Keeping Score

by Alyssa Kale

  “He skirted around it, but yeah, basically. But it doesn’t really matter anyway. I’m pregnant with not his child. He’s being nice now, but once the baby gets here, he’ll disappear.”

  “Damn, girl,” she says, unwilling to say anything else, because she’s worried about stressing me out more. And for once, I’m thankful she’s holding back.

  When we finally get back to my apartment, I go straight to my bed and lie there staring at the ceiling. Exhausted but unable to fall asleep.

  I know Braxton has tried to text me multiple times, but I’m just not in the mood to deal with him right now.

  He’ll eventually move on. I hope, or I don’t. It will hurt seeing him with someone who isn’t me, but I want to eventually settle down, and with his profession and his aversion to love and marriage, I know it’s better to break my own heart and move on without Braxton in my life.

  Before I close my eyes, I check my phone one last time and see a text from him.

  Braxton: I’m not giving up.

  37

  * * *

  BRAXTON

  “Brax!” My mom comes running out the front door, the smell of her home cooking wafting out of the house. I missed this. I didn’t come home for the holidays like I usually do, because I had Sophie at my home, and she couldn’t travel. Instead, we opted to just spend time with her dad and Kendall. Which was nice, but not home.

  Her dad is a huge baseball fan and always has been, so it was fun getting to talk shop with him.

  “Hi, Mom,” I say as I give her the biggest hug I can without squeezing too hard.

  “Oh, I’ve missed you, son.”

  “I’ve missed you too, Mom.” I kiss her on the cheek before asking, “Whatcha cooking?”

  “Your favorite,” she says slyly before turning and walking back into the house.

  “Which favorite? I have many!” I yell at her retreating back as I grab my duffle bag out of the car. I don’t plan on staying more than a couple of days. I’m hoping my mom can help me come up with a plan to win Sophie back—for good this time.

  When I walk into the house, I hear music coming from the kitchen. My mom is jamming out to some ’80s music and singing along with it, very off-pitch.

  I laugh, and when I turn the corner, I see my mom has literally cooked all my favorite meals. All. Of. Them.

  Lasagna, her chicken and dressing that I missed at Thanksgiving, enchiladas, and oh my God, everything I love.

  “Mom, why did you cook so much?”

  “Because I know why you’re coming here and thought you could use some comfort food.” My mother. I smile and hug her again.

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Don’t thank me,” she says. “Choose a couple to eat while you’re here. The rest we can put in a cooler, and your dad can go pick up some dry ice so you can take it home and heat up later.”

  I nod and tell her which one I want to eat now before heading up to my childhood bedroom to deposit my bags. My old room has changed over the years. Gone are the little league baseball trophies and my posters of baseball legends I looked up to as a kid. It’s now a plain guest room for when my sister and I come to stay. My mom did stick to a baseball theme though. A baseball theme of my team’s colors and me.

  When I head back downstairs, I hear Mom placing plates on the table for us to eat dinner.

  “Mom?”

  “Yeah, son.”

  “So, my old bedroom—” I begin, but in the excitement, she interrupts me.

  “Yeah, do you like it? I thought it was fitting, since that was your old room. The flowery guest bedroom I had before just wasn’t working.”

  “It’s... interesting.” I laugh. “Not going to lie, it’s a little weird sleeping in a room full of posters of me.”

  My mom laughs. “Oh, dear. I didn’t even think about that. We’re proud of you though, son.”

  “Very proud.” I hear my dad walk through the backdoor, and it makes my heart soar knowing my parents are proud of me. All the time and money they put into my dream paid off. It wasn’t a waste.

  “Hi, Dad,” I say as I lean in for a man-hug.

  “How ya been?” he asks as he slaps me on the back like he used to when I was a kid.

  “Good, good. Kinda. I actually came home to talk to Mom. Girl trouble.”

