I’m about to hit send on the evites when I realize that I haven’t talked to Mason yet about the party. I’ve been thinking about this, and I really do want to move our relationship forward. I’m never going to find “the one” if I don’t try harder. While I’m nervous about how he’s going to handle meeting the guys, I’m also kind of excited to finally bring him into the group.
We don’t have a date planned, but I think this topic would be better suited for a face-to-face conversation. So, I call him.
The phone rings four times before he picks up. “Hey Ruby. What’s up?”
“Hey Mason, I was calling to see if you want to go out tomorrow night.” I cradle my cell between my head and shoulder as I reach for the keyboard to add one last email address to the evite list.
“Uh, Ruby, there’s a White Sox game tomorrow night. You know I have to be at those games,” he chides.
Geesh. I’m not really into sports, so I don’t really follow the game schedules. The guys are into football, and I will watch a game if it’s on while we’re all hanging out together, but I wouldn’t say I am a die-hard fan. I only joined the group’s Fantasy Football league last year to troll Link and beat his ass. He claims it was just beginner’s luck, but we’ll see this upcoming season.
“Yikes, I’m sorry Mason, I should have known that. You know what? I’m sure they have a game schedule I can link to on my own calendar. I’ll do that.” If Mason and I do move forward, I’m going to have to be more conscientious of his sports coverage schedule. He’s really busy and, while he doesn’t have to be at all of the sporting events, as there are a few other sports guys in his department, he does get to pick the best ones. Also, he is a White Sox fan.
“You know what, how about you come with me? I can get you a ticket through my press pass and we’ll make it a date. I’ll even buy you a hot dog and some beer for dinner.”
Er … I mean, I’m all for this, but when am I gonna be able to talk to him about our relationship?
“Umm, while I would love that, really, I had wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Well, is it important?”
“Yeah, you could say that,” I offer with chuckle.
It’s silent on the other end for second before he asks, “If you want to stop seeing me then I don’t think a game is the best place ...”
“No! I don’t want to stop seeing you, at all,” I interrupt him.
He chuckles. “Okay, good. Then after the game, I’ll take you out for ice cream or coffee, you pick. I just have to do a quick wrap-up Facebook Live with Steve before we go. Thirty minutes tops.”
“Oh, that sounds great, Mason!” I don’t know why I was so nervous, I think our talk will go well. We hang up shortly after confirming the details. I glance back over at the computer screen and see that there’s already a good number of RSVPs for attendance that have come in. Whoever created evites was a genius.
Now it’s onto researching the White Sox and learning everything I can about them: their record, players’ stats and, well … baseball in general before tomorrow night. I’ve got a boyfriend to impress.
~~~
“Wait, I’m sorry what did you just ask for?” Simon asks. He and Dex are over at our apartment. Where Link is, I have no idea. But the four of them, Simon, Dex, Mo, and Gia are doing a double date tonight and the guys are playing some Rocket League on our PS4. Really, you can’t date gamers and not have a system. Also, I don’t understand how these guys don’t get tired of video games.
Simon and Dex have both stopped playing and are staring at me like I’ve got three heads. I slide a look at Gia next to Simon on the couch and she won’t make eye contact. I try Morgan and she is nervously biting her lip, giving me those huge “I’m sorry” eyes.
“What? I don’t understand. I just asked Mo and Gia if they had any White Sox apparel.” I am starting to get annoyed.
Dex sighs, turns back around with his elbows on his knees and hangs his head.
Simon takes a deep breath and grits out, “Why?”
“Why? Because I’m going to a game tonight and I want to show my team spirit.” This seems like a normal sports fan thing to do. Morgan wears Indianapolis Colts stuff. The guys all have Chicago Bears and Cubs things. Oh, wait …
The second I realize that the Cubs are baseball too, Simon speaks. “No, Ruby, we don’t have anything White Sox, because we’re not White Sox fans!”
“Yikes, Simon, you’re kinda scary right now,” I mutter as I walk to the dining room table where my laptop is. I wonder how easy it would be to buy something before the game starts in two hours …
“Ruby, why are you going to a Sox game?” This question comes from Dex who is now walking into the kitchen to grab a drink. He stands beside Morgan, waiting for my answer.
“Mason invited me. He’s a Sox fan.” I hesitate on the last part, as I now know this won’t go over well.
A couple things happen all at once. Simon’s arms go up in the air as he mutters a few curses, and from Dex I hear, “Dump him, Rube. You gotta end it now.” Then a hissing noise comes from Morgan and a clear punch or slap to the gut as it’s followed by an umph.
“Ruby, do not break up with Mason. The guys will deal with it. Right Simon? Dex?” Gia’s stern voice breaks in over the grumbles.
And grumbles are all I hear in response. I just roll my eyes and order the White Sox shirt online. Kohl’s will have it ready for pickup on my way to Guaranteed Rate Field, where I will watch my very first Major League Baseball game. I won’t mention that little detail to Simon and Dex though.
