by Debra Elise
As she sipped her green tea in Just Desserts, she noticed she had the upscale pastry shop all to herself. She was just biting into her chocolate croissant when Kelsey finally made her appearance. Noel followed her looking harried and tired.
“So where was the party last night? Sully’s or Club Cortana?” Kelsey asked. She sat down and grinned at Lara.
She was glowing, dammit. That could only mean one thing. Hot sex with her bad boy pitcher. “You think you know me so well, Kelsey Sullivan. I’ll have you know I was home and in bed by ten p.m.,” Lara answered.
“Really? I find that odd, and yes, I do know you well. Friends like us can’t hide the truth for long, Miss Sass. Now give.” Kelsey took a sip of Lara’s tea.
Lara swatted her friend’s hand. “Get your own.”
“Greta’s making it. You never were good at sharing. Now, I’m sure your night had to be more fun than mine. Well, maybe.” Kelsey offered her a loopy grin. Then she placed her chin in her hand and gave Lara a pointed stare. She always won their staring contests, even when they were seven.
“Now who’s fibbing, Ms.-almost-a-Mrs. I wasn’t the one having mind-blowing sex all night with America’s hottest baseball player.” Jealous much, Lara? Ugh, she needed to banish all thoughts of Kelsey and Maverick doing the horizontal mambo.
Something appeared in Kelsey’s eyes, something like pity. Oh no, Lara was not looking for that or for the hard sell on getting horizontal with anyone. Luke’s face and panty-scorching slow grin from yesterday afternoon popped into her brain. She wanted to tell both Kelsey and Noel about her encounter with Luke, but first she needed to let them in on her disastrous date last night. And her new resolve to stay away from men, no matter how hot they were.
“Hon . . .” Noel broke her brooding silence and touched Lara gently on the shoulder. “We’re both here for you. Anytime, you know that.”
“No, no. It’s all right, Noel. And Kelsey, I’m not trying to be bitchy, but I guess I came across that way and I’m sorry. I’m beyond happy for you and Maverick, honest. It’s just that, well, I spent most of the evening with an overserved, wanna-be golf pro who pawed me every chance he could. Until he passed out in our booth, that is.”
“He did not.” Kelsey was instantly sympathetic.
“What the hell?” Noel said at the same time. “Damn, you had such high hopes for George too.”
“Not really, and as it turned out he’d been doing his best to keep his drinking problem a secret. I think something happened to tip him over the edge. He broke down on me last night and confessed some past sins better left in the vault.”
“Well, at least you won’t have to waste any more time with that loser.” Kelsey took a piece off Lara’s croissant and crossed her arms and leaned in. Lara knew that smile. It spelled trouble. And that trouble was sure to be named Luke Garibaldi. No doubt he’d told Mav about their little encounter outside the tattoo parlor.
But it wasn’t. Instead, Kelsey went in a whole other direction.
“Lara, why don’t you tell us what’s really going on? It’s not about a bad date. Is it your job?”
Lara’s eyes lost focus for a moment as she stared into the distance over her best friend’s shoulder. She never could keep secrets from Kelsey and Noel. As much as she wanted to save this bad news until after the engagement party, Lara knew it was better to rip off the Band-Aid than deal with an even more pissed-off Kelsey next week.
“Look, Lara, I know you and something is definitely bothering you. So you can tell us now or tomorrow or next week, but we will find out. So spill.” Kelsey nudged Noel.
“Lara, don’t make me tickle you,” Noel said in a singsong voice.
Lara smiled at the reference to their childhood threat. Sighing, she knew she had to tell them what had happened to avoid the dreaded tickle monster.
“I’m thinking of quitting my job and applying for an opening at Children’s Hospital in Seattle.” Lara looked everywhere in the room except at Noel and Kelsey.
“Um, what? You’re joking, right?” Noel asked.
“No joke, Noel. Howard gave the senior PT position to Lawrence, and I just lost it.”
“You lost it? And how exactly did you lose it? You get along with everyone. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you raise your voice in anger,” Kelsey said.
