by V.K. Sykes
The crowd in the stadium came to its feet, roaring its approval as Nate struck out yet another in a long string of batters. Holly cheered along with everyone else, swept up in the excitement of the game and the display of Nate’s power and control. She’d never suspected a baseball game could be such a turn-on, but that was before she’d started sleeping with Philadelphia’s number one sports hero.
Maddie turned in the next seat and gave her a playful smile. “He’s really something, isn’t he?”
Holly removed her sunglasses and grinned back. “And you’re not just talking about his pitching, are you?”
Maddie was right, of course. Nate was something special, and Holly hadn’t taken her eyes off him since he’d stepped onto the pitcher’s mound. She had a good view, too, as they were seated in the field level seats behind the Patriots’ dugout. That allowed her to study his rugged profile from the side—the strong jaw, the high cheekbones, and the dark, two or three day growth of stubble. Even from a distance, he looked so tall. Dominating. Overpowering.
Just like in bed.
A hot, sensual shiver moved through her body. Holly clamped down on the mental image of Nate’s hard, naked body looming over her as they made love. Now was not the time or place for sexual fantasies, especially with the Maddie sitting right there next to her.
Pay attention and concentrate on the game, silly.
Watching Nate play was exciting on its own terms—a righteous display of athletic power and skill. When he fired the ball in an impossibly violent yet somehow graceful motion, Holly had no hope of following the blazing pitch. She’d see the ball in Nate’s hand as he whipped his lanky arm forward, and a split-second later she heard the hard, leathery smack as it hammered into the catcher’s glove.
Wearing a knowing little grin, Maddie nudged her in the side. “He’s all man, that’s for sure.”
Not long ago, that comment would have made Holly flinch with embarrassment. But in the three weeks since she and Maddie had met at the golf banquet, they’d fashioned the beginnings of a solid, lasting friendship. Maddie had invited her over for dinner the first night the team had hit the road for Atlanta. Holly had reciprocated by taking her to lunch in Little Italy, and they’d met for coffee three times since. Today, when Holly finally could rip herself away from work, they’d agreed to meet at the stadium to watch Jake and Nate in action.
Holly gave a sheepish laugh. “Tell me about it. I think I may have had more sex in the past three weeks than in the rest of my days put together.”
“You’re not complaining, are you?”
“Complaining, no. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, yes. But in a good way. Nate was calling me all the time from Atlanta and Chicago. And when he got back…well, let’s just say I’m pretty sure he missed me. A lot.”
Maddie’s eyebrows arched. “I can’t get my head around the calling all the time part. Our Nate?”
Holly felt a little twinge of satisfaction. Nate’s attentiveness had surprised her, too. “He’s been so great. We’ve done something together every day he’s been in town. Fabulous restaurants, strolls through the park, a trip to the zoo. On one of his off days, I even managed to drag him to a Philadelphia Orchestra concert.”
Maddie shifted her very pregnant body in her seat, changing positions as she’d been doing throughout the game. “And here I thought you’d be spending every minute of your free time in bed,” she said with a deadpan face.
Holly adjusted the Patriots visor that kept the bright afternoon sun out of her eyes. “Close enough for me to realize how much I didn’t know about sex.”
“I’m glad you used the past tense,” Maddie said dryly. “Otherwise, I’d have been disappointed in our boy. But listen, Jake said something last night that surprised me.”
Holly gave her a curious look.
“He told me he’s seen a change in Nate. And, trust me, Jake knows the man like a brother.”
Holly’s stomach fluttered. “What kind of change?”
“Everybody knows Nate’s never been one to miss a post-game party. He likes to unwind with the guys after a game. This trip, in Atlanta and San Diego, he and Jake would go out with a bunch of other players to get a beer, but then they’d both head straight back to the hotel. A beer, Holly. One. Jake said it didn’t take a genius to figure his mind had to be back here with you.”
Holly exhaled a wistful sigh. “I really missed him when he was gone. Crazy, isn’t it? I’ve only known him such a short time.”
