Indelible

  I saw him sitting in his favorite spot, bottom left with a clear view of third, and then surveyed the still-arriving crowd. My gaze stopped at a flash of red.

  She was here.

  I was a little taken aback at how excited that made me.

  Sam caught me looking, so I nodded at her to let her know that I’d seen her. She leaned down and said something to the curly-haired woman next to her, then began her descent down the bleachers.

  I walked out to meet her and we arrived at the gate at the same time.

  “Hey,” I said with a grin, unable to hide my pleasure at seeing her again.

  “Hi,” Sam said back. Her hair looked really red in the sun, even more so than I remembered.

  “I’m glad you came,” I admitted. This honesty thing was kinda cool. I was enjoying the lack of bullshit.

  “I wasn’t sure that I would,” Sam replied. “But my friends, Molly and Bill, mentioned that they were coming, so I decided to tag along.”

  She motioned up to where she’d come from, and I waved at the curly-haired woman I’d seen her talking to. I guessed that was Molly, and that the dark-haired dude next to her was Bill. They were trying to entertain a couple of kids with crayons and coloring books.

  “Cool,” I responded. “They have cute kids.”

  Sam’s face closed up a bit as she nodded.

  “Well, good luck today,” she said. She turned to walk away, but I put my hand on her arm to stop her.

  “Thanks. I had a great time the other night. Would you like to go out again sometime?” I asked, less than thrilled with the nerves that plagued me as I waited for her response.

  “When?”

  “Well…” Shit, I guess I should have thought it through before opening my mouth. I just wasn’t ready to let her go yet. “My teammate’s sick, so I want to go check on him today… What about coffee tomorrow, and we can go from there.”

  “Sounds good,” Sam said, suddenly looking at me more closely. She reached out a hand, like she was going to take off my ball cap, before she pulled it back. “Did you cut your hair?”

  “Yeah,” I replied, taking my hat off to show her my shorn hair. “The coach likes us to be clean-cut during the season.”

  “Oh,” she said, looking almost regretful. “That’s too bad.”

  “You liked it long?” I asked.

  Sam nodded, looking like she wanted to say something, but kept quiet.

  “It’ll grow back,” I assured her.

  “It’s just that I thought about touching it the other night, and now I’m sorry that I won’t get a chance to,” she admitted.

  Desire punched me in the stomach at her words. Shit, she’d been thinking about running her hands through my hair? That was fucking hot. It meant she was thinking about me in the same way I’d been thinking about her.

  A haze of lust blurred my vision and I didn’t think, just reacted to the urges she brought out in me.

  I took a step toward her, closing the gap between us, and put my hand in her hair. I fisted my hand, pulling back on the strands, causing her head to tilt with them. Her eyes opened in surprise and she gasped slightly.

  “Like this?” I growled softly, before claiming her mouth with my own. The kiss started out soft, turning wild when she opened her lips and thrust out her tongue.

  Cheers from the crowd brought me back to reality and I pulled away, but not before I brushed my lips against hers again.

  I let go of her and stepped back. The look on her face made me want to really give the crowd something to cheer about.

  “See you tomorrow then?” I asked when I heard the coach calling my name.

  Sam just nodded.

  “Thanks for coming out,” I said with a smile, and then turned to meet my team in the dugout.

  I wandered slowly and dazed back up to my seat. Damn, that was hot.

  “Damn, that looked hot!” Molly exclaimed, mirroring my thoughts. “I’m assuming that was Judd.”

  “Yeah,” was all I could muster at the moment. I sat down next to Molly and looked over to Karrie and Thomas, who were oblivious to the world around them as they colored. Thank God Karrie hadn’t seen Judd kissing me. That would have been an interesting conversation to have with a two-year-old.

  “From up here it looked like you guys had a good date the other night,” Bill said with a chuckle.

  Molly was still looking at me expectantly.

  “What?” I asked, looking back out at the field as they began to announce the lineup.

