Spencer (The Ninth Inning: Season Three #8)

by Lindsay Paige

  I laugh hard and pull him to our private bar. He orders the same drink he always does: the godfather. I think they’re gross, but it’s just about all he drinks.

  “Come tell me all about the billions you’re rolling in.” He leads me back to the couch near the back of the room and the bass of the music begins to lessen.

  I tell him all about the company and leave out the part about the Angels. William listens to my every word as I go on about contracts and business ventures. We had met my freshmen year in college and fell into a friendship quickly. Everyone thought we were a couple, but we both just liked having sex and didn’t judge each other.

  “I’m guessing you’re just bouncing from country to country and guy to guy.”

  “All the joys of being a trust-fund baby and having no responsibilities.” He sips his drink and smirks.

  “You’re lying.” I laugh at him.

  “I am. I’m working with Daddy-o now. But I’m not taking over anything.”

  I shake my head. “You will soon enough. Are they still trying to pretend you’re not gay?”

  “Are you still trying to pretend your natural hair color isn’t red?” He picks up a strand of my dyed blonde hair.

  I flip him the middle finger, but he puts it in his mouth and bites gently. “Let go.” I laugh and he does.

  “Tell me about the fucks in your life. I’m sure your billionaire status is helping widen the selection in your little black book.”

  I shrug. “I have a guy who’s a regular. The positive side is he doesn’t want a relationship either.”

  “Please tell me he has a gay brother,” he begs.

  “Sorry.” I frown. “You’ll have to find your own dick to play with.” I wink at him, and we both laugh.

  “Oh, I’ve missed you, love.”

  We start drinking more as we talk about our families. My parents always liked William and Sofia did too. William’s family was always a joy to be around, even though they’d wished we were together. Soon, we began to do shots, and I knew I had to take a break.

  “Dance,” I order and drag him out to the balcony where the bass music thumps my heart out of rhythm.

  I begin grinding my hips against his crotch, and he laughs and then starts grinding back. William is a good dancer, better than most I’ve been with. I wonder if Spencer dances well? No, I don’t need to think about things like that with Spencer. We’re not in a relationship. Those are things you think about in a relationship.

  William grabs my hips, spins me around, and I’m up against the railing facing out to the crowd. He wraps his arms around me and starts pointing out to the crowd. “I could shag him in the bathroom.”

  “He’s straight,” I yell over the music, still laughing.

  “Him?” He points to another one.

  And I shake my head.

  “Oh, look at that hottie staring me down.” He directs me toward the bar where I stop laughing.

  Standing at the bar next to Tanner Coats, who’s talking to a blonde, is Spencer O’Dell. He’s staring at us, and he is pissed off.

  ***

  SHE DITCHED ME for someone else.

  She ditched me for someone else!

  Aren’t we supposed to be in a monogamous fuck buddy relationship? Her and the jackass have been all over each other, dancing and looking down at everyone from the balcony. She stopped laughing once she noticed me. Must suck to be caught…what? She’s not cheating. Although, in a way, she is since we’re not supposed to be fucking other people.

  I can’t believe I went to her house and groveled so I could keep fucking her. Part of me demands that I charge up to the VIP level and confront her, while the much saner part reminds me that it shouldn’t be a big deal. She ditched me for another fuck buddy. So what? I shouldn’t care if Harmony is here with someone else.

  Shouldn’t.

  But damn if it doesn’t bother me.

  “Is that Harmony?” Roman asks.

  I finally glance away from the two as it seems Roman and Carissa are back from the dance floor. “Yeah,” I answer, turning toward the bar and waving the down the bartender for another beer.

  “Do you know who she’s with?” Carissa asks.

  “Nope, and don’t care.”

  “Are you going to say hey?” she follows up.

  “Nope.”

  One thing my mom taught me was to never confront someone in the midst of your fury because you’ll say shit you shouldn’t and a dozen other reasons. I have no desire to talk to Harmony, or whomever she’s with, right now. I’d rather stew in my anger than fly off the handle and act impulsively on it. Not to mention, Tanner’s here and no one really knows I’m fucking Harmony. Roman and Carissa know, but I haven’t told anyone else. I don’t need to react at all.

