Page 18 of Taking the Pitch (Love & Baseball #2)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

amelia

I should cancel.

It’s his family dinner.

I have no business being there.

These are the things I keep telling myself as I pace back and forth in my room in nothing but my towel. I pick up my phone to text Judd that I can’t make it but see there’s already one from him.

Maybe he’s having second thoughts and is canceling on me.

The thought should make me happy, but it doesn’t. I’m actually beginning to enjoy spending time with him. He’s not the arrogant playboy the press has made him out to be. He’s kind, thoughtful, and so… Fucking. Hot. that part the press definitely got right.

But that’s not what I should be focusing on. Shaking my head at myself, I click on Judd’s waiting text.

Sexiest man alive

Stop overthinking this.

How the fuck did he know that’s exactly what I’ve been doing all morning?

Me

I’m not. I’m currently standing in my towel fresh from the shower, trying to figure out what to wear.

Okay, so some of that’s a lie. But he doesn’t have to know that.

Sexiest man alive

pictures or it didn’t happen :::winking face emoji:::

Me

Perv.

Sexiest man alive

:::shrugging emoji::: Worth a shot.

I snap a picture of my reflection in my full-length mirror and send it to him before I chicken out.

That’ll show him.

Sexiest man alive

Ok, I believe you. Now get your cute ass dressed. I’ll meet you at your door in 30 minutes.

At least he thinks your ass is cute.

I shake my head at myself. You sure showed him Millie. Now you have to go, or he’s going to know he was right, and we can’t have that.

Tossing my towel aside, I dig into my closet and pull out my favorite charcoal gray chunky knit sweater with the oversized buttons on the shoulders and pair it with my butter soft black leggings and black boots that come up mid-calf. Might as well be comfortable.

Heading back into my bathroom, I decide to keep my makeup simple with foundation and a little contour, adding a couple of coats of mascara to make my eyes pop. I take my hair out of my claw clip and shake it out, letting my long blonde waves fall around my shoulders.

“You can do this Millie,” I tell my reflection. “It’s just dinner with a friend and his family. No big deal.” As I’m staring at myself in the mirror, I realize that while I’m nervous about meeting Judd’s family, I’m not anxious about it.

Before I can analyze that revelation any further, though, I’m pulled from my thoughts by a knock at my door.

“Coming, coming,” I mutter, making my way to the front door. I peek through the peephole and see Judd standing on the other side, looking like a damn snack in his dark wash jeans and black peacoat.

Fuck me.

Friends, Millie. Judd and you are friends. No more, no less.

Taking a final breath after my internal reprimand to my lady bits to behave, I pull the door open and Judd’s cinnamon pine scent smacks me square in the face. My heart does a little flip that I’m not one hundred percent sure I shouldn’t be concerned about.

Judd’s eyes roam over me, causing goosebumps to break out over my body at the pure heat in his gaze. When his journey stops at my eyes, it’s like time freezes as we stare at each other, neither uttering a word but saying so many things.

I want you.

I need you.

Fuck me.

Keep me.

That last one jolts me out of my trance. Never in my twenty-nine years have I wanted someone to claim me as much as I want Judd to. But friends aren’t supposed to feel that way about each other.

“Like what you see, Shortcake?”

Yes.

I roll my eyes. “You wish, Davis.” I look down at my smartwatch to check the time and look back up at him. “Aren’t you early? You said thirty minutes. I still have ten minutes to spare.”

He walks into my apartment and kneels down to give Bruno some attention, who is whining and shaking his butt uncontrollably, like he’s his long-lost love.

Traitor.

“I figured if I came down early, it would give you less time to over analyze everything,” he says, looking up at me with his devilish smile. “You look really nice.”

I duck my face at the compliment, closing the door and turn to him, crossing my arms in front of me. “Thanks. But how? How did you know that’s exactly what I would be doing?” I narrow my eyes. “Have you been talking to Charlie?” That’s the only explanation to him knowing how my brain works.

He stands and takes his phone out of his pocket, tapping on the screen a few times and turning it towards me so I can read the screen. It’s a website on how to support someone who deals with anxiety and depression.

The back of my eyes start to sting and I flick them back up to Judd’s as he pockets his phone. I told him about the anxiety, but never about my depression. “Why?” I ask, my voice cracking just slightly.

