Charming the Shortstop

by Heather B. Moore

  When she looked back at Axel, he had a thoughtful look on his face.

  “I guess you guys are competitive?” she said, taking her seat again.

  “Always.” He sat next to her. “What do you think of Grizz?”

  The question surprised her since it was the first time she’d seen any hint of insecurity in Axel Diaz. Brighton wanted to laugh, but she could see that Axel was very serious. “He’s an amazing catcher.”

  Axel rubbed at his neck. “Besides that.”

  She wanted to tease him, but his gaze was earnest, and she didn’t have the heart to. So she took the plunge. “It’s been nice to meet all your friends, but one part of me wishes that our first date was just the two of us.”

  This brought her the smile she was looking for, and her heart went all swoony. Because, first, Axel Diaz. And second, the smile was all for her.

  “The rumors are true,” a man said, setting a plate of food on the other side of Brighton. He had to be another baseball player. He wore a tuxedo, and his white-blond hair was fashionably messy.

  He was also grinning at Axel.

  “Get over here, Rabbit,” Axel said, and the two men hugged.

  Rabbit then slipped into the seat next to Brighton before she could say a thing. “You’re stirring up the gossip,” he told her, extending his hand.

  Brighton shook the guy’s hand. His real name couldn’t be Rabbit, right? “And you are... ?”

  “Ryker Stone,” he said in an easy voice. “First base for the Baltimore Blue Jays, which could kick the Sharks’ butt any time.”

  Axel scoffed.

  Brighton wanted to laugh at the way Ryker had introduced himself. “Nice to meet you, Ryker,” she said. He reminded her of an athletic Ryan Gosling.

  Axel and Ryker started talking-slash-arguing about recent games, and Brighton finished her salad while she listened. Soon Grizz returned, and that was when the stories really started to fly. Brighton found herself laughing more than once. And she was happy to see that Axel seemed more relaxed around Grizz now.

  A few other people joined their table, all wide-eyed at the table full of baseball stars, and Brighton merely listened to them talk baseball, players, stats, trades, and coaches. She knew enough about baseball that she could follow most of the conversation.

  “Attention, please,” a woman said into the microphone.

  The talking around the dinner tables quieted, and Brighton turned toward the front of the room to see Mamma Sal standing behind the head dinner table. Seated along the table were her fiancé and other family members, including Sawyer Bennett.

  “Thank you for coming, everyone,” Mamma Sal said. “You are all my family, and I wouldn’t be here today—or getting married again—if it weren’t for your support.” She reached for the man’s hand who sat at her right. “Tomorrow will be one of the best days of my life, and I can’t wait to share it with all of you. But tonight, we’re celebrating each of you—my loved ones. Be sure to get seconds at the buffet and make my money worth it.”

  Several people laughed.

  Mamma Sal smiled. “And you know me—a party isn’t a party without dancing. You’d all better get out of your chairs and dance. And that’s an order.”

  More laughter. As if on cue, the music that had been playing in the background rose in volume.

  Mamma Sal’s fiancé rose to his feet, and it was clear he asked her to dance. They moved to an open area, and some of the lights were dimmed. Other couples began to fill in.

  The talk about baseball resumed around Brighton’s table, and she refocused on that. The last time she’d danced had been with Leo. At their wedding rehearsal dinner. In fact, now would be a good time to visit the ladies’ room.

  “I’ll be right back,” Brighton said to Axel as soon as there was a break in the conversation.

  He looked over at her. “Are you okay?”

  Was it so plainly written on her face? “I’m fine. I just need to find the restroom.”

  “Okay,” he said, although he looked like he wanted to ask her more questions.

  But no one could be that astute, because Brighton was pretty good at hiding her emotions. She wouldn’t still be working for an airline if she weren’t. Although she could admit she was glad they’d missed the rehearsal ceremony tonight. She hadn’t really wanted to see the happy, smiling faces full of love as they gazed into each other’s eyes and practiced their wedding vows.

  She and Leo had done the same thing, surrounded by their family and friends.

  Only hours later, he’d called it off.

