Charming the Shortstop

by Heather B. Moore

  She kept her back to the passengers who were coming off the disembarking planes.

  “Do you see that?” Gabe said next to her, making her flinch.

  She turned. “What?”

  Gabe pointed, and Brighton saw three men standing together a few dozen paces away. She blinked. It was the man from first class and Baldie and Unibrow. None of them looked happy. It was apparent that First Class Guy was doing all the talking.

  Gabe chuckled. “Mamma Mia. This is great. I wish I were closer; I’d film it.”

  Brighton could only stare. “What is he telling them?”

  “I don’t know,” Gabe said, mirth in his voice. “But I don’t think they’re going to be bothering you, or any other woman, soon.”

  Baldie had lowered his head and was staring at the ground. Unibrow’s face was bright red. The man from first class placed a hand on each of their shoulders, and it looked like he was gripping their shoulders pretty tight.

  “He probably shouldn’t touch them,” Brighton murmured, but she was transfixed. She wasn’t sure if the shiver that traveled along her arms was because she was impressed or embarrassed.

  “Well, there they go,” Gabe mused.

  It was true. Baldie and Unibrow were walking away—well, more like skulking away.

  “I guess there are a few good men left in the world,” Brighton said.

  Gabe nudged her shoulder.

  Brighton looked at him with a smile. “Okay, a lot of men are good, but I’m feeling pretty jaded right now.”

  Gabe nodded. “Not many people could say that Axel Diaz went to bat for them.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Axel Diaz? The baseball player?”

  “One and the same. I just found out myself.” Gabe grinned. “Don’t you recognize him?”

  Holy Hector. Brighton’s heart thudded, and she looked over to where the guy from first class had been standing. He’d already left. “Well, I’ve seen the Sharks play plenty of times, but I guess out of context, I didn’t recognize him.”

  “It’s probably better that way,” Gabe said. “I mean, we don’t want you fawning all over him.”

  “Ha. Ha,” Brighton deadpanned, although her pulse was jumping. “Good to know he’s a decent guy off the field.”

  “Uh huh,” Gabe said with a knowing smirk. “Come on. Let’s get some grub before the next flight. We’re in Chicago, after all; even if it is the airport, the food’s decent.”

  Brighton wouldn’t turn down that offer. “Sounds great.”

  They headed toward the bank of restaurants at the apex of the terminal. Gabe slowed his step and pointed. “Isn’t that the guy who had the panic attack?”

  She looked to where he was pointing. Sure enough, the Browns were standing in front of a hostess stand at one of the restaurants. In the next second, someone else stepped into her line of vision and shook Mr. Brown’s hand.

  Axel Diaz.

  She and Gabe kept walking, but it was too late. Axel had seen them. His gaze locked with Brighton, and those gold-brown eyes held her gaze. Should she stop and thank him? Ask him what he’d told those creeps? Keep walking?

  Gabe waved, and Brighton may have nodded. Or stared. Possibly ogled. And it wasn’t because she now knew who he was or that he’d helped the older couple on the plane or chewed out the two creepers... it was because there was something magnetic about him. And... frankly, he was gorgeous. All masculine with those broad shoulders, sculpted arms, trim waist, just the right scruff, a jaw that could have been carved from stone. She could go on. But she should probably watch where she was walking.

  Brighton narrowly avoided bumping into a young girl with a double-scoop ice cream.

  “Do you think he knows them?” Gabe asked after they’d passed the Browns.

  “I don’t think so,” Brighton said. It took all her willpower not to look behind her. For one more glimpse.

  “Too bad you didn’t get his number,” Gabe said.

  She scoffed. “As if. I can just see it now. ‘Hey, Mr. Diaz, can I get your number?’ He’d tell me to get in line.”

  “My roommate has season tickets to the Sharks,” Gabe said. “We could go to a game. Maybe Axel will recognize you and call you down from the stands.”

  “I don’t think that happens in baseball,” she said with a laugh. She really needed a change of subject. “Hey, want pizza?”

  Gabe’s brows shot up. “Is grass green?”

