Tonight had been a great feat for Cal, and Javi knew his friend hoped to move to a starter position next season. He’d probably get it, too. It’d be hard to deny him after what he’d just pulled off. Javi hoped the management would remember him performing at his best as well, because he really wanted to keep his position on the team, but he was in a precarious spot. He’d heard that the guy he’d been called up to replace was doing well with his physical therapy. If he continued to improve rapidly with rehab, it was possible the guy could be back to playing soon. If that happened, Javi wasn’t sure that they’d keep him. There were only so many positions on the roster. They might send him back to the minors. Or, since he’d had a good season, they could trade him to another team.
He didn’t want that. Javier wanted to stay. He didn’t want to move again. He’d grown fond of Arizona. Actually, it wasn’t particularly Arizona he’d grown fond of, it was the people he’d found here. They made it feel like home. He didn’t want to move away from Camdyn. He didn’t want to uproot Lola. And he’d made close friendships with his teammates—specifically Callahan and Lionel.
After bringing Amigo back in, putting the puppy in his kennel, and double-checking the door was locked, Javi flipped off the light switches on the first level and headed for the stairs his girls had already climbed. His energy was depleted, and while he wanted to sleep, his mind was clinging to the thought of being traded. He had to find some way to stay in Arizona.
He was so in love with Cami. She was everything his mother had always said he needed, and beyond any dream of a perfect woman he’d ever had. She was beautiful. She was smart. Shewouldn’t take any crap off him or anyone. She was Catholic. She spoke Spanish. She came from a family of people like his own; people that you could only describe assalt of the earth. She loved baseball. There was not one thing he would change about her, and he knew with certainty his future was with her. One day, she’d be his wife and the mother of his children.
Lola’s door was shut, and no light shone from under it when he hit the top of the landing. However, his room was lit and the door stood open. He closed the door behind him as he entered and immediately started stripping out of his clothes. They were clean and so was he, due to his shower at the stadium. He laid his clothes across his desk chair to deal with in the morning, then pulled back the covers and crawled into bed in just his boxer briefs. Camdyn exited the bathroom in one of Javi’s T-shirts for a nightgown and climbed into bed beside him.
He raised his arm, and she scooched over so he could hold her.
“I missed you while you were in Oasis. I’m so glad the season is over, so Lola and I can stay there with you.”
If Oasis had been just a bit closer to Phoenix, he’d have made the drive to stay with her each night, but a three-hour drive to and from was a bit much, even if he’d already locked down a small temporary rental.
“I missed you, too,” she admitted.
CHAPTER 27
There is nothing I enjoy more than to see others enjoy themselves.
– Charles “Commy” Comiskey, Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, 1939
Halloween was Camden's favorite holiday. It always had been, even when she was a small child. It outranked her birthday and Christmas. Not because it was spooky, or for the copious amounts of candy, but because it had been the opportunity to dress up and become someone else. That was what had appealed to her, and it still did. She had always put a lot of thought into her costumes, and this year she had the perfect couples costume planned for her and Javi. She just needed to get him on board.
Lying next to him in bed, she asked, “Did you know that Cal has the pool house reserved for me to host a Halloween party?”
His arm tightened around her. “I thought Cal was hosting it. I heard about last year’s; several of the guys are looking forward to it.”
That made her feel good. She always tried to make sure her parties were fun and memorable.
“Cal wouldn’t know where to start, though we’ve had annual Halloween parties together since I was in middle school. Our parents would always let us invite over four or five friends each. We’d have pizza, play games, and Dad would light the fire pit for roasting marshmallows while we made up spooky stories. I took a hiatus while in college and usually just went out to a club dressed up with friends, but once Cal moved to Phoenix I started up the parties again, here at the pool house.”
“Is the party kid-friendly?” he asked. “I doubt Lola has ever experienced Halloween before.”
He was probably right. Camdyn couldn't imagine the sisters allowing such a holiday at the orphanage. Lola’s upbringing seemed to have been quite sheltered.
“No. It’s not a bad party, but most of your teammates bring dates in skimpy lingerie for costumes, so it’s definitely not child appropriate,” she replied.
Javi chuckled behind her. “That sounds accurate, but what will we do with Lola. I don’t want her to feel left out.”
“That’s actually why I was bringing it up, well, one of the reasons why. I was talking to Lionel and he’s struggling to find a trustworthy babysitter for his kids. Not just for the party, but in general. Lola loves Leo and Luna. I think she would be a good babysitter.”
Javi loosened his hold and rolled to his back. “I don’t know, Cami. I don’t want her to feel like she has to work.”
“She knows that, but it would give her a chance to make a little cash and not feel quite so dependent on you. She could start by watching them while Lionel is working out at the gym. He’ll be close by if she needs anything. If that goes well, she can watch them on Halloween so he can come to the party, too.”
“Have you already discussed this with her?” he asked.
“No. I wouldn’t do that. But Javi, I had my first babysitting gig at thirteen. That’s how old she is now. I think she could do itand I think she’d like it. It’s not a real job, so it would be like a compromise.”
He huffed. “She probably would like it, but is two kids at once too much? Leo can be rambunctious.”
She leaned up and pecked his lips. “I think she can handle two. Mother Superior said that she liked helping with the little ones, remember?”
His hand slid into the back of her hair. “I remember, but I might need a little more persuasion before I agree to it,” he replied as he pulled her mouth back to his. He deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth.
Cami moved to straddle him. She did not mind acquiescing to his stipulation at all.
