Colby (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #6) Read online

  The tears build up and I push them away, because I’m a thirty-six-year old woman who wants to be married, have kids, and a career. But does Colby want that? He said he did. Now, the big question is does he want it with me?

  Because I’m falling in love with him.

  I make it back into dinner, and no one asks me anything and I’m glad for it. The rest of dinner goes smoothly and soon, Colby and I are in my car heading back to his place. Last night, I brought more clothes over. I seem to have made myself right at home and it seems right.

  Colby is stretched out on the couch, and I prop his leg up with pillows and sit on the edge of the couch. I can talk to the baddest gangsters, murderers, and thugs in Memphis, but right now, I’m almost shaking because I’m so nervous to talk to Colby.

  “Are your parents or sister coming anytime soon?” Maybe starting out slow is the best way to start this.

  “Define soon. They’re supposed to come down, but we haven’t set a firm date yet. I’m so excited for you to meet them.”

  “I am too. You talk about them all the time and you know my family pretty well, so it’s only fair.” I reach for his hand and he holds me tightly. “How are you feeling? Do you need anything why I am up?”

  “I’m fine; all I need is you.”

  I smile. “Aw, look at you being all sweet tonight. Trying to cash in on one of your rewards or something?” I joke with him so easily it’s as if we’ve done it all our lives.

  “Maybe.” His grin brightens.

  “Sex is out and you know that. And don’t even suggest me being on top because that still puts pressure on you. But,” I stop because I don’t want to keep talking about sex. I’m sure he wants it as badly as I do. “It was nice of my parents to offer you a ride to rehab right? You don’t think they were overstepping or anything.”

  “It was really nice. They definitely don’t have to. Hell, if it comes down to it, I can always try driving with my left foot. Think that will work?”

  “No, it won’t work, and if you do try it, I’ll have a cop pull you over, for sure.” I can just see him swerving all over the road.

  “I’m sure they have better things to do though. I love that they seem to care enough to want to offer, but I feel bad that everyone has to do something to help me.”

  “You’re family. Remember Mom told you.” My nerves get the best of me as I wait to see if he caught on to what she meant.

  “I know. I’m thinking when my family comes, we should have one big family dinner. What do you think?”

  “Mom will love it, and Dad will have all the background checks done by then,” I laugh.

  “Oh, I think he’s already done them,” Colby chuckles.

  “You’re probably right.” I can’t keep delaying this. I can hear Duke in my head telling me to cowboy up and say it, but it shouldn’t be hard, right? This should be easy. “I’m sorry I ran out during dinner for a few minutes. I just needed some space to clear my head.”

  “It’s okay. Everything all right? It’s not like I can do a lot but talk if something is bothering you, but I’d try to help. I care about you.” He touches my cheek and I lean into his hand.

  “I know you do and I do you. When Mom called you family, it threw me for a second because she’s treats you as if we’re, you know, really serious. I love that she does, don’t get me wrong, but it triggered a small female breakdown, and I’m trying to process it all because it’s big, and I don’t know how to say it to you.”

  He softly strokes my cheek. “She treats me like that because we are really serious. They all treat me like family because they like me. Maybe, because they think I’ll stick around for a long time since they can see how much you mean to me. They can see how I’ve fallen in love with you.”

  There it is. The word, or words, I’ve been waiting to hear. He said them to me. He said them first. “You really have?” I am shocked.

  “Yeah, I really have.” He smiles.

  “I’ve fallen for you too. It’s why I freaked out when Mom called you family, because I thought it was too fast and we met online. But you keep telling me to ride the wave, and my family says almost the same thing. And I’m scared because you’re injury changes things, Colby. You could be traded, or move, or something else that’s not here in Memphis. I don’t like not knowing.” It’s a lot to say to him, and I know I’m rambling, but I want to get it all out.

  “My injury doesn’t really change things, Ariella. Look, if you’re in Memphis, I’ll end up in Memphis. That’s something you can know for sure, okay?” He drops his hand from my face and squeezes my hand with both of his.

  I’m in shock. Nowhere in this conversation did I think he would say those words to me. He declares his love and then this.

  “Colby, I don’t know what to say. I think I just fell even more in love with you because you said that. I want to be where you are too. I mean it. If it came down to it, I could leave Memphis; it’d be hard, but for you...I would.”

  “I wouldn’t ask you to do that. This is your home, and it should stay your home. Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here. We don’t even know how much longer I’ll play, or if I’ll be able to return to full form again. This isn’t my first tear, Ariella. The first one I had was just as bad and required surgery, too. My career is up in the air, and I have no clue what’ll happen until it happens.”

  “Then let’s make a deal, a real pact.” I lean in closer to him, looking him right in the eye. “I promise not to have any more girly flip outs, you promise to do your best to get well, and we remain in love and we will face whatever path we end up on? Deal?”

  “Deal, beautiful. I think it’s only truly a sealed deal if you kiss me.” He grins.

  “I agree.” I close the distance between us and kiss his lips.

  I pace the office a bit. The Apprehension Team heard of the whereabouts of Dice and they’re supposed to be picking him up now. I need this punk kid in this building to make sure he isn’t on the streets hurting anyone else.

  “Ariella, sit down. They’ll call.” Duke chomps down on a handful of popcorn.

  “We have to catch him. We have to do it today.”

  Just then, Duke’s phone rings, and I stop to listen. “Okay. Thanks.” He hangs it up. “Dice wasn’t there.”

  I growl and fall into my chair. