“I’d say that it’s sad that you know that, but then it’d be equally sad that I understood the reference. So I’m going to ignore it. And it’s the Spinderellas. They happen to kick ass, too.”
“Sounds like a fairy tale in the making. Let’s hope you get a happy ending.”
He finally showed his true colors. I knew he couldn’t hold out. “It’s not like that. I mean, she’s hot. And perfect. You should’ve seen her in the store. Sassy as hell. Took everything I had not to kiss the shit out of her right there. I don’t know, man. She’s different.”
Ethan looked away. “Just…”
I could always tell when he was holding back. “Just what?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Just be careful with her. I’m pretty sure she’s been fucked over a time or two. Jenny’s mentioned some shit like that. And your future is up in the air at the moment. Is this even a good idea?”
It was amazing how quickly our conversations could change from immature to adult. “It’s just a date. That’s it.”
“I know you know. I just have to say this shit. Plausible deniability if something goes wrong. Because Jenny will personally fuck me up if something happens to her best friend. And that’s after she’s put you in the ground.”
“Yeah, your ol’ lady scares me a little, to be honest.”
Ethan slapped a hand on my shoulder. “It’s what I love about her. Makes things exciting.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“You’re a sadist.”
“It’s true.” He paused. “I wouldn’t have told anyone else. But it’s you and I know how careful you are.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Matt?”
“Yeah?”
“If you’re doing this just to take your mind off the contract stuff, it’s going to end poorly. You know that, right?”
“I know.”
“I’m not trying to ruin your predate buzz or anything like that. I’m happy for you. I know you like her, I do. But mixing emotions together is a dangerous fucking cocktail. I’ll stop with the warnings now.”
I held out my fist. “Thanks. Not for stopping. For always looking out.”
He bumped my fist. “It’s what we do.”
I glanced at the clock. “It’s game time.”
Ethan smacked me on the ass. “Indeed. Play like a champion.”
“Thanks for telling me where she worked.”
“No problem. Just don’t make me regret it.”
“I won’t. I know what I’m doing.”
I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing.
Chapter 4
“ ’Cause I am done with my graceless heart, so tonight I’m gonna cut it out and then restart.”
—Florence + The Machine
Kelsey Martin
I can’t do this.
I stared at my phone and it read 6:50 P.M.
I’m not doing this.
I’d tried to talk myself out of going to the concert with Matt the second he’d walked out of the store. Nerves pooled in my stomach and intensified with each second that passed. He was Ethan’s best friend, and Ethan was Jenny’s fiancé. How would that work if something bad happened? We’d still have to pose for pictures and dance at the wedding.
Ugh! Why did he have to come into my store all hot and sexy and shit and demand I go out with him? More important, why the heck did I want to go through with it?
Maybe because the thought of his hands roaming your body causes your brain to short circuit, Kelsey?
I looked down at my standard concert attire—Levi’s, rock T-shirt (in this case an old Spinderellas gem I picked up at their last show), hair in a ponytail. It was practical, just like my life. I didn’t need much to get by and I certainly didn’t need Matt Stallworth to whisk me off into a fairy tale.
I stared at myself a few seconds longer in the mirror.
Surely he doesn’t find this attractive? I’ll just go on the date and afterward it’ll be obvious that we aren’t compatible—at all.
Three minutes.
Something told me Matt was a punctual guy and would be right on time. He seemed sure enough of himself that he could pull it off without appearing needy.
I shoved my phone in my back pocket and let my hair down. I tied it back up again.
If he makes a move you’re a goner.
I cursed my thoughts.
Doorbell.
I jolted backward and nearly fell into the wall.
No! It’s only 6:58.
The last two minutes were supposed to be reserved for talking myself out of answering the door. I inhaled a deep breath and walked over. My forehead pressed against the cold wood and my hand slid to the handle against my will.
I could practically feel his presence, and my thighs squeezed together. My heartbeat cranked to eleven. All that separated us was less than an inch of door. His strong hands and blue eyes were less than a foot away.
Pull yourself together, woman!
I exhaled and turned the doorknob.
The door creaked open. Turning back wasn’t an option.
Don’t gasp when you see him, Kelsey!
I tried to hold my breath, but my body didn’t want any part of it. It was like trying to stop a sneeze after the event was set in motion. I started to cough and choke. My eyes watered like crazy.
His gorgeous smile disappeared and a look of concern wafted over him. “You okay?”
I wanted to run and hide. How pitiful was I?
He put a hand on my shoulder and I shrugged it off. I didn’t want to be mean to him but it was the only way to get through this fiasco. Ethan was getting an ass-kicking later for facilitating this whole charade.
I belted out a couple more coughs into my fist. “I’m fine.”
Matt backed up a step and held his hands up. “Sorry. I didn’t mean…”
The butterflies raged in my stomach, but they weren’t the same as before. This was guilt.
I took a step toward him. “No, it’s okay. I’m sorry. Let’s just go.”
Matt smiled. “Okay.”
I looked out in the driveway for a giant truck or SUV. It’s what I envisioned men like Matt drove. Instead, my eyes found a silver hybrid Mercedes.
