From One Night to Forever (13 page)

“No reason why you can’t take a break this afternoon with me.”

His teasing smile and bedroom eyes were so very tempting. “I won’t have time,” she said in a weak voice.

“Just a few minutes with me at the county museum.”

She stopped in the middle of getting ready to pedal again to give him a disbelieving look. “Museum?”

“It looks interesting, and it’s between the college and the library. Meet me there in three hours.”

“Why would I want to go to the museum? Why would
you
want to go?”

“Why not? It’ll be fun.”

“Aaron…”

He placed his hand over hers on the handlebars. “Just thirty minutes at the museum and that’s all. Then you can go back to driving yourself crazy with school and work, solving the world’s problems, or whatever else it is you stress about.”

She put her hand on her hip, mostly because the feel of his on hers was sending crazy flutters through her midsection. “If you’re going to be insulting, then I won’t meet you.”

He gave her a smile that would liquefy iron. “I think you will.”

She shook her head and started pedaling down the street—but not fast enough for him to not keep up. “You’re so cocky.”

“And you’re very sexy when you’re trying to pretend like you don’t like it.”

She rolled her eyes, and her heart rolled in her chest. “Whatever. ’Bye, Aaron.” She pushed ahead, leaving him behind.

“See you in three hours, Kacey,” he called out.

She waved a hand but didn’t turn back. She should leave him waiting. But deep down she knew she’d be watching the clock to count down the hours until she met him again.

Two hours and fifteen minutes later, Aaron checked his watch and grinned. Forty-five minutes and he would meet Kacey. Maybe not the smartest decision given his last conversation with Reggie, but the moment he’d seen her on that bike smiling and glowing in a pair of short lavender shorts and an orange top, he’d known he wanted to see her again. Besides, he didn’t have much to entertain him that day.

Reggie had plans for the day with Camila, plans Reggie didn’t sound thrilled about. Aaron also could have unhooked Bertha from the trailer and driven over to Chattanooga for the day, but he wasn’t in the mood to do that. So he’d chosen to do what he normally did when in a new city, play tourist and visit the sites listed on the town’s Chamber of Commerce website. Hence the reason for asking Kacey to go with him to the county museum. It might not be exciting to most people, but he always enjoyed learning the little quirks about the history of the various places he visited. No better place to do that than the museum.

He strolled toward the college so he could catch Kacey when she left. He didn't doubt she would find an excuse to skip out on hanging with him. He passed a ball field with a group of boys playing baseball, and he stopped to watch. His cell rang about ten minutes after he’d leaned against the fence.

He pulled out the phone and raised a brow when he saw his sister’s best friend Liz’s number.

Aaron cringed. Normally he wouldn’t mind chatting with Liz, but with Janiyah’s grand expectations about Aaron and Liz’s few hookups, he worried what this call was about.

“Hey, Liz,” Aaron answered.

“I’m just giving you a heads-up about Janiyah.” Liz’s straightforward drawl came through the phone.

Aaron chuckled. “Too late, Kareem called a few days ago. Is this about her getting it into her head that you and I are a couple?”

“Yes. I think this pregnancy has gone to her brain and now she wants everyone married and happy.”

Aaron leaned forward and watched the boys playing baseball. They appeared to range in age from ten to twelve, and they spent more time arguing and stumbling through plays than actually playing.

“Did you tell her we’re just friends?” Aaron asked.

“I did, but she barely listened. I figured I’d call so you wouldn’t think I put the idea in her head.”

“I didn’t think that. We both knew what was up when we hooked up.”

“Yeah…but you know Janiyah. When she goes in, she goes hard.”

“Tell me about it. Don’t worry, I’ll set her straight.”

“That would be great. I’ve talked till I was blue in the face.”

Liz sighed and Aaron pictured the redhead rolling her eyes behind her purple square-framed glasses. Aaron liked Liz, and not just because they’d hooked up several times. She’d been Janiyah’s sensible anchor for years, and she kept his sister from making too many mistakes. But behind her dry sense of humor and straitlaced exterior, she had a fun side that she only let out on few occasions. It had been enough of a juxtaposition to pique Aaron’s interest in her. And when things ran their course, she’d agreed to move on with no hysterics or drama. They’d remained friends, which made her even cooler in his book.

“How are things with you and that architect?”

