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12

DON’T HATE ME

Amanda

“Holyfuckinggo,” I angrily sing at the person driving the car in front of me.

The last thing I need is to be late right now. I’m already in a time crunch setting up this event. Whose bright idea was it to coordinate an event literally two days after moving home from my junior year of college?

Oh, right. Me. I’m usually the problem.

“Come on!” I shout at my windshield, as if that will somehow make the timid driver in front of me turn faster. “You have the right of way. Gooooo.”

Fucking finally. And… yep. Now the light’s red.

It’s fine. I’m fine.

Deep breaths.

Go through the list again.

My business has grown since I started it two years ago. I’ve planned events in Old Lake Town when I’m there during the school year, and I consistently run events during winter and summer breaks back home, but this is the biggest one I’ve done so far .

I’ve planned weddings, retirement and anniversary celebrations, surprise parties, work events, business launches, and more, but this is different. Today is different. It’s an entire charity gala planned and overseen by only me.

Yes, the local rich ladies’ club—not their actual name, but that’s what they are, people with more money than sense trying to do something mildly helpful for the world—had input about how they wanted it all to go, but the actual coordination and hiring of caterers and delivery of everything has been on me.

And I fucking love it. I love being in control and helping shape what could be a simple event into something perfect.

Except right now. When I’m five minutes late and sitting at the world’s longest red light.

When I finally get a green arrow, I gun it onto the street where the large entertainment venue is, my blood pressure only dropping when I finally pull into the parking lot.

As expected, all four of my free labor volunteers are standing there waiting for me.

Sure, they’re my friends. And my older brother. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t ever want to waste anyone’s time or inconvenience them. They’re doing something nice for me by helping set this all up. The least I can do is show up on time.

I wasn’t expecting to have to stop at the florist on the way, but she had a question about one of the displays and needed me to look at it.

It’s fine , I tell myself as I get out of my car and grab my purse and the box from my front seat. But it doesn’t feel fine. It feels like I’m being disrespectful and unprofessional. That’s not who I want to be. It’s especially not who I want some of the most important people in my life to see me as.

“Hey, sorry, I’m late.”

I come to a stop in front of Rae, Hyla, Jacie, and Pete.

“It’s fine,” Rae says, her smile warm and comforting as always. “We all just got here too.”

“I know, but I don’t want to waste your time.” I move past them and up the stairs toward the building. It’s one of those big ones that’s all glass, metal, and concrete and looks too modern for the open fields around it. But the price was right, and the inside is gorgeous.

“You’re not wasting our time,” Hyla says, pulling her long blonde hair up into a ponytail.

“But you’re doing me a huge favor, and you especially won’t be home much starting soon.” Hyla recently finished training as a flight attendant and will be traveling with a baseball team.

Hyla wraps her arm around me. “So what better way to spend it than with one of my best friends?” She pops a kiss on the side of my head, then rings the bell for the security guard before I can.

Of the mistakes I’ve made in my life, not trusting Hyla when we first knew each other is one of the greatest. Though we’ve had a strong relationship for years now, I let my baggage with my ex cloud my judgment at first, and I didn’t see how deeply Hyla was hurting. She’s been through more than anyone should have to in life, and once I realized that, I saw how much support and love she needed and was determined to help give it to her. She’s always the first to give all that love right back and show up when anyone needs her. I’m lucky to have her, and I’m painfully aware of that since we almost lost her five months ago. She’s doing much better now, and I’m proud of her, but it makes me want to cling on a little tighter, and always know for sure she’s okay.

“Seriously, stop stressing, Mands. You know we love you. We’re happy to help,” Jace says.

“Do you want me to start grabbing stuff from your car?” Pete asks as the security guard opens the door.

“Can you drive it around to the front?” Balancing the box, I fish around for my keys before Hyla steps up, pulls them from my purse, and tosses them to Pete.

“Thanks,” I sigh.

Rae lifts the box from my arm. “We’re happy to help. Stop stressing. Or at least stop stressing about us. By the way, Aaron said he’s sorry he couldn’t come help, but he had plans with the guys.”

I swear something dances in her eyes when she says that, but it’s probably just the mention of her husband. Their wedding is one of my favorite events I’ve done. It was in a beautiful barn on her grandparents’ property, and she and Aaron had so many fun ideas.

I will never stop being grateful that she, Sarah, and Mackenzie needed a suitemate halfway through freshman year of college, and I was indoctrinated into the greatest friend group in existence.