He cares about the environment. Just wonderful.
I realized I was searching for a flaw. I needed him to have at least one. More would be even better. If I could find a problem with him then I would have a reason to justify why we would never work. Convincing myself would be the key.
Matt walked beside me on the sidewalk toward his car. “You excited?”
“About?”
He chuckled.
I waited for him to get mad or upset, but he just kept smiling that beautiful goddamn smile of his.
He looked down at my breasts.
I started to speak and he cut me off, his stare roaming back and forth, down to the ladies then back to my face.
“The concert?”
“What do my boobs have to do with the concert?” The filter between my brain and mouth malfunctioned and the words came out before I could stop them.
Matt stopped walking and for some reason I followed suit and halted, as well.
“First off, your rack is amazing, but you’re wearing a Spinderellas shirt. I was nodding to the band name.” He smirked. “You’ll know when I stare at them.”
“Oh, so my boobs aren’t good enough—”
He cut me off midsentence. “Second, we’re going to have fun tonight whether you like it or not. Now, I’m going to open the door for you because my mom would beat my ass if I didn’t for a woman as beautiful as you.”
I began to say something else and the bastard cut me off again.
“Actually, she would beat my ass if I didn’t open the door for any woman, but I took the opportunity to mention how gorgeous you are. So deal with it.”
My inhibitions shot down the road and left me stranded, alone and unable to breathe. I looked down at my outfit and back up to him, curious as to what he found
so special. Matt opened the door and stared at me like nobody had ever stared at me in my life—like he wanted to devour me.
Move. Speak. Do something. Maybe breathe?
I couldn’t.
His powerful gaze stole the air from my lungs. I just stared with my arms folded across my chest.
After a few beats I pulled myself together and walked over to take a seat in the car. On my way by I flashed him a grin and mumbled, “Mama’s boy.”
He closed the door and started around the front of the car. “Damn right I am.”
Jesus!
He walked around and climbed into the car that was far too small for his massive frame. Matt took the wheel with one hand and pushed the button to start the car. I caught myself ogling the fabric of his shirt as it stretched around his bulging biceps. He was definitely the exact opposite of the guys I usually dated.
“Isn’t this car kind of small for you?” I grinned, but at the same time guilt roiled around in my stomach. Being mean to him wasn’t fair. When I thought about the way he’d pulled Jenny out of her funk after her dad passed away the feelings intensified times a thousand. What I was doing wasn’t right.
But this could not happen. It’d be bad for everyone. Even if his mere presence sent chills down my spine.
“You don’t like my car?”
I gritted my teeth. “That wasn’t what I said.” I hated people putting words in my mouth. “It was just unexpected. That’s all.”
Matt scoffed and backed out of the driveway. The engine didn’t make a sound. “You thought I’d drive a big truck or something?”
Oh, don’t act like you can read my mind, Matt. Even if that was what I thought, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.
“No!”
He flashed me a side eye. A sexy, blue, wonderful side eye.
I looked away and shook my head. I may have grinned in the process.
“Not all athletes from Texas are rednecks that drive big trucks and hunt in the off-season, you know?”
God, he was making things so difficult. I liked my life in its current state—nice apartment, job I loved, one best friend. I’d started working full-time again after Jenny’s dad—who had been practically a father to me, as well—lost his battle with cancer. Matt was the kind of guy you stared at in magazines and fantasized about in the shower. Not the kind you actually dated and interacted with in real life. Now he seemed hell-bent on crashing his Mercedes hybrid right into my utopian life.
“I never said that.”
He exhaled loudly. “Yeah, but you thought it. Didn’t you?”
I needed to just be honest with the guy. “Look, okay—yeah, maybe I did. And the car was a pleasant surprise. Yes, I’ve enjoyed flirting with you a few times but it was just…”
His mouth quirked up into a smile. “Just what?”
“It was just fun—a fantasy, Matt. We’re completely different people. I never thought you’d ask me out, or that you’d be a music fan. So this is all just a little surreal for me. I’m trying to process it all.”
“So that’s why you’re being a dick?” He nudged me with his elbow and smiled.
I shook my head and bit the inside of my cheek, but I couldn’t help but grin back. There was something about the way he spoke, the way he delivered every line. It was so playful, but yet he held my interest. There was more to him than what I thought. I could sense it.
“Maybe it is. What are you gonna do about it, Stallworth?”
He glanced over from the road and raked his gaze up and down my body. I thought I might melt into the seat.
“Oh, just have a little fun. And I like the way you say my last name.”
He hammered the gas and it forced me back into the leather. Adrenaline pumped through my body. I gripped his forearm that rested on the center console.
“Just because I’m responsible doesn’t mean I don’t love some power, too.”
—
We pulled into a gravel parking lot and Matt paid an old man in a baseball cap ten bucks to park.
The old man peered inside the car. “Well, I’ll be damned. Good season last year, Matthew.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ryan.”
“Oh, hello.” The old man waved to me.
“Hi.” I smiled.
I quickly realized another thing I hadn’t thought about. Going on a date with Matt wouldn’t be like a regular date. Everyone—especially in this city—would know who he was. Could I get used to that?