  My dad laughs. “Oh, I know all about girl trouble.” He looks over at my mom mischievously. “Have had girl trouble since I met this one,” he pretend-whispers and points to her.

  “Larry, I heard that. Don’t make me poison your food!” she retorts, still laughing.

  I missed this.

  My parents have always had the best relationship. One I always hoped to get for myself, but quickly realized how impossible it is. Especially in this day and age. And add in my profession on top of it, I just gave up trying—that is until I met someone who might actually fit the mold I never thought would be obtainable.

  Dad and I help Mom clean up and cover and freeze the other dishes she made before Dad heads to his man cave to watch football. He invites me, but I turn him down and opt to stay in the main house to talk with my mom.

  “So, tell me what’s going on, son.” She breaks the ice, and I tell her everything. About how I feel about Sophie. About how I thought I could never marry someone, because I couldn’t ever dream to have what they have, and I also didn’t want to bring anyone into my lifestyle, because, look what happens. Sophie gets followed and harassed and blackmailed. That’s what life is like when you’re with someone famous. A constant of having to watch your back for someone to spill some part of your life into gossip sites and tabloids.

  “Braxton, look at me.” I do what she says, then she continues, “You cannot help who you fall in love with. It just happens.”

  “I know, M—”

  She holds up a finger. “Let me finish. You cannot help when you fall in love. It just happens. It’s life, son. You just have to roll with the punches and enjoy.”

  Unable to say anything, because I know she’s right, I just take a deep breath and hang my head.

  “You love this girl. I can see how hurt you are by her leaving your place. It wasn’t even about keeping her in your home, was it?”

  “At first, it was. I felt bad for the paparazzi camped out in front of her apartment. For all the unwanted attention she was getting, and then for her ex trying to use her to get money. None of that would’ve happened if it wasn’t for me.” I sigh.

  “No, it probably wouldn’t have, but again, you cannot help who you fall in love with. It’s life. And you just gotta figure out how to live with it.”

  “And she’s about to have a baby. A baby who isn’t mine.”

  “I know, and the fact that you still want her and want to take care of her just means I did something right raising you.” She smiles at me and touches my cheek. “You say this ex of hers wants nothing to do with the baby, right?”

  “That’s what she’s told me. He’s a douche of epic proportions. Cares only about himself and that’s it.”

  “Well, son, I think you know what you need to do then.”

  I nod. I need to go get my girl.

  “Not tonight though. It’s late, and you’re not driving seven hours when you need rest first.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say, smiling, because no matter how old I get, my momma will always be one of the most important women in my life. She was the most important, but now it seems someone just took that number-one spot.

  The next morning, I wake up to my phone ringing. I look at the time before answering and see it’s four in the morning. What the fuck?

  It’s my publicist, Karen, so I answer it.

  “Hello?”

  “Braxton, where the heck are you?” She’s angry. Very angry. Shit.

  “At my mom’s near Baton Rouge. Why, what’s wrong?” I ask sleepily.

  “What’s wrong is you’re not at the airport this morning. We have to be in New York for your interview on The Today Show tomorrow.” Shit, she
is angry, and she has a right to be. I completely forgot about it. I’m supposed to be going home to win Sophie back today. Dammit.

  “Shit, Karen, it slipped my mind. I’m so sorry,” I apologize and truly mean it. It’s not like me to forget something like this.

  “I’m going to get off this phone and see if I can get you a flight out of Baton Rouge. How quickly can you get there?”

  I jump up and start putting my stuff back in my bag. “In about forty-five minutes?” If I speed, but I don’t add that in.

  A few minutes later, Karen sends me a text.

  Karen: The earliest flight I could get you is 6:50 am. Get there and fast. It’s first class and it’s not cheap, so you owe me.

  Me: I’m on my way, and I’ll pay you back every cent.

  Karen: Oh, I know you will. Drive safe. Have a safe flight.

  Me: You too.

  My parents are still asleep, so I grab the notepad next to my mom’s chair and write her a note.