“Yeah, well, I did this time. Lawrence had pushed my buttons once too often, so when he flaunted the position in my face I stormed into Howard’s office and demanded the truth. He gave it to me with no signs of empathy or remorse, so I gave him a piece of my mind and left.”
“Wow. Guess you won’t be seeing a raise anytime soon, huh?” Noel said. Kelsey poked her in the ribs and gave Lara a sympathetic look.
Noel was never one to sugarcoat anything and when something bad happened to anyone in their tight circle, she deflected with humor and rarely showed her true emotions. Kelsey, on the other hand, was Lara’s biggest cheerleader.
“Look, I’ve got pretty healthy savings if he decides to fire me before I can quit. And it’s not like I don’t have options.” Lara sounded braver then she felt.
“Okay, so Seattle, huh?” Kelsey asked.
“That’s my dream job, you know that. I’ve made a couple of connections with staff at different symposiums and word is there’ll be an opening soon, but the competition will be hard. I’m not sure if my credentials will be enough.”
“Since when have you ever had a moment of doubt in your life, Lara Eleanor Andretti? Hell, when we were in third grade you knew exactly what you wanted to do when you grew up.”
“Kelsey, it’s not a matter of knowing what I want, it’s a matter of reality. And the reality is that positions at Seattle Children’s are highly coveted and rarely open. There are a couple of other options, but they’re East Coast and I’m not sure I want to make that big of a move.”
“Well, if you want to know what I think, this whole thing is meant to be. You’ve been unhappy at the clinic for months. Plus, your heart is in working with kids versus the wanna-be athletes, right? So put it out there in the universe and your dream job will open up.”
“Noel, is that The Secret crap again? That’s so last century. Next, you’re going to be telling Lara to make a vision board, and voila, all her problems will be solved,” Kelsey complained.
“Kelsey, it’s not crap. And besides, what’s wrong with acknowledging to yourself, and yes, to the universe, what your biggest desires are? I’m telling you, it works. I did a vision board for the project I’m working on now and it came true. So there’s one example right there.”
“What about T.S.’s condo project. You make a board for him too?”
Noel blushed and clamped her mouth tight. “No. His company is not one I want to do business with.”
“Since when?” Kelsey laughed. “When you first heard the rumors two years ago that he’d bought up the old mill site you were practically foaming at the mouth. And once it was announced part of the plan was high-end residential, you couldn’t wait for the bidding process to open up.”
“Well, things change. He and I had a bit of a disagreement on, well, his vision.” She pointed at her two besties. “Stop laughing. It’s true. He wanted to go in a whole different direction, more of a European feel, and I told him why it wouldn’t fit in here. He wasn’t too happy with me and we both said some things and hey, wait a minute. We’re supposed to be figuring out Lara’s problem, not mine.”
“Not a problem. Besides you never told us exactly what went on between the two of you. Maybe now would be a good time to share. I don’t mind. I’m done talking anyway. I just want to stop thinking for once about what my next steps will be.” Lara leaned forward and placed her chin in her hands. “C’mon Noel, give it up. Did he hit on you or what?”
“No. Not at all.” Noel’s words rushed out.
“Hmmm, what do you think, Lara? Think she’s too quick on the ‘no’?” Kelsey asked.
“Definitely,” Lara agreed.
“Wou
ld you two knock it off. Let’s get back to Lara, please?”
“Okay. So, Lara, how about you go to the game with us tomorrow? You haven’t been able to go to one since opening day. I’ve got seats with a prime view of home plate and Luke Garibaldi’s fine ass. What do you say?”
“Kelsey, you’re not supposed to notice your boyfriend’s best friend’s ass, no matter how fine it is,” Lara admonished.
“Really Lara, just because I’m engaged doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate another man’s fine ass. You know it’s gotta be from all that squatting, don’t you think?” Kelsey sent a wink Noel’s way and patted Lara’s hand. “Maverick already knows how I feel about Luke’s ass and he’s okay with it. As long as I bite his, that is.”
