Colby (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #6) (8 page)

“Not at all.” He seems a little hurt by what I said. “I think we all had a good time. It’s good to take a break from playing to be able to enjoy it as a fan. Hope you don’t mind me coming for dinner. Your mom invited me.”

“Nah, we always run for food after games. It’s cool.” I didn’t want it to sound as if it isn’t a big deal because to me it is. However, I don’t want to seem as if I’m not happy he came along. “Dad usually picks where to go, though.”

“Where are we headed today?”

“I think he said something about tacos earlier.” I shrug and catch a quick glance as him. His arms still look huge in his gray t-shirt. “Who knows? He’s always changing his mind.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with me coming? You seem different somehow.”

I keep my attention on the road and my parent’s car as they turn toward the edge of town. I’m not a pre-teen like my sister compared me too. I’m an adult. I need to stop acting as if this is my first interaction with a male. I’m mature, independent, and smart. I need to tell him how I feel because communication is key in this. “Okay, here it goes; I’m a little nervous. I mean, it’s really going fast with us. You’ve spent a few hours with my family. Now, I’m about to subject you to Duke and food with my family. I don’t want to screw it up, you know? It seems to be going well.”

Colby doesn’t even take a second to think it over before saying, “You’re not going to screw it up, Ariella. If it’s too much too soon, I can just call a cab once we get there, or if you want to take a deep breath and believe me, then it won’t be a big deal. I survived your dad earlier, so it’ll be kinda hard to screw up in a way that’ll mess things up.”

I don’t want him to leave. I want to spend time with him. I take a deep breath. “You seem to know me a lot better than I thought, Colby. I’m sorry, and you’re right, let’s go and enjoy a nice dinner together.”

Colby takes my free hand and laces our fingers together as I drive the rest of the way in silence. It’s nice to have someone, even in the quiet, next to you and not feel as if you need to talk.

I follow my parents and park next to them. When walk in together, Colby still holds my hand. Mom gives me her all-knowing smile, which has underlying words of, “I told you so.” I shake my head and do my best to ignore her.

We’re seated right away, and Colby holds my chair for me. I’m dirty from the game and I’m sure I smell like sweat, yet he’s treating me as if we are in a five-star restaurant and I’m in an evening gown.

It’s nice.

Mom tells Colby about the menu, as if he can’t read, and recommends several items. Instantly, I smile when Alizeh walks in with Duke and Lil D on her hip. I’m glad they went and got him

“Colby,” I take Lil D from Alizeh. “Let me introduce you to my favorite family member, because he can’t talk yet and embarrass me.” I cut a mean look to my family. “This is Lil D.” I turn him around in my arms and show Colby. I’m not sure what his reaction will be, but I shouldn’t have been surprised.

“Hey, Lil D.” He takes his gigantic hand and holds it out to Lil D. “He’s cute.”

“He gets it from me.” Mom speaks up and reaches for her grandson. “Does your sister have any children, Colby?”

“Yeah, she has three kids, all girls.”

“I didn’t know that.” I feel dumb for not asking him before. “It must be sad not to see them grow up.” I can’t imagine how he’s able to stay so far from his family all the time.

He laughs. “I see it; I’m just not there in person. My sister has a monthly newsletter on their family that she sends to my parents and me since we’re not there. It’s full of stories and pictures, so I sort of get to watch them grow up.”

“Monthly newsletter?” Alizeh seems shocked. “She must be very organized, because I can barely remember to do laundry.”

“She’s insanely organized.” Colby sips the water in front of him.

“So is Allison.” Dad speaks for the first time. “She raised our girls, worked, and kept our house so clean we could eat on the floor. I was always amazed on how much she took on.” He leans over and kisses Mom on her cheek.

“Was?” Mom leans back, and I know what is coming. “I’m still working.”

“I told you to retire.” Dad growls at her, but it doesn’t work on Mom.

“Told me? Suddenly I’m an animal who’s trying to be trained.” She crosses her arms and stares him down.

“Mom. Dad. Could we please not get into mom quitting work?” I beg.

“Not quit. Retire,” Dad corrects.

I can’t be more thankful when the waiter comes over to take our food order. I’m hoping it’ll give time for Mom to cool down and Dad to come to his senses and not discuss this right now.

“Colby, you’ll retire young. What do you plan to do? Because I didn’t read it in your background check.” Dad stares him down.

“I don’t know if I’ll stay here, go home to Michigan, or to Maryland to be close to my sister. Work-wise, I’ll probably take some time off, and then depending on where I end up, either go into management with a team or coach.”

“I figured you’d have a plan,” Dad mumbles with a disgusted look.

“Dad, you didn’t have a plan when you retired.” Alizeh jumps into rescue before I can.

“Yes I did. I was going to sleep in. Simple and easy.” Dad tries not to smirk at her.

“That’s not a plan.” I call him out. “Mom what are you going to do?”

“Bake for my grandchildren, because I’m hoping to have more than one.” Mom raises one eyebrow.

“Better get busy Duke.” I quickly move the attention away from me.

