Spencer (The Ninth Inning: Season Three #8)

by Lindsay Paige

  “Food.” Spencer pulls into a small hole-in-the-wall diner. “This place has the best food around.”

  I nod and we head in. The entire place reeks of grease and coffee. The waitress knows Spencer. She sits down a cup of full coffee and a lottery page.

  “Um…” He looks at me, and his cheeks a bit red.

  “I’ll have the same.” I tell her and she grabs me a coffee and lottery page. “What game is this?” I look at the slip with numbers on it.

  “Okay,” he sips from the cup. “This is Keno. Every twenty minutes you have to have your numbers in. You pick the spot, which is one to ten numbers of these eighty numbers. Now, you can auto-pick and let the machine pick it for you or pick your own. You can play twenty consecutive times.”

  “Simple,” I answer and pick up my pencil. “How do you play?”

  “I play all twenty cards. Ten I pick, and ten I auto-pick.”

  “Remember, I have no money.” I start scratching my numbers on the card.

  Spencer laughs. “I know. I’ll spot you a hundred.”

  We begin to play, order a huge breakfast, which we share and end up playing Keno for a long time. Spencer tells me about other games going on, but they seem a bit more complex than I can handle.

  At the end of our time at the diner, I’m down twenty bucks. “Damn,” I cuss when I lose the next game. “I quit.”

  “Me too.” He smiles. He waves down the waitress and cashes in the winning tickets and pays for our bill. “Off to the next adventure.”

  I giggle. “I’m ready.”

  In Spencer’s car, he turns on the radio, and I’m shocked to hear his taste in music. It’s more pop than rock, and I totally saw him as a rock god.

  Next stop…the Angels stadium. “What?” I’m even more baffled.

  “Since I’m not having practice today, I still have to work out,” he jokes, parking at the player’s entrance. “Follow me.”

  We get out of the car and Spencer stops at his trunk to pull out a large duffle bag. “What are we doing?”

  “Stop asking questions.” He takes my hand and leads me in.

  We walk through until we reach the actual field. He drops the bag and pulls out two gloves and a ball.

  “We’re going to play catch.” Spencer hands me a glove and ball.

  “I haven’t thrown a ball in…” I trail off because forever is the only word I can think of.

  He jogs up the steps and to the field. “Come out to center field. I’m more comfortable out there.”

  “That’s because you’re a center fielder,” I growl at him, take off my cardigan, and jog after him.

  I put the glove on my hand and adjust it. “Okay. I think I’m ready.” I toss the ball at him, and he easily catches it.

  We continue this as he tells me stories of his high school and college days. He is quite the player and he confirmed it to me. Soon, my arms begin to tire. “How can you do this all the time?”

  “It’s different in a real game situation.”

  I nod. “I quit.” I toss the ball high in the air, and Spencer stares up at it until he does a basket catch with it. “And O’Dell catches the ball and wins it for the Angels.” I do in my best fake announcer’s voice. “And the crowd goes wild.”

  Spencer laughs. “Did you have a good day?” He puts his arm around my shoulders and we head back to the dugout.

  “Hey, I know neither of us date, but this is the best friend-date I’ve ever had.” I hug him, right before planting a kiss firm on his lips. “What’s left on the agenda for today?”

  “A whole lot of sex.”

  Breakfast meetings do nothing but piss me off. I hate them. I always feel off my game, especially if I don’t have my Starbucks first. So here I sit, waiting for the other guy to show up to see if I can sweet talk him into letting me buy his building in New York City. I’m hoping he does because I want to re-do it and sell it off into condos. The housing market is slowly bouncing back, and I think it’s time to buy, buy, buy,

  “Harmony, is there anything else you want me to do?” Claire sits nervously next to me. I asked her to come along to take notes and listen in. Mainly because it’s too damn early, and I don’t want to forget anything.

  “Just pay attention and listen.” I sip the hot liquid. I think it needs more sugar. “I can’t stand people who are late to meetings,” I grumble.

  “He’s only two minutes late.” Claire defends, but I turn and glare at her. “Then again, the bastard should be hung by his shoes.” She quickly jumps to my side.