“If we’re going to be around each other more, I want to be prepared on how to help you if you ever have an anxiety attack while you’re with me,” he says, shrugging like it’s no big deal.

It’s a huge deal.

Not one of the boyfriends I’ve had since developing my anxiety disorder has ever taken the time to do something as simple as googling how to support me. And here Judd is in all his sexy glory, doing just that, and he’s not even my boyfriend.

He could be. My inner voice chimes in.

No, he can’t. And he’s showing me another reason as to why. He’s too good for me to bring him down with all my darkness.

“I really appreciate you doing that, Judd, truly,” I tell him, clearing the emotion from my throat. “Should we go? I’ll just grab my coat.” I move to the closet, needing a minute to gather myself. When I turn back around, Judd has Bruno’s leash clipped on him and his ball in his hand.

“My parents have a huge backyard. I figured we can tire him out there. That way, when we get home, he’ll just need his nightly potty walk.”

I nod and try to ignore the warm feeling I get in my chest when he says home while I lock my door. Once we’re in the elevator, he hits the button for the garage and leans against the wall, watching me.

“So, is there anything I should know about your family before we get there?” I ask. We really haven’t had a chance to talk much after Judd invited me, other than texting me yesterday to let me know what time he would pick me up today.

He lifts a shoulder. “Not really. My family is pretty cool. Mom is excited I’m bringing someone. I should probably warn you, even though I told her we’re just friends, she’s still going to think otherwise. Now that Kessler is settled down with babies on the way, she has been chomping at the bit for me to be next.”

“She just wants her baby boy to be happy,” I tease, reaching up to pinch his cheek.

He gently grabs my arm and turns it, kissing the inside of my wrist. My laugh dies in my throat as chills race down my arm.

“I am happy,” he says, staring down at me, still gripping my arm.

The elevator stops and the ‘ding’ announces its arrival to the parking garage. I pull my arm out of his grip and step out into the garage. The cold air brings relief to my heated cheeks.

Judd hits the key fob to his Jeep, unlocking it. I climb into the passenger seat as he loads Bruno and when I look back; I see the seats are folded down and there’s a cushy dog bed with a toy laying on it, which Bruno immediately picks up.

I look at Judd when he climbs in the driver’s seat. “When did you do that?”

He looks back at Bruno and smiles at his soft growls as he plays with his new toy. “I went to the pet store while I was out running errands yesterday. I didn’t want Bruno to be uncomfortable.”

How am I supposed to resist this man when he keeps doing sweet shit like this?

Don’t .

I have to. I’m not it for him.

Judd gives me a wink, turning back around and pulling out of the parking garage.

Lord, give me strength.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful. You grew up out here?” We’re about twenty minutes into our drive on the outskirts of the city. Neither of us really talking, but it’s been a comfortable silence.

“Yeah, born and raised. You should see it before all the trees lose their leaves. It’s one of the most beautiful things to see.” Judd gives me a smirk. “Besides you, that is,” he adds.

My cheeks heat and I roll my eyes. “Smooth, Davis.”

“I thought so.”

I shake my head, deciding to change the subject. “I’ve been meaning to ask…how did you know how to help me with my migraine? Did you research that, too?”

At this point, I wouldn’t doubt that he did.

He shakes his head. “No, I get them if I read too much without wearing my glasses.”

“You read?” The shocked comment flies from my mouth before I register what I’m saying.

Judd barks out a laugh and rubs his cheek. “Yes, Amelia. I can read.”

“Shit, sorry. That was rude.” I cringe. “What I meant to say is, what do you like to read?”

Nice save, Millie, not.

Judd shakes his head and looks at me when he brings the car to a stop at the stop sign, amusement in his grin. “Fantasy, mystery, thrillers…” He shrugs. “I’ll have to show you my library sometime.”

“Is that code for your dick?” I slap my hand across my mouth, horrified.

Why is my brain saying the first thing that pops into it today? Normally, my filter is solid. The only time I’m this candid around people is when I’m around Hazel and Charlie. Am I comfortable with Judd?

Judd’s deep baritone laugh draws me out of my thoughts. “No, Mills. An actual library. I’ve built up quite the collection over the years.”

