The Beach In Winter

by Pike, Leslie

  I rake my fingers through the long strands. When I’m satisfied it’s completely dry, I just let it hang loose. I return my tote to the locker, grab my purse, and head for the elevator.

  As I ride down the two floors, I check my watch. Ten minutes to three. I hope he won’t be late. One of my pet peeves is people who are chronically late. There’s no reason for that. Especially on a date. It really pisses me off. Wait, why am I working myself up? He hasn’t done anything and I’m getting mad at him. Relax, Bliss.

  There’s no time to regroup before the elevator doors open. As I walk out, I see him across the lobby. Alright, prompt too. He sees me, and breaks into a glorious smile. His jeans fit him perfectly. Not too tight or loose, but close enough to his body to show the shape.

  His stark white T hangs perfectly over his flat stomach and his developed pecs and abs. One word comes to mind. Cool.

  As I move toward him, it seems like I’m a mile away and my feet are made of lead. I’m hyper aware of the pull that exists between us in this moment. What the hell is happening?

  The Curve

  A sneak peak

  She doesn’t know I’m watching. Like a wolf casing a hen house, my goal is to stay undetected. Hiding behind this column gives me the advantage. Plus, I’m able to avoid Brick while I’m checking out the new face in the clubhouse. I can ignore the piercing sound of worked-up kids in the room, because it’s the woman standing under the Tennessee Mavericks banner who’s pulled my attention. Noted and approved. She’s ripe for the taking.

  Besides that, it’s impossible to miss the impressive curves hiding under jeans and a team shirt, or the long chestnut-colored hair that frames high cheekbones. Hard to beat those assets. Then she turns to pick up something she’s dropped. BONUS POINTS! Nice ass.

  I learned early to master the art of the slick observation. Watching my older brother and cousins and how they acted around the opposite sex was my education. Sometimes it’s good to be the baby of the family, even at thirty. Whether my gaze is cloaked by dark glasses or team cap down—eyes up, there’s always a way to sneak a peek. It’s my superpower. There’s a kind of radar in me that locks on the most interesting girl in the room. And by interesting, I mean sexy.

  It began before I even knew exactly what it was I was looking for. There was only a sense girls had something I wanted. It was a banner day when Brick told me what that something was, brother to brother. Now I had more than baseball to dream about.

  This woman’s a natural beauty, three quarters girl-next-door, one quarter something I haven’t defined. Yet. But I think it’s wild. Maybe there’s a little gypsy in her. Whatever it is though, I like it. Nothing’s forced. And most unusual of all, she’s not doing a thing to get the attention of the horny young baseball players in the room. No flipping of hair or batting of unnaturally long false eyelashes. No taking selfies with pouting lips. That alone makes her stand out.

  Professional athletes rarely need to work for a woman’s attention, and it messes with our heads. Not that I’m complaining. But when a guy gets used to that dynamic, it can make him lazy. It’s so damn easy to be the guy, win the girl, get laid. It happens without effort, which leads to a kinda dulling of the senses. I’d be kicked out of the testosterone club if anyone heard me admit my take on things. But we all know it’s true.

  Even with my left arm in a sling I’ve managed to remain undetected. I’ve moved from behind the column just a little, so she can see I’m watching, trying to give her a preview of what I have to offer. Work with me baby. But there hasn’t been one glance my way or toward anyone else that I’ve seen. Her attention is locked on a young girl standing at the back of the crowd of rowdy kids, and she’s gesturing to her to move forward.

  The girl stands her ground, holding a ball for an autograph, politely waiting her turn. Once in a while the boy in front of her turns and stares for a moment, which makes her look back to the woman. She doesn’t realize these entitled little shits aren’t going to consider the pecking order. The sponsors’ spawn are always the biggest brats. They’re like calves pushing their way to pasture, the kids crowd toward the signing table where my teammates sit. I think I hear a moo.

