sooner, but would she still be that way when we were face to face?
At least for a while, she must have thought I was a jerk, kissing her like that and then not even giving her a call. I’d meant to phone her the next day. I’d been on a high, just thinking about her, planning what to say when I called. Then doubts had started creeping in. We didn’t know each other. What if when we were better acquainted, she decided I wasn’t what she’d hoped?
Addy was off to college in a few weeks and I… I wasn’t going anywhere. Farming wasn’t something you did that you could just up and move whenever you felt like it. If we got something going, were really into each other, it wouldn’t last if Addy someday had to move away because of school or a job.
Graham, you are getting way ahead of yourself. This all might turn out to be a big load of nothing. It didn’t feel that way, though. Even with Darlene, I didn’t think things through this seriously. We’d always known each other. I’d assumed we’d end up together and look what had happened. Addy though, something about her was different. She pulled me in without even trying. Just standing near her nearly did me in.
I turned down the street where she lived and slowed when I came to the address she’d told me. Excitement warred with nervousness as I climbed out of the truck and walked up the driveway.
The house was average size, though bigger than where I lived out in the country. Addy had mentioned an older sister who lived in Oregon. Were there other sisters or brothers? There was so much I had to find out about her. All of a sudden, I had this strong urge to learn everything I could about her.
My softball cleats clacked on the cement front steps and I walked up to the door. I knocked a couple of times but nobody answered. Great. Had she changed her mind? Then I noticed a tiny doorbell button off to the side. Graham, you’re an idiot. Calm down, will ya?
The door opened and there was Addy. Form-fitting pink short-sleeved top and very short denim shorts. Have mercy…
“Hi Graham. Come on in. I just have to get my purse.”
I swallowed hard as I watched her walk away toward another room. How was I going to be any good pitching at tonight's game with her watching from the stands, looking like that? I took a deep breath, willing my body not to react how it wanted to. Tight softball pants were not always a guy’s best friend.
“Hello.”
I glanced up to see a pretty, older version of Addy. “Hi. I’m Graham.”
“Hi Graham. I’m Mrs. Lafollette. Nice to meet you.”
“Same here.”
“Would you like to sit down?” She indicated the couch.
“Oh, no thanks.” I eyed my cleats. “Wouldn’t want to get any dirt on your carpet.”
She shrugged. “Well after raising four kids, I’m sure it’s happened before. Addy should be back in a minute. Nice to meet you.” She waved and walked past me, heading up a long flight of stairs. Is that where the bedrooms were?
Addy’s bedroom?
Stop! Thinking about that will get you nowhere good, fast.
“Hey, I’m ready.” I jumped when Addy walked back into the room. Did it seem weird to her that I was staring at the upstairs of her house? I was so glad she didn’t know exactly what was going through my mind.
“Okay. Let’s hit the road.”
Addy cracked up as she followed me out the door. “Did you ever wonder where sayings come from? I mean ‘hit the road.’ Why would you hit it and what would you hit it with?”
I stared at her. If she only knew that I always had weird thoughts just like that. “Maybe the person who made that up was trying to get revenge.”
“Revenge? On a road?”
“Yeah, so he hit it. You know, trying to hurt it.”
One side of her mouth rose. “And why would someone be mad at a road?”
I shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe… it tripped him with a pothole or something.”
Addy giggled. “I think I’m going to like you.”
“I sure hope so.” I smiled and opened the truck door for her.
She peered at the ground and then the truck seat as she sized everything up. “How do you get into that thing?”
I’d forgotten that she hadn’t had the chance to sit up front the other night on the way to the club, something I was still pissed at Marcus about. “See that handle up there inside the top of the door
?”
She squinted. “Uh, yeah.”
“Grab that and pull yourself up.”
Addy turned to look at me. “I feel like I’m back in gym class and someone is making me climb the rope.”
Sometimes I forgot that not everyone else was as tall as me. I stepped toward her. “Need some help?”
She eyed my outstretched hands and raised her eyebrows. “What did you have in mind?”
“Nothing out of line, ma’am, I assure you.”
An adorable smirk appeared on her lips. “Uh-huh.”