  They walked into the Italian café, and Brighton ordered her usual green salad with a side of chicken.

  Gabe ordered pizza loaded with everything, then spent the next thirty minutes looking up the baseball players on the Sharks roster. “Look here,” he said, tilting his phone to show Brighton. “Axel Diaz played college in Belltown. He was part of that Six Pack group who were all over the news a few years ago for a three-peat national championship. Remember?”

  “Not exactly,” Brighton said.

  Gabe read aloud the part of the news story that explained how Axel and five other players from Belltown University were called up to the major leagues in the same year.

  Okay, so Brighton’s curiosity was piqued. “Where’s Diaz from?” she asked, hoping the question sounded innocent.

  Gabe typed something else into his phone. “Southern California. He’s twenty-six, raised in a single-parent home, one younger sister. Anything else you want to know?” he asked, wriggling his brows.

  She looked at his phone. “What are you reading? Wikipedia? So reliable.”

  “It’s always a good starting point. That or the tabloids. Oh, look, his salary is four and a half million.” Gabe gave her a pointed look. “Good thing you didn’t get his number.”

  Brighton wasn’t surprised at the multimillion-dollar salary. Professional sports were outrageous in their contracts. Still, it was kind of a heady feeling to know that she’d interacted with Axel Diaz during the flight.

  “Hey, that’s where he’s going, I’ll bet,” Gabe said.

  “Where?”

  “Belltown.” He tapped his phone. “That’s our next flight, and Axel Diaz didn’t look like he was trying to get out of the airport any time soon.”

  Brighton shrugged. Where Axel Diaz was going wasn’t any concern of hers.

  “Wanna stay in first class?” Gabe asked, lifting his brows.

  For the first time in months, she was tempted. But that was exactly why she should turn down Gabe’s offer. “No, thanks,” she said. “Can’t stand those passengers for the most part.”

  “Well, the connecting flight is a commuter plane,” Gabe said, “so you’re not going to be able to hide behind any curtains.”

  “I’m not hiding from Axel Diaz,” Brighton said. “I just don’t like the pretentious passengers of first class.”

  She could tell Gabe was holding back a smile, but she was sticking to her resolve. Of course, coach wasn’t much better on some days, like today.

  Her cell rang, and she’d forgotten that she’d turned it on. She let out a groan when she saw the caller was her mom.

  Gabe leaned over. “The wicked witch of the west?”

  “More like the flying monkey,” Brighton said. “She’ll keep calling if I don’t answer. Might as well get it over with.”

  “Maybe she’s inviting you to wedding number seven.”

  “She’s still on number six.”

  Gabe’s brows shot up, and Brighton answered.

  “Oh, good, I caught you,” her mom said in her breezy voice. “Phil and I want to go to Mexico for a couple of weeks. He’s between jobs. Can you get us that friends-and-family deal?”

  “Swift Airlines doesn’t fly to Mexico,” Brighton said.

  “Why not?” her mom said, although she knew perfectly well that Swift was continental only.

  Brighton sighed and rolled her eyes for Gabe’s benefit only. “You can go to Los Angeles or San Diego and drive from there, or take another airline.” She could almost see her mom’s pouty face.

  “Well, that’s not
romantic.”

  Another sigh. “Not everything in life is romantic, Mom.”

  “What would you know? You don’t even date. Are you into women or something? You know you can tell me. I’ll still love you.”

  “No, I’m not into women,” Brighton said. Now she was annoyed.

  Gabe laughed aloud.

  “Is that Gabe with you?” her mom asked. “Why don’t you date him? You’ve been friends for years, and he’s a good-looking guy.”

  “Hang on, let me ask him,” Brighton said. “Gabe, do you want to go out with me on a date?”

  He laughed harder.

  She said to her mom, “Better yet, why don’t you ask him yourself, Mom?”

  That stopped Gabe laughing. He took the phone, his eyes a narrow slit. “Hello, Mrs. West. How are you today?”

  Brighton grinned as Gabe fumbled his way through the conversation with her mom. Her mom had always kept her name as West, no matter who she married.