Maddie gave Holly’s knee a little pat. “Not crazy at all. I felt exactly the same way about Jake when we started going out. Plus, I was insecure and a little jealous, because as a sportswriter I know exactly what life is like for players on the road. Especially super-hot guys like Jake and Nate. I watched women hound ballplayers everywhere they went. Some would troll the hotels, knocking on doors if they managed to figure out the team’s floor or floors. Hell, I’d lie awake at night thinking about it, even though I knew Jake is as straight an arrow as I could ever find.”
Suddenly, Holly heard a loud crack followed by another roar from the crowd. Maddie pointed toward the outfield and Holly swung around to follow the ball. The Patriots’ third baseman had hit a long drive that had the centerfielder running back as if he had a pack of rabid dogs on his tail. As he neared the wall, he leaped high, his glove arm fully extended. But he came up a couple of inches short and the ball bounced off the very top of the wall, landing in the bleachers for a home run.
With a grunt, Maddie heaved herself up. Holly, seeing everyone else around her standing, rose to her feet, too. But her mind wasn’t really on the home run, or anything else about the game. She wanted to continue their discussion. As the cheering faded, Holly put her arm around Maddie’s back to give her support as her friend lowered herself into the chair.
“Maddie, I’m glad we’re talking about this,” she said, restarting the topic. “I’ve been thinking about it all week. I’m pretty taken with Nate, even though it’s way outside my comfort zone. So I’m really encouraged by what happened when the team went on the road.” She paused for a moment, struggling to find the right words. Maddie was so close to Nate, and the last thing she wanted to do was offend her in some way. “But I can’t stop thinking about...you know...his reputation.”
Maddie gave her a puzzled stare. “We already talked about that. I told you that stuff is mostly exaggeration, or even outright bullshit.”
“I know. And I believe you. But like you said, he’s still going to have women running after him in every city.” Holly’s stomach pulled tight with anxiety at the thought. Maybe this discussion wasn’t such a good idea after all, but she didn’t really want to stop, either. “He’s a single guy, and he has every right to sleep with whoever he wants. And I don’t much care what he’s done in the past. In fact, it’s none of my business.”
She stopped for a moment, worried that this was starting to sound like a speech. Maddie waited patiently, although she looked a little wary.
Holly sucked in a deep breath. “I know it’s still early days for the relationship. But I know myself. I know I’m not the kind of person who can be with a guy who’s even thinking about fooling around, much less doing it. I’m just not built that way.” She shook her head. “I guess what I’m saying is that I’m scared I’ll get in too deep and it’ll all come crashing down on my head.”
She wondered if Maddie could really understand the stakes. “I’d be a damn hot mess, that’s for sure. And I can’t afford to be. Not ever. Not when kids’ lives depend on me not being an emotional wreck.”
Maddie didn’t speak for a moment. Then she nodded, and gave Holly’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I get it. And I don’t blame you for having those fears. Nate’s a wonderful man and a class act, Holly, and as far as I can tell he’s totally into you. But we both know there are no guarantees, as much as we might like to believe otherwise.”
Holly swallowed hard. Sure, there were no absolute guarantees. But with some guys there could at least be some kind
of lasting comfort level. “What about with Jake? Not even with him?”
Maddie gave her a crooked smile. “Jake and Nate are both idiots in their own way, but they’re totally different animals when it comes to women. Jake is as straight as they come. But, like I said, it still took me a long time to stop having those little niggling worries when he went on road trips. And the first spring training after we got together was even worse.”
“So, you’re saying that with Nate, I’d better get used to insecurity?”
“I’m saying worrying won’t change anything. Don’t let your insecurities and fears torpedo a relationship before it gets a chance to take root.”
Holly let Maddie’s words resonate for a few moments. Thankfully, it felt like the right path to take. “That won’t be easy for me, but I’ll try.”
“Have you said anything to Nate about how you feel?”
Holly shifted her eyes back to the field as the crowd roared yet again. A Patriots’ batter was jogging toward first base, shooting snarling glares at the Cardinals’ pitcher. “Not yet,” she said. “I’ve thought about it, but everything’s been so wonderful that I haven’t found it in me to bring it up. I guess I’m being a wimp, but why should I risk scaring him away right at the start?”
