Playing Hardball, Part 2 (A Baseball Romance Serial) (Playing Hardball (A Baseball Romance Serial)) Read online

  Playing Hardball, Part 2

  By Sharon Cummin

  Copyright © 2016 Sharon Cummin

  All Rights Reserved

  Warning: This story contains explicit sexual content that is not intended for those under the age of 18. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious and the age of 18 and older. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 1

  Lucy

  I read that text over and over hoping I had read it wrong. Nope, I hadn't. Carrie had to end it with a thank you and by telling me what a great friend I was. I knew she meant exactly what she said and knew there was no way I wasn't going to help her. I'd have to suck up my feelings and put on that smile to hide my true self. It couldn't take that long to pack an apartment, I thought. I was sure it would be a few days at most. It was Saturday, and I wasn't wasting any time. I could get over there and pack tons of boxes before bed. There was no way Lance was going to show up until the following morning. That would give me that many hours to shove her shit in boxes. I would be that far ahead. Could I get it all done that night, I wondered? I was willing to try. I typed out my text with a smile on my face. Then I jumped up and ran to my room to pack a quick bag. If I spent the night, I would have that much more time before he arrived.

  Me: On my way. I'll stop and grab some boxes.

  The ding on my phone came while I was shoving shorts and a t-shirt in.

  Carrie: No hurry. We have plenty of time. We're going to work on the weekends and drive there the weekend after next. Scott needs to go back for meetings and won't be here next weekend.

  Me: I'll be there in a bit. I'd rather start tonight.

  I figured even if we couldn't drive there until she said, it didn't mean I had to see Lance before then. If I could pack her ass fast, I could just stay home and show up the day of the move.

  Carrie: Are you trying to get rid of me?

  I was already in my car on my way to the store for boxes and didn't check my phone until I'd shoved tons of them into my car. Her response made me laugh, but I didn't reply.

  When I knocked on the door of her apartment, I was greeted with a laugh from Scott. He grabbed the large stack of flat boxes out of my arms.

  “I sure hope it's you under there, Lucy,” he said before pulling them from me. “I was going to get boxes tomorrow.”

  “I already got them,” I said, as I walked by him with my bag on my arm.

  “What is that?” Carrie asked.

  “I'm staying over,” I said. “That way I don't have to go home and come back in the morning.”

  Carrie looked up at Scott and then back at me.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “Sure am,” I said, as I went in search of James. “Where is my boy?”

  “He left this morning with my parents,” she said. “They know it's going to be rough packing, so they took him with them.”

  “What?” I asked. “I didn't even get to say goodbye.”

  “You'll see him when we drive to Michigan,” she said. “Are you sure you're okay?”

  “Totally fine,” I said. “I just want to make sure you don't lift anything. I'm ready. Where should I start?”

  “You are seriously trying to get rid of me,” Carrie said in a sad tone.

  “That's not it at all. I promise you that,” I said.

  “Does it have anything to do with Lance?” Carrie asked.

  “Why would you even ask about him?” I asked. “Can't I just come help a friend when she asks?”

  “I'll be in the bedroom,” Scott announced before getting the hell out of there as quickly as possible.

  I was glad I'd grabbed tape while I was at the store. Carrie sat down on the couch while I moved around her. I pulled her scissors out and started putting the boxes I'd bought together.

  “Slow the fuck down,” she snapped. “You're driving me crazy. Once I move, I won't get to see you nearly as much. We need some girl time. You want a drink?”

  “Yes,” I said. “I seriously need one.”

  “Lucky for you, my crazy best friend left some of her stuff here when she was getting me drunk a few months back,” Carrie said with a laugh.

  She brought me what I'd left that night I'd gotten her wasted and she'd gone to work to meet her new boss looking like shit the next day. I couldn't help but laugh.

  “That was some funny shit,” I said.

  “Very funny,” she said with a smile. “I don't remember it that way. I was a mess. I knew I would never drink again after that.”

  After a few drinks, my nerves started to settle a bit.

  “We can start packing tomorrow,” Carrie said. “Right now, I want to watch some reality television with my friend.”

  “I'm going to miss your ass,” I said. “What am I going to do without you?”

  “Come live in Michigan,” she said.

  When I looked over, she wasn't laughing like I had expected her to be.

  “You're serious?” I asked.

  “Why not,” she said. “My mom is really starting to like you. You can work at the company there. We could still be close to each other.”

  I made myself another drink.

  “I can't do that,” I said. “I live here. I'm going to miss you and James so much. I plan on being there when you have the baby. I plan to come and mooch off of Scott often too.”

  “What's holding you here?” she asked.

  That was not a conversation I was going to have.

  “Are we going to watch television or what?” I asked, as I jumped up a little wobbly and grabbed the remote.

  I'd changed into my shorts and a tank top for the night before settling in with my best friend to watch a chick flick we ended up agreeing on. Scott never emerged from the bedroom the rest of the night. I'm pretty sure he knew I was going crazy.