  Tanner elbows me, nearly causing me to knock over my beer, and I glare at him. He introduces the blonde bimbo he’s been talking to, only to introduce me to her brunette friend, Stephanie. She moves around them to sidle up to my side, pressing her tits against my arm with a smile.

  She starts talking with this strong southern drawl. One thing I love about the south? The women have that southern accent. I don’t know what it is, but I love it. For that reason alone, I entertain Stephanie. I don’t even have to ask a question but every few minutes because she’s a talker.

  My phone buzzes in my back pocket, but I ignore it. But then it goes off again. And again. And again and again.

  “Sorry,” I say, holding up a finger as I pull out my phone. There are five messages from Harmony.

  Harmony: FYI, he’s just an old friend who is in town for only tonight. I had to see him.

  Harmony: And he’s gay.

  Harmony: So don’t be as pissed as you looked.

  Harmony: Just acknowledge me already.

  Harmony: Don’t you even think about fucking that girl you’re talking to, Spencer O’Dell!

  I glance over my shoulder to see her in the same spot before, only she’s alone, and she looks borderline pissed off or maybe annoyed. That look slides off her face. She gives me a little smile and a wave. I turn away to text her back as Stephanie starts talking again.

  Me: Don’t worry, darlin’. Wasn’t planning to fuck her. You always dance like that?

  That’s probably the most annoying thing about this. I’m still hard from watching her dance, despite the fact that she was dancing with some other guy. It just made me want to claim her even more. Just as she responds, I send off another text.

  Me: What time is your friend taking you home? I need to come over.

  Harmony: Yes, I do. Jealous it wasn’t you?

  Me: Little bit.

  Harmony: I’ll be drunk by the time I get home.

  Her non-answer pisses me off a little. What’s the point in having a fuck buddy if I have to go home and get myself off?

  “Are you listening, Spencey?”

  Spencey? What the fuck?

  “Sorry, Stephy, I gotta go.” I rock my phone in my hand as if the source for why I’m leaving is on it. I’m not getting laid one way or another tonight, so might as well cut out early. I’m not in the mood to listen to this girl talk while Tanner gets to stick his tongue down the blonde’s throat.

  Stephanie pouts, but I ignore it. I wave the bartender over to pay my tab and turn to look for Roman just as he walks back to the bar.

  “Damn, she likes to dance,” he says. He’s sweating as if he just came off the field after an inning. It’s warm in here, and probably hotter on the floor, surrounded by all those people. He takes a swig of his beer.

  “I’m heading home. I’ll catch a cab.”

  I’ve been drinking, and I rode here with him and Carissa. He nods, pats me on the shoulder, and then returns to Carissa. When I glance up toward the balcony, Harmony is laughing at something her friend has said. I finally head outside. The night air is stiff with humidity, making my chest feel heavy as I breathe and wait for my cab.

  As the questions appear in my head, I text Harmony.
>
  Me: Is Larry going to make sure you get home safe?

  They’ve both been drinking, and if she has a damn bodyguard, she doesn’t need to be taking a cab home.

  Harmony: Yes, DAD! Don’t worry about me.

  My cab pulls up, and I climb in. I’ll leave her alone, so she can enjoy the rest of her night. When I get home, I shower and get into bed. I’m more tired than I thought. Practice was hell today with the heat. I’m sure that’s why sleep sounds so great this early.

  Some time later, a hand shoves my shoulder and I hear a slurred voice. “Spencer, wake up.”

  My eyes crack open to see Harmony. She’s definitely drunk. Her eyes are bloodshot and she’s swaying from where she stands.

  “Harmony, what are you doing here?” I ask, sitting up to see Roman shrug his shoulders from the door of my room before walking away. He must have let her in.

  She pulls the covers away and then plops onto my bed, landing in my lap. “I felt bad for ditching you.” She haphazardly throws her arms around me. “Forgive me, Spence?” I don’t get a chance to answer. “You’re the best fuck buddy ever. You have to forgive me! Do you? Hmm?” She falls forward to rest her head over her arm on my shoulder.

