Champagne & Baseball

Lazy & Lonely

There was a commotion of horns and shouts behind us when a white Escalade drove up onto the street's median. Coach smiled from the driver's seat. He hopped out and signaled for me to stay in the car. He went around his truck and pulled out a red gas can.

I ignored his signal and approached him. Thank you slipped out of my lips before anything else. I reiterated my embarrassment for the whole situation.

"Don't you worry about it. I always keep a full can back here." He patted it on the side as the contents sloshed around. All of the back seats were folded down to make room for gear. He left it open as he went to my car.

"The boys are always forgetting to fill up their tanks." He made air quotes around forgetting. "I think they're just cheap. I was surprised to hear from you - but now I see" he nodded towards Brady who sat in the driver's seat.

"Yeah" I sighed. "I think I'm going to be driving from now on." He let out a laugh and shook his head as he removed the gas cap.

"With those toothpicks on your feet" he glanced at my stilettos, "I'd rather drive you myself." I smiled at his country boy charm.

"Hey, I live in these. I could play baseball in these."

He pulled the nozzle back from the car. He had filled up more than enough to get us home as well as to a gas station. He twisted the cap back on and looked at me.

It always surprised me how young he was for his accomplishments. The only call to his age was a small wrinkle gracing his forehead, more from sun damage than age.

"I'd very much like to see that," He told me, a blush ran down my cheeks.

"You and me both." I joked earning myself a deep bellied laugh from him. He closed the lid on the gas can and brought it back to his car.

"You call me if you ever have any trouble, Danny."

"Thanks, Coach Matthew."

"It's John, Danny."

"John" I repeated. He waited for us to drive off first. Made sure that it was the gas and not something else that had stopped the car. I gave him an excited wave out the window as we pulled away.

"You could've thanked him." I snapped at Brady as we drove off.

"You thanked him enough for the both of us." He drawled not bothering me a look.

Was that jealousy I heard?

Brady disappeared that night after mumbling something about going over to Jared's.

I didn't care.

I lazed about the apartment. Answered some outstanding emails and caught up on some news before Wyatt called. When I saw his number bing on my phone. I smiled.

He told me to dress up nice tomorrow night because he was taking me out. I was giddy. His deep voice sounded even sexier over the phone. I told him I would be free after eight. Hopefully, tomorrow's game would be over by then.

I gave him my address. He would be there to pick me up like a true gentleman. I spent the rest the night being unproductive, searching through my clothes finding the perfect thing to dazzle Wyatt on our first date.

I put on a face mask and cut the split ends off my hair dancing around to some horrible pop music as I did it. It was nice not having Brady around. I was happy to have my place be mine.

Around ten, I was singing a different tune.

I started going stir crazy. I tried calling Brooke and Delilah. Both were busy with work. I left depressing messages that I hoped would guilt them into a callback.

A sigh fell from my lips. I leaned back on our couch, adjusting the pillow under my head just right. I opened my phone again.

I had Brady's number.

I called it without thinking. He answered with a heavy drawl.

"Danny" He was somewhere loud, voices and music filled the silence between us.

"Can you come home?" I asked. Ugh, I hated how I sounded. I couldn't spend a single night alone? Thoughts of throwing my phone out the window, taking back the call came to mind.

"I'll be there soon." He said without waiting a second to respond. He knew it wasn't a command, it was a favor. He knew that I was alone and that I needed him.

He was going to be there for me despite our bickering.

Brady showed up 20 minutes later, the scent of vodka fresh on him.

"Are you drunk?" I asked him surprised that he would risk it the night before a game.

"Nah" he shook his head. "I had a beer, poor waitress spilled a whole tray of drinks on me." He pulled the still wet shirt of away from his skin to make a point.

I sat up from the couch reaching out for it.

"Give it to me. I'll throw in the wash now before all the stains set in." His hand reached around finding the back of his neck. He pulled his shirt over his head revealing a tight muscled torso. The scent of alcohol stung my nose as he handed it over.

Delilah was a lucky girl. My tongue ran across my bottom lip.

I bit down.

Don't be desperate. It's just Brady.

I scrambled off the couch, his wet shirt in an iron grip. I went to the small closet in our hall where the washer and dryer were held. I focused on evening my breathing as I pressed the settings for a light wash.

I twirled around as his hand caressed my arm.

He towered over me. His sharp eyes didn't stray from my mouth.

"Thanks." He breathed, he ran his hand down my arm stopping short of my wrist. I chewed on my lip.

"I'm going to shower and then we can watch a movie?" He said it like a statement. I answered anyway.

"Yeah." My voice was breathless. His struggled to pull his eyes from my mouth. His hand fell away from me.

He shook his head once. Shook me out of his thoughts. He backed up and retreated to the bathroom.

The shower turned on. I hurried to my room and pulled a sweatshirt on to cover up my goosebumps.

In the living room, I made sure to keep the lights on and fill the couch with pillows. An obstacle course I would have to battle if I couldn't win the war against my hormones.

Brady joined me, moments out of the shower. His wet hair long, he brushed it out of is face.

He switched off the lights.

My goosebumps returned, a shiver kissed my spine. I pulled a pillow tight to my stomach as he freed the couch from the rest.

There went my plan.