When I finally step into the air-conditioned space, I let out a sigh of relief. Then I look around, taking in the large open room with beautiful oak flooring, the bar along the windows at the back of the building, and the terrace beyond. My creativity sparks as I see my vision for the place come to life. There’s a lot to do, but with hard work, we can handle it in three hours. Then I’ll be going to the nearby gym to shower, before coming back here to meet with the caterers and get changed into my dress for the evening.

My adrenaline and focus kick in, working together to put me into directorial mode. I know exactly what needs to be done, who needs to do it, and how it should all flow when it’s finished.

Rae bumps her hip against mine. “Ready?”

“Let’s do it.”

Three hours went by in a blink, but other than some tiny touches, it looks incredible. Before I head to the nearby gym to shower, I need to turn on all the diffusers. I chose a mix of vanilla, lavender, and citrus oils, which should blend together nicely. Everything looks immaculate and exquisite without being too stuffy. It’s a perfect combination of classy and warm, which will hopefully also be the combination that makes people want to pull out their checkbooks.

The rich ladies’ club is hosting this event to help fund a new hospital wing. Something good to come out of all their money. Why they can’t just put up the money themselves is beyond me, but hey, I’m making a pretty penny for organizing this too. Some of which I’ll use to tip the caterers and staff extra as well.

I’m certain they got my name from Marissa, who happily throws it out there as often as she can. She also tells them I’m her daughter-in-law, which is sweet, even if it’s not true. It didn’t take long for her to solidify her spot as a second mom in my life, and sometimes, I feel closer to her than my actual mom. For smaller events, she sometimes brings Penny and Mila to help set up because they love being involved—Penny likes to boss everyone around and Mila likes to make things pretty.

The hot afternoon May sun beats down on me as we walk out of the venue. It’s going to be a double body wash shower. I’m like the Grinch at this point. Stink, stank, stunk .

“Thank you all so much for helping. I literally couldn’t have done this without you. I’ll buy you all coffee and cookies. I promise.”

“No bribes needed,” Hyla says, giving me a hug. “But I’ll always take a coffee date.”

“Agreed,” Rae says. “It looks absolutely stunning in there. Be proud of that.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.” She gives me a big hug, then she and Hyla wave as they head for their cars.

“Need anything else?” Pete asks, his curly auburn hair glinting in the sunlight. Josh is the only one of us three who didn’t get some piece of the redhead gene.

“Nope. I think I’m good. Just need to shower and get back here to meet the caterers.”

Jacie pulls me into a hug. “I love you. Tonight is going to knock their socks off.” She lets me go. “Then you’ll be the talk of the town. When you get famous, remember the little people.”

I roll my eyes at that. “Yes, when they give me the key to city hall or whatever the hell it is, I’ll be sure to thank the wonder that is Jacie Edwards in my speech.”

She winks at me. “I can’t wait.”

“Okay, if you two are done, I’m starving. Jace, want food?”

She shrugs as she looks at Pete. “If you’re buying.”

He pins her with a look, and I stifle a laugh.

“What? I’m barely a year out of college. I’m so poor. I have a roommate. And all I eat is ramen and instant potatoes. Please? I’m starved.”

“You make almost as much as I do,” Pete sighs.

Despite the way Jacie is trying to play my brother, she works at a business consulting firm—where Miles also interns—and she’s not hurting for money.

“Fine. I’ll pay this time. Text us and let us know how it went,” Jace says to me. “Love you.”

“Yeah, love you, sis.”

“Love you guys too.”

I watch them for half a second as they walk to their cars, bantering as they go, and for a moment, I almost question if there’s something going on between them. Then I remember what the hell I’m supposed to be doing and haul ass to my car.

“Amanda, we can’t thank you enough. Everything about tonight is stunning,” the rich lady in charge says.

“Thank you. It was my pleasure.”

“Well, we’ll be certain to sing your praises.”

“I appreciate that.”

She squeezes my hand, then walks away, though she’s caught almost instantly by her husband, who pulls her onto the floor for a dance.

As usual, I’m standing off to the side, watching. It’s my job to do that, of course. But it’s not against event planner rules to dance. In fact, a few of the ladies have already tried to set me up with their sons or grandsons. One was thirty-five. Don’t get me wrong, he was hot as fuck, but I’m twenty-one. I might enjoy reading age-gap romances, but I don’t want to live one. Not that I’m on the market anyway.

My eyes drift to the dance floor again, and for half a second, loneliness creeps in, but just as quickly, I push it away and focus on my next task. There’s still plenty to do to make tonight spectacular.

Jamie

“The question for tonight is will Jamie Henderson make it through this final inning with a no-hitter?”