I shook myself out of the silly daydream for a second. I wouldn’t need to because despite Matt’s charm, and big, strong arms and hands that could pin me down and do all kinds of naughty things to me, and his beautiful eyes, and the fact that he obviously loved his mother and had respect for women, and that he had good taste in music—yep, despite all of that, I still needed to shut this thing down after tonight.
Mr. Ryan looked at me and then winked at Matt. “Nice job, son.”
Matt slowly turned to me with a big, cheesy smile. “Thank you, Mr. Ryan.”
God, he had me smiling like an idiot again.
Ass!
“Well, it’s good to see you, son. Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t, sir. Promise.” Matt pulled into a lot and found a spot back in a corner.
Once he put the car in park he turned to me. “Sorry, we go way back. I’ve parked in this lot since I could drive.”
Interesting. Matt was a man of habit. I’d heard about athletes being superstitious but I thought it was just like before their games or whatever. “Always in this lot?”
“Every single time. I’m a creature of routine.” He shrugged.
I glanced to another lot down the street. “So, if I ever brought you to a concert and parked down at that one”—I pointed—“it might throw you off your game a little?”
He flashed me a stern look but I could tell he was hiding a smile behind it. “Don’t even joke like that.”
He opened his door and started around the front of the car. When I went for the door handle loud footsteps pounded the ground. I leaned at the same time the door came open and nearly fell out of the car. Fear shot through me but I managed to catch myself. I glared up at Matt.
His eyes were wide and he kneeled down in front of me. “Are you okay?”
I gritted my teeth for a second while coming to grips with what just occurred. After realizing he was just trying to open the door for me and the fact that I hadn’t face-planted into the ground, I chuckled. “I’m fine. How in the world did you get to my door so fast?”
He stood and quirked up an eyebrow at me like is she serious? “I have to umm, be fast.”
I stared blankly.
“For my job?”
I burst into laughter and then slowly nodded. “Right.” I drew out the syllable and tapped an index finger on my temple. “Pro baseball. Sorry for being a little slow. I don’t usually date athletes.”
Jesus.
I wanted to clasp my hand over my mouth when I heard the words come out of it. It hadn’t totally sunk in until I heard them uttered aloud. Were we dating? I mean, I was on a date with him. He picked me up at my house and opened doors for me and—
Oh my God, you’re dating him!
I should’ve stayed at home. I shouldn’t have answered the damn door. I should’ve pretended to be sick.
My sweaty palm nearly slipped off the frame of the door as I pulled myself out of the car. Matt held out a hand and I took it without thinking. Gross! It was disgustingly sweaty, too. We hadn’t even made it into the venue yet and I’d already slimed him like an episode of Double Dare.
It didn’t faze him at all.
“It’s a little chilly out here. I think I have a jacket in the back if you want?” Matt pointed with a thumb back to the Mercedes.
“No, I’m good. I like the fall weather.” It wasn’t a lie. Fall in Texas was perfection and the leaves had already started to change colors. The crisp air felt new and held a distinct smell.
“So do I. Thoug
h I’m partial to spring.” He flashed me a look like I should know what he was talking about again.
Damn it.
I hated not catching on. My dad always said it was because I developed later as a toddler and would get frustrated when I couldn’t do things. He’d said it followed me the rest of my life even though I’d eventually caught up to everyone else.
But part of me seemed to really enjoy that about Matt. He was new and exciting and unlike anyone else I’d known. That was the part I needed to ignore. New things grew old in a hurry. Matt was sushi. It was cool and hip and fun when I first tried it and then it was just okay. But there was no way Matt was pizza or a cheeseburger—something I couldn’t live without the rest of my life. I would’ve already found pizza or a cheeseburger if it was out there.
“Why spring?” I finally asked.
He looked at me a little funny. “Sorry. You really don’t do much sportsing, do you?”
I chuckled at his made-up word and shook my head. “I’m sorry. I just never got into it.”
I looked down and noticed it took me two steps to match each one of Matt’s strides. God, he was tall, too. Even taller than I’d remembered.
He shrugged. “It’s okay. It’s kind of nice, actually.”
Well, damn. There went one way to chase him off.
“Really? I’d think you’d want to go out with someone who had that in common with you. It’s such a big part of your life and everything.”
Why wasn’t I having to walk faster? I looked down again and noticed that Matt was strolling along and walking super-slow to accommodate my normal, human-size steps. I smiled. I wasn’t really sure why, but I found it incredibly sweet that he slowed his walking down just for me. I tried to rid myself of my girly thoughts—unsuccessfully. Maybe he did it for everyone, but right now it was for me.
“You’re gonna have to try a lot harder if you want to get rid of me.” He kept smiling and looked down at me from the corner of his eye.
My blood heated right back up with a healthy dose of irritation—maybe just the slightest hint of infatuation, too.
Cheeseburgers. Pizza.
For some reason I couldn’t rid myself of the delicious food metaphor thoughts I’d cooked up earlier, and then it dawned on me that I hadn’t eaten dinner.
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