He’s right. Harmony Birk is certainly unique with her purple hair, tattooed arms, and curves. “What do you think your dad’s gonna say?”
“Don’t care,” Brent mutters. “He’d better cool his bullshit, or he won’t get invited to the wedding, and he’ll never meet his grandkid.”
Grandkid? “Is she––?”
“Nah, man. Not yet. But hopefully soon. I can’t wait to be a dad.”
Jesus. What happened to my crazy, irresponsible best friend? I guess he grew up. Maybe it’s time I do the same. If you’d asked me yesterday how I’d feel about doing just that, you know, getting married, starting a family, I would have scoffed in your face. But today? Today, it doesn’t sound so bad.
“You waiting around for her?”
I look to my right, hoping Willa will reappear. But, unlike Brenton, I’m not sure I’m the man for Willa. She deserves to find someone who’ll treat her right and keep her as far away from assholes like me as possible. “Nah, man. She took off.”
Brent is looking over my shoulder, reading my texts. Nosey bastard.
“Are you telling me, after bragging how loaded you are and that you own a baseball team, Willa isn’t hanging on you like…” he chuckles. “…women do when they find out you’re anAdler?”
“I didn’t tell her.” I glance up at him. “Why would I ruin a good thing?”
“You’d better confess before she googles you or some shit. Women hate it when they think the guy they’re dating is broke only to find out they’re you’re not.”
He knows from experience. He did that with Harmony. He said he was testing her, but all he did was fail. Fortunately for him, she forgave him.
Pulling open the driver’s side door of my car, I say, “Want to grab something to eat?”
“No can do, Hud. I’ve got a hot date with my girl.”
Lucky bastard.
“Fine. Fuck off,” I say with a laugh as I slide into my seat. “See you tomorrow?”
“No way. It’s Sunday. I’m not leaving our bed tomorrow.”
“Too much fucking information. Jesus.”
Brent laughs then slaps my back again. “See you Monday.”
“Bright and early. We need to get on the same page with the draft.”
“Sure. See you then.” Pulling my door shut, I press the start button and wait until everything comes to life inside my electric vehicle. When all systems are a go, I move through the parking lot to the exit reserved for players and staff. I’m on the busy Chicago streets in no time. It’s then I realize I don’t want to go home alone.
“Willa…” I sure like the way that sounds.
ChapterFive
WILLA
“Barney?”I call his name the second I’m through my front door. I hear a raspy meow coming from inside my tiny apartment. I know just where he is, in his favorite spot by the window. As I approach, he stretches like he’s been asleep the entire day.
He probably has been. I scratch the top of his head and down around both ears to his chin, making the purring start. “You miss me, Barney?”
His purr gets louder.
His reaction means nothing, but I prefer to believe he did, in fact, miss me. “Want some dinner?”
That’s all it takes to get my big, yellow tabby off his window seat. I watch him race into the kitchen and jump on the counter. Yes, it’s unhygienic for him to sit on the counter, but it’s his spot. It’s the way we do things around here. Pulling open the lower cabinet door, I reach in for a can of Barney’s special food. He’s got some allergies we’re trying to keep at bay, and the vet said this food is hypoallergenic. Pulling the tab on the lid, Barney scoots closer. With the lid off, I tap the can onto his dish until the mushy contents plop down into the bowl. “There you go.” I scratch his head again as he digs in, still purring as he eats.
“You’ll never guess what happened today at the baseball game, Barney.”