Liz grunted. “Going. Where, I don’t know, but for now we’re kinda on again.”

“You can do better, Liz.”

“Now you sound like Janiyah. She thinks you’re better, so watch you who say that around.”

Aaron nodded, even though she couldn’t see. The boys on the field started arguing again. Aaron frowned; there was enough talent on the team for them to be playing better. He wondered where the coach was. If they had direction, they could be decent.

“I’ll do that. Hey, Liz, I’ve got to go.”

“Sure, I’ll talk with you later.”

Aaron agreed, then hung up the phone to watch the kids. One boy hit a foul ball that flew to where Aaron stood. Aaron easily caught the ball. He jumped the chain-link fence and jogged over to the kid who’d hit the ball.

“Thanks, mister,” the kid said. He was short and thick with dark skin and a head full of dark, curly hair.

Aaron tossed the ball over to him. “You guys aren’t bad.”

The kid snorted, and another boy who played umpire behind him snickered. “How long have you been watching us play?”

Aaron shrugged. “For about twenty minutes.”

The umpire shook his head. “Then you definitely haven’t watched long enough to know that we suck.”

“You don’t suck. Most of you hit pretty well, and you’ve got some speed on the team. You’re just not utilizing your strengths.” Aaron looked around for another adult. “Where’s your coach?”

A few other boys ran over. The tallest, a lanky kid with sandy skin and green eyes, sized Aaron up. In the few minutes Aaron watched them play, he’d noticed the boy naturally took the lead on the field. “That’s my dad.”

“Is he here?”

“He got deployed. Two weeks ago. He did a good job coaching us.”

Aaron held up his hand and took a step back. “Hey, I’m sure he’s a great coach. He played ball?”

The kid kicked the dirt and glanced away. “Not really, but he watches it a lot.”

“You can learn a lot from watching, and even more from playing.”

The kid’s head snapped up. “You played?”

“A little. All of high school and in college for a year. I tried out for the minors, but changed my mind before signing the contract.”

The stocky kid’s eyes widened. “Why in the world didn’t you sign the contract? Are you crazy?”

Aaron laughed. The kid sounded a lot like David had back when he’d turned down the contract.

“I guess you can call me crazy. It just wasn’t for me. I still play games here and there.” Not as much as he’d like. Aaron did miss playing sometimes.

The unofficial leader of the group leaned his baseball bat over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes at Aaron. “So, what, you offering to coach us now?”

“Whoa, hold up, I’m not saying all that,” Aaron said, holding up his hands. “You guys have talent. I’ve just got a few suggestions on how to utilize that.”

“Like what?” the boy asked.

The rest of the team surrounded Aaron and stared at him with a mixture of interest and skepticism. There was no way he was going to coach the team, but spending a few minutes helping them out wouldn’t hurt. Especially since their coach was away.

“Well, for one you’ve got the wrong guy playing shortstop. He’d do better as a first baseman. Then you can put your first baseman in that position.” Aaron pointed to another tall kid who’d run the bases in no time earlier. “You’re fast, and you’d do well there. Your shortstop should be fast and have mobility.”

The tall kid frowned. “But I’ve never played shortstop.”

“Trust me,” Aaron said. “You’d make a great shortstop.” The kids appeared skeptical. “Come on, let me show you.”

Aaron ran the kids through a few defensive drills with the tall kid, named Lenny, at shortstop instead of first baseman. When Lenny easily accomplished a double out, where the previous shortstop had struggled, the team immediately perked up and asked Aaron for other suggestions. Aaron got caught up in helping the kids. Laughing, running, and listening to the good-natured rivalry between the kids brought back the happiness he’d once felt when he played. He’d liked to win when he played ball, but even more, he liked the camaraderie that he’d gotten from his team. The feeling that no matter what, win or lose, the team had his back.

“You’re good on defense,” Marcus, the green-eyed kid he’d identified as the leader, said. “But can you hit?”

Aaron waved a hand and blew air through his lips. “Can I hit? Of course I can hit.”

Marcus tossed the ball from one hand to the other. “Bet you can’t hit my fastball.”

A few of the boys on the team snickered, and the others let out a few “oohs.” Aaron never backed down from a challenge. “All right, kid, let me see your fastball.”