I smile as I take the field. I never get tired of hearing Trevor announcing while I’m playing. Unless he’s giving me shit, but he tries to leave that to the other announcer. Not that there’s been much to say so far this season. I’ve been killing it, and so has the team.

It’s my second season with the Binghamton Knights. After I was drafted to the New York Metros, I ended up here with their AAA affiliate. They were originally going to send me to either their high A or AA team, but they sent me here first to get in some practice time with the team and see what I was capable of. I ended up staying. My path wasn’t common, but I’ve proved myself every step of the way.

Last year was part showing off my abilities and a lot of adjusting to the schedule of minor league baseball. Though I got called up for three Metros games, I only pitched in two. This year, my goal is to show my growth, and if I’m lucky, get a call up for more Metros games, and prove I’m solid enough for the majors. If I set myself up right, my hope is to start next season playing for the Metros.

If I keep playing like this, they’d be crazy not to, but it’ll depend on what happens with the upcoming draft.

Either way, my focus has to be on right now, and right now , I’m in the top of the ninth looking at a no-hitter if I close this inning out strong.

Trevor rattles off some of my stats and a story he loves to tell about the combined no-hitter Aaron and I pitched together back in high school.

I dig in and focus on the ball in my hand and getting it straight to my catcher’s glove.

The wind teases my skin as the crowd cheers behind me.

That sweeping feeling of gratitude washes over me.

There’s not much in life I love more than this.

“Nice win, man. You were on fire tonight. Strikeout, strikeout, strikeout, baby. That’s how we do it at the Knights,” my teammate Archie says, smacking my butt as he walks by.

I laugh and shake my head. “It was a team game.”

“Dude, take the credit where it’s due. You kicked ass tonight. The rest of us didn’t have anything to do while you were on the field,” our first baseman says.

“Thanks, man.”

“So what are we thinking? Drinks to celebrate? I know plenty of people who won’t card the badass starting pitcher of the Binghamton Knights,” my catcher, Keltie, says.

I finish buttoning up my shirt, then pull my already-tied tie over my head. “Sorry, boys. I’ve got somewhere to be.”

“Lame!” one of the guys shouts.

“Seriously, you’re going to blow us off?” Keltie nags .

“Not blowing you off. I never said yes. I’ve got somewhere better to be. And no offense to any of you, but someone much hotter to be with.”

“I do take offense to that. Direct offense!” Archie yells.

“Ask me if I care,” I call over my shoulder as I walk out of the locker room.

I almost run into Jesse Wilkinson as I go.

“Tell me I don’t have to do any press.” In addition to being another former Ida kid and Joel’s brother, he’s the media and marketing manager for the Knights.

“Why? Got somewhere to be?”

“Probably a hot date,” Trev says, strolling up behind him. “Great game, man.”

“Thanks.”

“He’s right,” Jesse says. “Fantastic game. And no. No press right now, but I have an interview scheduled for you next week. The details are in your email.”

“Yes, sir.”

He sighs dramatically. “What have I told you about not calling me sir?”

“Only your girl gets to call you that.”

Trevor chokes on a laugh.

“Exactly.”

Well, can’t say I don’t get that feeling.

“Then I’m free to go, right?”

“Please. You’re insufferable.” Jesse deadpans.

“Baseball players. So self-centered, am I right?” Trevor says, barely keeping a straight face.

“Fuck you both very much. Goodnight.”

Then I haul ass out to my car. There’s somewhere more important I need to be.

A valet takes my keys when I pull up in front of the event center. Everything about tonight is similar to charity events I’ve been to for the Metros organization, but this isn’t about publicity or showing up for my team.

Not my baseball team, at least.

When I walk inside, I’m almost instantly handed a glass of champagne.

Aaron said letting my scruff grow in would age me a little, and it definitely has. Less baby face means less being carded. I’m barely twenty, but I could pass for closer to thirty, especially if I harden my gaze a little. At an event like this, no one cares anyway.

I sip on the champagne as my eyes sweep the room, and it only takes seconds for me to find her. Her strawberry blonde hair is pulled into a simple low ponytail and a slinky black dress holds tight to her curves. Curves I want to trace with my lips, my tongue.

Don’t pop a semi now . That wouldn’t be a good look.

Amanda stands off to the side, watching like a wallflower, though she’s anything but. She hasn’t spotted me yet, so I move around the side of the dance floor until I’m walking toward her perfect ass and exposed back.

I walk slowly up to her, then lean down, letting my breath tickle her ear. “Has anyone told you how stunning you look tonight?”

She spins around and arches a brow. “Not yet.”

I take half a step back and let my eyes trail over her. “You are deliciously perfect. Utterly breathtaking.”

