Colby (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #6) (18 page)

“We’ll be there,” Blake confirms for everyone.

Spencer opens the door with gusto, causing a few chuckles to sound behind me. I flip them off before walking out to meet Allison. A bit of guilt hits me when I see she’s already here. Hopefully, she hasn’t been waiting that long.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” I tell her once I’m settled in my seat. “I stopped to say hey to the guys.”

“Oh, it’s all right. Did you need to go anywhere?”

“No, we can go on home.” My stomach growls, and I’m hoping it was low enough that she didn’t hear it. I can fix my own meal when she drops me off. Ariella’s family has gone above and beyond to help me out lately and it’s too much. I’m very grateful, but they have their own lives to attend to. I feel like I’m taking up too much of their precious time.

“How about we get lunch? I’m starving.”

Damn it. “Okay. I can’t let you go back to Fletcher hungry.”

Allison laughs. “Exactly.” She pulls out of the lot and drives across town. “How was rehab?”

“Fine. They’re starting me off kind of easy, but there’s nothing easy about it.”

“Are you worried about how it’ll affect you next season? Ari said this is your second tear.”

“Not really,” I lie.

Allison glances over at me with a look that says she thinks I’m bullshitting her. Though if Ariella told her about my first tear, there’s a possibility she filled her in on everything else I said. “Well, good.” She’s quiet for a moment. “You may have figured this out already, but just in case it needs to be said, we’re here if you need anything. If you need help with something, need to talk, or just need someone to be there, we are here.”

“Thank you, Allison. I truly appreciate it.”

“Then you should be able to be honest with us,” she says with a pointed look.

“I rather not think about it.”

She nods. “Understandable. Let’s go in and enjoy lunch.”

“Hey, beautiful,” I call out. “Can you bring me some ice for my knee?”

“Sure thing, Sugar Daddy.”

I turn my head so fast, I almost get whiplash. Why the hell is she calling me that?

Ariella laughs as she walks into the room with a fresh bag of ice. “I ran into Hector and Zoey at the grocery store,” she explains. “Here you go.” She gently places it on my knee. “I would’ve thought the swelling would be gone by now.”

“They pushed me hard in rehab today. It’s not too bad though. Come sit with me.” I grab her wrist before she can walk back into the kitchen.

“I was going to clean up from dinner.”

“I’ll do it tomorrow.” She gives me that same bullshitting look her mother gave me. “I can stand at the sink and wash dishes, Ariella. I’m a pro at balancing on one leg.”

“I think I liked it better when you moped instead of not wanting anyone to help you.” I don’t respond, just tug on her wrist. “Fine, you win.” She gently sits next to me as if she might accidentally jostle my leg and injure me further.

She curls into me, so I begin trailing my fingers up and down her arm. I could tell by the look on her face when she first walked in that she didn’t have a good day at work. So far, she hasn’t offered to talk about it, and I haven’t questioned her. She’s finally starting to relax, so I sure as hell ain’t bringing it up now.

“Beautiful?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m cashing in my rewards tonight.”

“Colby,” she starts, but I interrupt her.

“Don’t argue. It’s happening one way or another. You’re not going to hold out on me until my knee is completely healthy. It’s not like we’re going to make it worse. Might as well figure out a way now.”

She’s quiet, no doubt debating on if she’s going to argue with me now or later. I’m going for neither. Because if she goes for either, I’m going to kiss her to keep her quiet. Finally, she speaks. “You do realize that means you’ll have zero control and won’t be able to take over.”

“I have no problems with that, beautiful.” I kiss her temple.

“Fine,” she grumbles.

I laugh. “Don’t sound so disappointed that we’re getting laid tonight.”

“I’m disappointed that I so easily let you have your way,” she corrects.

“It’ll be worth it,” I promise.

“Colby, are you sure you’re okay?” Allison asks.

“Yes.” I’ve given her the same answer for the last fifteen times she’s asked.

“I wish there was a way you could elevate it,” she adds.

“It’s fine,” I reassure her. I’m already sitting on the lowest bench on the bleachers with my leg stretched out, so it isn’t bent. Everyone has to walk around me because after the first two times I tried to move out of the way, Allison chided me as if she was my own mother.

We’re at Ariella’s tournament, and we had to come extra early so Allison could secure me a seat. The game is finally under way, but Allison is still worried about my knee.

“Leave him alone,” Fletcher cuts in as she starts to say something else. “The man is fine.”

