Star-Crossed in the Outfield (All About the Diamond #4)

by Naomi Springthorp

  “He only held me all night on Chase’s couch.”

  “He stayed over night before last.”

  “On the couch.”

  “And the other night you two were in your room.”

  “He slept on the floor.” The doorbell buzzes and Michelle gets up to get the pizza, “I don’t get it. I don’t know why he had to leave early.” She opens the door to a large mixed bouquet of pink and yellow flowers.

  “I’m looking for Michelle?”

  “That’s me.”

  “These are for you. Beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl. Have a good evening,” and he walks off down the hallway. She turns around, her face glowing as she admires her flowers. She takes the card and walks toward me.

  “Those are beautiful, who are they from?”

  Michelle glares at me, then her expression changes and she opens the card quickly, “I think we know who they’re from.” She points at Mason on the TV and he hits a home run, bringing in Cross in the top of the first inning. I totally missed Chase getting on base.

  “What’s the card say?”

  “The card says, ‘Please be patient with me, JJ,’ and it has a heart on it.” She immediately picks up her phone and I know she’s sending Mason a message.

  I sit back and watch the game while my roommate is in La-La Land.

  The doorbell buzzes again and Michelle gets up to get the pizza, she opens the door to another delivery guy, “I’m looking for Kristina?”

  She calls out to me, “Um, it’s for you.”

  I run over to the door, “I’m Kristina.” He hands me a crystal vase filled with two-dozen long stemmed delicate pale pink roses. “Thank you.” Warmth hits my cheeks and I realize I’m as bad as my roommate. I breathe in the fragrant scent of the roses and open the little card, it says “Sweetness: You are more beautiful than any flower. I’m thinking about you—Chase,” and the card has a stuffed bear holding a heart on it.

  To @RookCross - Thank you for the flowers.

  To @RookCross - They are gorgeous (and better than Michelle’s).

  To @RookCross - Message me later :)

  The pizza finally gets delivered and we sit happily watching our players on the field.

  Chase

  The game started out pretty well. I did my job and got on base. Mason hit a dinger and brought me home. Nobody has scored since. I’m standing in the outfield in the bottom of the eighth inning and the roof is open. It’s a clear night and I look at the dark speckled sky wondering what she’s doing. I hear the pop of a bat and a ball is heading my way. I run for it and make a diving grab. I wouldn't have needed to dive if I was paying attention. Focus, Chase. She’ll be there after the game. Seno is up out of his crouch watching me, he shakes his head and gives me a thumbs up. He knows I’m distracted.

  Bottom of the ninth, still 2-0 Seals. Seattle has runners at the corners with one out. They hit a sac fly that comes directly to me and the runner on third scores. I throw the ball to the infield quickly and catch the runner from first trying to advance. Mason gets the ball and tags him out as he slides into second base. Final score 2-1 Seals.

  Chase

  I’m finally checked into my room for the night and have time to relax. I haven't eaten and all I can think about is her. I check my phone and see that she messaged me when she got the flowers I sent. I have a reason to respond.

  To @Kristeeeeena - Hey Sweetness.

  From @Kristeeeeena - Hi :)

  To @Kristeeeeena - Do you want to talk?

  From @Kristeeeeena - I’m not giving you my number.

  To @Kristeeeeena - I know. I meant chat.

  From @Kristeeeeena - Oh. Sure.

  From @Kristeeeeena - Nice win.

  To @Kristeeeeena - Thanks. The game felt long.

  To @Kristeeeeena - I’ve been thinking about you.

  From @Kristeeeeena - What were you thinking?

  To @Kristeeeeena - I like the way you sit with me playing Mortal Combat while you’re chopping my head off.

  To @Kristeeeeena - I like holding you all night.

  To @Kristeeeeena - I like tasting your lips. You taste like cookies.

  From @Kristeeeeena - *blush*

  To @Kristeeeeena - Will you have kisses for me when I get back?

  My phone rings and it’s a blocked number, “Hello?”