Only a couple hours later, I’m taking in the sights, smells, and sounds of a crowded baseball park. My brother played baseball for a couple seasons, so I’ve spent time at ball field before. Although, by the time I was old enough to appreciate the cheering, hot dogs and hot dirt smell of a ball diamond, he had moved on to other sports. Which is why I’ve never been to a professional baseball game until now.
I’m not big into sports, but this atmosphere is fascinating. There’s an excitement in the air that’s contagious.
Even though I promised both Dex and Simon that I wouldn’t become a Sox fan, I can’t help but cheer from our ridiculously good seats down the third base line.
Since the game started at seven, Mason wastes no time motioning the hot dog and beer vendor over to us. He buys us each a dog and a beer. If our conversation goes well later, I’ll mark this down as a pretty good date. I can see myself going to sporting events with Mason, as his girlfriend. I could learn everything that I need in order to be the girlfriend of a sports journalist.
It’s the bottom of the 4th inning when I notice Mason is preoccupied on his phone, firing off several texts. I’m about to make a joke about singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game, when he lurches forward in his seat and pumps his fist in the air.
“Yes!”
“What? Did they get the third out?!” I thought I was paying attention, but I missed something.
“Oh” —he looks up from his phone and surveys the field— “no, they’ve only got one out.”
I’m a little confused at his reaction, so I’m hoping he will fill me in without me having to ask the obvious.
He pockets his phone and turns to me. “I’m really sorry about this, but I just scored an exclusive with Bobby Picket right after the game. So, I’m gonna have to take a rain check on ice cream. I’ll pay for an Uber back home for you though.”
“Bobby Picket?” I ask slowly.
“Yeah, the pitcher. There’s been some rumors about him retiring after this season, but he isn’t talking to media about it. His wife had a health scare before the season started and it looks like he didn’t want to come back at all, but with his contract …” I’m just nodding in reply when he stops mid-sentence to pull out his phone again to read a text.
After reading his notifications, he continues, “I’ve been trying to get a sit-down with him for months. I put a call in to his manager yesterday morning and they promised h
e would do everything he could to get me in to talk to him after the game.”
He’s not paying attention to me, so he doesn’t notice that I zero in on his comment about setting this up yesterday morning, before he offered to take me out after the game to talk. I am not sure if I am mad at him for clearly double booking or happy for him getting his exclusive.
“I know I told you we’d go out after the game, I really didn’t think I was going to get this interview. I can make it up to you, but I’m going on the road for a few days with the Sox. I’ll be back on Tuesday. Do you want to talk then?” he asks, trying to show me a bit more attention.
And yeah, I guess I’ll be happy for him, but the engagement party is next Thursday, I really wanted to catch him in time to put it on his schedule now or something else might come up.
“Or, we can chat now, if you don’t want to wait,” he offers. He runs his hand vigorously through his short buzzcut hair but doesn’t say anything. I can’t tell if his silence is saying “let’s have this talk here” or not, so I go for it.
“Well, I wanted to talk to you about us, actually,” I muse.
His eyebrow lifts slightly.
I continue. “I want to take things to the next level. I know we’ve never really defined our relationship, but I’d like to.” Mic drop. I pulled that off perfectly.
A slow smile spreads across his handsome face. “I’d like that, Ruby.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. We’ve been dating for a while now. I’m ready to be exclusive.”
Wait, hold the phone.
We never had this conversation. I’ve been exclusively seeing and screwing just him since we started dating.
“And I’ve just been waiting for you to ask me to be your boyfriend.” He squeezes my knee.
I’ll circle back to the exclusivity comment in a minute. Though his smile is distracting, I immediately know I was right to talk to him about this. He leans in and says, “I’m glad we had this talk, Ruby.”
“Me too.” He presses a kiss to my lips. I know we are out in public, but the kiss doesn’t last nearly long enough before he is leaning away.
With his hand still on my upper knee, I lace our hands together.
“So, Morgan and Dex got engaged last week and I want you to go with me to their engagement party. It’s Thursday,” I say and hold my breath.
He lifts his eyebrow again. “That’s soon.”
Well, it isn’t a no.
“Yeah, convention and gaming season is coming up.”
The sneer on his face nearly ruins the mood in our little relationship bubble.
“Ah, yeah. That’s the video game player.”
“Yes, it’s Dex’s profession.”
Do not get defensive. Do not get defensive.
He studies me for a second, licks his lips and gives a curt nod. “All right, I’ll be there.”
“Really?” I let out a deep breath.
“Yes really, you’re my girlfriend, and I’m excited to show you off.” He leans in and gives me a peck on the lips. “I’ll add it to my calendar right now.” He types into his phone as I give him the details. Shortly after that, he’s back to switching between his note pad, the game, and his phone.
We talk very little throughout the rest of the game, but I get it. He’s got that interview on his mind. And now is not the right time for me to bring into question whether or not he’s been as exclusive as I have up to this point. I know I have been, but suddenly I find myself surprisingly unsure of whether or not he has.