Two weighted breaths pass as we stare at each other, then I grab her hand and drag her down a nearby hallway for employees only.

The second we’re alone in the dimly lit space, I press her against the wall, boxing her in.

“What are you doing here?”

“Should I be somewhere else? ”

I lean down and graze my lips over her neck, skimming my hand up her thigh.

“No,” she breathes. “I just—didn’t think—” she stammers as I pull the skin of her neck into my mouth. “Jamie…”

I lift my lips and brush my nose against hers. “I needed to see you.”

Our lips collide in a frantic kiss, and she rakes her fingers through my red hair, pulling me closer. Slowly, I slip my fingers across her thigh, letting them trail up the inside, until they brush her underwear.

She gasps and leans her head back. “We can’t do that.”

“Mm, but do you know how badly I want to?” Again, I brush my lips over her neck and she tilts her head, giving me more. “I want to push my fingers inside you and graze my thumb over your clit until you’re pulsing around me and coating my fingers. Then I’d thrust my cock inside you as hard and fast as I could until you were a screaming, panting mess and your pussy was painted with my cum.”

She lets out a shuddery breath.

“But I guess you’re right. We can’t do that here.”

“You’re right. We can’t.” She forces a breath and meets my gaze, eyes twinkling. “Especially since I’ve got a boyfriend at home, and he’s been a very good boy .” She tugs on my tie with each word.

I can’t stop myself. I dive forward and capture her lips again, this time sinking my teeth into her bottom lip before I pull away.

“Well then. I guess you should get back out there.”

She stands tall, straightens out her dress, then quickly checks her makeup on her phone camera.

“I should.”

“I’ll be watching.” Then I smack her ass and watch her go.

She gives me the sultriest little look over her shoulder, then disappears around a corner.

Once she’s gone, I lean against the wall and let out a sigh, slowly counting backward from twenty, trying to calm myself down. Then I adjust my pants and head back out to the event area. It’s going to be a long night.

It was definitely a long night, and Amanda is exhausted and resting in the front seat as I drive.

It’s not until we’re almost there that she squints and looks around. “Where are we going?”

I just squeeze her thigh and smile.

Usually, we stay in the guest house on my parents’ property, which is where I’ve been living for almost a year.

But tonight that changes. Hopefully, my girl doesn’t kill me.

“Jamie!”

“Trust me?”

Her eyes narrow, and she sighs, resting her hand over mine. “Always.”

The way she looks at me says more than her words do. Of course she trusts me. I earned it. All the time spent building our foundation before we officially started dating, and the twenty-one months since, I’ve shown her over and over again.

Our first few months together were a learning curve in trust and jealousy, but with nightly phone calls, regular visits, and me constantly pushing her to share her thoughts and emotions, we got through it all.

She’s been my greatest supporter, cheering me on at every possible game and soothing me if I lose. Walking through every step of my baseball career has been better with her there. I wouldn’t be the man I am without her, and in my quest to give her everything, I’m surprising her and hoping she won’t be pissed.

The building I pull up in front of is newly renovated and looks modern on the outside, but the apartments inside are in a range of styles.

“Jamie, what is this? ”

Again, I just smile, then hop out of the car and go around to her door. I extend my hand to help her out, then grab the bags she’ll need right away and sling them over my shoulder before leading her inside.

I wave to the security attendant, then head for the elevators as Amanda’s head swivels around, taking everything in.

“I don’t understand. Are we seeing an apartment this late at night?”

“Maybe.”

Seeing is a loose definition. She will be seeing it.

We get off on the third floor and I head for the apartment—number seventeen.

Amanda trails a step behind me, still tired and confused.

I unlock the door, but before I open it, I turn to her. “Please don’t hate me.”

Then I swing the door open and step inside, holding the door and revealing the beautiful two-bedroom apartment. It’s not huge, but it’s more than big enough for the two of us. It’s a semi-rustic style with some farmhouse vibes. Lots of wood tones and wide plank floors.

Originally, I’d been looking for places for Amanda and me to see together, but when my realtor told me this one would be snatched up quickly, I applied the day I saw it, because the moment I walked in, the place screamed Amanda .

There’s a small area to take off shoes and coats and a little closet by the door, then it opens into the living room, kitchen, and dining area. They’re all moderate sized, nothing massive, but plenty functional. Down a hall at the edge of the kitchen is a full bath and the guest bedroom—which will be for Amanda’s office—then the master bed and bath. Again, nothing huge, but it’s all her style. And hopefully decorated to her taste since it’s mostly her stuff.