  I can’t help the small smile that appears on my face. I’m not sure what it is about Claire’s quirky personality, but it’s growing on me. She tends to blurt things out, but she’s damn good at her job. Plus, she makes me laugh when I need it the most.

  I think we make a great team.

  Suddenly, Claire gasps and drops her head.

  “What?” I ask, concerned she’s okay.

  “Um, Spencer’s here.” Claire leans close and whispers, nodding her head to the left. “And he’s with some pretty blonde.”

  I turn my head, and I see him. He’s in a shirt and tie, dark jeans, and his hair is neatly combed. “What the fuck? He told me he was going to be with his mother.”

  “That woman doesn’t look old enough to be his mother,” Claire observes. “I thought you two were together?”

  “Just sex, nothing else.” But even I hear the hurt in my tone, and Claire gives me a sad smile. The jealousy is pumping through me. “Even if we’re just having sex I thought we would be just us two. I didn’t take him to be with others.”

  “Maybe it’s his sister?” She tries to seem hopeful.

  “He’s an only child.” I look over at him again and he’s smiling. Hell, he’s almost glowing and I can feel the tears building. “The fucking jerk.”

  Yesterday meant so much to me on our friend-date. When he told me his mom was coming in this morning, I truly believed him. Now, look at him.

  “I’m sorry Harmony. I know you liked him a lot.” Claire keeps her tone low.

  I stare at the back of the blonde’s head. All I can tell is she’s slender in size, seems to be shorter, and keeps nodding. After a moment, I see her leave the table, leaving Spencer alone.

  “Claire, if Michael comes, stall him until I come back.” I practically jump from my chair and dodge a waiter to make it to Spencer’s table in record time before the blonde can make her way back.

  “Harmony.” He dares to smile at me. “This is a surprise.”

  “Is it?” I sneer and take a seat across from him.

  “Um, well, yes because you told me about your early meeting.” He seems confused. “But, hey listen I want you to meet—”

  “Do you know what I hate most in this world?” I cut him off.

  His brow deepens in confusion. “Er…no.”

  “I hate liars. I hate them with a passion. Now, I’m well aware that neither of us wants to be in a relationship, but I can’t stand that you’re fucking around with some two-dollar tramp. You got on my ass about William and look at you.”

  Spencer’s mouth drops. “Wait, you think…” He trails off, and I keep running my mouth.

  “We were upfront with each other, but maybe I should be clearer: I don’t want you sticking your dick all over Memphis and in me. I’m not that type to share.”

  Anger fills his face. He’s been caught and knows it. “Harmony—”

  “Don’t waste your breath.” I stand and narrow my eyes at me. “Have a nice fucking breakfast.”

  His face is red with rage when I gracefully stand and sway my hips back to my table, just as Michael Ello arrives. I turn on my charm and get down to business, forgetting all about Spencer what’s-his-name.

  I spend the next thirty minutes talking to Michael about the property I want and the price I want it for. Negotiations seem like nothing more than us bickering back and forth, but soon we reach an agreement.

  “Harmony.” I hear Spencer say my name h
appily, and I turn to see him and the woman coming up to us.

  I do a quick once over of the woman. She is much smaller than I originally thought. She is in tailored black pants and a pink wrap shirt. Her blond bob is sleek and frames her face perfectly. There’s something about her steel gray eyes.

  “Spencer, to what do I owe the pleasure?” I keep my tone civil as much as possible.

  “I saw you from over there, and I wanted to introduce my mother to my new boss.” He narrows his eyes at me, and my stomach drops.

  I’m going to pass out. “Your mother?” I flick a glance at Claire, who’s stumped like me. This woman can’t be a day over thirty-five, maybe thirty-eight at best.

  “Ms. Gardner, it’s a great pleasure to meet you. Spencer has been going on and on about you.” She holds out her hand, and I’m not sure what to say, but I was raised with manners, and Mom would kick my ass if I didn’t act like it.

  “Ms. O’Dell, please call me Harmony, and it’s a great pleasure to meet you.” I stand and shake her hand, trying my best to not look at Spencer. “This is my assistant, Claire, and business associate Michael Ello.” I remember now who is at my table.