  My eyes snapped open when I heard a laugh, Lance's laugh. Oh shit, I thought! The bright light filling the room had me instantly closing them again. When I moved to open them again, the pounding in my head had me closing them instantly. A low groan came from deep in my chest, as I pulled the blanket that was covering me up over my head.

  “What the hell happened in here?” his voice boomed through the room. “I thought we weren't packing until today. You told me we had plenty of time. It looks like a damn bomb went off.”

  Then I heard Carrie's laugh. Quiet down, I screamed in my head. Did they know they were fucking loud, I wondered? The last thing I remembered was having drinks and watching a movie. I must have fallen asleep on the couch. There was a pillow under my head and a blanket over me. Carrie must have covered me up before going to bed herself. If I didn't move, they'd think I was asleep. I could just stay there. They could work around me. Then he'd leave, and I'd play it off like it was just a bad hangover, which I wouldn't be lying about. How the hell could she let me drink like that, I asked myself? I guess I d
eserved it after I'd let her go to work with the world's biggest hangover.

  “Lucy happened,” Carrie said. “She decided we needed to start packing immediately. She brought all of this with her. I think she thought we could do it all in one night or something. It almost felt like she was trying to get rid of me. I was hoping to be able to talk her into moving to Michigan.”

  “What?” I heard him ask. “Why would she do that? Her job is here.”

  “She could work for Scott there,” she answered. “She's my best friend. I thought it would be cool to have here close. There's nothing holding her here. She barely talks to her parents. Mine are really starting to like her. I'd love to have her close to me.”

  “What did she say?” he asked.

  What the fuck did he care, I wondered?

  “She said no,” Carrie said. “Maybe she'll change her mind.”

  Did they not realize I was right there, I wondered? Oh wait, I was pretending to sleep.

  “Where should I start?” Lance asked, cutting off that conversation.

  “If you want, you can put some of the boxes together,” she said.

  “She made a mess and quit or what?” he asked. “There's like five boxes together. I thought you said she was trying to get it all done in one night. At this rate, it would have taken her months.”

  Then I heard his ass laugh again. Who the fuck did he think he was?

  “I talked her into watching television and offered her a drink,” she said. “Here we are. Not much got done.”

  “Where is she?” he asked.

  I'm not sure what happened, but Carrie never answered and he spoke again.

  “Oh,” he said. “It's after noon. Why the fuck is she still asleep?”

  It was taking all I had to remain silent and still. If he'd been standing closer, I would have slid my arm out and knocked him on his ass.

  “One drink turned into way too many. You were with her Friday night, did she seem okay?” she asked him.

  “I guess,” he said. “Everything seemed fine when she left yesterday. Why? Is she not okay?”

  “What do you mean left yesterday?” she asked.

  “I'm here to help pack your ass,” he said. “I've only known your girl for couple of weeks. There is no way I want to get into what you're asking. I needed to teach her a lesson about talking shit. It took a little while to teach her. She took a cab home and sent me a text when she got there. That is all you're getting from me. You want to know anything else, ask your girl.”

  I heard him moving around the room. Every time Carrie moved, I heard him snap at her.

  “Quit picking shit up. You're man would be pissed if he saw your pregnant ass lifting anything. Where is he anyway?”

  “He'll be right back,” she said. “He went to get something so Lucy wouldn't be cranky when she got up, something for her hangover she will most definitely be sporting today. He's grabbing lunch for us too.”

  “What?” I yelled out, as I shot up on the couch.

  My head was kicking my ass, and I instantly reached up to hold it.

  “He didn't need to go and get me anything. Tell him to come back right now. I don't need anyone getting me anything.”

  “He was going out anyway to get all of us lunch,” Carrie said. “He's been gone for a bit. He should be back any minute. I was going to wake your lazy ass up when he got back.”

  I threw the blanket off, stood up, and opened my eyes a crack to look at her. It was so damn bright.

  “Call him right now,” I demanded.

  “Why?” she asked, looking at me like I was losing it.

  “He didn't need to get lunch. We could have found something here,” I said. “Call him.”

  When I opened my eyes the rest of the way, Lance and Carrie were both looking at me like I was crazy. Then I saw his eyes move down and back up my body. I looked down and realized I was wearing a pair of smaller shorts and a tank top. I put my arms across my chest and looked him in the eye. When he burst into laughter, I shook my head.

  “Nothing I haven't already seen, Firecracker,” he said. “Everything okay with you?”

  “Its fine,” I said, as I shook my hands around. “I just want you to call Scott and tell him to come back. I don't need anything for my head.”

  I looked between the two of them and was ready to lose my shit. Carrie opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by the sound of a knock at the door.

  “He's already back,” she said, as she turned and opened the door.

  Scott walked in with his arms full of bags. Carrie started grabbing some of them from him. I could see a concerned look on Lance's face and could feel tears welling in my eyes. The second he reached out toward me, I turned and took off for the bathroom.

  “I'm going to change,” I said. “I'll be right out. I wouldn't want you distracted by my ass every time I bend over.”