“Kelsey, you need to stop that right now. You’re making us blush. And that’s just plain mean. You know neither one of us is getting any right now,” Noel complained.
“And whose fault is that? Both of you could have a different man every week, but I don’t see you putting yourselves out there.”
Lara opened her mouth to argue.
“And George doesn’t count, Lara. So it’s all the more reason for both of you to come to the game with me tomorrow. You still have Mondays off, right?”
“Yes, but no thanks. I’m not really into baseball, you know. Besides, I’ll be fine and you’re not to worry about me. You have enough going on with the ceremony plans plus keeping up with Maverick’s libido.”
Lara ducked the wadded-up napkin Kelsey threw her way. “Hey, it’s true right? Besides you’ve already given me all the juicy details on that, so no going all Miss Priss on me when it comes to your nighttime activities.”
“Well, I think it’s about time you took part in some nighttime activities of your own. Why don’t you just let me set you up with Luke? I know he’d jump at the chance. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
“Since when? Did Mav tell you about yesterday?”
“Yesterday? What happened yesterday? Lara Andretti, you’ve been holding out on me, now spill.”
“There’s nothing to spill. It was after the guys got their tattoos and he asked if he could speak with me—outside.” Lara looked away from Kelsey’s intense stare and felt heat climb up her neck. Not now. She couldn’t let Kelsey know her true feelings; otherwise she’d continue her matchmaking for lord knows how long. Plus, if something was going to happen between her and Luke she wanted it to be because he was interested, not because Kelsey pressured him.
“Look, I’m not hooking up with a ballplayer, Kelsey. Fine ass or not.” But you want to.
“Yeah, me either,” Noel offered “I don’t think I could handle seeing all those ball girls throwing themselves at a guy I’m serious about.”
“Well, I seem to be handling it all right,” Kelsey said. “And you’re both protesting a little too hard. What’s wrong with having some fun and having it with a man who plays baseball?”
“I didn’t mean to offend you, hon. I’m glad you and Maverick found each other and it’s working for you. I just don’t think I’m built that way,” Noel responded.
Lara silently agreed. She definitely couldn’t handle sharing her man with anyone, no matter how innocent it might be. She’d already dealt with one cheater; she was pretty sure she couldn’t handle Luke’s playboy ways even on a short-term basis.
“Listen, I’m calling in my favor, Lara. You owe me, remember?”
“Dammit, Kels, that’s not fair. You know I don’t go back on my promises.”
“Great, that’s what I was counting on. You’re coming. And so is Noel. No excuses. And I’ll call Caris. She spends way too much time listening to other people’s problems in her practice. She needs to let loose too.” Kelsey slammed her hand down on the table in triumph.
Lara hadn’t seen that one coming. She’d forgotten about “the favor.” Kelsey had helped her with all the financial stuff when her grandparents had died and wouldn’t take any money for it. Instead she said she could “owe her favor.” And now that day had come.
She really wasn’t a big baseball fan, but she’d been watching games at home and hadn’t told anyone because she was only watching to see Luke. The man was male perfection, arms she’d love to have wrapped around her and a ripped chest she itched to touch. Her and millions of other women.
His last shirtless ad for a sports clothing company had set the Internet on fire and was one of the most pinned photos on Pinterest—ever. So, yeah, she’d pay Kelsey back and attend an Outlaws game where Luke Garibaldi would be suited up like a modern-day gladiator providing her, and all the other women in attendance, inspiration for their dreams.
CHAPTER 3
Luke took the next turn on the river road like a man possessed. The machine he rode hummed in perfect rhythm to his heartbeat. At this moment he couldn’t care less about the United States Baseball League’s rules. When word had gotten out a few years ago that he was riding in the off season, the former owner had it written into his contract that he was prohibited from engaging in dangerous activities. Like riding his motorcycle.
But to him riding wasn’t dangerous. It was necessary. He rode his bike not to prove he could but because it provided him the adrenaline he craved, yearned, and lived for. Hell, he thrived on the stuff. Being still wasn’t in his vocabulary.