Maddie grimaced. “I’m afraid I can’t give you much advice on that score. It’s obvious the insecurity is really getting to you.”
Holly sighed, embarrassed. “Stupid, huh?”
Maddie rubbed her huge belly again, as she’d done dozens of times that afternoon. A little pang of jealousy shot through Holly. Her friend had a fine husband, and would be a mother in a few weeks. Plus, she had a great career that she’d be able to return to whenever she wanted. Maddie really did seem to have it all.
“Let’s take a step back,” Maddie said, looking thoughtful. “This discussion started by me saying that Jake claimed to be seeing a change in Nate. I think you should take that at face value, because it’s a good sign for your relationship. And, at this point, I don’t think there’s too much more we can know for sure, but you shouldn’t assume the worst. Just take things as they come.”
Holly read between the lines. “I think you’re telling me that we’re hoping Nate changes his ways, but what we’ve had so far is a long way from some kind of future together. The kind I want, anyway.”
“Something like that. I really like you, Holly, and I don’t want you to get hurt. But that doesn’t mean I think you should run away, either. For my money, Nate Carter is worth the risk.”
“My heart agrees with you,” Holly said, that same heart suddenly much heavier than it had been a few minutes ago. What in God’s name had she been hoping to achieve from this discussion? “Now I just have to convince my stubborn brain. That might take some doing, but I’ll keep working at it.”
Maddie looked suddenly restless as she fidgeted with the bracelet on her left arm. “Since we’re talking frankly, I really should ask you something else.”
What now? “Go ahead,” Holly said cautiously.
“Has Nate mentioned anything to you about a possible trade to another team?
Holly’s chest tightened. Suddenly, she had to concentrate hard just to draw a full breath. Heart pounding, she averted her eyes from Maddie’s gaze, willing the sharp spike of panic to subside.
She swallowed hard. “No, he hasn’t said a thing.”
Maddie’s words had felt like a hammer blow. Holly instantly pictured what would happen if Nate had to spend the interminably long baseball season hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
It wasn’t good.
Maddie shrugged. “I just thought he might have talked to you about the rumors that are going around this week.”
“What rumors? You’re scaring me.” Holly inward winced, knowing she must sound like a an anxious child.
Maddie’s face revealed genuine distress at the turn of the conversation. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you, and there’s a good chance nothing will happen. Trade rumors often turn out that way.”
“Cut to the chase, Maddie. What rumors?”
Maddie heaved a sigh. “A reporter friend of mine from L.A. told me a few days ago that he’s heard the Dodgers are planning to go after Nate. I practically freaked out, and when I asked Nate about it, he said he’d heard the rumor but figured that’s all it was. So, I called the Patriots’ general manager right away, because we go back a ways. He denied any knowledge of a trade offer, too. And Jake thinks it’s all a crock.”
The nervous buzz invading Holly’s limbs began to fade. “That’s really good to hear.”
But she wondered why Nate hadn’t said something to her, especially after Maddie had broached the subject with him. Then again, their relationship was still quite new. It probably never occurred to him to bring it up.
Maddie’s pretty features twisted into a grimace. “I hope it really is just a rumor, but as a reporter, I never took that kind of denial as gospel. In baseball, the teams always maintain that absolutely nothing is happening, and it stays that way right up until the very minute they announce a trade. It’s standard operating procedure.”
Oh, God. Holly’s stomach plummeted.
One part of her wished desperately the conversation had never happened. Sometimes ignorance really could be bliss. But another part of her knew the importance of understanding how Nate’s career could affect their budding relationship. And if Maddie had decided to raise the trade with her now, Holly knew her friend must think there was a good chance the rumors were based on something substantive.
Why hadn’t Nate said anything to her? California of all places! The other side of the continent. She deserved to know before throwing herself head-first into whatever it was they had going between them. Holly’s gut twisted into a tight little ball of resentment at the thought that he would hold back such an important piece of information, rumor or not.
L.A. The Mecca for glitz, glamor, and California babes.
If Nate headed to the west coast, would her want her to be his Philadelphia road chick? Always there for him whenever he happened to be back in town, but never anything more than an occasional fuck?