I held my hands up, palms out. “Hey, I was just trying to be a gentleman. You acted like you needed help.” I glanced away. “But if you want to do the gym class thing by yourself…”
Addy sighed. “I always hated gym. Help me out, would you?”
I turned back. “As you wish.” I grabbed her by the waist and picked her up. She squeaked. I boosted her up until she could grab the handle and crawl onto the seat. Which by the way gave me a very nice view of her backside and thighs.
Have mercy…
As soon as I was sure she was inside, I shut the door. I rounded the truck and hopped in on the driver’s side.
“You make that seem so easy, Graham.”
“What?”
“Getting in this big huge truck.”
“Guess I don’t really think about it. You know, being a giant and all.”
She fastened her seatbelt. “Lucky for you, I’m still not afraid of giants.”
“Glad to hear it.”
The ball park was just across town. Considering how small the town was, that didn’t take long. I pulled up beside some other trucks I recognized as belonging to teammates.
“Hey Graham, nice you could make it. Thought we were going to have get a sub to pitch.”
I waved at Jones who always thought he was funny, no matter what he said. I cringed at the ribbing I knew I’d get from him when he saw Addy.
Jones’s eyes nearly popped, so I knew he had spotted her. Addy hadn’t waited for me to help her down; instead, she just jumped. And fell on her butt. I hurried around to the passenger side, but Jones had beat me there.
He reached out his hand and helped Addy up. “Well, hey there, beautiful.”
Jones also thought everything he said was gratefully lapped up by anyone female.
She eyed him then looked at me. Did she want to be rescued?
I stepped forward and put my arm around Addy’s shoulders, claiming ownership. Too caveman? I didn’t care. Jones needed to keep his filthy mitts off of her. “Jones, this is Addy.”
He eyed her up and down, his gaze staying way too long on her bare legs for my taste. “Nice to meet ya, Addy.”
“You, too.” She pressed a little closer to my side.
I let go of Addy’s shoulders and took her hand, fully aware of the hoots and whistles from the dugout I’d get when we walked past. Let ‘em hoot.
And boy did they. Whistles, yells, and some not so nice suggestive invitations at Addy’s expense. My blood started to boil.
I watched her to see how she was taking it. She just shrugged. Well of course she did. She was a gorgeous girl. Why would I have thought she’d never heard all of that before now?
I winked at her and led her to the stands. “You'll be all right here?”
Addy sat down. “Sure. No problem.”
“Mind if I go warm up now?” I pointed to the field.
“That’s what I’ve been waiting to see, Mr. Stewart.”
Truth was, I didn’t need to warm up. The way she was gazing at me with those big brown eyes heated me up just fine.
I went to the dugout and dropped my duffle bag on the bench.
“Hey Stewart, looks like you’re getting you some, huh?”
My voice came out as a growl. “Watch it, Jones.”
He held up his hands. “Hey man, just a joke.”
I shrugged. “Whatever.” But I took a step toward him.
Lennie, our coach, clapped me on the shoulder. “Let’s save it for the field, right guys?”
I nodded. “No problem here.”
Jones smirked and looked the other way.
Jackass.
I grabbed an aluminum bat from the coach’s bag and trotted out to hit a few. Even though I was the team’s main pitcher, I was also the lead hitter in home runs. Hopefully I’d hit at least one tonight since Addy was watching.
I swung it back and forth and over my head a few times to loosen up my shoulder muscles. Everything in me wanted to look at Addy, see if she was watching me, but I didn’t want to come across as conceited. So after warming up, I hit a few practice balls that Hollis, the first baseman, threw to me. The last one I hit went soaring over his head and kept on going. It would have been a home run.
Awesome.
The opposing team was warming up on the other side of the field. They were fierce competitors, so my juices were flowing for a win. Man, I’d love to appear good to Addy. I wondered if she knew much about softball.
Without a lot of effort, I struck out the opposing team. It wasn’t the first time I’d done it, but was so glad it happened today.
By now there were a few other women sitting in the stands but they weren’t paying attention to the game. Instead they talked and snickered with each other. Addy, though, was glued to the action.
I was number three in the batting lineup. Since Phillips and Davidson grounded out, it was up to me to get our team rolling. Right before I stepped up to hit, I snuck a peek at Addy. Her eyes were fastened on me. Something, testosterone maybe, spiked through me as if I possessed extra power today. I got in my stance, watched the ball leave the pitcher’s hand and let loose.