  “You know what,” Molly said in my ear with an exaggerated whisper. “How was the kiss? Was it as hot as it looked?”

  “Hotter,” I stated simply.

  “Damn,” Molly said, sitting back in her seat.

  “Calm down,” Bill interjected with a laugh. “You act like you don’t get kissed like that every day.”

  “Don’t I wish,” Molly muttered dryly.

  “Oh yeah?” Bill said in mock anger. “Ole Judd ain’t showing me up…” Bill grabbed Molly and kissed her passionately, causing the fans around us to cat-call and whistle.

  “Whew,” Molly said when Bill pulled away. “Don’t forget that later when Thomas goes to bed.”

  Molly turned to me and said under her breath, “I’m going to have to thank Judd later.”

  I laughed and slapped her on the knee, then turned to watch as the first pitch was thrown.

  It was a great game. Our team crushed the opposing team and Judd proved his talents on the field. He was a skilled ballplayer, and I felt a little proud as I watched him hit a double and get countless players out at first. I knew he wasn’t my boyfriend or anything, but there was definitely something between us.

  When the game was over, we gathered up our tired kids and went home. I left without speaking to Judd again, but figured it was better that way. I didn’t want him getting a closer look at Karrie and figuring out she was mine. I wasn’t ready for that confrontation yet. I was enjoying how carefree and flirtatious our relationship was, and I didn’t want that to change.

  I thanked Molly and Bill when they dropped us off and took Karrie inside. I knew there were tons of homework and housework that I needed to do, including figuring out what to make for dinner, but I sat down on the couch to cuddle with Karrie instead.

  “Mommy…Dowa,” Karrie said in her tired little voice.

  I got up to put Dora on, grabbed a blanket, and headed back to the couch. I laid down and settled Karrie on top of me, running my hands over her blond curls as the music began to play.

  It didn’t take long until we were both asleep with Dora and Boots singing softly in the background.

  I woke up to a knock on the door. I tried to sit up without waking Karrie, but she must have woken to the knock as well.

  “Dowa, Mommy,” she said sleepily.

  I kissed her on the head and pressed play again on the DVD player before answering the door.

  “Hey,” I said to James as I opened the door to let her in. “What’s going on?”

  “Not much,” James replied. “Just wanted to check on my favorite girls and see if you would share this pizza with me.”

  James walked in and pulled the pizza box out from behind her back.

  “Ames…pisa!” Karrie shouted, rolling over on her tummy so she could scoot off the couch and waddle over to James.

  “Hey, big girl,” James said affectionately, pulling Karrie in for a hug.

  “You didn’t have to bring us pizza,” I said as I shut the door.

  “Can’t eat the whole thing by myself,” James replied by way of explanation. She took Karrie by the hand and they brought the pizza into the kitchen. I followed behind and found James getting the paper plates down, with Karrie waiting patiently by her side.

  Karrie loved pizza, almost as much as she loved James.

  “Thanks,” I said as I picked up Karrie and put her in her highchair. I sat down at the table and smiled at James when she put a slice in front of me.

  “What’s
up with you and Judd?” James asked before I could take my first bite of pepperoni.

  I paused, pizza halfway to my mouth. “What do you mean?”

  “Last time I saw you, you were getting ready for the big date,” James said around a mouthful of pizza. “Was he an ass?”

  I laughed and took a bite, chewing as I thought back to my date with Judd.

  “Surprisingly, no. We had a good time. I like him.”

  James narrowed her eyes at me. “He didn’t try anything, did he?”

  “No, we barely even kissed that night. It was a nice date.”

  “What do you mean by that night?” James asked, picking up on my slip right away.

  “Well, I went to his game today…”

  “He kissed you at his game?” James asked.

  “Yeah, it just sort of happened. Why?” I asked as I took another bite.

  “Well, you said he didn’t try anything on your date. First of all, Judd doesn’t date, he bags chicks. Second, he took you on a date and didn’t try any grabass. Third, he kissed you at the ball field,” James said, as if that explained everything.