“Oh.” is all I allow myself to say as we turn into a driveway that has a beautiful sign on one side of the stone entrance that reads DAVIS , indicating we’ve arrived at his parents’ house.

Butterflies take flight as we make our way up a long gravel driveway lined with various shrubs and bushes that are all dormant for the upcoming winter. The driveway ends guarded by two giant oak trees, revealing a beautiful two-story home with a stone chimney with smoke lazily billowing out the top.

“You grew up here?”

Judd nods, a faraway look in his eye when he looks out at the house through the windshield. “This is home.”

We sit in silence for a few breaths, both staring at the cozy home that should be in one of those home design magazines with its cute black shutters that pop against the creamy exterior.

The front door opens and a woman with dark brown hair the same color as Judd’s walks out onto the porch and waves at us, giving us a warm smile. Her inviting smile eases my nerves.

“Ready, Shortcake?” Judd asks, reaching across and giving my hand a squeeze. “If you get overwhelmed or anything becomes too much, just let me know and we can leave. Mom won’t be offended, I promise.” I look from the house to Judd, taking in his features. He has his mom’s nose and hair color, but that’s where the similarities end, and I find myself wondering if he looks more like his dad.

“Amelia?”

I shake myself out of my thoughts and nod. “Okay. I’m ready.” I tell him and reach for my handle.

“No, don’t move. I’ll open your door,” Judd says, getting out and jogging around the front and opening my door before I can even protest.

“I can open my own door, Judd,” I grumble when I get out.

“I know you can, but my mom would have my balls if I wasn’t acting like the gentleman she raised,” he says, giving me a wink and closing my door.

Judd lets Bruno out next, and he darts into the front yard, zigzagging back and forth over the perfectly manicured lawn until he finds a spot worthy of his mark.

“Come on, Mom’s dying to meet you,” Judd says, placing his hand at the small of my back and guiding me over to where his mom is waiting for us.

“Mom, this is Amelia,” Judd says, introducing me once we reach the porch. Now that I’m closer, I can see the glittering of silver weaved throughout her hair and I can’t help but wonder if my mom would have gray or silver in her hair if she was still alive. I tuck that thought away. Now is not the time to dwell on what I’ll never know.

“Amelia, it is so nice to meet you. I’m Marlene,” she says, stepping forward and enveloping me in a hug. My body stiffens at the contact. It’s been years since I’ve had what can only be described as a motherly embrace. I feel my body relax as it realizes it’s safe and I melt into the contact, hugging her back. My eyes stinging.

I release a breath that feels like I’ve been holding in for years and an extreme sense of calm falls over me.

I don’t know how long we stand there like that, but Marlene seems to know I need this because she doesn’t pull back until I release her, stepping back into Judd. His hand falls to the small of my back and he swipes his thumb back and forth in a soothing motion. I quickly swipe at my eyes, embarrassed over the wetness I find there.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me,” I apologize.

Marlene brushes it away, giving me a warm smile. “You never have to apologize for your emotions to me, dear.”

Bruno comes charging over and rudely pushes his head into Marlene’s hands.

“Bruno!” I chastise. “You know better!”

“It’s ok,” she says, crouching down to pet him. Bruno takes advantage and licks her face, making Marlene laugh. “Nice to meet you too, Bruno.”

“Bruno heel,” I command. I swear he rolls his eyes as he hangs his head and mopes to my side.

“I am so sorry. He knows better than to behave like that,” I apologize again.

Marlene chuckles. “It’s fine, I love dogs. We just haven’t had one since the boys were teenagers.” She stands and brushes her hand down over her apron that says ‘I’m not old, I’m well-seasoned’.

“I love your apron.”

She shoots a smile behind me where Judd is standing. “Judd got it for me for Mother’s Day. Now come on in out of the cold, Kessler called and said they would be over in a bit, sounds like Lucy was able to get a nap in,” Marlene says, opening the door off to the side of the front door, ushering us inside a mudroom where we kick off our shoes and Judd takes my coat before hanging up his own. He looks incredibly good in a navy-blue and white flannel that looks like it was painted on. Judd grabs a towel out of a cupboard and kneels down to wipe Bruno’s paws.

“I can do that,” I say, reaching for the towel.