“Jamie, what—what?—”

Tears fill her eyes, and I brace myself. She might yell at me or she might be happy. It’s hard to know for sure .

She looks at the furniture in the living room—one of the few things I bought new with the help of my mom, Penny, and Jace.

“This is beautiful,” she breathes.

I let out a sigh of relief and wrap my arms around her. “Good. Because it’s all ours.”

She lets out a laugh of disbelief. “When did you do this?”

I shrug. “Eh, I signed the lease last week. I explained the situation, and they’ll add your name whenever we stop by the security office for your key card to enter the building.”

“But the furniture…”

“Yeah, uh, maybe we should go on a little tour.”

“Okay,” she murmurs, letting me lead her down the hall where I already have some pictures hanging up.

First, I stop at the office and swing the door open.

“Oh my god. This is… perfect.” Her desk, her bookshelves, her giant beanbag chair, and a shelf of plants are perfectly positioned throughout the room along with twinkle lights strung around the top.

I owe Dani, Chelsea, and Mackie so many flowers. Or coffees. Chocolate. Something.

Dani is Jesse’s girlfriend and an interior designer, and after showing her the pictures of Amanda’s bedroom, she styled it all perfectly. She was here today doing that while the guys moved everything in.

I had lunch delivered and sent Aaron money for coffee, but nothing feels like enough. We have the greatest friends in the world.

“Oh my gosh. This is… perfect. I can’t wait to work in here.” Then she turns and runs to the room at the end of the hall and swings the door open. Her happy squeal has me dashing after her.

Again, Dani nailed it. She took the vibes of Amanda’s room and added some muted blues as well. She also added twinkle lights in here. All of Amanda’s wall hangings are blended with a few of my baseball ones. Somehow Dani made it all look seamless.

Amanda spins around and dashes over, leaping into my arms .

“This is amazing.”

The kiss she gives me proves how amazing she thinks it is.

“So it’s okay I surprised you?”

She cups my face, looking into my eyes. “As always, you see me. I had no idea my dream apartment existed until we walked in here. I always assumed any apartment would be bland or boring, but this… it’s all the things I love. And you took all the stress off me by having—well, I’m assuming you had our friends move all this in. I thought there was something mischievous in Rae’s eyes when she said Aaron was busy with the guys.”

I laugh as I set her down. “Yes. The guys moved things, Dani took the pictures of your room and created this?—”

“Oh my gosh, that explains the random questions about bedroom design she was asking in the group chat.”

“She’s good. Plus, Mackie and Chelsea were here helping to set up and organize everything.”

She slowly shakes her head. “Between setting up and helping move things, that accounts for pretty much all of our friends. They’re amazing.” She loops her arms around my neck and leans into me. “So are you.”

Then her hot lips are on mine, kissing me roughly, but before I can deepen the kiss, she pulls back. “I barely even looked at the kitchen!” She dashes out of the room, and I watch her go, so in love with every wild bit of her.

After a moment, I follow her and find her bouncing around, opening all the cupboards and doing little happy dances at each thing she finds.

“New pots and pans?”

“A gift from my parents.”

She spins around and runs over to me, throwing her arms around me again. “Our own place. I can’t believe we have our own apartment!” She sighs happily. “I can’t believe you did all this. I love you.”

I run my hand up the side of her neck and look into her eyes. “I love you too. I’m so excited to live here with you. ”

Slanting my mouth over hers, I pull her close, curling my fingers in her hair as we kiss. And even though I thought she’d be too tired, she fumbles with the button of my pants, then skims her hand over my crotch.

It’s a frantic race to shed our clothes. I grab her hand, ready to drag her to the bedroom and christen it, but my girl has other ideas. She yanks me back and pulls me to the floor with her.

“Right here in the middle of the kitchen?” I ask with a laugh.

“I can’t wait. I need you inside me right now.”

Probably, but she also likes doing it in as many different places as she can. We’ve fucked in almost every inch of the guest house.

I lean against the kitchen island, and she climbs onto my lap, kissing me as she slides down my length.

She doesn’t waste a second before riding me fast and hard. My girl is as desperate for me as I am for her. I palm her perfect ass and buck into her, matching every one of her thrusts.

This is the fastest way for either of us to get off, and tonight is no different.

In moments, we’re both moaning, crying out, coming apart at the seams.

She collapses against me while I’m still pulsing inside her.

I wrap my arms around her, panting heavily. “Welcome home, baby.”

She lifts her head off my shoulder, that stunning smile dancing on her lips. “Welcome home, baseball boy.”

I rest my head against the cabinet as she buries her face in my neck again.

It’s been a long time coming to get here, but I love where we are now.