  I hear the sweetest voice ever, “I’ve got kisses waiting for you.”

  I want to melt, but it’s interrupted by Michelle in the background, “Seriously?”

  I hear a slight scuffle and Kristina tells her, “Go call your boyfriend, if you can call him that. Don't you have to get to first base before he can be your boyfriend? Goodnight!” A door slams and she’s back to me, “Sorry, peanut gallery.”

  “No worries, so are we alone in your bedroom again?”

  “Yea,” she giggles. “I liked having you in my bed.”

  “Maybe we can do that again?”

  “Maybe somewhere without my roommate, somewhere with no interruptions.”

  “You’re always welcome at my place. I hoped you would show up at my place last night.”

  “One thing at a time.”

  I chuckle, “I’m pretty sure you wanted my thing when I stayed at your place. Seems like dating comes first in the timeline.”

  Her voice gets low, “I know better. You’re a baseball player. You fuck. You don't date.”

  I can't deny my past, she was there, “You’re right, that’s what I did in the past. That's not me anymore. You make me want more.”

  “How long until you go back to fucking?”

  “I’m not going back to that. I want one special chick.” I take a deep breath and feel my words in my stomach, “I want you.”

  “You’re crazy.”

  “Tell me what you want. Do you want me?” I immediately wish I didn't ask. I don't want the answer and I don't want to be pushing her.

  “I want to kiss you again. I want to know why you’re not ready with me.”

  “I don't know what I'm doing with you. I want to make sure I’m doing it right. The only chicks I’ve been with since high school wanted one thing and got it. None of them wanted me, they wanted a player.”

  “What if I want the one thing?”

  I chuckle, “I know you want the one thing, but your kiss and touch tell me you want more. I have to want you enough.”

  Her tone changes and she starts talking faster, “I have work in the morning. Goodnight.”

  She hangs up before I can respond.

  To @Kristeeeeena - Did I say something wrong?

  To @Kristeeeeena - I’m sorry if I did. I have to learn how to do this.

  To @Kristeeeeena - Can we message tomorrow?

  From @Kristeeeeena - Yes

  To @Kristeeeeena - I wish I could hold you and kiss you goodnight.

  From @Kristeeeeena - That sounds nice. Goodnight :)

  I didn’t lose her completely. I’m surprised she called me.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kristina

  I should’ve worked yesterday. It would’ve been easier than making up for it today. Nobody prepped today's broadcast and I have a list of things that I need to do before I do live stats research during tonight’s game.

  From @RookCross - Good Morning, Sweetness :)

  To @RookCross - You got the morning part right.

  To @RookCross - Busy.

  From @RookCross - Remember you’re beautiful. I’ll be home tomorrow night.

  Chase

  It's raining today. The roof is closed. My girl is busy and I won’t be distracted by the night sky. The rain seems to have set the tone, dreary, gray, and cold. I take advantage of the closed roof and run the warning track with Seno. It requires no talking, we just run. We don’t stay at the same pace, he doesn’t have my speed, and I need to open up the throttle. I run a couple laps with Seno to get warmed up and then I stretch out my pace, finally increasing my speed.