  About three more years I’d say and things will change for the girl. She’s a little chubby, but that’ll disappear as she grows taller. Underneath her shyness and extra pounds of baby fat she’s pretty, like the woman. Around sixteen the boys will be fighting for her attention and all the bullies will quiet.

  My own history has shaped me. I can still remember what it felt like to be overweight as a child and how much the bullying stung. Kids can be such raging assholes.

  As if she can sense my stare, the girl’s head lifts and turns toward me. Oh God. Poor kid. The far left side of her face is burned and thickly scarred from chin to forehead where it disappears under her bangs. Our eyes lock for a moment before she looks away. Shit. I hope she didn’t read anything into my expression. Crap.

  When I turn back to the woman, she’s looking at me intently, weighing my reaction. The corners of my mouth lift in acknowledgment of her stare and my head nods. No warmth is returned. Instead, she resumes her watch. Is she the girl’s mother? She looks young.

  Quickly I do the math. If the kid’s about thirteen, the mother could be early thirties. Yeah, I guess it could work. I mean if I’d had a kid when I started having sex I could have a thirteen-year-old easily. That’s a sobering thought, I’m barely thirty and still sowing my wild oats as my grandmother likes to say.

  “Atticus.” Brick’s hand lands on my good shoulder and I hear the impatience in his voice. “What’re you doing? They want to meet their favorite catcher. Come on.”

  “Don’t have a hissy fit,” I say, imitating my mother’s voice and ignoring my brother’s directive. “I’m busy. Quit being my agent for a minute and look at that chick with the hair and the fine ass.” I lift my chin in her direction.

  He takes a beat to check out my interest. A smile spreads across his face and a look that says he knows something I don’t.

  “What?”

  “That’s Charlotte.” Stepping in front of me he blocks my view. “I invited her and her daughter. She’s nice. Don’t even think about it.”

  “I’m just looking. She your date?” I say glancing over his shoulder.

  “No. She’s my hairdresser. And my tailor. And I don’t want to lose either one.” He puts a hand on my good arm. “I mean it, Atticus. It took me a long time to find someone who knows how to tailor pants right. Don’t fuck it up for me. Come talk with the kids. You don’t have to sign.”

  I consider my options and come to the obvious choice. “Introduce us. Then I’ll do whatever you want.”

  A long sigh escapes his lips. “Just keep it in your pants. She’s nice. The woman has enough trouble without you hitting on her.”

  “It’s tethered,” I lie.

  I’m rewarded with a half-smile and a grunt that says he has zero confidence in my statement.

  “Just go to the table. I’ll bring them to you.”

  “That’s not gonna work. Those rug rats will push ‘em to the side.”

  He knows I’m right.

  “Okay. Wait here. But you’re going to sit your ass down with your teammates as soon as you say your horny hello.” He punctuates his order with a pointed finger.

  “Yeah. But I’m not staying for long. I’m injured,” I call to his retreating figure.

  There’s a shake of his head and a wave of dismissal as he heads for her.

  My right hand runs through my hair and then cups my mouth, checking for funky breath. Shit. I know it’s all good. Why am I trying so hard? She didn’t give me a second look after the first one said she wasn’t interested.

  I can’t step from behind the column because these little shits will stampede me. So I wait. And wait. Why is this taking so long? Come on, Brick. I risk being discovered and peek my head out further. Here they come.

  “I’ve got a few friends I’d like you to meet,�
�� he says approaching.

  The girl’s having trouble holding eye contact. But the mother isn’t. Her beautiful pale green eyes are locked on mine. It has the surprising effect of sending a jolt up and down my spine, settling squarely on my dick. Wow. There’s a small smile accompanying her stare but not in a flirtatious way. It may be just good southern manners.

  “Hi! I’m Atticus,” I say holding out my hand to the young girl.

  Her warm delicate palm slips into mine. We shake. She’s too embarrassed, or excited, or maybe nervous, to respond. It’s always one of the three that tongue-ties a fan.

  “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

  “Mallory.”

  “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”

  But instead of a smile I get a frown. She’s not buying my sincere compliment. That was a bust. She gently pulls her hand back.