And today Luke needed to exorcise the demons chasing him. Gravel sprayed, the bike’s pipes growled as he downshifted when he hit a straightaway. No one was chasing him. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that every aspect of his life was under a microscope twenty-four seven.
It had been four months since the woman he’d never considered a real girlfriend had played him and nearly ruined his best friend’s career. Now, he had to deal with the story being recycled anytime he was out in public. No longer able to visit his favorite bar without some asswipe taking a picture and selling it to the online e-zines, he had become a hermit and he was fucking tired of it.
The two-lane road narrowed. It was lined with ponderosa pines on one side and the Kokanee River on the other. And it led home. Dawn had splashed its pinks and grays across the low-lying hills above his new home on the Ridge. Breathing in the pine-scented air, he banished the troubled thoughts that had driven him earlier.
The trill of his cell phone threw him back into the moment. Damn, he’d forgotten to turn off the Bluetooth connection in his helmet. Almost to his driveway, he ignored the call and brought his speed back down to the posted limit. Another ride without seeing any signs of the paparazzi.
If they snapped a picture of him on the bike he’d be fined and probably wouldn’t see another start until next season. He often took a drive after practice or home games, and so far, the picture hounds hadn’t figured out he wasn’t living in his condo anymore.
He pulled into his driveway and ripped off his helmet. He had both river and lake views from his property. He never understood until now why people who bought million-dollar homes would say it was the view that sealed the deal for them. Now he understood.
He’d lucked out that the former owner, an absentee New York banker, had decided he didn’t need a third home when his second wife filed for divorce. Luke scored the never-lived-in, oversize log cabin at below market value. It had all the latest gadgets plus a sweet media room where he could watch sports, play Xbox when he needed to wind down after a game, and throw an occasional party.
He took one more look around and parked his Busa in the garage. Once in the kitchen, he placed his helmet on the black granite counter and checked his phone. Maverick had left him a text to meet up for beers later today.
He texted back that he needed to hit the gym first, then went upstairs to change into his workout clothes. He hadn’t earned his five Gold Glove awards by sitting around on his off days. He wanted to add at least one more before his career ended.
To be a catcher in the USBL, you had to play it full tilt. Every. Damn. Day. And he did. Just like he did everything else.
Twenty minutes later he wa
s the only one in the Outlaws’ weight room. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and neck and began another set of reps on the fly machine. Blake Shelton blasted from the sound system crooning about being sorry he wasn’t sorry over his exes cheating. Luke could relate.
He pushed the song’s lyrics from his mind, and the women it conjured from his past. He did an extra set of reps and continued until he reached muscle failure. The Outlaws’ next game was tomorrow, and while most of his teammates spent just a couple of hours in the gym on off days, he spent almost all day. His home away from home.
Most considered him a gym rat, but he looked at his workouts as a necessity, job security. Lifting weights evened him out, and ensured he was in peak condition to maintain his status as a starting catcher. It also kept him from going off the deep end when he read another post on TMZ about his love life or his hard partying. Both overexaggerated.
With fame came a huge price they didn’t prep you for during your rookie season. Beyond the money, the adulation from fans and the women, being a professional athlete sometimes meant giving up all hope of a normal life. Just being able to do your job, and do it well, wasn’t enough. Not if you were a top-tier player—and he was. Despite the pitfalls of celebrity, he couldn’t imagine living his life any other way.
At thirty-two, he was one of the oldest catchers in the league and his knees had maybe two, three years left, tops. But until the day he was forced to hang up his catcher’s mask, he was living full throttle both off and on the diamond.
His partner in crime, and reformed bad boy, was getting married. Kelsey was a great gal and totally out of Mav’s league, yet they worked—somehow. Lucky bastard. But it still didn’t sway Luke to change his wild ways where women were concerned.
He could appreciate the positive influence Kelsey provided Mav, while mourning their skirt-chasing days. It was hard seeing his best friend hang up his single status forever though. He just hoped their marriage wouldn’t become a statistic like so many other players’.