  “Yeah, darlin’, I forgive you.”

  “I was going to give you a blow job, but I’m sleepy now.”

  I chuckle, imagining her drunk and fumbling as she tried to give me a blow job. “Good to hear.” It would be a disaster as plastered as she is. “I’ve never seen you drunk.”

  “Larry’s disappointed, but oh well. Not every day I get to see William. You were pissed.” Her giggles fade into a sigh.

  “Might not want a relationship, but doesn’t mean I don’t get a little possessive if it looks like my fuck buddy is stepping out on me.”

  She doesn’t respond.

  “Harmony?”

  A very soft, very quiet snore leaves her. I’ll be damned. She just fell asleep. She can’t stay here. I don’t want to wake her up either. Plus, Larry is waiting for her. I try shaking her awake and calling her name a few more times, but she’s passed out completely. The answer hits me.

  I secure her in my arms and get out of bed. Thankfully, I went to bed fully clothed. I slip on a pair of flip-flops and walk out of my room, careful not to let her bump into anything.

  “What are you doing?” Roman asks.

  “Getting her home. She fell asleep.”

  “And she can’t stay in your bed?” He looks confused.

  “We’re fuck buddies, so no.”

  He shakes his head and opens the apartment door for me. The air is still warm as I make my way outside. I spot the vehicle easily and Larry gets out when he sees me coming.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, she’s just asleep. Mind helping me get her home?”

  “Of course not.” He opens the back door and turns to me, like he’s going to take her from me.

  “I got her.”

  Somehow, I manage to get into the backseat without injuring or waking her. Larry eyes me as he drives to her place, but doesn’t say anything. Not that I’m surprised. He opens the car door and then the house door, shutting off the alarm.

  “Go on home. I’ll put her to bed and find my own way home. I’m sure you’re ready to go anyway.”

  He frowns, pissed off about something. I don’t know what, though. I’m being the perfect gentleman here. After about a minute of eyeing me, he nods and leaves. I walk to Harmony’s room and gently lay her down. She probably won’t sleep well in what she’s wearing. It doesn’t look comfy. Hot as hell? Absolutely. Something you’d want to sleep in? No.

  I slip her high heels off her feet before deciding to attempt to undress her. I open her dresser to find a t-shirt at the very least. Once I have that, I come back to her. At least she’s in a dress. Should be easy enough to wiggle it off of her. I bunch it up at the hem and start working my way up her body.

  Harmony shifts, her eyes fluttering open. “Spencer?”

  “Lift your hips, darlin’.”

  She does, frowning. “What are you doing?” Her eyelids keep falling as she struggles to stay awake.

  “Getting you ready for bed. Sit up and help me.”

  She sits up slowly and asks, “Why?”

  “So you can sleep. Arms up.” I easily lift the dress up and over her head. While I toss it behind me and reach for her night shirt, I take a moment to appreciate her body. Harmony is about to lie back down, so I move quickly to slip her shirt on while she’s upright. She falls back as soon as her arms are through the sleeves.

  Her eyes are closed, and I assume she’s fallen back asleep. I watch her for a moment, tempted to kiss her forehead. Sounds too much like something a boyfriend would do, though. On that thought, I turn and head for the door. I flip the switch when she mumbles something.

  “What’d you say?”

  The room is dark, but I can still see some because of the light in the hallway.

  “Stay, Spence.”

  God, she is drunk to make a request like that after what happened last time.

  “Spence, Spence, Spence,” she mumbles, her voice softening each time. I could probably leave now and she wouldn’t know the difference.

  Maybe I can stay just long enough to make sure she’s not going to get sick in her sleep. Oh, what the hell. I’ll stay for a little bit and then leave. I’m not spending the night. I’m just making sure she doesn’t puke. I lie on top of the covers in her bed, another way of pointing out that I’m going home.

  Problem is that Harmony rolls overs and snuggles against me.