  Brighton’s eyes were burning by the time she pushed through the swinging door of the ladies’ room. A woman with straight, blond hair stood at the bathroom counter, talking into her phone. So Brighton made a beeline for one of the stalls. She sat on top of the toilet lid and closed her eyes. Don’t cry, she commanded herself. She was not one of those women who cried beautifully. Her eyes reddened, her eyelids swelled, and her nose ran incessantly.

  Even with the dim lights in the banquet room, it would be obvious to anyone that she’d been crying.

  The woman was still talking. Who did that? Especially when at any second, someone could flush a toilet? Then Brighton realized that the woman at the sink wasn’t talking to someone; she was recording notes for something.

  “Belltown’s Six Pack are back for the wedding of the year...” the woman said, sounding like she was verbally writing some sort of newspaper article.

  Brighton tried to tune out the woman, but it was impossible. Brighton stood abruptly and flushed the toilet, just so that it would interrupt the woman. Then Brighton exited and went to the sink. Maybe she could hang out in the lobby for a bit and pretend she was busy reading something on her phone.

  Or maybe she could go outside for a few minutes. But if Axel spotted her out there, he’d probably be offended. Yet how could she go back into that room with all the dancing, the smiling, and the warm feelings of happily-ever-after love? All things that Brighton had once believed would be a part of her future. She could push past this—had to push past it. Seven months was plenty of time to get over the damage from Leo.

  But as she washed her hands, tears burned in her eyes again, and before she could stop them, they slid down her cheeks.

  “Hey, are you okay?” the other woman said.

  Brighton nodded and gave a weak smile. Speaking was out of the question right now. She turned off the water and ripped a paper towel from the dispenser. She dabbed at the tears on her cheeks, but the tears kept coming. Dang it.

  The woman stopped recording and slipped her phone in her pocket. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Are you sick?”

  “No,” Brighton managed to say, although her voice sounded hoarse. “I’m just... It’s just...”

  “Come, sit down,” the woman said. She led Brighton to a small bench that was near the door. “I’m Harlow. What’s your name?”

  Brighton hesitated, then told her, “Brighton West.”

  “Oh, you’re here with Axel, right?”

  Brighton wasn’t surprised that this woman knew that.

  “Was he a jerk or something?” Harlow asked. “If he was, then I’m going to—”

  “No,” Brighton said, cutting her off. “He’s been a perfect gentleman.” She took a deep breath. “It’s just this whole wedding thing has brought back some bad memories. I was supposed to get married last fall; we had the whole thing planned and even went through the wedding rehearsal dinner and everything.” She couldn’t finish. Only Gabe knew the entire story.

  “Oh, honey, I’m sorry,” Harlow said and wrapped an arm about her.

  Despite the fact that Harlow was a complete stranger, Brighton felt comforted. “Sorry, I’m being a baby. It’s been seven months. I should be over him.”

  “You were triggered.” Harlow dug into her handbag and pulled out a Kleenex pack. “Grief doesn’t have a timeline, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Can I get you anything? A drink? A taxi? Want me to get Axel?�
��

  “No,” Brighton said quickly. “I’ll be okay. I mean, this is our first date, and I don’t need to bring up my past drama. Axel’s here with all his teammates, and I’m sure I’ll be okay in a few minutes.”

  Harlow bit her lip and didn’t look convinced. “Axel’s a great guy, and I’m sure—”

  “Please, I don’t want to make things all awkward between us.” Brighton used one of the Kleenexes to wipe at her face. The tears were mostly gone. “I can go out there and be normal. In fact, maybe I’ll even ask him to dance.”

  Harlow grinned. “Now you’re talking. Do it. Leave those memories of your ex in the dust.”

  Brighton nodded and took a shaky breath. “Thanks.” She handed back the Kleenex pack. “Thanks for this too. I’ll be okay, really. I just need a few.”

  “Okay, hon,” Harlow said. “If you need anything at all, let me know.” She patted Brighton’s knee, then stood.

