Playing for Keeps (Neighbor from Hell 1)

“Well, open it!” Grandma said.

“Why are you so eager for me to see this gift?” Haley asked suspiciously.

“Because I’m the one that suggested your gift,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Haley bit her lip so she wouldn’t cry. Not only had her father forgotten her birthday, but Grandma had to be the one to finally remind him and most likely ordered her gift.

She opened the card and wasn’t too surprised to see the card wasn’t signed. Surprise, surprise. Her eyes shifted to the gift and froze there. It was a full minute before she began breathing again. In another ten seconds she was up and around the table, hugging her grandmother and kissing her.

“You are the best, ever!” Haley said between kisses.

Grandma laughed. “I’m glad you like it. I wanted to give those to you but you’re so damn stubborn about no one helping you so I used your father’s stupidity. Now you have to accept them,” Grandma said with a firm nod.

*************

Jason got up and flipped the burgers before he added the hot dogs. He turned back in time to see Haley jumping up and down and giggling like a school girl.

“Well, don’t leave me in suspense,” he said, earning a loud squeal from Haley.

Apparently she was beyond words so she pushed the card into his hands. He looked down. Blinked. Blinked again before stumbling back into a chair. Did he just wet himself? Ah, who cared? He was holding four tickets to the Yankees vs. Red Sox at Yankee Stadium for this Friday and they were without a doubt the best seats in the stadium.

His eyes shifted from Haley to the tickets and back again before he made a split second decision and made a run for it. He didn’t make it five feet before his little grasshopper tackled him to the ground and ripped the card from his hands.

He spit grass out of his mouth. “Fine. You can come with me I guess,” he said, earning a knee to the ribs.

Chapter 7

“I love you, Derek!”

Jason tried to drag Haley back to her seat, but she fought him tooth and nail. “I love you, Derek!”

“He knows, woman! He’s known since the first inning. Let the man focus,” he said, finally managing to drag her a foot when that bastard Derek Jeter went and waved to Haley. That did it. She tried to break free and make a run for the field.

Trying not to drop her as he burst out laughing, he readjusted his grip and pulled Haley back with him until she was sitting on his lap. He kept one arm around her waist as he retrieved his beer from Brad.

The man threw him another triumphant grin. For three days Jason taunted the man with the two extra tickets. He already knew he was going. There was an unspoken understanding between him and Haley. If she tried to leave without him he would burn her house down, plain and simple. This was a Yankees/Red Sox game for Christ sake.

On the third day of taunting the little betraying bastard had his wife call up Haley. Little tattle tale. Since Haley’s friends hated anything to do with any sport she invited Brad and another friend of his, Mitch. Mitch was a good buddy and had an obvious crush on Haley, one that she didn’t seem interested in. That was fine with him because he didn’t think Mitch was good enough for his sweet little grasshopper.

“Come on! He was safe! Get your head out of your ass and pay attention!” Haley screamed as she bounced on his lap, desperate for freedom, no doubt to rip the umpire’s head off.

Okay, he thought, chuckling, maybe sweet was a bit much. His little grasshopper was a little fire cracker.

“Calm down before you get us kicked us out of the stadium,” he said, laughing.

She huffed and crossed her arms over chest as she leaned back into him. “Cheating bastards,” she muttered.

“Because they’re winning?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

“Yes!”

“Relax and I’ll buy you a foam finger,” he said, absently caressing her stomach with his thumb while she thought it over. Today she wore a tight pink tank top with an open Yankees jersey and a pair of shorts giving him and every guy a look as those golden beauties.

“I already have a foam finger at home,” she pointed out sullenly.

“Then what would my little grasshopper like?” he asked, fighting back the urge to press a kiss to her back.

She glared over her shoulder at him. “I’m not going to call you Mr. Miyagi you know.”

“Yes you will, but that’s not important at the moment. What do you want?” he asked as his eyes dropped to her pouty little lips. What the hell? He pulled his gaze away in time to catch Mitch’s dirty look and Brad’s smirk.

Haley stole his beer and took a sip. She returned it to him with a grimace. “That’s warm.”

“Well, it did take me over twenty minutes to drag you back here before you could jump the wall,” he pointed out.

“Whatever, you’re just messing with fate,” she said as she stood up. He reluctantly let her, but he was ready to pounce and drag her back if needed. Judging by the looks the security guards around them were giving they were ready as well. Damn, his little grasshopper was making him proud. He idly wondered if she’d be able to cause a riot.

“Where are you going?” he asked, wanting her to sit back down. He’d been comfortable damn it.

Haley rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to start a riot or anything. I have to use the bathroom and I want to get a cold drink.”

“Oh,” he said, going to stand up the same time Mitch did. Jason shot Mitch a glare, but the man ignored it and jumped to his feet.

“Want some company?” Mitch asked, giving Haley his best smile.

Haley laughed softly. “No, I’ll be fine.”

Mitch reluctantly sat down. The two of them watched her walk away as Brad sat there smugly. They sat there silently for a few minutes before Jason spoke.

“Don’t even think about it,” he said firmly.

Mitch snorted. “Just because you think you own Haley doesn’t mean you speak for her.”

Jason took a sip of his drink, nodding slowly before he placed his cup on his knee. “How about this then? I know you and there is no way in hell I’m letting an ass**le like you near her.”

“So, let me get this straight. I’m good enough to be your friend, but not date Haley?”

“Exactly. Glad we’re on the same page.”

“Why is that exactly? You don't like the idea of some other guy swooping in and getting her first?"

“Because you sleep around, don’t care about any of the women you f**k, and treat them all like shit. I’m not letting you do that to Haley. She deserves a nice guy.”