  Problem is that liking it grows on me. At first, it’s more like a hey, what can I do. No big deal kind of thing. But then she has to go and make this cute little sigh in her sleep like I’m the perfect pillow. I remind myself that she’s just full of alcohol, and I’m still not spending the night. I can’t help but hold her to me while I’m here.

  My plan to leave in an hour turns to two hours and then two and a half before I finally drag myself out of her bed. There’s a notepad and pen on her nightstand. I leave a note, telling her that I should get all the brownie points because I’m actually the one who got her home safely and not Larry. I had to do all the heavy lifting; he only drove us. I add a P.S. that she snores a little after she’s been drinking. Or maybe she does it all the time. I was asleep first and awake last when I accidentally fell asleep here before.

  Either way, I’m out the door. I’m sure to set her alarm and lock her door with the spare key on my way out. My new question and possible issue is how normal is it to care for a fuck buddy? Not that I care for her like a boyfriend might, but definitely as a friend. Of course. My question is answered already. No issue because it’s normal to care about a friend.

  That is something I can easily accept.

  Let’s just hope that the next time I see my friend, I get to fuck her.

  ***

  MY HEAD IS pounding. Seriously, pounding. I carefully open one eye and see I’m in my room. My room? I remember heading to Spencer’s apartment. How the hell did I get here? I look over my shoulder and see I have just enough time to get in the shower before Larry has to pick me up.

  It takes everything I have in me to pull myself out of my comfortable bed and into my bathroom. The hot water feels amazing on my skin as I wash away the grime, sweat, and smell of the bar.

  I manage to appear almost human when I finish my makeup and hair. I have to meet Mr. Ricker soon. He’s telling his staff today he’s sold the team, and I’m meeting everyone tomorrow and telling the team. I still have to tell Dad unless Sofia has already opened her mouth and told him. I hear the knock on the door, and I head down.

  “Are you ready, Ms. Gardner?”

  “Yes, Larry. One second.” I rush over to the dining room table and gather my files and my laptop.

  Larry opens the car door for me, and I easily slide in. When he gets in the driver seat, I ask him what happened last night. He explains how I made him take
me to Spencer’s and then Spencer made him drive me home.

  “I’m not sure how long he remained at your home,” he replies.

  “Hang on, before you take me to the office.” I find my phone and text Spencer.

  Me: You’re extremely chivalrous to take care of me when I’m drunk.

  Spencer: At least you didn’t puke or drool on me.

  I giggle.

  Me: Where are you now?

  Spencer: About to leave for practice.

  Me: Don’t leave yet. I’ll take you to practice.

  Spencer: Why?

  I roll my eyes.

  Me: Stop asking questions and just say ‘okay’.

  Spencer: Fine. Okay.

  I tell Larry to go to Spencer’s place, and he turns toward the street. In just a few moments, we’re pulling up and he’s waiting for us outside the building.

  “What’s up darlin’?” He jumps in.

  “Hello.” I smile. “I want to thank you in person for last night. It’s very kind of you to help me home. I hoping I did something you liked, though.”

  He chuckles. “You passed out. It’s kind of a mood killer.”

  “But listen.” I turn to him and take his hand. “William is just a dear friend from college and very, very gay. I promise nothing was going to happen between the two of us. You’re my fuck buddy, and I don’t have any others.”

  Spencer squeezes my hand. “You said almost the exactly same thing last night. I got it.”

  “Okay, now we have that all cleared up. I want to give you a small heads-up on something. Please, and I’m begging you, do not to tell anyone.”

  He sits back, closer to the door. “What is it?”

  “The Angels are being sold.”

  Spencer’s face pales. “Are we moving?”

  “No.” I shake my head. “I’m actually heading over to Mr. Ricker’s now to say goodbye since it’s his last day there.”

  “Does anyone else know?”

  I shrug. “But it’s best to keep it quiet for now. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”

  He stares at me for several seconds. “Did you…did you buy us?”

  I remain silent. How do you say the words? Especially saying seven hundred million dollars.

  “Harmony, tell me the truth.”