Page 15 of Knox (Comeback Duet #2)
Knox
It was the bottom of the seventh with two on base and one out. The regular season was starting soon, and while we’d been playing well so far, I wanted the momentum to continue as we headed into games that mattered.
Sweat dripped down my face as I left the on-deck circle and headed to the batter’s box.
The weather in Arizona didn’t care that the calendar claimed it to be the beginning of spring.
It might’ve only been eighty degrees, but under the desert sun, it felt like at least a hundred.
Especially since most of our games started just after one in the afternoon.
I looked to our third base coach for my sign before squaring up to the plate.
The first pitch came in a bit high and outside, and I took it for a ball.
The second pitch was right down the middle, and I swung.
As soon as the ball left the barrel, I knew it was a solid hit. Watching it soar over the centerfielder’s head, I rounded first and slid into second as the other two runners scored easily.
Glancing toward the dugout, I could see Crew watching me with a grin on his face. I wasn’t sure what gave me a bigger rush: the cheering crowd or the look of admiration on my boyfriend’s face. Either way, I’d give anything to see my man smile like that every day.
We held onto the lead through the eighth, and by the time Wilner, our closer, stepped onto the mound in the top of the ninth, I was ready to add another game to the win column.
They had two outs and no one on base.
Crew crouched behind the plate, looking completely relaxed like he hadn’t been in that position for eight innings under the sun’s bright rays. From my vantage point, I could still tell he had called for a fastball inside based on the way he set up to receive the ball.
Wilner delivered, and the batter swung and missed.
The next pitch went the exact same way.
The batter stepped out of the box and adjusted his batting gloves. Once he was set again, it looked as though Crew called for a breaking ball.
The off-speed pitch caught the batter looking, and the umpire called strike three.
And just like that, the game was over.
Back in the clubhouse, music from Jacobs’ playlist pumped through the speakers connected to his phone. I was unlacing my cleats when Turner dropped onto the chair next to me and Crew.
“We’ve all been playing our asses off, it’s time to have a little fun tonight.” He smirked.
Crew unbuttoned his jersey and tossed it in the laundry bins. “Going to hit up Scotty’s?”
Scotty’s was the bar we’d gone to a few times since spring training had started.
Ramos shook his head. “We always go to that bar. Let’s go somewhere with some music, lights, and some ladies looking to have a good time. Maybe we’ll get lucky and find a bachelorette party to crash.”
I laughed, and Crew looked at me. “You up for it?”
I shrugged. “Sure. As long as Ramos doesn’t tell any women we’re the strippers they hired.”
“No promises.” Ramos winked and headed for the showers.
The club lights flashed green and purple as our team walked across the venue as if we owned the place. Most of us wanted to grab drinks, while a few stopped along the way to chat up some people.
Crew and I walked hand in hand, following Turner and Jacobs to the bar. Turner ordered a round of tequila shots for everyone, and despite not being a fan, I took the small glass from my teammate’s outstretched hand and downed the shot.
It burned the entire way down, and I grimaced. Before I could search for something to help get rid of the disgusting taste, Crew passed me a lime wedge.
“Thanks,” I muttered, biting down and sucking out the juice.
“Amateur,” he teased.
“Says the guy who made the same face when he tried the IPA I picked up a few nights ago.”
“That was one time.” He glared at me playfully. “And even you have to admit, that shit was awful.”
We both laughed. It really had been bad, and I’d officially retired from picking out beer for the house.
Wanting something besides tequila, I ordered a bottle of Stella, and Crew opted for a vodka soda.
My man leaned back against the bar as he sipped his drink. “Looks like Ramos found what he was looking for.” He nodded toward a group in the corner.
Sure enough, Ramos was already surrounded by several women including one wearing a “Bride” T-shirt, and he was flashing them all a cocky grin. One who wore a matching “Bridesmaid” tee threw her head back and laughed at something he said, her hand lingering on his arm.
“He better be careful or he’ll be the one getting married.” I snorted.
Crew chuckled but then went quiet. “You ever miss it?” he asked after a beat.
I shifted to face him. “Miss what?”
“This.” He gestured to the entire club. “Going out every night. Random hook ups. No strings attached.”
He didn’t sound judgmental, just sort of curious, but I still felt as though I needed to reassure him that I didn’t regret settling down for a real relationship.
“I won’t lie. I had a lot of fun back then, and the attention was great.” He looked at me, but I couldn’t get a good read of his expression in the flashing lights. “But none of it ever came close to this. To you. I don’t miss it because I have something real to hold onto now.”
He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer.
“Besides,” I continued. “If I wanted attention, all I’d have to do is post a video of us right now. Our followers on The Loop would love it.”
He smirked and pulled out his phone. “Let’s see if that’s true.”
We leaned in close for a quick loop of us holding up our drinks, and I watched as he saved it to his drafts.
“Not going to post it after all?”
He shook his head. “After we leave. We don’t want all the Seawolves fans in a thirty-mile radius showing up.”
I took a sip of my beer. “Good call.”
We stayed at the club long enough for Jacobs to convince almost everyone that dancing would help our performance on the field. I had a couple more drinks, danced with Crew, and watched Ramos leave with one of the bridesmaids.
By the time we got back to the apartment, I was slightly buzzed and feeling relaxed.
“You good?” I asked as we kicked off our shoes at the door.
“Yeah. Just hoping my legs don’t give out on me tomorrow. I can’t remember the last time I danced that much.” Crew headed for the couch.
I took a seat next to him. “Are you going to post that video of us?”
He nodded but handed me the phone. “You’re better at captions and that hashtag shit.”
I took his cell and typed out a quick caption:
Fun night out with my favorite guy. #teammates2lovers #HABS
Crew leaned over my shoulder. “What the fuck is HABS?”
“Husbands and boyfriends.” I shrugged. “Like WAGS, but for us guys.”
He laughed. “That’s ridiculous.”
“If by ridiculous, you mean genius, then I agree.”
Within minutes, likes and comments began rolling in.
Crew raised an eyebrow and read one out loud. “I don’t know which version of Knox is hotter. The one in uniform or the one in the club.”
He gave me a playful scowl. “This is the worst app ever.”
I grinned. “Don’t be jealous.”
“I’m not, but I would like to point out that it’s harder to check someone out in their uniform when they’re covered in catcher’s gear.”
“Didn’t stop me, but if it’ll make you feel better, I can post a video of you lifting weights shirtless tomorrow.” I thought about that for a second. “Actually … no. I think I’ll keep all that hotness to myself.”
“So selfish.” He moved closer to me and slid his hand up my thigh.
I caught his wrist, halting his movements. “Careful. You don’t want to start something you’re too tired to finish.”
His eyes locked on mine. “You think I’m too tired?”
“Well, you did say your legs might give out tomorrow. Don’t want you complaining later that I made it worse.”
“I’ll use my hands … or maybe my mouth tonight.” He smirked. “Besides, you’re the one posting thirst traps. How am I supposed to ignore that and just go to bed?”
I chuckled. “First of all, it was your video, and second, that wasn’t a thirst trap.”
He lifted a brow. “The Loop seems to disagree. Did you read those comments?”
I leaned in and brushed my lips against his. “Let them look. You’re the only one who gets to touch.”
“And don’t you forget it,” he growled and pulled me in until I was straddling his lap, our mouths crashing together.
It seemed our night wasn’t over yet.