  “Pleasure.” Ms. O’Dell smiles. “We were just leaving, but I’m so glad to have met you.” She beams at me, making me wish the floor would open up and swallow me.

  “Same here, Ms. O’Dell.”

  “Please, call me Tricia.” She is still smiling.

  “Hope you all have a good day.” Spencer nods and begins guiding his mother away from the table.

  “Spencer,” I whisper.

  “Have a nice day, Ms. Gardner.” He sneers and I close my eyes from the pain of his tone.

  I go to the office, tell Claire to cancel my day, and refuse to answer any calls. Instead, I sit at the table and stare out the window. I’m not sure how long I sit there, but my entire encounter with Spencer keeps playing over and over in my head.

  Why am I such a bitch? Why did I get jealous?

  Jealous? Am I? Why?

  Spencer and I have been having a great time having sex and nothing more. Why did I have to go and ruin it?

  Why?

  I keep repeating the question over and over. There’s no logical reason for me to act this way.

  I hear knocking in the distance, but I ignore it.

  “Sissy.” Sofia comes in, but I don’t look at her. “I brought you some greasy cheesy pizza and some soda.”

  I can smell the food, but still don’t move. I continue my stare down outside.

  “Claire called me concerned because of your current mood. I have to say I can’t remember you like this.” Sofia sits in front of me on the ledge of the window. “Talk to me.”

  “I made an ass of myself today. And not just a simple ass. No, no, a full-fledged royal ass.” I sniff and wipe a tear away.

  “Oh my God, Harmony Rae, what happened?” She takes my hand.

  I take a deep breath and tell her everything that happened this morning with Spencer. I cry, and I can’t stop. “I’m such a bitch.”

  “Harmony.” Sofia shakes her head. “Why? You never over react. What happened?”

  “It’s why I’m sitting here staring at the Memphis skyline.” I wipe my tears away. “We had something great going. Just sex with no strings attached or any other bullshit.”

  “I think it’s because you like him more than you want to admit. You know I’m right. I’ve seen you two interact. Especially, when you were announced as the owner of the Angels. He was so proud of you he was beaming.”

  “It’s not like that.” I shake my head firmly.

  “You’re wrong, Harmony Rae; you’re in love.”

  I have the world’s worst headache and now my mother is standing next to me going on and on about her latest trip. I love her. She’s the best mother ever, but this day has been a shit-storm mess, and I just want to drink and go to bed.

  “Oh, I just can’t believe you bought the Angels.” Mom beams as we walk into the players’ entrance where my elevator sits. “Is Sofia meeting us in the box? She’s bringing my grandson, right?”

  I rub my temple. “Call her, Mom, because I have no idea what’s happening.”

  “Harmony, are you okay?” Mom touches my shoulder.

  I start to say something, but then slam into something hard. “Shit.” I stumble back, but someone grabs my arms.

  “You should watch where you’re going, Ms. Gardner,” Spencer sneers at me a bit, but steadies me back on my feet.

  I jerk my arms away from his hold. “Thanks.” I use the same tone on him. “Hello, Ms. O’Dell.” I smile and see an older man with them.

  “Harmony, it’s so great to see you again and so soon.” She holds out her hand, and I shake it. “This is my fiancé, Martin.” The man is tall, but lanky and about my father’s age, by the look of it.

  “Nice to meet you, Martin. This is my mother, Vivian Gardner. We’re about to head up to our box.” Mom, Ms. O’Dell, and Martin greet each other, and my mother eyes Spencer next to me.

  “Spencer, it’s so lovely to see you again. I haven’t seen you since that last fundraiser. The one last season.” She shakes his hand.

  “Yes, Mrs. Gardner, it’s nice to see you again.”

  I do my best to not hear Sofia’s words from this afternoon. I’m not in love with Spencer. I am not in love with Spencer.

  “Ms. O’Dell, why don’t you two come join us in the box? It’s much too muggy to sit outside,” Mom offers.