  “And…”

  “And,” James began, “I’ve known Judd a long time, and I’ve never seen him act like the person you’re describing. Especially at the field. He takes baseball seriously. He may pick up a chick and meet her after the game, but what you’re talking about sounds romantic. Judd doesn’t do romance.”

  “Well, he’s pretty good at it for someone who never does it,” I responded with a grin. “He’s swept me off my feet.”

  “Oh, brother,” James said dryly.

  “I know that you and Judd have a history,” I said. “It doesn’t bother you that I’m seeing him, does it?”

  James glanced at me, then looked pointedly at Karrie.

  “Does he know about the little nugget?”

  “No, I haven’t told him yet. I want to keep it simple for now, you know?”

  “Yeah, I get it. And don’t worry, he won’t hear about it from me,” James added.

  “Thanks.”

  “I just have to say,” James said, looking a bit uncomfortable before continuing on, “I’m not close to too many people, but you and Judd are both important to me. No, it doesn’t bother me; I just want you to be careful. I’d hate for either of you to get hurt.”

  “I don’t plan on hurting anyone, James,” I said, trying to ease her mind.

  She looked at me and Karrie, wiping her mouth with a napkin before saying, “No one ever plans on hurting someone else, it just happens.”

  I was flying high after our win.

  I told the team I’d meet up with them later, but first I wanted to check on Tuck.

  I’d been taking care of my dad for many years now, so I stopped by the store and picked up a few items for Tuck without even thinking about it.

  I walked into the frat house where he lived, yelling out “Hello” to a couple of the guys playing video games in the living room.

  “He alive?” I asked, pointing to the door in the back that led to Tuck’s room.

  “Barely, dude,” came the reply.

  I knocked once and opened the door to the sound of moaning.

  And not the good kind.

  “Shit, man, are you gonna make it?” I asked as I walked toward the pale and sweaty version of my friend on the bed.

  “No,” Tuck moaned from under the pillow.

  “You got food poisoning, huh?”

  “Fuckin’ sushi place,” was all Tuck managed to spit out as he tried to lift himself into a sitting position.

  “Don’t get up, man. I brought you a few things that might help. I’ll just put them over here,” I said, pointing to the dresser next to his bed. “Then I’ll head out.”

  Tuck peeked through his half-open eyes as I pulled the stuff out of the bag: ginger ale, saltines, and some Pepto.

  “You didn’t have to bring all that,” Tuck said hoarsely.

  “It’s no big deal,” I said with a shrug. “We need your ass well and ready for our next game.”

  “Shit,” Tuck said, perking up a bit. “Did we win?”

  “Hell yeah,” I replied with a grin. “Did you ever doubt it?”

  Tuck chuckled a bit, and then collapsed back down into the prone position on the bed.

  “Alright, I’ll let you get some rest,” I said, backing up toward the door. “See ya later.”

  “Thanks for the stuff, bro. I appreciate it.”

  I closed the door and headed back out the way I’d come.

  “Later,” I shouted to the gamers.

  Their responses followed me out the door.

  I hopped on my bike and headed out to meet the guys for some celebratory drinks.

  Dad had left the stadium happy about the win. Well, as happy as Dad got these days. I could barely remember the way he’d been before Mom died, but it seemed that he used to laugh all of the time. I felt bad that he was so unhappy now, but I envied the relationship he had with my mom. What they’d had was a true and lasting love. That was why he was having such a hard time moving on.

  I shook those thoughts from my head as I neared the bar, thinking back to my kiss with Sam instead. Damn, that kiss had been hot. I remembered the feel of her hair fisted in my hand, and the way her lips had opened for me, letting me taste the sweet heat of her mouth.

  Shit, I was going to have to think of something else or I’d have to cool down before entering the bar.

  I managed to walk in without issue, and found the guys already in our spot by the bar. I stopped and grabbed a beer before going over to meet them.