“I got it, Shortcake.” He nods towards Marlene. “Go in with Mom, and we’ll be there in a minute.”

I turn to Marlene, and she looks between us quickly before rolling her lips inward like she’s trying to suppress a smile, and opening another door that leads into the house.

I follow her through, pausing once the door closes behind me. I thought the outside was amazing, but it has nothing on the inside of the house. An enormous stone fireplace with a warm crackling fire greets us off to the left, surrounded by plush, oversized furniture. Various smells from the adjoining kitchen are the next thing that hits me, making my mouth water.

I follow Marlene into a kitchen that I’ve only ever dreamed of. Dark wooden cabinets line the walls. A copper farmhouse sink looks out over a huge picture window. Uneven, pearlescent subway tiles contrast with the charcoal granite countertops.

“Make yourself at home, dear. Would you like anything to drink?” Marlene asks, opening the giant stainless-steel refrigerator. “We have water, juice, wine, beer…” she says, trailing off.

“Uh, water would be fine,” I tell her, still taking in the breathtaking kitchen as I settle onto the plush stool at the island.

She sets a glass of ice water down in front of me. “Thank you.”

She gives me a wink and a smile and turns back to the stove to stir something.

“Smells good, Mom. What are you making tonight?” Judd asks, walking in from the mudroom. Bruno tries to go into the kitchen, but I tell him to get out and he sulks over to where I’m sitting before plopping down onto the floor.

“Just roasted chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, corn, buttermilk biscuits, and of course two new desserts I’m trying out before Thanksgiving,” Marlene tells him over her shoulder, still tending to things in the kitchen. Judd grabs a glass out of the cabinet next to Marlene and gives her a kiss on the cheek as he passes by.

My heart melts a little bit at the sight, and I feel like I’m getting to see a side of Judd only his family is privy to.

After filling his glass with water, Judd joins me at the island, taking a seat next to me.

“So,” Marlene begins, setting potatoes on the island across from me. “Do you prefer Amelia, or Millie?

I shrug. “Doesn’t matter, I respond to both. Can I help with anything?” I ask, feeling useless just sitting here watching. “I’m not much of a cook, but I can work a potato peeler.” I say, nodding to her hands.

“No, you’re a guest.”

I hop off the stool and come around the island. “Honestly, I can help.” I roll up my sleeves and wash my hands, drying them on a towel and going back to where Marlene is standing. “Put me to work.”

Marlene gives me a wide smile and looks at Judd from the corner of her eye. “I like her,” she says blatantly.

Judd’s face reddens slightly under his scruff, no doubt matching my own blush. His eyes quickly meet mine. “Yeah, she has that effect on people.”

“Do you want an apron?” she asks, moving to a door beside the mudroom marked ‘Pantry’, breaking the trance with Judd.

“Sure.”

Marlene disappears into the pantry and returns a second later with a black apron. I don the apron and tie the strings.

Judd smirks at my apron. “Nice, Mom.”

“What?” she asks innocently.

I follow Judd’s eyes to my chest and read the words that are upside down. ‘BITCH, I’m the secret ingredient.’

“It’s perfect,” I tell Marlene, chuckling.

I get to work peeling potatoes, while Marlene dumps apples on the counter next to me and extracts another peeler. We work in a comfortable silence, with just the sounds of the cracking fire and our peelers filling the space. I look up to see Judd staring at me, giving me a wink when our eyes connect. I drop my gaze back down to the potato I’m working on. Trying to ignore the warm, fuzzy feeling that’s blooming in my chest.

“Where’s Dad?” Judd asks, reaching across the island and snatching a slice of apple from his mom.

Marlene waves her hand to the sliding door that must lead out to their backyard. “Oh, he’s puttering around in his wood shop. You know him. He always has to be doing something.”

Judd nods and raps his knuckles on the counter. “I’m going to go see what he’s doing.” His eyes cut to mine. “You okay in here, Shortcake?”

I nod, grabbing another potato. “I’m fine.”

He nods and slides off the stool, going into the mudroom and grabbing his shoes. He passes through the kitchen on his way back and stops between Marlene and me, stealing another piece of apple and placing another kiss on his mom’s cheek before turning to me and dropping one on top of my head. “I’m going to take Bruno with me, if that’s okay?”