  I was hoping to take the funky mood I'd just created away with my humor. As soon as the door closed, I turned around with my back to it and slid down onto my ass. My hands covered my face, and I did my best not to cry. I have no idea why I'd chosen that time to freak. I was half out of it when she mentioned Scott had left to get me something. My head was pounding, and I was already having a hard time knowing Lance was there. It hit me when she said it, and all I could think about was Scott not coming back to my pregnant best friend and it being my fault. I couldn't be the cause of anyone's hurt.

  It took me a few minutes to pull my shit together and make myself resemble a human. My hair was pulled up on top of my head, and I had on jeans and a t-shirt. I jumped when I opened the bathroom door to find Lance on the other side.

  “Shit,” I yelped. “Don't scare me like that.”

  “I was just bringing you this,” he said, as he handed me a glass and two pills. “Heard you had an exciting night.”

  “Thanks,” I said, as I quickly took the stuff from his hands.

  My hands were shaking, and I knew he noticed.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Fine,” I replied.

  “Want to talk about it?” he asked.

  “Nope,” I said with a huge smile, as I slid by him and moved down the hall.

  I took a huge breath in and back out before putting my perfect smile on my face.

  “What did you get to eat?” I asked with a happy tone. “I hope it's good after all the work your woman is going to put us through. Is it a nice juicy steak?”

  “Very funny,” Scott said. “This coming from the woman banging the door down wanting to get started right away.”

  “I would have had it all done if your woman wouldn't have gotten me drunk,” I said.

  “What was that all about?” Lance asked. “I thought you had things you had to get done.”

  “Not your concern, Hotshot,” I said. “We have work to do.”

  We all sat down to eat. Scott had gotten subs, chips, and wings. It was all very good. As soon as I was done, I was on my feet and moving.

  The moment I bent down to pick up the first box, I jumped so damn high. Lance pulled his arm back and smacked my ass so loud.

  “Fuck,” I yelled. “What the hell was that?”

  I spun around so fast to see Carrie and Scott laughing hysterically. Then I looked up at Lance. He shrugged his shoulders with an innocent look on his face. If he weren't biting his lip so damn hard he was about to draw blood trying not to laugh, I might have been more pissed than I was. I reached around rubbing my ass cheek to try and get rid of the sting. Then I turned around and continued what I was doing. A few moments later, Carrie and Scott were talking and Lance leaned over my shoulder with his mouth close to my ear.

  “I told you that you were going to feel my palm when I saw you,” he whispered. “You have no idea how hard my cock is knowing that my print is on your sweet ass this very moment.”

  I felt a shiver move through my body at his words and knew I needed to put that shit in check. There was no way I was going to let myself feel
anything.

  The rest of the day I could see him watching me. Why, I had no idea. The way my body felt hadn't changed once through the day. I made sure to throw plenty of jabs his way, and he returned them all. Carrie and Scott laughed the entire time. I had to admit, my own face actually hurt by the time I went to bed. Yep, I stayed the night again. There was no way I was taking a chance of being with him that quickly. It was not happening.

  I only had one more weekend I'd have to see him. Then I'd be back to business as usual.

  Chapter 2

  Lance

  When I saw the storm that had blown through Carrie's living room, I was surprised. When she told me it was Lucy, it made sense. I hadn't known the woman but for a couple of weeks, but she was something else. She kept me on my toes, and I was pretty sure she did that with everyone that crossed her path.

  When she jumped off the couch at the mention of Scott going to get something for her hangover, I was surprised. She was totally losing it and had no idea. Of course she was half asleep and hungover. Maybe she didn't mean anything by it. It seemed very strange to me though. Why would she care where Scott was? I couldn't stop myself from looking down and back up her body. She had on shorts and a tank top, and her nipples were begging to be touched. I didn't miss that she got away from me and Carrie as fast as she could. My ass was right behind her, she just didn't know it. I heard her slide down that door, and I heard her cry. It was one of the only times I'd seen that solve everything with humor attitude disappear.

  I was standing at the door with something for her head, and honestly, I just wanted to check on her. Why? I had no idea. I was never one to give two shits about people's feelings. Knowing she was crying pulled at something in my chest. Of course she was fine and didn't want to talk about her little outburst. I wasn't going to push her either. There was no way I could have her mistaking me checking on her for caring about her. Nope, couldn't have that.

  When she bent over to pick that box up, I had to do it. There was no way I could help myself. Her plump, tight ass was just begging for my hand. I'd told her on the phone she'd feel it there next time I saw her, and I had to do it. She was the kind of woman you followed through on every promise with. There was no way I could have her thinking I didn't stand by my word. I wasn't a wuss, and I couldn't have her thinking I was. She'd definitely use it to her advantage and fuck with me often. I had to show her I meant business. Maybe her mouth would think twice before spouting shit off again. I made sure when I got her, she was going to feel the sting for at least a few minutes. I wasn't lying, my cock was rock hard thinking about my print being there.