Guess you’ll have to wait and see.
ME
Can’t wait to see you.
BREE
Me too.
ME
One more sleep.
BREE
Have a good game
ME
Always thinking of you.
I was hoping to stay with Bree tonight, but I decided to sleep at my condo instead since we didn’t land until the early morning hours. The game went into a rain delay in the fourth inning, and I still don’t have a key to her place. Bark in the Park is tomorrow, and we all need to be at the stadium in the morning for the all-day event. I’m dead tired when I walk into my condo and see the light in the kitchen was left on. I didn’t leave any lights on. Glancing down, I see her shoes lined against the wall in the entryway.
She used the key.
Toeing off my shoes, I leave them with hers before continuing into the living room. Her purse is on the counter in the kitchen. There’s a blanket on the couch that wasn’t there when I left. She’s made herself at home, and I love the idea of her invading my space.
When I open the bedroom door, she’s curled under the comforter facing the window. I ditch my clothes and crawl into bed behind her. The need to be close to her is overwhelming.I’ve never experienced this deep ache for someone, but it’s here for her. Only her. Bree has me in knots, and I don’t even feel bad about it. Instead of wanting to run away, I want to run toward her.
To the world, I’m Chase Bennett. The Chaser, star rookie with the highest stolen base percentage. The troublemaker who showed out one too many times and got busted. Bree sees beyond the cocky asshole rookie I show the world. She has from the very first moment I met her in that bar on St. John. Here, with her, we’re two people who found each other in the unlikeliest of ways driven by passion and lust. By a connection I can’t explain. One I’ve stopped trying to fight. I’ve never been a relationship man, but Bree isn’t like anyone else. There’s a pull to her. A magnetism. I know she feels it too beneath all the fear and worry.
She rolls when the bed dips and drapes herself across my chest. She may try to downplay this relationship outside the four walls of the bedroom, but her body is drawn to mine. Likethere’s an invisible string tying us together. As I wrap my arms around her body and tuck her deeper into my chest, I feel all the tension and stress melt away from her shoulders. I love being the safe place for her to land. The place where she can let go and allow herself to just be. She’s that for me too.
As exhaustion overtakes me, it strikes me that I’m falling in love with this woman. I only hope she’s falling too so I can catch her at the bottom because I may have stolen a lot of bases in my lifetime, but stealing her heart is a privilege. One I’ll never take for granted.
Stella Stadium has been completely transformed for Bark at the Park. I’m impressed with what the staff has been able to accomplish in such a short period of time. They’ve turned this pet adoption event into an entire family fun day. There’s a bounce house on the concourse by left field. An obstacle course behind right field and face painting, games, and concessions scattered throughout the area. A stage is also set up for local musicians to perform throughout the day.
On the field, they’ve roped off separate areas, like mini dog parks where the dogs can roam free of their kennels. It also allows people to play with the pets even if they don’t ultimately decide to adopt them.
I greet Taylor with a hug. “Wow, this looks great.”
“Doesn’t it? I’m pretty good at what I do.”
“I’d say.” She’s gone above and beyond to help me get everything set up. She even worked with my team to set up my foundation.
“We’ve got everything set up, but it’d be great if you could make the rounds and say hello to the individual groups.” She points to the tent where a group of people are gathered when my phone vibrates in my hand with an incoming text.
BREE
Why are you so hot right now?
Looking up, I see Bree across the sidewalk. We woke up together a few hours ago and spent what little time we had this morning lost in each other. When Bree walked out of the bedroom wearing shorts and a polo shirt with the Troubadours logo, I almost fainted. Her long, tan legs are on full display and the vision of her relaxed and enjoying the day makes me happier than I realize. She’s been more playful today than she normally is, and I hope it’s because she’s finally decided to stop overthinking our relationship.
ME
Keep it in your pants, Princess.
BREE