I look up at him in stunned silence, nodding my head slowly. “Uh, yeah. Sure. That’s, that’s fine,” I stutter out while my brain processes what just happened.

Friends don’t kiss friends on the head like that. At least I’ve never kissed my friends like that, but then again, I’ve never just been friends with someone like Judd.

“So, how long have you and Judd been friends ?” Marlene asks after Judd and Bruno leave out the back door. Saying friends like there’s more going on than there actually is.

I lift a shoulder. “A week?”

“Mmm,” she hums, slicing up the rest of her apples and dumping them into a bowl where she mixes them with cinnamon and brown sugar.

“It’s okay that he brought me to your family’s dinner, right?” I ask, doubt creeping in that I’m welcomed here, even though I feel welcomed. “Judd told me he brings friends all the time.”

Marlene snorts a laugh and wipes her hands on a towel before turning to me. “Of course, it’s okay that you’re here, dear. I didn’t mean for it to sound like that. It’s just that Judd has never brought anyone home before besides his teammates, and even then, it was only a few times.”

I blink slowly at her words, trying to process what she’s telling me. “You mean, Judd has never brought a girl home before? Not even in high school?” No, that can’t be right.

Marlene confirms my doubts, shaking her head. “Not even in high school. Neither of my boys have. That is until Kessler brought Lucy home this spring.”

As if saying their names summons them, the door to the mudroom opens, revealing Kessler Davis in the flesh, followed by a tiny blonde woman who I assume is Lucy and a boy who is almost as tall as her.

“Holy shit! You’re Amelia Morgan!” Lucy yells, pointing at me. She looks up at Kessler, then back to me, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. She rubs her eyes. “Kessler, pinch me. I think I’m dreaming.”

Kessler chuckles and closes the door behind him. “I assure you, Coach, you’re not dreaming.”

“What is Amelia Morgan doing in your mom’s kitchen?” she asks, still shouting.

“No need to yell dear, we’re standing right here,” Marlene says, laughing and going over to Lucy, giving her a hug. When she pulls back, she sets her hand on Lucy’s stomach and rubs it.

“Sorry. Sorry, it’s just, you’re just. How?” Lucy asks, looking from Marlene to me.

I set the peeler down and wipe my hands on my apron, walking over to Lucy. I hold out my hand to her and say, “Hi, I’m Millie. Judd’s friend.”

A look of realization crosses Lucy’s face as she takes my hand. “Oh, you’re the Millie he was talking about.”

He’s been talking about me?

“Uh, I guess?” I say, unsure of how to respond to that.

“Hmm,” Lucy hums, letting go of my hand and tipping her head. “Of course, Judd would go for someone completely out of his league.”

My cheeks heat at the statement.

Kessler laughs. “That sounds about right,” he says, wrapping an arm around Lucy’s shoulders and holding out his hand to me. “Kessler. Nice to meet you, Millie.”

I give his hand a shake. “It’s really nice to meet you too, Kessler. To say I’m not fangirling a little bit would be a lie.”

Lucy giggles and lightly smacks Kessler’s chest. “See, she’s a fan too.”

“I have your signed jersey hanging in my closet. My parents got it for me for my high school graduation present.”

“Jesus, that makes me feel old. How old are you, Millie?” Kessler asks.

Lucy smacks Kessler harder in the chest.

“Kessler Davis, you do not ask a woman their age,” Marlene chastises.

“Ow, what? It was a simple question,” he says, rubbing at his pec.

I chuckle. “No, it’s fine. I’m twenty-nine.”

“At least my brother isn’t robbing the cradle,” Kessler mutters, receiving another smack from Lucy.

“Fuck! What did I say now?” Kessler exclaims, moving away from Lucy before she can hit him again.

“Kessler Davis, language,” Marlene reprimands again. “I swear these boys.”

“He’s not robbing anything Kessler, they’re just friends,” Lucy says, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “I am so sorry about this neanderthal.”

“No need to apologize. I’m actually pretty entertained,” I chuckle again. I thought I would feel anxious meeting Judd’s family, but other than a few awkward mix ups about mine and Judd’s relationship status, I actually feel at ease.