  A round of greetings was yelled as I approached my teammates. I walked around, slapping hands and shoulders, saying hi to everyone before finding an empty spot next to Chris.

  “How’s Tuck?” he asked.

  “Looks like shit,” I replied with a chuckle before taking a pull of my beer as I surveyed the bar. “Looks like the usual groupies are in attendance.”

  “Oh yeah,” Chris said, leaning back in his chair. He had dark skin and dark eyes, and his brown hair always seemed to be in a state of disarray. The girls went crazy for him. I guess he’d be what they called tall, dark, and handsome. “That hot little number in the short red skirt over there was asking about you earlier.”

  “Oh yeah?” I responded, my eyes finding the tiny blonde he was talking about.

  “Yeah. Wanted to know if you were coming tonight, if you were looking to hook up…that kind of stuff.”

  There was never a shortage of groupies around, looking to hang out with players and hook up. I really never got what was in it for them – maybe the status of fucking one of the guys on the team – but I found myself looking at them in a new light.

  These girls would do anything and I mean anything, to spend the night with me.

  I realized I much preferred Sam’s mystique. I enjoyed the fact that I didn’t know when I was going to see her next, that I didn’t have her number, and that I didn’t know where she lived. Sure, I wanted her to eventually trust me enough to let me in, but for now I was content to not have her act like every other chick on the prowl.

  I took another pull of my beer and shook my head at Chris. “Not interested.”

  Chris raised his eyebrow. “No?”

  “Nah.”

  “Does that have anything to do with that redhead you were sucking face with before the game?”

  He chuckled at the look I gave him.

  “It might.”

  He put his empty beer bottle on the table and stood up, cracking his knuckles and giving me a cocky grin. “More for me.”

  Chris started toward the bar, and then turned back to me. “Want to split a pitcher?”

  “Absolutely.”

  I thought about what James said all night. I didn’t want to hurt Judd, because that certainly wasn’t my intention, but I felt like I had to protect Karrie as well as myself.

  Plus, now that I was really starting to like him, I was afraid of what hi
s reaction would be. We’d only been on one date and shared a couple of brief kisses.

  Hot…but brief.

  There was nothing to keep him from walking if the thought of dating a single mom freaked him out.

  I didn’t think I could take that reaction from him.

  I kissed Karrie and said goodbye to Molly before I began my walk to the coffee shop. It took every ounce of willpower I had not to start running. I was beyond excited about seeing Judd again.

  I concentrated on my steps and played with my braid as I whistled down the sidewalk. My head was down, so I didn’t realize someone was in front of me until I collided with another body. I looked up and grinned when I saw Judd peering down at me.

  He caught me by the arms and I grabbed onto the fabric of his T-shirt. I looked up into his smiling face and lost myself in the gold flecks that surrounded his green eyes.

  “Hey,” he said.

  “Hey,” I replied softly, my eyes zeroing in on his mouth.

  Neither of us let go. We just stood there, caught in the moment.

  “Let’s see whether or not yesterday was just a fluke,” Judd murmured as he lowered his head.

  I kept my eyes open until our lips touched, and it was then that I closed my eyes and let my senses take over. I loosened my grip and splayed my hands across his chest, loving the feel of his muscles underneath.

  His arms came around my body and pulled me closer to him, causing our kiss to deepen and our bodies to meld.

  He felt wonderful.

  I felt wonderful.

  I wanted to stay in this moment indefinitely.

  His lips felt sinfully soft, and I trailed my tongue slowly across his lower lip, chills racking my body when Judd groaned in response. I felt his body harden, and I rolled against him instinctively.

  He pulled his body away, leaving a few inches of space between us as his mouth continued to ravage mine. I tried to close the gap, causing him to chuckle against my lips.

  “Are you trying to kill me, or is sex in public on your bucket list?”

  His words sank in and I realized where we were —a few feet away from the coffee shop. In the middle of campus. With students walking around everywhere.