Going, Going, Goner (Double Play Series Book 2)

by Nicole Rodrigues

  “Believe me Savvy, I ain’t your brother.”

  I could swear I heard something different in his voice. The protective, friend tone he always used with me was gone. I see him walk closer and his eyes are different too. The friendliness has disappeared, and I see something else. A need inside those gorgeous green eyes and my body must feel it, the change. It moves closer to Jackson, meeting him halfway and my arms reach out, wrapping around his waist.

  “Savvy, you have been on my mind since the day I laid eyes on you. You’ve become such a good friend, my best friend, I can’t do this, but fuck I want to,” he says, kissing my forehead.

  “Jackson, what are you talkin’ about?” I whisper, hoping like hell we’re on the same page.

  “When I blew my first couple of games and led the team in strikeouts, who was there for me? Who was there at my apartment, shoveling pizza in my face, slingin’ back beers with me and then cleaned up the mess the next day?”

  “Me?”

  “And when I busted my knee slidin’ into second base and had to do rehab for it, who worked on my exercises with me?”

  “Your trainer?”

  “Smart ass, who else?”

  I laugh, “Me? I don’t see your point Jax?”

  “Who is always there for me Savvy?”

  “I guess me?”

  “You. It’s always fuckin’ you Savvy. I didn’t ever need anyone in my life, I never had anyone else in my life. No one to look out for me, no one to be there for me. Then you came, and you made me want things.”

  “Jackson, you’re never alone, you know I’ll always be there. All of that made you in to the guy you are today and he’s pretty great.”

  He pulls me into a hug and rests his chin on my head. His hands slide inside my open zip up jacket and down my back. They rest on the space between my crop top and my jeans on bare skin, inches away from my ass and I freeze. We never touched like this before and my body immediately responds, wanting more contact.

  “I tried to get you out of my head, tried to keep this as a friendship, but every damn day I wake up with you on my mind and go to sleep the same way. I can’t put anyone else in your place, it ain’t workin’.”

  His voice is laced with frustration and I break the hug and cup his cheek as he closes his eyes.

  “Jackson...what do you want?”

  His eyes snap open and his pupils are clear. The fog is gone, and he smiles again, moving his face closer to mine.

  “You, Savvy. I’ll always want you.”

  His lips crash onto mine and I am momentarily shocked in place. Is this really happening? Did I really have that much to drink? I discreetly pinch my arm and flinch. Jackson breaks the kiss and looks at me with question in his eyes.

  “Sorry I...I had to make sure that I wasn’t dreamin’,” I say smiling.

  “You ain’t dreamin’ Savvy, but I have dreamed about this, way too much.”

  He kisses me again and this time I’m ready. My arms wrap around the back of his neck and I pull him closer to me. He lifts me easily and walks us a couple of feet to the nearest tree. My back collides with the hard bark and his erection meets my center as I wrap my legs around his waist. I moan into his lips and his hand snakes in between us, cupping my breast through my shirt.

  “I want you so badly Savvy. Come home with me?” he says, kissing up and down my neck.

  “Jax I...I have only done this once and it was...it wasn’t good I…” He kisses me, cutting off my words.

  “I’ll make it good princess. I’ll make it so fuckin’ good. You tell me what you want, I’ll do anything you-”

  “Sav?”

  My brother’s voice on the deck cuts off Jackson’s words.

  “I thought she went out here, but I guess not. Let me check the house again,” I hear Gabriel say as Jackson continues to kiss down my neck.

  “He ain't gonna stop lookin’ until he finds me.” I say pulling his face away from my neck.

  He nods putting me back down on my feet.

  “You’re right. Let’s go inside before he kills us both.”

  I nod and straighten myself out, wiping at my lips.

  “This ain’t over Savvy,” he says rubbing my cheek. “You’re gonna be mine and I’m gonna show you what it’s really supposed to be like, bein’ with a real man. I’ll talk to your brother,” he says.

  I smile and nod as he places another soft kiss on my lips. We walk back towards the house holding hands and my heart is skipping beats.

  Jackson Turner is going to finally be mine.

  ***

  I scroll through articles on my computer and shake my head. This kid needs to clean up his damned act. What the hell is his deal?

  I hear a knock on my door and it opens slowly to mimic the face that is on my computer screen, notorious womanizer Damon Johnson.

  "Damon, how are ya today? Savannah Gavinwood, nice to meet you."

  I walk around the desk and put my hand out for him to shake. I notice his appreciative once over and grit my teeth.

  "Listen, I know I ain't your PR agent but since they're doin' a shit job, how 'bout I take a wack at it, huh?"

  “I’m sorry, I didn't mean to-”

  I put up my hand to dismiss him and he widens his eyes and sits in the chair in front of me, making us eye level. Damn this kid is a giant, what is he 6’4 6’5?