Kessler puts an arm around the boy who’s been wordlessly watching our exchange and brings him forward. “Anyway, this is our son, Hudson.”

Hudson holds out his hand, and I take it, returning the shake. “Hi, Hudson, nice to meet you.”

“You too. Where’s Uncle Judd?” he asks, looking around the room.

Marlene tips her head to the back door. “Out back in the wood shop with Grandpa.”

Hudson takes off through the house and out that backdoor without another word.

“Sorry, we all take a back burner when it comes to Judd,” Lucy apologizes with a laugh.

“It’s fine. I totally get it. He’s really good with the kids at the library.”

They all give me a weird look, like they know something I don’t. I really don’t know how to describe it. “I should get back to the potatoes,” I say, throwing a thumb over my shoulder.

Lucy and Kessler follow Marlene and I back to the kitchen. Both taking a seat across from us.

“I’m surprised Marlene is letting you help her. She never lets me help,” Lucy comments.

“I uh, kinda didn’t give her a choice. I just washed my hands and told her to put me to work,” I say sheepishly.

“Guess I should try that next time.”

Marlene sets apple slices and a bowl of what looks like caramel in front of Lucy and her eyes light up. “Ooh yes, come to mama,” she says, dipping a piece of apple into the caramel. The amount of caramel she scoops up makes my teeth hurt by just looking at it, but Lucy shoves the whole slice into her mouth, moaning in delight. “So good,” she mumbles around the mouthful.

Kessler looks to the ceiling and shifts in his seat. Marlene and I chuckle from the other side. Lucy’s eyes meet mine and she gives me a wink before dipping another piece in, repeating her sounds. Kessler pushes back from the island, mumbling something about going to the shop and disappears out the back door, still in his socks.

We all burst out laughing. Lucy reaches for a napkin, wiping tears away. “I’m sorry. I know that was cruel, but I had to.” She sighs and settles back into her chair.

“Is he still being overbearing, hun?” Marlene asks, putting the finishing touches on her apple dessert before sticking it in the second oven. Whatever she’s making looks amazing, and my stomach rumbles in agreement.

“Not nearly as bad as he was. Judd helped me talk to him on Halloween, so it’s been better. But you know Kessler. Always the worrier.”

I cut the last potato up and take them over to the sink for a final rinse. After placing them into the pot Marlene gave me and filling it with water, Marlene takes it from me and thanks me for my help. “Anything else I can help with?” I ask, feeling like I should do more.

“No dear, now we sit and wait for things to cook.” Marlene grabs a bottle of wine out of the fridge and pours herself a glass, then looks up at me. “Would you like one?”

Lucy whines, “I miss wine.”

Marlene gives her a sympathetic look. “You’ll be back to enjoying wine before you know it.”

Lucy turns to me. “Have a glass for me. Please, I’m begging you.”

I smirk and nod. “Well, when you put it like that, how can I say no?”

Marlene turns, grabbing another glass out of the cupboard and pours me a glass. “Let’s go sit in the living room where it’s more comfortable.”

Lucy tucks her feet under her once we’re settled in front of the fireplace and turns to me. “So, Judd said you wanted to talk to me?”

I take a sip of my wine and nod. “I’m working on the next book in my baseball series and I’m stuck.”

Lucy sits forward. “Is it Dean’s story?”

I nod.

She plops back into the pile of pillows behind her. “I’m going to be ruined by his story. I’ve been dying for it.” She sighs. “But how can I help? I know nothing about writing.”

“Well,” I start, “I’m pairing him up with a single mom. I know nothing about being a parent, let alone having to do it on your own.”

She raises her eyebrows and sits up. “Really? Oh man, he’d be such a good DILF.” She pauses, eyes shooting to Marlene and cringes.

Marlene waves her off. “I was your age once too, you know, plus you’ve gotten me into these books, remember? I agree, Dean would be a good DILF.”

My face flushes. Normally I’m not embarrassed with what I write, but knowing Judd’s mother has read…scenes, has me taking a bigger drink of my wine.

“You’re very talented, dear.”

“Oh god,” I groan, covering my face.

Lucy and Marlene both chuckle. “Nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s human nature,” Marlene says before taking a sip of wine.

I do the same, then look at Lucy. “So, do you think you could help?”

“Absolutely, tell me what you need.”