“Me? You’re no spring chicken. I think you should be the next one.” Of course, it’s Duke who points out my age.

I’m about to yell at him, but the food comes, and there’s one thing I know about my family, we don’t talk much when food is around. Especially, good food.

When we finish, Colby tries to pay the bill, and Dad damn near bites off his hand. I don’t want an argument so I quickly change the subject, “Colby, you said you have stuff in the car right, for the family?”

“Yeah, there’s some signed stuff and tickets to an upcoming game.”

“Tickets?” Duke stands up straight with Lil D in his arms. “Good tickets?”

“I think you’ll be happy with them.” Colby grins at him.

“I’m very happy to have you in the family.” Duke fake cries, making me roll my eyes. “This is the happiest day of my life.”

“Excuse me. I’m not sure if you remember me. I’m your wife and the mother of your child.” Alizeh waves her hand.

“Can you give me amazing tickets to the Angels?” he counters.

“I birthed a human for you.” Alizeh points at Lil D.

Duke nods and turns to Colby. “Sorry, Colby, she trumps you there,” he smirks.

Colby laughs. “I’d have to agree.”

We all walk out to our cars and Colby gives us all signed stuff and dugout tickets for a home game in a couple weeks. Everyone, including me, is pleased and surprised by his generosity. Mom and Alizeh both hug him, and I try not to jump up and down at my signed Blake Foster jersey or the one Colby signed, either.

When we finally get on the road, I’m not sure what to say. He’s done much more for my family and me than I did for him. “I’m glad you had a good day, Colby. Sorry we monopolized your whole day off.”

“Don’t be. I had fun, and it was better than hanging at home. I’m glad you invited me.”

“Me too. I’m sorry I was all girly and such earlier. I have an amazing day.”

“You apologize too much, Ariella. We’ll have to do something again soon.”

“I really hope so Colby. I would enjoy going out with you again.”

He smiles. “I’ll let you decide when so it’s not too soon.”

We fall back into small talk of nothing more than the weather and he directs me to his house. When I pull into the driveway, I gather my last nerve to ask him the one question I’ve been thinking about the most. “When’s your next day off?”

“It’ll be a few days. We’re about to go on a road trip.”

“How about when you come back into town, text me, and I can cook you dinner? Nothing fancy, I can promise you. However, you’ve met my family, and I’d like you to meet my dog.” I don’t cook for just anyone and I surely don’t invite them into my home, but Colby is different and I like different.

“That sounds like a plan.”

He leans over and kisses me. His lips fit perfectly with mine. I could do this all day, but I need to remember I’m in my car and in his driveway.

“Talk to you soon.” He gives me a quick peck, and he’s gone.

The moon is bright at two in the morning, and it’s making the blood on the sidewalk almost gleam. You never get used to seeing dead bodies, especially kids. Right now, I’m staring at a sixteen-year-old boy who, as far as we can tell, is the victim of a stray bullet.

“What do you think?” Duke stands next to me.

“The bullet had to come from there.” I point to my right, which is a building. “Maybe a ricochet?”

“I don’t know.” He furrows his brow, looking from the building back to the body of the kid. “Doesn’t something seem off to you?”

“The angle seems all wrong, but I’m not sure. The bullet could have come from the left, but that means he must have walked a bit, but there’s no blood trail.”

Duke bends down and inspects the body a bit more. “We’ll wait for forensics to come back. They’ll tell us where the bullet came from.”

I nod and head off toward the crowd to see if any witnesses will come forward. Normally, they don’t, but occasionally we can gather some information.

Tonight isn’t one of those nights and, as the sun begins to rise, I realize I still have a lot more to do.

WHY COULDN’T I have chosen to play hockey? Sure, they still sweat a lot, but it has to help that they play indoors and on ice. It’s fucking sweltering today. We’re all drinking more than usual to stay hydrated, and I’m wishing I played an indoor sport. I wipe my hand on my pants for probably the millionth time just this inning.

The batter cracks one to the outfield, sending Roman running to try to bring it in before he can get home. He throws it to Jordan just as the runner passes him. He quickly throws it to me, but the runner is safe on third. The home crowd is having tons of fun today, probably because their team has been able to stay ahead of us the entire game. It’s still a close game, though.

The next guy strikes out, earning the third and sending us back to the dugout. I grab some water and down it because my mouth is parched. Trent is up to bat first. I almost wish he wasn’t because he gets a home run. It would’ve been sweeter had we had a runner or two out on the field to bring home as well.

There’s no need to sweat it because I’m on second base after earning a double and Hector is on first when Tanner hits one into the outfield. We’re all able to run in, Tanner having to slide to earn his run. They get their three outs next though. We have a lead, and hopefully, we’ll keep it.

My biggest priority is actually not passing out from the damn heat. Winning is the second priority. My hat is wet from sweat, which is oddly sort of helping to keep me cool. We jog back onto the field, and I begin counting down the minutes until this game is over.

Later, at the team dinner, Trent sits down next to me. It’s been good to see him smiling more often than not.