  “Please call me Tricia, and we wouldn’t want to intrude.” She smiles. Her steel gray eyes are bright like Spencer’s, and the man next to her is quiet.

  “You’re not,” I add. “You’re both more than welcome.”

  Spencer is about to say something, but Sofia interrupts us with Grant. Mom and Tricia began to coo and ahh over him, and I step closer to Spencer. “I’m sorry about today. I didn’t mean to be so rude. I had no clue she was your mother.”

  “Maybe you should have waited and let me finish. Then you would have known.”

  “I’m sorry,” I say softer. “You know I don’t think before I speak.”

  He nods. “I have to go warm-up.” He does touch my elbow before he leaves, but the kindness doesn’t seem to reach his face. He kisses his mother’s cheek, says goodbye to Martin, and I head to the elevator.

  “Everything okay?” Sofia asks.

  “I’m not in love,” I grit to her.

  “Okay,” she scoffs.

  I don’t say anything as we all ride up to the box. When I walk in, I head for the bar and grab a gin and tonic. I should just have a beer, but I need a drink. I sit in the chair facing the window and stare out at the field. Sofia takes my glass from my hand and puts Grant in my lap with a big smile. My sweet nephew rests his head against me. All my troubles fade instantly. He’s almost asleep, and I adjust so he’s resting on my shoulder. I pat his back, where he’s wearing Blake’s jersey, in a miniature form.

  Mom and Tricia are laughing as they come over and take seats next to me, with Martin still silent. They seem to be talking about something, but my focus is outside to where the guys are throwing the ball around. Sofia comes over after she opens a bottle of water and joins their conversation.

  After the warm-ups and the national anthem, I sit back down and try to figure out what Sofia did with my drink, but all I see is a bottle of water in front of me in my holder. I roll my eyes at her, but she pretends not to see me.

  “I must say, Tricia, you are a stunning woman to have a twenty-six year old son. What’s your secret?” Mom asks.

  Tricia giggles. “Well, thank you, but really it’s no secret. I had Spencer when I was fifteen. But I recently cut back on my carbs, so that might be a factor.”

  We all stop. Did she say fifteen? Spencer told me everyone in his family left his mother, but I never asked why.

  “He’s an excellent man. Always polite and kind.” Mom smiles. “Have you always been a baseball fan?”

  Tricia went on to
tell us about how she loved baseball and discovering Spencer’s talent at a young age. Her struggles in finding work and not finishing high school. When Spencer went to college, she went and finished her GED.

  “Spencer said you made him go to college,” I say without even thinking.

  “He told you.” She tilts her head. “He’s a very private person. I didn’t think he told anyone anything.” There’s a gleam in her eyes, and I look back out at the field as the Angels come up to bat. “But yes, I made him go.”

  “Harmony is the same way, but recently she’s taken a shine to being in front of the camera.” Sofia sips her water.

  “Spencer’s told me.” Tricia tries to hide her smile. “He’s not private with me.”

  My cheeks grow warm. Great, his mother knows about us. I thought she might not have known, but I can understand why he’s so close to her. He’s her protector.

  “Is Spencer like my daughter? All play and no relationships.”

  “Mom,” I exclaim, startling Grant. I pat his back to get him back to sleep. “I don’t think you, of all people, talk like that.”

  “I don’t understand her.” Mom ignores me. “My husband and I have been together for almost thirty-two years of blissful love. She’s smart and beautiful.” She glances at me with an evil eye, but she’s not being mean. She’s telling the truth.

  “Spencer is the same way. He wants nothing to do with marriage, kids, or anything else. I don’t get it.”

  Thankfully, Sofia changes the subject and talks about Tricia’s latest relationship, and Martin begins to contribute. They are supposed to marry soon. The conversation lasts several innings, and then the topic moves to children. I’m not able to contribute to any of it, and I keep my eyes focused on the field. Blake with another home run, Tanner four stolen bases, Jordan with some amazing catches, and even Spencer had a couple RBIs to add to his stats.

  When the game ends, the five of us, Grant still in my arms, head out to the parking lot. Larry is waiting for me, and I think it’s the perfect time to dodge out.