  Mom,

  I’m so sorry. I forgot I have an interview in New York and had to leave quickly this morning.

  I love you. Thank you for the talk and the food. I’ll see you when I get back to pick up my truck.

  B.

  I head out the door, and I’m off to the airport.

  38

  * * *

  SOPHIE

  It’s been a few days since I left Braxton’s house. I’ve only heard from him twice. Once to tell me he wasn’t giving up, and a second time to tell me I need to watch his interview on The Today Show, so here I am, in front of my television, waiting for Braxton to come on screen.

  It’s about halfway through the show before the host introduces Braxton. “One of baseball’s hottest commodities right now is with us in the studio today.” The crowd cheers. “Please welcome to the show, the Aces’ star first baseman, Braxton Lee.” She draws out his last name just a tad.

  The crowd is going wild as he walks out on stage, much like the time he was on Late Night with Mike. When he comes into view, my heart aches. I love him so much. I do. But I’m about to have someone else’s baby. I can’t have my cake and eat it too. Once the baby is here, he’s not going to want a thing to do with me.

  As he walks across the stage, he places his hand on his chest for a few seconds then points at the ceiling, a gesture he makes that the audience thinks is for them, but he told me it’s for me. Looking straight at the camera, he mouths, “This is all for you,” and smiles. My heart aches for him. I want him, but I know I can’t have him. Gah, why does he have to keep doing this?

  “So, Braxton,” one of the female hosts starts, “how’s it going?”

  “It’s going great. Spring training is just around the corner, and the team is ready to hit the ground running. We’ve got our eyes set on the World Series.”

  “That’s so great. I hear you guys are contenders this year,” the lone male host on the show adds.

  “That we are. We’ve got good managers and a great lineup so far this year.” He nods, and I can tell he’s excited about the year to come.

  “Great, great,” the male host says as he looks at his card for a question he can ask.

  “Braxton, we’re dying to know.” Oh God, here we go again. “Are you about to be a daddy?”

  “Well—” He pauses, trying to come up with an answer. “—it’s not something I can comment on at the moment.”

  “Okay, well are you off the market for good?” one of the other female hosts asks. I can tell these were not approved questions, but I think he knew they were coming.

  He sits up straight and looks directly into the camera again. “Yes, I’m completely off the market.”

  “So there’s someone special in your life?” the male host asks. All four of the hosts are bouncing questions off each other well.

  “Yes. There is,” he answers honestly.

  “Is it this Sophie Thomas girl?” A female host holds up one of the tabloid covers of him and me walking out of the bowling alley many months ago. The one where they quickly figured out my name and profession and eventually my number because of my own idiocy.

  “Yes, that’s her. That’s the love of my life.” He answers, and he’s confident.

  “Oh my God,” I breathe, and my heart takes flight. The… The love of his life? He just admitted on a very nationally watched and recognized show that he’s taken, and I’m the one who got him. We haven’t even had this conversation on our own yet. I was just staying with him so he could help take care of me while I was on bed rest.

  “Well, folks, that’s all we have time for with Braxton this morning. It seems he’s off the market for sure now, ladies. Sorry about your luck.” The host continues telling the audience about the Aces’ games and when they can expect to see baseball start up again before the show goes to commercial.

  My heart is racing. It’s beating so fast I don’t even hear Kendall unlock my door and come in.

  “Hoooly shit.” That’s all she says. She’s just as in shock as I am. “Please tell me you watched that?”

  I nod. I’m still in shock. Did that really happen? “Am I dreaming?” I croak out.

  “No, darling. You are not. Braxton Lee, Clarence’s most eligible bachelor, just admitted on national television that you’re his and he’s off the market.”

  “Kendall,” I begin, but I can’t seem to form the words. Here I am almost nine months pregnant, and there’s a man, who is not the father, admitting on national television that he’s in love with me. “We haven’t even talked about our relationship status. We were just two people sorta living together. I don’t know what this is or what I’m doing.”