The ball sailed toward the back fence. I took off running toward first, all the while eyeing the ball. It kept going, so I did too. Rounded first, headed for second. The ball was still in the air but starting to fall. The outfielder got a mitt on it but bobbled the ball. It dropped. I took off from second and plowed on to third, my heart in my throat. The outfielder recovered the ball and threw it to the third baseman. Oh man, was that it? Was I out?
“Graham! Keep going!” Addy’s voice floated to me. I checked to see if the third baseman had the ball but he didn’t. It dropped three feet short of him and bounced in the dirt. With a curse, he fumbled to grab it. That’s all I needed. I hit the base with my cleat and kept on pumping my legs until I reached home.
My team stood up from the bench in the dugout. High fives were slapped against my hand.
“Great hit, Stewart.” Lennie smacked my shoulder.
I grinned. Although, I would have rather hit a legitimate out of the park home run for Addy. Maybe my next time at bat.
When I was up the following inning, I was determined to get another homer. I grabbed my aluminum bat and stood off to the side as I warmed up. I swung it over my head again, trying to loosen up my knotted shoulders from all that pitching. Each opposing player had taken several swings at my pitches. My arms were beginning to tire.
My team shouted encouragement from the dugout. Everyone but Jones. Where was he? After his comment about Addy earlier and leering at her in the parking lot, I wanted to keep an eye on him. I checked the dugout again but still didn’t see him. Where was—
There. Sitting by Addy. With his arm around her!
Jealous anger ripped through me. Visions of me running around the fence to the stands and beating his face to a pulp played in my head.
But I couldn’t. Much as I wanted to, I’d never hit anyone before. It wouldn’t start now in front of Addy.
But I still needed to get rid of the frustration. Taking four steps to the telephone pole just this side of the dugout, I pulled back my arms, took aim, and whacked my bat across the pole. A loud thump echoed over the field. Every muscle in my arms felt the impact but I didn’t care. It felt good, imagining Jones’ face right where my bat had struck.
“Stewart!” Lennie started to leave the dugout but I waved him off. With a glare at Jon
es, I stood and waited until he backed off from Addy. She was glaring at him too, but she didn’t seem freaked, which was good.
Jones’ face turned pink and he slunk away from the stands like a chastened dog.
Time to hit the crap out of the ball. I stepped to the plate and got ready to take my stance. When I glanced at my bat I frowned. There was a two inch gash in the aluminum. Dang. But what had I expected?
I threw the bat down and gave it a kick toward the dugout. Dust flew everywhere. Trying not to look at my coach, who I knew would be pissed, I grabbed a different bat and went back to the plate.
I was ready. I watched the pitcher closely. I’d hit off of him enough times in the league that I knew what he’d probably do next. He tried to psych me out with a curve ball. I didn’t swing, and the ump called a ball. Same thing with the next two. Why did the pitcher think I would fall for a curve ball three times in a row?
Maybe he’d gotten the message because the next one was a knuckleball and came right across the plate. I murdered it. The ball rocketed over the pitcher, past the second baseman and sailed over the heads of the two outfielders who were running backwards trying to catch it.
Home run! Life is good.
I trotted around the bases, taking my time, knowing I didn’t need to hurry. It was a home run, no doubt, and nobody could say otherwise.
Addy was screaming, jumping up and down again. The other girls in the stands were at least turned toward the game but they still seemed bored. Maybe they were just watching Addy’s antics.
I know I was.
When my foot stomped down on home plate, the catcher took off his mitt and threw it angrily down in the dirt. A cloud of dust rose.
My home run won the game.
After high fives from my team and hand slaps from the losing team, I grabbed Addy’s hand and we hightailed it out of there. I knew that the rest of my team would want to go out and celebrate, but I only wanted to be with Addy.
Chapter Nine
Addy
A spark went through my hand. How did Graham have the ability to catch me on fire from one simple touch? All he had done was hand me an ice cream cone and his skin had touched mine. Added to that, though, was the way his dimples showed on his cheeks when he smiled. As if no one existed in the world but me and him, and that he wouldn’t want it any other way.
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