Grand Slam (The Boys of Summer 3)
After a long, hot shower and a self-induced facial to make sure the makeup is in fact gone, I park myself in front of the television. Thankfully, I’m not the headline on every channel tonight, but the alternative is Christmas movies. I search in hopes of finding something like Die Hard to watch, but I can only find the sappy love stories that are meant to make women weep and send men running.
Except I don’t want to run anymore, but I’m not sure I want to settle down either. I do know that Saylor is someone that I want to explore a relationship with, but I also know that exploring isn’t an option for her. She comes with Lucy, and loving one means loving both. There’s no doubt in my mind that I can love them both, but I’m not sure love is enough.
My phone rings, and Branch’s name and ugly mug appear on my screen.
“’Sup,” I say as I continue to flip through the channels.
“I have a suite at the Bruins game tomorrow night. You interested?”
“Is this a date?”
“Fuck no. I’m taking my son and thought you’d like to meet him. Plus, it’s probably wise for you to be seen with your teammates. I’ve read some shit that says we’ve all turned our backs on you, and—”
“I know you haven’t,” I tell him before he can finish his sentence. “Can I bring someone? Well, two someones?”
“Kidd, are you saying you have a girlfriend?”
The thought of Saylor being my girlfriend brings a smile to my face. “Nah, she’s my publicist, but she has a daughter that’s your son’s age. Maybe they can have playdates and shit while you’re here.”
“The more the merrier. Coop is bringing Ainsley, but not the twins. The fucker got Wilson to agree to babysit.”
I laugh as images of Wilson changing shitty diapers play out in my mind. “What a kiss-ass.”
“Who? Bailey?”
“No, Wilson,” I say. “Who the hell volunteers to babysit twins?”
“Dunno. So you in?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there for sure. Put me down for three just in case.”
“Righto. Peace,” Branch says as he hangs up. I don’t even hesitate to call Saylor, and when she says hello, a jolt of excitement hits my dick, causing it to wake up.
“Fuck, you sound sexy when you answer the phone.”
“Travis…” She draws my name out, making me pray that she’s been thinking about me.
“Fuck, Saylor.” My hand palms my growing erection. “Don’t you just want to fuck and get rid of all this sexual tension between us?”
The line goes silent until I hear her sigh and mutter, “Yes.”
“Me too, but not a one-night stand. I want more.”
“I can’t,” she says, killing the small buzz I had going over the thought of us knocking boots.
“Right, I forgot,” I say, clearing my throat. “Branch’s son is in town, and he’s the same age as Lucy, or close to it. He’s invited me, or us, to the hockey game tomorrow night. He has a suite. Do you want to go?”
“Travis—”
“Look, I’ll leave your name at the will-call window if you want. I thought I’d offer, but I realize that you can get tickets to any event you want. So, good night, Saylor.” I hang up, wondering how she can go from night to day so damn fast. One minute she’s asking me to watch her daughter and doesn’t balk when I kiss her, but then she won’t go to a hockey game with a bunch of baseball players.
Am I missing something? Or am I so wrapped up in her that I’m not seeing what’s right in front of me—a woman who has told me nothing can happen?
Sixteen
Saylor
My phone vibrates beside me, and a quick glance shows a text from Elijah instead of Travis, like I had hoped. All morning I have contemplated calling him to apologize for my behavior last night, but I’m a coward. I can’t bring myself to tell him that, while I’m interested, he’s not wor