  My brain closes down when I’m running, clears everything o
ut. Today I’m daydreaming. I’m holding Kristina on the beach when a storm hits. Water falling like buckets dumping from the sky. We’re instantly soaked and cold. Her long dark hair dripping. Raindrops on her face and hanging onto her eyelashes. Her warm eyes looking up at me, searching mine with no concern for the rain. My wet hair falls into my face and she reaches for it, grazing my face and softly tucking it behind my ear. I grab her wrist and kiss it tenderly. She goes up on her tiptoes to kiss me and wraps her arms around my neck, running her fingers through the ends of my wet hair. Her sweet full lips worshiping mine until she drags her teeth across my lower lip, tugging on it. I lift her to me and she wraps herself around me instinctually. Our clothes sticking together and wet hair in our eyes. Thunder crashes loudly and I can see flashes from the lightning through my closed eyelids. Her body shakes and I tell her it’s only thunder, but she’s shaking for me. She wants me. I slide her down my body and take her hand, quickly leading her across the beach to my bungalow. We step inside and I pull my wet shirt off, tossing it to the floor. I gaze into her eyes and feel how hooded mine are. I reach for the bottom hem of her shirt and pull it off over her head, dropping it to the floor. She’s gorgeous standing in front of me, wearing only shorts and a bra. Fresh from the rain and cool to the touch. I pull her against me and press my lips to hers, my hands splayed across her back. She reaches around my waist and slides her hands into my shorts, gently squeezing my ass. I move my hands up her sides and cup her tits. She kisses me open-mouthed as she drags her hands up to my hair and holds my mouth to hers. I move my hands to her neck, holding her and kissing her. She unbuttons her shorts and drops them to the floor, puddling at her feet. She unties my shorts and slides her fingers between me and the waistband. I push them off and take her hand in mine, wrapping her fingers around my dick that’s hard for her. Her breath catches audibly and I pick her up, feeling her skin against mine. I kiss her with need, lifting her higher so I can bite and suck at her collarbone. She releases a moan and I take her to my bed. I’m hot, and heavy with desire. Everything is hazy. I’ve wanted her, needed her for so long and I finally have her. I want to love her and make her cry out my name. The haze takes over and everything is just happening. We’re one, and it’s how it’s meant to be.

  “Cross! Time for BP.” I’m startled and I still don’t know what it’s like to have her. I’m dripping sweat. I’m also hard, I’ll have to handle that.

  To @Kristeeeeena - Been thinking about you. Hope your day got better.

  Chase

  Nobody had said the word streak out loud, but when we saw the lineup for today we knew it was over. Stray catching instead of Seno. Mason is day to day, apparently he got cut on the cleats when he was tagging the player out at second at the end of the game yesterday. New guy George Hart is in the lineup covering shortstop for Mason. And, Mark Rock is covering me in Center Field with Bubbles in Right. We haven’t won a game with Bubbles in the starting lineup all season. Seno told us that Skip was right, we all needed a day off and not to push. He’ll put us in to play if he needs to. We’re confident we’ll be back to winning tomorrow.

  Watching the game from the dug out is interesting. One, it reminds you what you’re doing and refreshes your perspective. Two, veteran players do some crazy shit in the dug out. You'd think it would be the rookies, but it's not. The veterans have spent so many hours in the dug out that they have games to play. Everything from an old school hot foot to throwing seeds and shells at their teammates.

  We lost 3-1.

  I go out to eat with Mason and go back to my room. No messages from Kristina. I turn up the volume on my phone in case she calls and turn in early.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chase

  To @Kristeeeeena - Good Morning, Sweetness…early game today, see you tonight!

  The lineup is back to normal and we’re ready to play. They taped up Mason’s hand, he’s even good to go. The team is amped up, ready to go home and face Florida. We needed the day off. Time to beat Washington.

  I get a four pitch leadoff walk to start the game and take my base. Mason hits a ground ruled double on the first pitch, he’s becoming a double making machine. He could be a middle of the lineup hitter. Martin hits a double bringing us home, score 2-0 Seals and Washington has pitchers up warming in their bullpen. Seno works the pitch count up and draws a walk. Lucky Lucine is feisty today. He’s communicating with Skip and the runners, and he’s all smiles—a play is on. He’s crowding the plate and almost dancing in the batter’s box while he waits for the pitch. I look at Seno and Martin, both trying to keep their game face on. The pitcher buries a slider in the dirt and it gets away from the catcher, both runners advance on the passed ball and Lucky keeps dancing. Lucine gets hit by the pitch and the bases are loaded with Seals. Brandt comes up to bat and skies one to right field on the first pitch. His first grand slam in the Bigs. 6-0 Seals with no outs. Washington changes pitchers, and strikes out the next three Seals.