  “My apologies, continue.”

  "I don't know you Damon, but by the looks of my Google searches on you, you need some help. I get the spotlight at a young age, the women, the partyin'. My brother was the same way, Gabriel Gavinwood if you remember how that turned out?"

  He nods his head and his gaze turns to the floor.

  "Took him a long ass time to become a man and you're young enough now to change that. You want my company to plan PR events for you, then you bet your ass you're gonna settle down and act right. I aint puttin' in all this hard work to be made a fool, ya hear?"

  "I hear you loud and clear," says his deep raspy voice. "I want to work with a great organization, get myself back on track, that's why I came to you."

  I nod my head and turn to sit at my desk.

  "Okay then, lets get you back on track."

  I really love my job, but occasionally I get a client like this that makes it so hard. More often than not, they just use my company and the events we plan to get some positive press and then go right back to their scandalous ways a couple months later. For some reason though, I want this kid to be different. He reminds me a lot of Devin and Gabriel and I want him to break the mold. You can't save everyone Savannah.

  Chapter 12

  Jackson

  “So how many homers you think he’s gonna hit this year? Goin’ for the record?” I hear a voice say as I walk out of the locker room.

  “He’s just lucky I’m still in Double A or he’d be addin’ four strikeouts to that average,” says the other voice.

  I turn around and see Gabriel and Devin and smirk.

  “What are you two doin’ here?” I ask walking over to them.

  “In the neighborhood,” Gabriel says putting his hand out.

  I grab it and pull him in for a half hug, slapping him on the back.

  “What’s up Dev? How’s the season been goin?” I ask pulling him in for a man slap.

  “Good. Possibly headin’ up to triple A by the playoffs. Talk around the league but I ain’t in a rush.”

  “That’s great man, good for you. You’ll be up in the big leagues in no time.”

  “Wanna get some dinner?” Gabriel asks.

  “Sure thing man. Been bored as shit on the road this past week.”

  “You thinkin’ of hangin’ it up soon?” Gabriel asks eyeing me.

  “You askin’ because you’re curious or you askin’ for a certain fiery brunette?”

  “Maybe a little of both. Speakin’ of which, since you brought it up, how are things with my sister?”

  I laugh and shake my head.

  “Real smooth. They’r
e fine. Just waitin’ on gettin’ back to her in a couple of days.”

  “So...retirement…”

  “Not yet. Just takin’ it one day at a time,” I say opening the door towards the parking lot.

  “What about you Dev? You got a special lady?” I ask changing the subject away from myself.

  “Real smooth,” Devin says smirking. “Nah, I’m just enjoyin’ myself. Got plenty of time to settle down.”

  “Good plan, just be careful. Fame brings out the crazies.”

  “Oh, believe me, I know that already,” he says smirking.

  Gabriel and Devin follow me in their truck to dinner and it feels good to be out and distracted for a little while. Most of the team is young and unattached, so their idea of a good time is clubbing and strip clubs. I’ve had my fair share of that back in the day, trying to distract myself from wanting Savannah, but it never worked and it won’t now either. A nice dinner out with Gabriel and Devin is just what I need. A couple more days and I’ll be back in her arms. I’m starting to think that’s where I should have always been.

  Savannah

  “I’m terribly sorry to do this to you, but I really can’t make it another two days. I tried, but I’m only going to get her sick,” says Linda.

  “Don’t think a thing of it, it’s fine,” I say opening the door wider for Lacey to come in.

  “Thank you again. Have fun,” Linda says as I shut the door and lock it behind her.

  “I have some place I need to be in a little while, would you want to tag along or want to stay here?” I ask her.

  “I’ll come!” Lacey says excitedly.

  “Okay, great. Let me just get changed then we’ll head out.

  We drive over to Second Chances and Lacey eyes the building skeptically.

  “What is this place?” she asks.

  “It’s an orphanage. I uh...I come here every day and hangout with this little boy, Tucker.”

  I want to tell her the truth, but I can’t tell her what I haven’t told Jackson yet. Soon, I’ll tell him soon. I know the longer that I wait, the worse it’s going to be, but every time I try, something else gets in the way. His schedule is all over the place and I don’t want to have this conversation over the phone. When he gets back from this trip, I’m going to tell him.

  “Hey Mary, how is he today?” I ask signing in at the front desk.

  “Waitin’ for ya. He’ll be happy you brought a guest,” she says nodding to Lacey.

  “Lacey this is Mary, Mary this is Lacey. My new and best assistant that I’ve ever had,” I say smiling to her.

  She smiles back from ear to ear and I see so much of Jackson in her. She has that contagious smile.

  “Nice to meet ya, Lacey.”

  We walk towards the courtyard and I immediately spot him sitting against a tree reading a book.