  “You know that I adore your daughter, Mrs. West,” Gabe said. “But I can confidently say that we will never date or be in a romantic relationship. And—” He paused. “No, marriage isn’t on the horizon either, which means that we will not be creating your grandbabies or planning Disneyland vacations with you.”

  “That’s enough.” Brighton snatched the phone. “I’ve got to go, Mom. If you want that flight to San Diego, call Carly. She’ll make the arrangements. She knows who you are.”

  Before her mom could respond or protest, Brighton clicked off.

  “Wow,” Gabe said, rubbing his neck. “She’s one persistent woman.”

  “Yeah, now you know why I moved out the day after my eighteenth birthday,” Brighton said. “She was only on husband number four then, but I was tired of the men parading in and out.”

  “I don’t blame you.”

  Brighton’s dad had died when she was a kid, and her mom wasted no time in hooking another man. But no one could live up to her dear, departed husband, and the second marriage ended before a year was up. Since then, her mom had married, divorced, and married again faster than the postal service could put out new stamps.

  Brighton stood and gathered up the stuff on the table leftover from their meal. “Time to do my inspection on the new flight.”

  Gabe rose too. “You know the cleaning crew is already paid to clean.”

  “I know, but I like to double-check things,” Brighton said.

  “All right,” Gabe said with a chuckle. “I’ll say no more. Swift Airlines will not fly until it’s been inspected by Brighton West.”

  “You’ve got that right.” Brighton walked with Gabe toward the departing gate. The next flight wouldn’t board for another hour, but she’d need the time to check each seat. She liked things to be nice and tidy for the next round of passengers. That wasn’t so bad, was it?

  CHAPTER 5

  The commuter plane to Belltown was much smaller, and Axel was assigned one of the six first-class seats. The flight attendants were the same—well, there were only two of them now. The guy named Gabe... and Brighton.

  He saw her standing at the back of the plane before he took his seat. He didn’t know if she’d come up to first class again or if she’d even talk to him, but it shouldn’t matter. Because he shouldn’t be thinking about some woman he’d never see again. He’d been around plenty of beautiful women—heck, women who’d made their interest pretty clear. And... he’d seen the interest in her eyes. But he’d also seen the wariness. Which only made him all the more curious. He shook the thoughts away.

  The pilot’s voice came on the PA system, but Axel paid little attention because he was still thinking about Brighton. He supposed she’d had more than one encounter with unruly passengers. And since she was a beautiful woman, he supposed that some men would pay her a bit more attention. But negative attention was never warranted or deserved.

  Gabe stood at the front of the first-class section and did the emergency-landing demonstration, then moments later, the plane began to taxi on the runway.

  Perhaps Axel was a little more on edge than most people since his mom had been a struggling single mother his entire childhood, and since he’d seen the way men looked at his fifteen-year-old sister. Axel knew he couldn’t defend every situation that arose in his proximity. Yet his thoughts kept returning to the flight attendant. He’d talked to those two jerks, thrown around a few threats, so it should all be done and over with, right?

  “So what did you tell those idiots?” someone said in a conspiratorial whisper.

  Axel looked over to see Gabe hovering in the aisle next to his seat.

  “I told them that they’d been recorded by the airline surveillance cameras,” Axel said, “and if they ever flew Swift again, they’d be arrested.”

  Gabe’s mouth fell open. “And they bought it?”

  Axel felt a smile tug at his lips. “Yes.”

  Gabe chuckled. “Well, hot dang... You should tell Brighton what you said. You know, the flight attendant they were bothering?”

  “I know who she is,” Axel said. “In fact, I was wondering...” He let his voice trail off because he really shouldn’t continue what he was about to say.

  Gabe’s brows lifted. “Wondering... ?”

  “Nothing,” Axel said.

  Gabe considered this, then he straightened. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Water’s fine.”

  “Coming right up,” Gabe said, then moved on.

  Axel was relieved. He’d almost asked if Brighton was married or had a boyfriend. That would have been completely transparent of him. Besides, he knew nothing about her, and who knew where she lived? In less than an hour, he’d walk off this plane and never see her again.

