Colby (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #6) (5 page)

“Yeah, there’s not really a way around it. My mom still offers to cook dinner and do my laundry when she comes to visit me, like I haven’t quite figured out how to live on my own yet,” I chuckle.

“Does your family visit often? It’s probably hard since you’re spread out so much.”

“Yeah, we aim for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and that’s usually the only time we’re able to get us all together unless something big happens.”

“I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be far away from my family. I wouldn’t be able to pop by my parents to eat all their food, and Dad wouldn’t be able to take Buster out all the time. Plus, I like knowing I’ll get to see Lil D grow up.”

“There are definite advantages to being close by, but it’s been just me for so long, I don’t know if I could handle living near my family,” I admit.

“Are you not close?”

“Oh, no, we are. I just meant distance can help make sure they don’t get on your nerves too much,” I laugh. “That sounded better in my head.”

She giggles. “No, I understand what you mean.” She takes a bite of her waffle cone before speaking again. “So, your family isn’t around, and I know you were traded earlier in your career, but has there been anyone serious? Ever been close to the altar?”

“There’s been a few serious relationships, but none close to the next step. You?”

“My longest relationship was eight months. The only reason it was that long was because we didn’t see each other enough to break up.” Ariella shrugs. “I just haven’t found the time to have a serious relationship. It’s like I woke up one day and I’m thirty-six and single, my sister is married, and my parents have this perfect romance novel kind of relationship. I realized I was spending my nights and weekends at work with no life except the one I have with Buster. I love my dog, but I want something...more,” she finishes softly.

“Sometimes it can be hard not to get absorbed in work, but it’s good you’re making the time now. You never answered my question though,” I point out.

“Which one?” Ariella tries and fails to act innocent, causing me to grin.

“About our second date.”

She thinks it over for a second or two. “Okay, I think I’d enjoy a second date.”

“You think?” I place a hand over my heart. “Oh, now I’m a little hurt, Ariella.”

She laughs. “Okay, okay. I meant to say I
would
enjoy a second date. Um, however, I don’t know your schedule very well, so maybe it’ll be best if we exchange numbers and then we’ll set the time and such later. If you don’t mind me having yours? I know you’re like a celebrity, and I’m sure you don’t give it out often.” She seems nervous. Between that and her claim that I’m a celebrity, I laugh.

“I’m not a celebrity. We can exchange numbers and work out our schedules soon.”

“Not a celebrity?” she scoffs. “Ha, trust me, Mr. Third Baseman, you totally are.”

“If you say so.”

We exchange numbers and I pay our tab. I walk Ariella to her car and open her door for her. She turns to face me, a little hopeful maybe.

“I feel like it’s worth asking just once.”

“What is?” she asks.

“You won’t hit, taze, or shoot me if I kiss you, will you?” I smile so she knows I’m joking. Ariella laughs and shakes her head. “Good.” I lean down and press my lips to hers. The urge to deepen the kiss is strong, but I stupidly pull away instead. “I’ll talk to you soon.” Once she’s safely in her car and starts backing out of her spot, I walk to my car and head home.

The next day, I walk into the weight room and Hector spots me.

“How’d your date go, Sugar Daddy?” he shouts across the room, gaining everyone’s attention.

“You had a date?” Blake asks with too much damn shock.

“Hey, shouldn’t I have heard how it went before now?” Jordan jumps in.

“Sorry. Didn’t realize I needed to call you the second it was over.” I shake my head.

“Well?” Spencer asks.

“You know the girl I was talking to in the bar?” He nods. “It actually turned out to be her,” I fill him in since I didn’t yesterday.

Roman whistles. “She was hot in an older woman kind of way.”

Anyone older than thirty might as well be ancient to them. I can’t wait for every single one of their thirtieth birthdays. They are all still watching and waiting for an answer. “It went fine.”

“Did you get a second date?” Jordan asks just as Tanner says, “Did you get laid?”

Tanner’s close by, so I slap him upside the back of his head. He shrugs and looks like he asked a valid question.

“Yeah, I got a second date.”

The guys hoot and holler, apparently proud of “Sugar Daddy.” I shake my head at them and walk over to a free machine next to Jordan. My date quickly becomes old news as they move on to talk amongst themselves, thankfully.

“So, spill,” Jordan demands. “I’m hurt you haven’t told me yet.” He grins, and I just shake my head because he’s so full of shit.

“Her name is Ariella.”

Tanner takes the machine on the other side of me. “That’s all you’re going to say? We’ve been waiting two seasons for you to hook up with someone.”

“I didn’t hook up with her. She’s thirty-six and a detective with the Memphis PD.”

“For you, I hope she’s a fan of using handcuffs away from the job. Seriously, you should ask her about it. Promise you won’t regret it,” Tanner says, not joking even a little.

Jordan laughs. “You’re worse than I thought.”

Tanner shrugs. “Hey, if certain opportunities arise, you don’t turn them down.”

“Girls or handcuffs?” I ask.

He grins. “Both.”