  “And you’re Charlotte, right?” I say to the woman in my best I think you’re hot voice.

  She extends her hand. “Yes. Hello.”

  Her voice. It’s honeyed, as my father would say. We shake but she releases before I’m ready to let go. I’m not picking up any interest whatsoever. What’s happening? Come on, I’m using my best material and widest smile.

  Brick’s distracted by the coach waving him over. “Sorry, I have to take care of something.”

  He gives Charlotte a pat on her back then walks away. Good. Now I can do my thing without my brother busting my chops later.

  “I’m always happy to meet Maverick fans. What if I sign your ball for you, Mallory?”

  She hands the ball over and I look at the woman. “Can you hold my ball?” I say leaning forward a little. “I’ve got a broken wing.”

  Nothing. No smile or amused chuckle at the innuendo. Nada.

  “Sure.” She takes the pen the girl carries, uncaps it and passes it to me.

  “Honey, hold the ball for Mr. Swift,” Charlotte says to her daughter, ignoring my request.

  The ball’s passed back to the girl, and she steadies it with both hands. “I’m a big fan, Mr. Swift,” she says softly.

  I sign and then look up at her face. “Really? Call me Atticus, we’re on a first-name basis now. Did you two see me get whacked by the ball last month when we were playing the Astros?”

  Now the kid’s smiling. She nods her head. “I was watching on TV, but not Mom. I thought I heard the crack of your bone.” She touches her clavicle.

  Turning to Charlotte, I hand her the pen. “How come you weren’t watching?”

  Her face starts blushing and I can almost see the wheels working as she tries coming up with an answer.

  “I think I was on the phone when I heard the announcement you’d been hurt. I missed that part of the game.”

  A satisfied grin says she thinks she’s sold me on the excuse. Mallory keeps quiet, but the eyes tell me her mother’s fibbing.

  “So you’re a fan then?” I say challenging her story.

  “Yes. Definitely.” She raises a fist in the air and pumps it. “Go Mavericks!”

  “How’d you like our big game with the Reno Weasels?” I say.

  Her eyes widen as her eyebrows lift.

  “Oh, that was a good one. What a game! We really enjoyed that, didn’t we Mallory?”

  The kid and I lock eyes and then we both start laughing.

  “What?” Charlotte says.

  “Mom, there is no Reno Weasels! Who’d name their team the Weasels?”

  I like this look. This face right here. She’s smiling and then laughing with us.

  Her shoulders rise in embarrassment and she bites her full bottom lip. “Sorry. I didn’t want to admit I don’t like baseball.”

  I put my hand over my heart and lean against the column. “That’s a fatal blow, woman!”

  Both she and Mallory giggle at my overacting.

  “I’m gonna have to change your opinion, you know. Baseball’s the greatest sport there is. It’s America’s pastime after all. Don’t you know that?”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her. It’s hopeless,” Mallory says.

  The fact that the kid’s enjoying herself has turned the mood of the mother. Now’s my chance.

  “So, Mallory, you coming tomorrow?”

  “Where?”

  “The picnic. My brother was supposed to invite you two. Didn’t he tell you about it?”

  “No,” they say in unison.

  “It’s gonna be great. Have you heard of Athletes for Heroes?”

  “No,” Charlotte says.

  “They work with the children of fallen heroes, policemen, firefighters, military. Those kids who’ve lost a parent…” Out of my peripheral vision I see one of the kids point at me. Shit! When I look, the news has spread. I’ve been discovered. There’s only a few seconds left of our private conversation before we’ll be surrounded. “It’s a national charity the Mavericks are involved in.”

  I spot Brick approaching. “I’ll let my brother explain. He’s the expert. But please come. I’ll get your number from him…”

  “Atticus!! Atticus!” Voices call my name and bodies press around me, pushing me against the column and Charlotte and Mallory to the side. I lose sight of them almost immediately as pens and balls and tickets are shoved at me for my autograph.

  * * *