The boys cheered and Aaron strolled over to home plate. Movement at the fence caught his attention. Kacey leaned against the fence, her bike on the ground beside her and a big grin on her face. Something primal stirred in his chest—a mixture of exhilaration and possessiveness—knowing she stood there waiting for him. Her orange top brought out the red undertones of her skin. His gaze slid over her slim curves. How in the world had he ever thought she was too skinny?

“Sorry, fellas,” Aaron called to Marcus but didn’t take his eyes off Kacey. “But I’ve got a date.”

A round of catcalls rang through the team. Kacey shook her head, the ponytail she seemed to prefer wearing swishing back and forth behind her head.

“Don’t use me as an excuse to avoid Marcus’s fastball,” she yelled from the fence. “I’ve seen it, and even I’m not sure you’ll hit it.”

Aaron’s brows rose, and he gently swung the bat back and forth. “Oh, you’re doubting my abilities?”

She shrugged. “You’re the one trying to run away.”

The boys laughed. Marcus pointed at Kacey. “That’s what I think, too, Miss Kacey.”

Aaron got into stance beside the plate and smirked at Marcus. “Throw the ball.”

Marcus’s fastball was good. Aaron would admit that, and to give the boy, and the team, the boost of confidence they needed, he missed the first two pitches on purpose.

Kacey leaned over the fence. “What’s that about your abilities?”

Aaron shook his head and got into stance. This time when Marcus pitched, Aaron hit the ball with strength and precision. A resounding
crack
as the bat struck the ball silenced the boy’s snickers, and they all watched, openmouthed, as the ball flew over the back fence.

Aaron propped the bat on his shoulder. “I could run the bases, but why waste the energy?”

The stocky kid, Jerry, jumped up and cheered. “That was awesome!”

The team ran over, including Marcus, and raved over Aaron’s home run.

Marcus raised his hands. “Hey, guys, calm down.” He turned to Aaron and crossed his arms. “You’re an all-right player, so I’m going to make you an offer.”

Aaron cocked his head to the side. “Oh, really?”

“Really.” The boy rubbed his chin. “I’m going to let you coach us, seeing as how my dad’s out of the country.”

The boys quickly grew excited. Aaron shook his head. “Today was fun, but I’m only in town for another week.”

“But you’re going into business with Mr. Holmes, right?”

Aaron’s brows drew together. He knew the town was small, and news traveled in small towns, but he hadn’t expected the local kids to know his business. “Yeah.”

Marcus shrugged as if things were settled. “Then you’ve gotta come back. We’ve got another ten days until the season starts with the recreation commission. We can meet here on Tuesdays and Saturdays and get prepared.”

Lenny slapped his hands together. “That’s a great idea!”

Aaron felt the tightening noose of responsibility around his neck. The kids were fun, and he had enjoyed playing ball with them, but he couldn’t commit to coaching. He didn’t live here. He was far from settling permanently in Resilient or anywhere. Hell, his apartment in Columbia basically served as a permanent hotel room, he was in and out of town so briefly.

“I really can’t, boys.”

The disappointment in their faces sucker-punched him. He could practically see the confidence they’d gained in one afternoon drift away.

Aaron sighed. “Look, I’ll help out while I’m in town. I’ll come back on Tuesday and next Saturday. Maybe we’ll throw in Thursday afternoon, too.”

The smiles returned, though not as bright as before. Marcus looked around at the team. The boys nodded. Marcus turned back to Aaron and held out his hand. “Deal.”

Aaron smiled and shook the boy’s hand. “Deal.” He glanced at Kacey, still leaning against the fence watching him. “Now, I’ve really got to go. Here’s another lesson: Never leave a pretty girl waiting.”

The boys laughed and teased as Aaron jogged away from the group and over to Kacey. Her brown eyes sparkled like topaz in the sunlight. Admiration, or something close to it, shone in their depths. The urge to lean over the fence and kiss her senseless struck. He licked his lips in anticipation and leaned in. Her eyes widened and her lips parted. Aaron blinked and looked away. If the kids knew he was working with Reggie, then he was pretty sure word would get back to Reggie if Aaron kissed Kacey in the park.

“Nice hit,” she said. He swore disappointment filled her voice.

“Hey, you doubted my skills.”

“I never said that.”

“You implied.”

Her smile sent heat through his veins. “Maybe I did. Just a little.” She held her thumb and pointer finger a few centimeters apart.