No freaking way.
Maddie broke the uncomfortable silence. “I hope you’re not mad at me for telling you. I thought you should know, and I was worried you hadn’t heard already since you haven’t mentioned it.”
“It’s okay,” Holly said, trying not to sound upset. “It’s good you told me. I just have to hope and pray it really is just a rumor.”
“For sure. Jake and I would be devastated to see Nate go, too. Hell, the whole city would be in an uproar. Philadelphia hasn’t had a superstar like Nate for years.”
Holly didn’t know yet how she was going to deal with this disturbing information, but there was no point dwelling on it right now. She’d just compartmentalize the information and its attendant emotions—a trick every surgeon had to learn—until she figured out how to broach the topic with Nate.
She switched their talk to innocuous topics as they watched the Patriots go down one-two-three in the bottom of the seventh. Jake charged out of the dugout, leading the team back out for the top of the eighth. Nate jogged slowly out to the mound, head down, looking totally focused. After about a dozen warm-up pitches, he set himself for the first pitch to the Cards’ leadoff hitter.
From where Holly sat, it looked like the blazing pitch had hit the inside corner of the plate, but the umpire called it a ball. She’d learned more about baseball in the past ten days than she had known in her previous thirty-one years, and she couldn’t believe it. “That sure looked like it caught the corner to me,” she said to Maddie as she watched Nate give the umpire a disbelieving smile.
Maddie, the consummate sports writer, laughed. “There’s no point even questioning an umpire’s calls.” She pointed at Nate. “Believe me, if our boy thought that pitch really was a strike, he’d been staring daggers at the ump.”
“You’re right. Sorry,” Holly said. “I th
ink I’m getting a little too interested in this silly game.”
In truth, though, she really wasn’t concentrating that much on the game. Mostly, she was trying not to think about the trade rumor and what it might mean for her and Nate.
Stop being a jerk, Holly. He’s got to think first about his own career.
Exactly like she would.
Nate wound up for his second pitch. As the ball left his hand, his momentum carried him off the mound to his right. The Cardinals’ hitter, a huge right-handed batter, swung hard and the ball took off like a bullet.
Nate had no chance to react. The ball was hit with tremendous force, and he was still off balance from his throw. The hard sphere thudded into his left shoulder. He crumpled onto the infield grass as if he’d been shot.
Holly shrieked and jumped to her feet, her heart pounding. Nate lay on the grass, barely moving, obviously stunned by the brutal force of the impact. She had seen exactly where the ball crashed into his shoulder, and knew that pain would be flooding from his shoulder to his collarbone and all the way down to the fingers of his left hand. It would be excruciating in its intensity.
She grabbed Maddie’s hand and helped her up. “God, I think he’s really hurt. How can I get down onto the field? I need to get down there!” She was practically breathless with anxiety.
Maddie pulled her close, trying to calm her. “You can’t go on the field. What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking he needs a doctor! He needs me!” Holly started to tremble. Didn’t Maddie realize how serious this injury could be?
“He’ll have a doctor. The trainers will take him into the clubhouse, and the team doctor will see him there. Then they’ll probably get an ambulance to take him to the hospital for x-rays, or maybe even an MRI. I can call down to the clubhouse in a few minutes and find out what’s going on. If they take him to the hospital, you can go see him there.”
Holly gripped Maddie’s arm, squeezing tightly. “If his shoulder is shattered, do you realize what that would mean?”
Maddie covered Holly’s clutching hand with a soothing clasp. “I think so. I’ve seen thousands of baseball injuries. But let’s stay optimistic. Pitchers take hard line drives off their bodies all the time. It usually doesn’t turn out as badly as it first looks. Especially with a guy like Nate. There’s no pitcher in better shape or stronger than he is.”
Holly wasn’t the slightest bit convinced. Maddie knew baseball, but she knew anatomy. And she knew all too well what a rocketing projectile can do to flesh and bone that get in its path. “God, I hope you’re right.”
Please let it be just a bone bruise.
That would be bad enough. But she feared it could be much worse. And she already learned enough about Nate Carter to know that a career-ending injury could destroy him.
Chapter Fourteen