  Moments later, Brighton was finally alone. Strangely, she felt better. The tightness in her chest had lessened, and her throat no longer ached. She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. She could hear the music, and she pictured herself dancing with Axel instead of Leo. It was a nice image, and she found herself smiling and feeling a bit warm.

  So she’d do this. She’d ask Axel to dance and exchange a bad memory for a good one like Harlow had suggested.

  Brighton rose from the bench and pushed out of the ladies’ room. She stopped cold when she saw Axel leaning against the wall outside of the restroom, hands in his pockets, waiting for her.

  CHAPTER 9

  Axel had known something was wrong with Brighton. And when she hadn’t returned within a few minutes, the tightness in his stomach only hardened. She’d told him she didn’t care much for weddings, and he’d said he didn’t either. But then he’d thought little of her comment until the dancing had started.

  It was like a switch had been turned off inside of her. Gone was the easygoing, charming Brighton who was listening and sometimes contributing to the dinner-table conversation. She’d gone absolutely quiet. And then left.

  Sitting at the table and worrying about her wasn’t doing him any good, so he’d excused himself and gone into the empty lobby. A quick glance around told him Brighton wasn’t in the lobby, so she must still be in the restroom. Just as he approached, Harlow Ember came out of the ladies’ room.

  Axel stopped.

  “Oh hi, Axe,” Harlow said. “Nice to see you again.”

  She was wearing some sort of pantsuit, which made her look like she was here on business. Which she probably was, being the local reporter for Belltown.

  Axel rarely got a word in edgewise around Harlow, and tonight was no different. She strode toward him. “If you’re looking for your date, she’s still in there. Should be out in a jiffy.” Harlow patted Axel on the shoulder as she walked past him and continued to the banquet room. “Take care of her, you hear?”

  “Of—of course.” He frowned, turning to watch her walking away. “Harlow, wait—” But she’d already reached the banquet doors.

  Harlow waved, then disappeared inside.

  So... now what? At least he knew that Brighton was still inside the restroom. Should he knock?

  No. He leaned against the wall, hoping no one else—of the nosy type—would come into the lobby and ask what he was doing. Maybe he should offer to take Brighton back to her hotel. She’d been a good sport, and even though he hadn’t seen signs that she was bored, surely all this talk about baseball and past glories was getting old for her.

  If the roles were reversed, he’d probably be itching to leave too.

  Then the bathroom door opened, and Brighton walked out. Well, damn. She’d been crying.

  Axel straightened, and before he could say anything, Brighton said, “Did Harlow get you?”

  It took Axel a second before his mind caught up with her question, because he was trying to figure out what had made Brighton cry. Had he said something that offended her? Was one of the other Six Pack rude? Or had the teasing gone too far? “Um, no.” He lowered his voice. “Are you okay?”

  Brighton fidgeted with her dress, and her eyes didn’t quite meet his. “I will be. But, uh, I wondered if you want to dance?” She lifted her gaze.

  Axel couldn’t have said no to those violet eyes if it meant dancing in a burning building.

  He wanted to find out why she’d been crying, but if she wanted to dance, then they’d dance. “Of course.” He held out his hand, and she took it. So maybe it wasn’t him she was upset with—and Axel was surprised at the deep relief he felt.

  And she wasn’t asking him to take her back to the hotel. She wasn’t calling it a night yet.

  Axel led her into the banquet room, and they weaved through the tables until they reached the dance floor. The music was fast and the energy high. More couples had joined in, and Axel caught a glimpse of Skeeter and Rabbit dancing with women who seemed to be glowing with appreciation.

  Then Axel caught a glimpse of Steal, a.k.a. Levi Cox. The man was extremely late, which didn’t surprise Axel in the least. Steal played third base for the Minnesota Ice and was the last of the Six Pack to arrive at the wedding. True to form, Steal was wearing ratty jeans and a leather jacket, but he somehow pulled off the male-model look without even trying.

  Steal lifted his chin in acknowledgment to Axel, and he nodded back. The ladies had already discovered Steal’s presence, and at least four or five were standing around him, hoping to be the lucky one he’d pay attention to that night.

  “Who’s that?” Brighton asked.