“God, I’m glad you only stayed at my house for a little while,” Jordan says.

“Hey,” Tanner protests. “I was a great house guest.”

“You brought someone to my house and fucked them. I had to leave because I could hear you. That is
not
a great house guest.”

They start bickering, and I tune them out. I need to figure out when I can see Ariella again. We’re leaving for a road trip tomorrow, so it’ll be a few days until we’re back in town. I’ll have to double check the day we get back and see if she’s free.

God, I hope so. I’m already wishing I could see her sooner than I’ll be able to.

DEEP BREATH.

One.

Two.

Three.

Crack.
I watch the ball sail high into left field, drop my bat, and run as fast as I can to first and around to second. I can’t go any farther, but I’m myself. Mom and Dad are cheering from the stands over everyone else. I swear you would think I am in the professional league, by the way they act. But I love them.

I return to my focus to the game. I will not lose this game because we’re in third place in the league and it won’t get us into the tournament. I make it all the way home, thanks to my teammates and Duke, and we add the win to our list. I gather my equipment and Duke grabs his as we make our way to my parents.

“You kids were great.” Mom hugs me.

“Thanks.” I don’t have the heart to tell her it’s not the major leagues, even if she acts as it is.

“Duke, you want to grab some dinner with us?” Dad asks.

“No, I miss Lil D and Alizeh. I’m going to head home and enjoy a game of patty-cake,” he jokes and hugs my mom before heading to his car.

“Guess it’s just us three. Unless, you have someone you’d like to invite?” Mom smirks.

I roll my eyes. “No, there’s no one else to invite.”

“Is it because he’s in Oakland playing right now?” Dad grins at me.

“Are you stalking Colby Wilson, Dad?”

“I’m simply checking on his whereabouts. I’m sure you’ll like to know his background check came back clean.” He picks up my bag.

“What? Are you serious?” I squeak. Yes, because my voice level went so high.

“You’re my daughter, of course I did. I did the same thing with Duke.”

I turn to my mother. “Did you know this?”

“Yes, I read the reports.”

“Wha...what? You’re supposed to be the sensible one.”

“And I am. Had there been anything on there I would have stopped your father from killing him.” She pats my cheek.

“I...I can’t believe you two. This is beyond anything I’ve ever imagined.” I’m in shock. Real shock at how my parents, two pillars of the community who hold commendations and awards for their careers, are standing in front of me telling me how they ran a background check on my...
friend
.

“We’re your parents. Period.” Dad heads toward the car and Mom follows.

I stand there for a moment, still trying to figure at what level of pissed off I should be. I’m sure Colby’s parents won’t run a check on me. Right? Right. Here are mine, on the verge of getting a DNA sample from Colby, and we’ve not even been on a second date.

I finally get my nerve up and head over to the car. “Look, I love you both more than anything in my life, but I will not stand for this. I’m a Memphis detective and I’ve told you, I don’t know how many times, I’m not a child. I’m an adult, and I’m sorry if you didn’t get the memo, but I am. Period.” I jerk open the door to their SUV, climb in, and slam it shut.

Okay, I may have my arms crossed and I’m pouting. And, yes, I just threw a small tantrum, but I made my point, and I’m pleased I did.

When Mom and Dad get in, they both turn to me, and I hang my head. Why are they treating me like a child, and why in the hell am I acting like one?

“Ariella, we love you, but you’ve not made the best decisions in guys. We promise we won’t do anything else until you ask. Okay?”

I lift my head and look at Mom. “Thank you.”

There are a few seconds of silence before Dad announces, “I want chicken.”

We laugh at the abrupt change in topic and then it’s all forgotten.

I sit at my desk with paperwork piling up around me. Duke and I caught another murder case and all our leads pointed to the husband who has been arrested. The worst part is there’s a small toddler involved. I didn’t like calling child services, but one employee who works there truly cares about the kids.

“Scarlett, hi, it’s Detective Craft. I need your help again,” I say after she answers the phone.

“Detective, how may I help you?”

I told her my issues with the three-year-old currently coloring in one of our interrogation rooms. I explain to her the father has been taken into custody and will probably be going to jail for a very long time. I tell her we haven’t been able to locate other family, yet.

“Could you help us out?”

“Of course. I have workers all out today in the field. Give me a little time and I can come get him.”

“Thank you, Scarlett.”

“Anytime.”

I hang up the phone and try to get through the next case from my never-ending pile. I deal with several leads on the phone and Duke helps me, too. About an hour later, Scarlett shows up.

“I really appreciate it.” I stand and go to her.

“It’s no problem. I’ve found him a home until we can figure out his family situation.”

“It’s not an overloaded home, right?” I felt so bad for this little boy.

“No, it’s a foster family that’s new to the area. They have plenty of room.” She seems hopeful.

“Great. He’s this way.”

We walk toward the room, and it takes us a bit to convince the boy to go with Scarlett. It breaks my heart when kids are involved in crimes and the lives of criminals. When I get back to my desk, I’m pretty much ready for a big glass of wine.