  “There’s my favorite little man,” I yell to him.

  His head snaps up and a big smile breaks out on his face. He drops his book and runs to me, almost knocking me over with his hug.

  “You came early today, you surprised me!” says Tucker glancing up at Lacey.

  “This is my friend Lacey. Lace, this is Tucker.”

  “Hi,” Tucker says shyly.

  “Hey Tucker. Whatcha readin’ over there?” Lacey asks.

  “A baseball book, Sav gave it to me,” he says running back over to the tree to grab his book.

  He comes back and hands it to Lacey.

  “You know my dad plays baseball,” Lacey says taking the book.

  “That’s right, I almost forgot! Jackson is Lacey’s dad. You remember Jackson, right bud?”

  “Jackson’s your dad? He’s so cool,” Tucker says with envy.

  Lacey smiles and hands the book back to him.

  “He’s okay,” she says smirking.

  I ruffle his hair and we walk back over to the tree. I set out the blanket I brought and the sandwiches I packed for lunch. I couldn’t help but feel a little nag in the back of my head. This could be an everyday thing if Jackson and I take the next step, if all of this doesn’t scare him away first.

  Chapter 13

  Savannah

  “So, call me if you need anything. I'm sorry about all this. All I wanted to do was be with you tonight, but Coach is pissed. Call me for anything, okay?” Jackson says, rambling.

  I smile because it's so damn adorable and kiss him quick on his lips, cupping his cheek.

  “We got it, Daddy,” I say, winking.

  He groans and pulls me closer to him, kissing me again.

  “This ass is mine when I get back home tomorrow night.”

  He cups my ass, digging his fingers into my shorts, making me squirm as my ass cheeks part slightly.

  “Promise?” I say, desire coursing through my veins.

  “Oh, you bet it's a promise, princess,” he says, slapping it playfully.

  I squeal, and I hear a throat clear from behind me.

  “Get a room,” Bella says, leaning in the doorway folding her arms over her chest.

  “Oh please, your mama and daddy are ten times worse,” I say, rolling my eyes.

  “Exactly. That's why I came to stay with you tonight. I need some reprieve, don't make me regret it.”

  Jackson puts his hands up in defense and kisses me on the cheek as he walks out the door and I shut it behind him.

  He got back this morning but since they got swept in Cincinnati, Coach is making them all stay late to watch tape. He’ll be back in the morning, so I told him I would keep Lacey again tonight. I’m planning on telling him everything tomorrow when he gets back and I’m nervous as hell, but excited at the same time. We’ve gotten so close and the more I think about everything, the more confident I am that we can stick together as a team. I smile as I turn back around to the living room and meet Bella’s smirk.

  “What?” I ask.

  “You got it bad, Aunt Savannah,” she says, laughing.

  “Shh. Lacey is right in the bathroom, don't make it weird.”

  “She's old enough, she knows what goes on.”

  “Oh yeah? And what is this ‘goin’ on’ you speak of?” I ask folding my arms across my chest.

  “I uh...can I ask you somethin’?” Bella asks eyeing me.

  My playful tone is gone, and I immediately straighten my back.

  “What happened? Are you okay? Who do I have to kill?”

  “Relax,” she says, laughing. “I just...how do you uh...know you're ready? Ya know for...”

  She raises her eyebrows and begs for me to understand her, without having to utter the words.

  “You haven't had sex yet?”

  “Oh my God, never mind, this is so embarrassin’.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Rewind.”

  “No way, forget I said anything.”

  “Hey, if you can't talk about sex, Bella, then you ain't ready to have any.”

  “I...it's just weird talkin’ about this with you, but I think it would be even weirder with mama.”

  “My advice to you? Don't rush it. I did and It's not somethin’ you get back.”

  She nods and takes a step into the living room, to sit on the couch.

  “Is that all you wanted to talk about?” I ask, eyeing her.

  “I'm nervous about tryouts, I guess. Coach says that I'm a sure thing, but I still can't shake the nerves.”

  Bella’s coach at Louisiana State is pushing her to try out for the U.S Women's National Softball Team and proud would be an understatement. To think that I almost hadn’t gotten a chance to know my niece and nephew, always makes me emotional. Everything happens for a reason, I'm a firm believer in that now.

  “You're gonna rock it. You're a Gavinwood, remember?”

  “Thanks Aunt Savannah.”

  She leans over to hug me, and we hear Lacey walk into the room.

  “Y'all wanna order some pizza?” I ask, getting to my feet.

  “Sure. I'm actually gonna hop in the shower quick,” Bella says, eying La
cey.

  Lacey eyes her back and shakes her head slightly. Those two are up to something. Bella walks down the hall to the bathroom and Lacey looks at me and laughs nervously.