  And Axel was happy to note that her voice sounded stronger, steadier.

  “Levi Cox, plays for Minnesota Ice now.”

  Brighton nodded, but said nothing else. Her gaze had already moved away from Steal. That was a very good thing, Axel thought. The more he was around Brighton, the more he wanted her to notice him.

  They reached the center of the dance floor, and stopping, Axel turned to Brighton and slowly drew her toward him.

  She met his gaze, and in the dimness he couldn’t tell if she was still sad. He wished she’d tell him what was wrong, but maybe dancing was good enough for now. And he was looking forward to holding this woman. So instead of dancing fast like the couples around them, he drew her hand to his shoulder, then he slipped his hands around her waist.

  She stepped closer, her fingers brushing his neck.

  He slid his hands around her back, drawing her even closer until her curves were pressed against his body, making his pulse drum.

  Brighton’s warm fingers against his neck sent a warm shiver down his back. That, and the way she smelled like orange blossoms. He could breathe her in all night. She nestled even closer until she was practically clinging to him. He could only guess that the emotions going through her had something to do with what Gabe had told him about Brighton’s broken engagement.

  They moved slowly as they danced, ignoring the fast tempo of the music. The warmth of her skin against his made him wish he’d taken off his blazer. He was aware of every breath she took, every inhale, every exhale, the way her fingers brushed against his neck as they danced, the way her body fit against his.

  Axel wanted everyone to disappear so that he could kiss her. Even it if was terrible timing, and even if it was jumping over about a million steps. He hadn’t even known Brighton West existed when he boarded the plane in Seattle that morning. And now he wanted to know everything about her. He wanted to know why she was crying. And he wanted to know why she’d asked him to dance when it was clear she was battling against something.

  But Axel didn’t kiss her, because that would be insane. And if there was one thing he was good at, it was keeping a level head. His years of competitive baseball had taught him that the first team to lose its head to emotions and passion would lose the game.

  The next song started, a faster beat—but Brighton didn’t pull away, and they continued in their slow circle.

 
Someone nudged Axel on his shoulder, and he turned his head.

  Skeeter’s grin was so big, it was practically splitting his face. “Lumberball at nine on the old practice field.”

  “Don’t think so. Have fun though.”

  “Bring your date,” Skeeter said. “She’ll love it.”

  “What’s lumberball?” Brighton asked, no longer as close to Axel as he wanted her to be. In fact, she’d drawn away from him, even though she was still in his arms.

  Axel hid a sigh as Skeeter told Brighton about a game they’d made up years ago that involved a plastic bat and a dodgeball. Similar rules to baseball, but the bases were closer together, and there was no pitching. They called it lumberball because Belltown University’s mascot was a lumberjack.

  “Everyone’s going,” Skeeter said.

  “Sounds fun,” Brighton said, taking Axel by surprise. “I’m no athlete, but a plastic bat might be my speed.”

  Skeeter laughed. “You’ll do fine. Especially if Axe is on your team. See you out there.”

  Before Axel could protest, Skeeter had disappeared into the crowd.

  He looked at Brighton. “You really don’t have to—”

  She pressed a finger to his lips.

  Well, that stopped him cold.

  “I’m not going to ruin your night,” she said, “and make you miss out on what the Six Pack is doing. Besides, it sounds fun.”

  He loved the amusement he saw in her eyes, and he loved that she didn’t look to be on the verge of crying anymore.

  She lowered her finger, which he sort of regretted.

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “We could do something else. Something without a bunch of rowdy baseball players. Lumberball gets pretty lively.”

  She smiled. It was everything Axel could do not to kiss her on the spot.

  “The distraction will be good,” she said. “Besides, it will be fun to see you play up close.”

  Axel’s heart rate might have doubled. “It’s not baseball exactly.”

  “I know.”

  “Hey you,” a woman said, with Grizz right behind her.

  “Rachel?” Axel stared at the girl-turned-woman. Rachel was Sawyer’s little sister. Her blond hair was cut short, and she looked all sophisticated in a red cocktail dress. He released Brighton to hug Rachel, then he made introductions.