  I'm leading off again in the second inning, which doesn’t happen often, and work the pitch count full. I hit a grounder up the third base line and leg out the throw, safe at first. Mason pops up on the fourth pitch and I make it a sac fly, getting to second base safely. Martin strikes out on five pitches. Seno crushes a homer to the parking lot. Lucky choppers one up the center and gets tagged out at second. 8-0 Seals.

  Washington responds in the bottom of the second by making me cover every inch of Center Field. Every hit is in my zone and I don’t let the ball touch the ground. We get on base, but nobody scores in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. I’m jumping at the wall, sliding across the field and diving to get the outs. I make it a rule not to show injuries or pain. I don't want to be pulled from the game.

  Skip makes me part of the double switch in the middle of the sixth inning and I make my case, “I’ve got Center covered. Leave me in. I’m a dog playing fetch today.”

  He looks me up and down, “You’re scraped up, bloody, dirty, and have more holes in your uni than I’ve ever seen in all my years as coach here. See first aid and get cleaned up. You’re done for the day.”

  “Yes, sir.” I storm off to the club house and indulge myself with a long hot shower before the rest of the team gets there. The medic is waiting for me when I come out of the shower, ready to disinfect and bandage up my battle damage. I played hard today and it feels good.

  Kristina

  I feed the lineup change to the broadcasters and ask for more info when I see the double switch taking Chase out of a game that he’s been the star in. There’s no details, just a double switch at this point.

  To @RookCross - Pulled you out on a double-switch?

  To @RookCross - Are you okay?

  I go back and scan through highlights from the last few innings. He’s made some unbelievable plays and has some serious hustle, but his uniform is getting more blood soaked as the game goes on.

  To @RookCross - Chase?

  Chase

  I’m putting my phone in airplane mode when I see I’ve missed a call from a blocked number. There’s no voicemail. I check my twitter and see the messages from Kristina with no time to respond.

  To @Kristeeeeena - Planes taking off. I’m fine.

  Kristina

  Why isn’t he responding? He was playing his position better than anyone else in the league. He must be hurt or they wouldn't have pulled him. I go back to the feed searching for details. Why haven’t they said anything? How hard would it be to give a quick update? The game is finally over and I get a break from assisting the broadcasters. I resort to a bathroom stall and social media. I need to know what happened. He always tweets, nothing. Nothing anywhere. I can’t do this. I go to my cubicle and replay the game on fast forward searching for something, anything that will tell me what happened. He’s got holes in his uniform at the knees and along his thigh near his hip. His pants are bloodstained at the knees and he’s bled enough for it to drip down his leg. His forearm is raw. No matter his condition or injury, his expr
ession is determined.

  I notice the team is on their way home and watch the coach’s post-game presser hoping one of the reporters asked about Chase. Finally, something! Nothing about any injury, only praise for how hard he plays and a joke about the coach not liking the holes in his uniform, but he did give confirmation that we will be seeing Cross in the lineup for the next game.

  My whole body relaxes and tears stream down my face uncontrollably. I can breathe again. I stop and gather myself. I can’t be this person. Fucking baseball players! Why did he do this to me?

  Chase

  The plane lands and I turn off airplane mode to find my message to Kristina didn’t go through. It sends and I message her again.

  To @Kristeeeeena - Sent that message before we took off and it didn't go through.

  To @Kristeeeeena - Just landed in San Diego.

  To @Kristeeeeena - I’ll be at the stadium soon. Are you there?

  I’m suddenly excited, I know she's working today. I’ll get to see her soon.

  I drop my stuff off in my locker and wander around a bit, hoping to run into Kristina.

  Carter pulls me into his office, “I saw you looking all lost puppy dog and checked to see where she is today. She went home early. She left an hour ago.”

  “I don't get this chick. Thanks.”

  To @Kristeeeeena - Are you okay?

  To @Kristeeeeena - Did I do something wrong?

  From @Kristeeeeena - Please leave me alone.

  I hear Seno in my head, “Keep her thinking about you and don’t message her too much.” I go home and attempt to get my laundry done.