  My phone interrupts our conversation when it dings, letting me know I have a new text. Kendall picks it up and reads it from the home screen before smiling and handing it to me.

  Braxton: Did you watch?

  “What do I do?” I ask Kendall, hoping she’ll just tell me my next move.

  “Text him back, you fool.”

  Me: Yes

  Braxton: I meant it.

  I turn my phone around and show Kendall, and she lets out an excited squeal about the same time another text message comes in.

  Braxton: I’ll be home tomorrow night. Can I come see you so we can talk?

  “You better say yes, Soph.”

  I smile. “I thought you weren’t a hopeless romantic.”

  “I am. Deep down, I want everyone to fall in love,” she singsongs and twirls around at the same time, like she’s some damn Disney princess or something.

  “Even you?” I ask.

  “Nah, I like my boy toys.” She laughs, and I laugh with her. “Now reply back yes. Nothing else. Just yes.”

  I do as she says then put my phone down and begin getting ready for my day. I’ve been working from Braxton’s house since being put on bed rest. I haven’t been able to take pictures, but luckily Cora, somewhat, knows how to operate a camera, and I can edit the images before they go in the magazine. It’s worked out nicely.

  I busy myself throughout the next two days, going to my doctor’s appointment, which are weekly now in the last month of my pregnancy. Everything looks good, and I’m even off pelvic rest now. I finish washing the baby’s clothes and putting them in his closet. When I’m done, I just sit in the really nice gliding recliner Braxton bought for the nursery. It’s perfect. Everything is ready. We both have everything we could ever want or need.

  It’s really late when there’s a knock at my door, and I know it’s Braxton. I answer it and see his handsome face.

  “Hey,” he says with a smile as he bends down to kiss me.

  “Hi,” I reply after the kiss and smile back as I open the door the rest of the way to let him in.

  He immediately goes to my sofa and pats right next to him in a gesture to tell me to sit.

  He grabs my hands after I take a seat and looks me directly in the eye. “We should’ve had this conversation a long time ago, Sophie.” He takes a deep breath. “But I was scar
ed.”

  I nod. “Me too.”

  “I’ve never wanted someone in my life as much as I want you.”

  I start to say something, but he kisses my lips to prevent me from talking.

  “Let me get this out please,” he says gently, and smiles at me. Gah, he’s so damn charming. “Anyway, like I said. I’ve never wanted someone in my life as much as I want you. I know this is unconventional, given your situation, but Soph, that changes nothing. It changes nothing about how I feel about you. I know you said Jared doesn’t want anything to do with the baby, and if that’s still the case after he’s born, I would like to step in as his father figure.”

  Tears immediately fill my eyes and begin to stream down my face. I’m unable to speak, so I nod before he continues.

  “Eventually, I think I might want more.” He sighs. “No, I know I’ll want more, but I know you need to get through having this baby first and finding your footing as a new mom.”

  I nod again.

  “I love you, Sophie.” He stares right into my soul when he says this, and I know he means it.

  “I love you too,” I admit, and he leans in to kiss me deeply, passionately, and all the hormones come rushing in. “I’m off pelvic rest,” I whisper, feeling the need to have him inside me. I don’t even care that I look like a beached whale. “I want you.” And I don’t think he cares either, because he begins kissing down my neck and slowly lifts my T-shirt over my head.

  When he takes my bra off, his mouth immediately goes to my nipples, and the extra stimulation makes me want him even more, if that’s possible.

  “Braxton,” I whisper.

  Seeming to understand what I’m asking, he takes off his clothes while I finish taking off mine, and he sits down. He guides me to straddle him as his hand reaches down and plays with my clit. Everything is so sensitive, so erotic. He’s looking me dead in the eye as he brings me to orgasm quickly. I’m shaking and shuddering as he holds me up while I ride through the last of the orgasm.