After the game, we kiss and he promises to call me tomorrow before he boards his plane. Then he tells me to tune into the eleven o’clock news to see a teaser of his sit-down with Bobby Picket. The full interview doesn’t air until tomorrow night during the seven o’clock news hour. Then he heads off to get his exclusive story. I guess they do those kinds of things in the locker rooms.
I make my way out of the stadium with the crowd. On my way home, sitting alone in the back of a cab, I start thinking more about our conversation. I’m relieved he wanted to take our relationship to the next level, but I can’t help the uneasy feeling lurking in the back of my mind.
Change is good, Ruby.
Sighing, I lean my head back against the seat and make a mental note to schedule an STD test this week.
Chapter Six
Ruby
I’m all kinds of giddy right now. I’m standing in front of the swanky mirrors in The Bar restroom touching up my makeup. I’m not really into all the glitz and glam of over-the-top makeup, but I like to sport a soft foundation. I’d prefer people think I don’t wear any than it be noticeably caked on. I only need my trusty mascara and my favorite red lip gloss. I’m not 40, I don’t wear lipstick, but I love my glossy color. It brings out the color of my long, thick and wavy red locks. I love a classic look.
After I reapply the gloss, I shamelessly fix my cleavage and make sure the sassy navy plunge dress looks as amazing as I hoped when I bought it yesterday afternoon.
Gia and Simon are out front waiting for the guests of honor to arrive. Morgan and Dex are expected to arrive a little before the party starts. We planned a simple event, just their friends and family here to celebrate their engagement.
Not only am I giddy with excitement about the party but I’m also battling some unwanted nerves. Mason is already running a little late, so while the night will be in full swing by the time he gets here, I’ll probably be anxious the whole time.
Everything will be fine, Ruby.
I just have to keep telling myself this. I really like Mason, and so will Morgan, Gia, and Bernie. I’m not totally sure about the guys, but here’s hoping.
Who am I kidding? I don’t think they are going to get along.
Shit. I need a drink.
Making my way back up front to the party room we rented, I’m immediately struck with the urge to dig my eyeballs out of my face with a fork. I hear the voice before I see the boobs — I mean, woman — that the annoying voice belongs to.
Amber. I fight a growl from escaping but fail. Fortunately, there isn’t anyone close enough to hear it.
I straighten my back, force my fake-it-’til-you-make-it smile and then continue on into the room. Simon and Link are chatting with the bartender at the portable bar over in the corner. Gia isn’t as lucky in her company. She’s sitting at one of the high tops and there next to her is Amber. Or, The Boobs as I call her in my head. I’ve got a couple more, different nicknames for the fake blonde that Link hangs out with.
I refuse to acknowledge her when she isn’t around and even so; I have to admit, I’m not my best self when in her presence.
Gia shoots me a worried glance, but I give her a quick shake of my head to assure her I’ll play nice.
“Alison,” I say sliding into the high top next to Gia.
She pops her gum which is obnoxious enough but accompanies it with an eye roll.
“Roxie.”
I fight my own eye roll. Of course, I know her name. Once she figured out I was just being a bitch, she started doing the same. And so, it goes on like this every time we are in the same room with each other.
“So, how awesome is it that Dex and Morgan are getting married? I can’t wait to see her dress. Do you know when she is going to start shopping for it?” she’s bluntly asking Gia.
“Yeah, she’s actually going tomorrow. Her dad and step-mom are staying in town for a couple of days to visit, so we are all going with her step-mom to look at dresses.” Gia sounds excited at the prospect of shopping for wedding dresses. Morgan was shocked she was able to get a couple appointments at bridal salons on such late notice.
“I was just telling Lincoln that we will need to start shopping for our wedding attire soon so we don’t run out of time.” Amber smiles and I cringe. Did I mention she calls him Lincoln? Not even his mother calls him by his full name. Not that I’ve met her …
“You know, Link,” I enunciate his name, “is a groomsman, so he won't be matchin
g you and your dress, he’ll be wearing whatever Morgan picks out.”
Breathe, breathe, breathe.
Gia shoots me the side-eye. I try to bite out a smile.
“Silly, I’ll buy my dress to match whatever the bride picks. That’s what you do when your boyfriend is in the wedding party,” she explains as she loudly pops her gum.
I want to reach over the table and slap it right out of her mouth. I’m not sure what her age is, but I know Link isn’t into jailbait, so she is clearly old enough to properly chew her gum.
Gah! She’s annoying as fuck!
I’m getting worked up and I need to get away from her.
I tune out the rest of the shit that comes out of her mouth. Something to do with trying to get an invitation to the dress fitting in the morning. Bug that.
I slide out of the stool and eyeball Gia who seems relieved I’m removing myself from the danger zone.
I walk over to the bar and silently count to ten between deep breaths.
“Hey Rube,” Simon says and hands me a lemon drop. I look to him to accept and see the knowing smile on his face means he anticipated my need for this.
“Rubester!” Link says, taking a swig of his beer.
“Don’t call me that, Lincoln,” I growl.
Simon snickers as Link cringes. SEE! He hates it just as much as I do.
“Why do you let her call you that?” I ask, swallowing half of my drink.
Game All Night Page 4