She gives her husband a glare, but doesn’t say anything else. Honestly, it is starting to bother me a little. There’s not much we can do for it though. I’ll probably get up and stand soon. I’m sure she’ll try to say something then, so I’ll have to think of a good excuse in the meantime.

The police are up to bat first and we cheer like crazy when it’s Ariella’s turn. I’m so glad I was able to cash in my rewards. Watching her on the field is hot, and we’re definitely having a repeat performance tonight.

Ariella hits one about midway between the centerfielder and second baseman. She takes off running with us cheering like hooligans the entire time. She can say what she wants, but she loves it. Her smile is wide and bright. I can see it from over here. Things seem more intense this time. Everyone is definitely invested in the outcome.

Duke is able to hit a home run, bring Ariella and the other runner home, making us up by three in the first inning. Unfortunately, after that, they have to fight hard to keep the lead and not tie it. I end up standing for the last half of the game, and I think it takes everything for Ariella’s family not to say something about helping me.

The next time Ariella is up to bat, she gets three strikes. It happens to Duke as well. Someone in the stands shouts something about the umpire removing the fireman helmet from his ass or something of the like. Some of the calls have looked questionable. One was definitely a ball.

Even so, Ariella’s team is doing better, and they come away with the win. It’s close, but a win is a win. Ariella’s smiling when she walks over to meet us. I give her a soft kiss.

“Great game, beautiful.”

“Thanks.”

“We’ll celebrate later,” I whisper in her ear before pulling away.

She grins and nods.

MY ALARM GOES off and I roll over to see Colby still asleep. I’m glad he decided to come back to my house this week. It’s easier on Mom and Dad to get him for rehab and my bed is bigger, which makes it easier for him to elevate his leg.

I brush my hand through his hair, and he lightly moans. I love the sounds he makes. “Colby.” I kiss his cheek and whisper in his ear. “It’s time to wake up.”

“No.” He grabs me and pulls me to him. “You’re going to call in, and I’ll skip rehab, and then we can relax all day in bed.”

I giggle. “We can’t. I have a job and you have to get the knee back to one hundred percent.” I peck his lips and try to get away, but he holds me tighter. “Colby, watch your leg. I don’t want to hurt you.”

He opens his eyes. “You won’t hurt me.”

“Not intentionally.” I kiss him again. “Now, I have to get ready.”

“Fine,” he sighs.

I finally unravel myself from his arms, and I debate for a second if I could take a sick day and stay in bed with him, but I can’t and I know it. I jump in the shower, dress, grab my gun, and purse, and head down to the kitchen where Colby is sitting at the table with my travel mug waiting for me.

“What are your plans today?” I take a moment and sit next to him.

“I’m going to go to the game.”

“You are?” For the past couple days Colby has gone back and forth about going to the last game of the season. Jordan and Trent pretty much told him he had to be there. The Angels are heading to the playoffs and Colby had a big hand in it.

“Yes. Jordan’s right, I’m still part of the team, and I want to celebrate the last game with them.”

I smiled. “You’re going to have a blast. I can rearrange my schedule to drive you.”

“No, Trent already messaged me, and he’s going to get me and bring me back home.”

“I have to work or I’d be there with you.” I know I have a long day ahead, just at hearing the news broadcast this morning.

“I know. You’ve been by my side this entire time. I’m so glad you’re in my life, beautiful.”

“I love you, Colby Wilson.” I lean in and kiss his lips hard. “Now, I’m off to work.”

“I love you, too.”

Duke and I had been working all day and I need a break. My eyes are burning from searching the computer for a new case that graced our desk. I pour myself a cup of coffee and take a seat in the breakroom.

“What’s Colby doing?” Duke asks as he grabs a soda from the fridge.

I check my watch. “Trent should be picking him up now and heading to the game.”

“I’m sure he’s excited the Angels are heading to the playoffs.”

I smile. “Yes he is, but he wishes he was on the field with them.”

“I’m sure he would be, but he’s coming along, right?”

I nod. “He seems to be doing well. He’s trying not to use the crutches anymore.” Even though he should be. The therapist told him to use them still, but Colby seems to be too proud to do it. Hell, I’m surprised he used the crutches at all.

“That’s a good sign. It means he’s getting stronger.”

“He’ll be fine soon and back on the field.” I’m not sure if it’s totally true, because even Colby has mentioned he isn’t sure he’ll be able to play again. However, everyone seems hopeful, and I will support him either way.

After a few more sips of coffee, I feel a little bit better and head back to my desk and get back to work. Sometimes, my desk is almost like a black hole because I am sucked into work and I forget everything around me.

Another hour passes, and soon, Duke is calling my name. “What?”