Sidelined

“Six-thirty?”

“Yep, six-thirty.” He smiled.

“Ok, I’ll be ready.”

“Cool. It’ll be fun. I promise.”

“I’m counting on it. Bye, Ben.” She hung up and he glanced at the phone. He walked to the lockers to store his gear. For the first time in a long time, he had a date and he was looking forward to spending time with Skye. Even if she was making him work for what he really wanted.

He knocked promptly at six-thirty. He wasn’t prepared for what he saw when she pulled open the door. Her hair was in a ponytail and she was wearing tight jeans and a fitted Padres shirt that dipped between her breasts. He knew he was staring.

“Wow, you look great.” He thought of all the other things he could say to her.

“Thanks. I got this shirt for a Padres promo we did last year, and I’ve never worn it. Seemed like a good night to try it out.” Skye locked the door behind her and turned to face him.

Bolt winked. “I’m glad you saved it for me.”

“They also gave me a big foam finger, but I left that in the closet.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, good idea.” He tapped the elevator button. “So, how was your Monday?”

Skye rolled her eyes. “Shitty. How about yours?”

“About the same.” He reached for her hand as the elevator descended and laced her fingers through his. “Sounds like we could both use a few beers.”

She nodded and the doors retracted. ?

?That sounds perfect.”

“Ok, then let’s go watch some baseball.”

The ballpark was built on the water, so depending on your seats the wind could rip right through the concourse tunnels and chill you to the bone. Bolt happened to have those gusty seats. He wrapped an arm around Skye, pulling her against his chest while keeping a firm grip on his beer with the other.

“You know I was surprised you called.” Skye sipped on the large beverage in her hand.

“Really? I said I would.”

“Yeah, I bet you say a lot of things.”

“Ouch. That hurt.”

“Do not pretend with me that you don’t get a lot of numbers. I know your type.”

“Type, huh? I might get a few numbers here and there. But I called, didn’t I? Anyway, I was kind of surprised you agreed to go.” He liked the feisty side of her.

“Why do you say that?” she taunted.

He wondered if he should be so blunt with her, but she seemed like she could take it. “Because you seem a little uptight at times. I figured you were done with the fun.”

Skye wiggled out of his wind-bracing hold. “Uptight? You sure know how to compliment a girl.”

“I don’t mean uptight, uptight, just a little rigid.” He shook his head as soon as he saw Skye’s expression. “Ok, rigid was definitely the wrong word to use. Dammit. I’m going to stop talking now.”

She giggled. “No, I think you should keep going. You’re proving my exact point.”

“And what’s that?” He was glad she wasn’t genuinely mad with him.

“That you are the kind of guy who likes to have fun and that’s it.”