  Gabe brought a water bottle, which he opened and poured into a tall glass of ice. The service in first class was sometimes over the top. But Axel needed the space. It also afforded a measure of privacy. Fewer people approached him.

  Axel sipped at his water, letting the ice water cool off his thoughts.

  Gabe showed up again a few minutes later. “Would it be too annoying if I asked you to sign this?” He held out one of the first-class menus.

  “No problem.” Axel took the menu. “To Gabe?”

  “Actually, can you sign it to Brighton?” Gabe asked. “She’ll be thrilled, although she won’t admit it.” He looked down the aisle, then back to Axel. “She’s had a rough few months, so I’d like to do something small for her.”

  Axel didn’t need to know how to spell Brighton. He wrote her name, then his standard message, and he signed. Before handing the menu back to Gabe, Axel said, “How’s it been rough for her?”

  Gabe didn’t look surprised at the question, although Axel was already kicking himself. Gabe only leaned down and lowered his voice. “She was dumped at the altar, by an airline pilot, no less. He had her fired too. But she picked up the pieces and started working for Swift. I followed her here because I was too angry to stay.”

  “You sound like a good friend...” Axel watched Gabe closely.

  “She’s my best friend,” Gabe said, shrugging.

  “I’m glad she has you then.” Axel handed over the menu. “Everyone needs someone in their corner. Sorry for her troubles.”

  “Thanks, man,” Gabe said. “She’ll love this, although I’ll have to wait to give it to her. If she knows I’ve been talking to you about her, she’ll kill me.”

  “Oh? Why’s that?” Axel couldn’t help but ask. “Is she a private person?”

  Gabe scoffed. “You could say that. She won’t even get on social media. You know, one of those. No Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, nothing. Makes me crazy.”

  Axel smiled. “That’s pretty unique.”

  “Yeah, I know, she’s a gem in a box full of coal.” Gabe wriggled his brows. “You’re single, aren’t you?”

  Axel had just taken another swallow of his water and nearly choked.

  Gabe only smiled and patiently waited for Axel to breathe norm
ally again.

  “I’m, uh... not looking,” he finally said. “No offense to your friend, or any other woman out there.”

  Gabe’s smile didn’t falter. “Sometimes that’s exactly when you find the one. When you’re not looking.” He tapped the menu. “Thanks for this.”

  Before Axel could say anything or explain that he really wasn’t interested in dating, no matter how tempting a woman like Brighton might be, Gabe moved down the aisle.

  Axel sighed.

  There was less than an hour left of the flight, and he needed to keep his mind off the dark-haired woman named Brighton. He took his phone out of his pocket and logged into the airline Wi-Fi, then pulled up the stats for the Colorado Indians, who he’d be playing Monday night. He read the stats and watched film from the previous games to analyze each player’s strengths and weaknesses. The pitchers, and the players who hit infield balls, were the ones he was most interested in.

  Axel became caught up in the stats, and before he knew it, the plane was descending. He looked out the window at the landscape, and a rush of memories struck him. He’d played at Belltown for four years. He’d met his best friends, who of course always razzed him about not dating anyone. Well, he dated once in a while, but never any one woman more than a couple of times. He’d just never had the emotional energy to put into baseball and his family and another person.

  The moment his phone connected to cell service, it started ringing.

  Sawyer.

  Axel shook his head and pressed END. Then he texted: Just landed.

  He looked at the time. Only 4:55—plenty of time to make it to the rehearsal dinner. He’d checked his single bag, so he’d make his way to baggage claim, then call for a car. Before leaving the plane, he might have glanced behind him, might have scanned the aisle for a certain flight attendant. But passengers were already out of their seats, blocking the way.

  Axel continued toward the front of the plane, where Gabe stood with the pilot.

  “See you, Axe Man,” Gabe said. “Good luck with the season.”

  “Thanks,” Axel said.

  A few seconds after he’d stepped off the plane, his phone rang again. This one he answered. “Hi, Mom.”