“Well, this oughta be fun. ”
We pulled into the parking lot at the stadium, and I nervously looked around. People swarmed all around our car, but no one paid attention to who was in it. I glanced at Matteo before opening my door and sliding out.
He exited and stood next to the door, not moving.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
He glanced down at his work attire and then back at me. “I need to change my clothes. ”
“Oh. I didn’t even think about that, but good idea. ”
I turned my back to the car as he scooted into the backseat to change. I thanked him in my head for being smart enough to bring a change of clothes. He would have looked ridiculous wearing slacks and a tie at the ball field.
“Ready?” he asked from behind me, and I jumped. “Sorry. ”
“It’s fine. ” I turned to look at him and wanted to scream. Nothing this guy wore covered up his good looks. “You look so different,” I said, noting his jeans and long-sleeved white shirt that hugged the muscles in his shoulders and arms perfectly. The ink from his tattoo showed a little more now, although I still had no idea what it was.
“Thanks. ” He arched an eyebrow. “I think?”
“I’ve never seen you in jeans. You look cute. ”
Shit.
“I just mean, you look nice in jeans. It’s a different look from your dress slacks. ” I fumbled, trying to make my statement mean nothing, but clearly making it worse.
I picked up our tickets at the window, and we headed in. My nerves should have calmed with Matteo by my side, but they were heightened. Heads turned in our direction when we passed by. His good looks called attention to us, and that was the last thing I wanted.
“You ready for this?” I asked before we headed out of the tunnel and down the aisle.
“Don’t worry, Cassie. I’ve got your back. ”
I swallowed my apprehension and stepped into the light of the outdoors and the rush of the crowd. I walked down the steps, inching toward our row of seats as Matteo followed right behind. My heart raced as I braced for hateful words or taunting that never came. I released a breath before pointing to our seats.
I noticed all the mean wives staring at Matteo, their jaws agape at the sight of him. I sat down and faced them, suddenly filled with confidence. I pasted an obviously fake smile on my face and said, “Close your mouths, ladies. You look ridiculous,” before turning my back to them.
They gasped and whispered to each other, and I decided not to give a shit. At least not for tonight.
“That was awesome. ” Matteo leaned toward me, whispering.
“I’m sure I just signed my death warrant with the baseball wives, but I don’t care. ”
I looked around the stadium and down toward the dugout for any signs of Jack. I hated when he didn’t pitch. It wasn’t as much fun watching the game when he wasn’t playing. And the bullpen for the pitchers couldn’t have been any further away from where our seats were. The way the bullpen was situated, I rarely even caught sight of him.
Someone cleared her throat, forcing me to look up. “Trina. Where were you last night?”
“Sorry, girl, I had to work. Who is this?” She extended a tanned hand toward Matteo as she eyed me curiously.
“I’m Matteo. I’m Jack and Cassie’s friend. It’s nice to meet you. ” He paused, clearly enamored with the beautiful woman. “Trina, is it?”
“Yes. It’s nice to meet you as well. ” Everything she said sounded prettier with her accent. “May I sit next to you, Cassie?” she asked before tossing her purse in the seat to my left.
“Like you have to ask. Please sit your bony ass down next to me. ”
“I thought you said all the wives were mean?” Matteo’s voice flirted as Trina leaned over me.
“They are. They’re horribly mean. Everyone except for me,” Trina said, her cleavage on full display beneath her sand-colored V-neck blouse.
My phone beeped and I reached for it, noting a text message from Melissa.