Page 20

Chapter 20

Will

Throwing on a black Henley and some jeans, I curse Adam for forcing me into tonight's outing. He made it clear that this team bar crawl to kick off the season was nonnegotiable. And the best part of it? Since I don’t drink, I’m one of the appointed designated drivers.

I’m tired of driving. If I’m not at the training facility, I’m driving back and forth from my sisters’, trying to help them get situated after not one, but two water pipes burst in their apartment. Their landlord wanted to be a real dick about it and claim that the damage didn’t fall under their contract as something he has to fix. Which is complete bullshit, and since I’m the one paying for the place, I’ve been up there trying to get it sorted out. It’s been a fucking week and I hate that I haven’t been able to see Callie at all. The one bright side is that it’s a team outing so Callie should be coming and I’ve been clinging to that hope all fucking week.

Waiting in my living room I pull out my phone to check the time and see I’ve been added back to the dreaded group chat with my sisters.

Lucie has added Will to the chat: When Will met Callie.

Lucie

What are you doing tonight?

I’m going out. Do you need something?

Reagan

Nope, can’t we just check in?

Is Callie going?

I don’t know. Maybe.

Lucie

What’s the plan? Are you dressed nice? Girls always appreciate a guy who can dress.

I put on clothes.

Reagan

See, this is why I’m dating a woman.

Lucie

Are you this glowing of a conversationalist with Callie? This might be your problem.

Ugh, fucking sisters. A knock comes to my door and I shove my phone in my pocket. Opening it I hope to find a fiery Callie, but unfortunately Adam’s alone.

“Hey, you ready to go?” he asks.

Not exactly. We’re missing someone.

“Yeah, yeah. Ready to babysit.” I grab my keys off the hook and step out into the hallway.

“I knocked on Callie’s door for her to hurry up, but she’s still not out yet.” Adam walks back over to her place, and I’m fucking relieved.

Adam reaches for her door handle. “I bet the first round that her door is unlocked.”

I’m about to tell him I don’t make stupid bets, or drink for that matter, but I don’t get the chance because Callie swings her door open and jumps back when she notices us. “Shit, what are you guys doing out here?”

“We’re waiting on you,” Adam replies, which thank goodness, because I’m at a loss for words.

Callie looks beautiful. I mean, she’s always beautiful, but tonight she’s got this gorgeous short brown dress on and her hair is pinned back half up, bringing all the attention to her freckled face.

“Adam, I told you I wasn’t going tonight,” Callie shoots back, and all my hopes of spending time with her tonight die.

“Yeah, I thought that meant you didn’t want to go, not that you couldn’t.” The question comes to me the moment it does to Adam. “Where are you going?”

Callie’s eyes dart quickly from her brother to me before looking down at her boots. No, just no. I need her to say that she made some new girlfriends and she’s going out with them right now, because?—

“I’m just going out,” she mumbles.

Fuck me.

“Out with who?” Adam continues, completely unaware of how much I don’t want to hear this.

A date? A fucking date.

Callie’s eyes dart up toward me and for a brief moment, I think I see regret in her eyes.

Damn it, I want to walk her back into her place, lock her fucking door for once, and fuck this whole “friends” idea out of her. Fuck her date. Fuck her ex for putting this whole “no dating baseball players” bullshit in her head. And fuck me for even thinking I only wanted to be friends to start with.

“It’s not a big deal, Adam. I’m going to a wine bar. I’ve already shared my location with you and Wyla.”

I’m so beyond tempted to demand she share it with me also, but I know if I have it, I’ll be checking it every five minutes and the need to go find her and pull her away from her date might not be something I can hold back on.

Adam pulls out his phone, clicking on her name to double check that he can see her location. “I know you don’t need my permission to go, Cals, but I have to at least ask the questions.” Adam shrugs it off as he shoves his phone in his pocket like it’s nothing and to him, I guess it is. But, damn it, would it kill him to be the asshole brother just one time? Tell her no. There’s no telling who this guy is and what could happen. She doesn't need to go on this date with whatever dickhead she met. She should come be with me instead. Maybe I should tell her that?

But as she looks at me and bites at her lips to keep from talking, I know I can’t say any of that. As much as I want her to be mine, the fact is she’s not and I have no right to tell her what to do.

“Right.” I nod, swallowing down everything I wish I could say. “Call us if you need us.”

“Sure,” she whispers. “I forgot my jacket, but you guys can head down. My Uber should be here in about five minutes.”

She doesn’t wait for us to answer before shutting her door and disappearing back into her place.

Adam pats my back. “Let’s go, first round’s on you.”

“Dude, I’m the designated driver, and I don’t drink.”

“Well make your drink whatever you want, your money still spends just the same.”

Annoyed already, I pull out my phone in the elevator and against my better judgment, I text my sisters.

She’s going on a date tonight.

Reagan

Bet you wish you would have pulled your head out of your ass a month ago.

Lucie

Don’t kick him while he’s down Rea. Sally and Harry both dated before they got together. There’s still hope.

This isn’t a movie.

Lucie

You always have to act like you're the main character anyway. So, what are you going to do?

I don’t know yet.

Reagan

Well you better figure it out soon!

Lucie

Might I suggest the grand gesture?

Fuck this night.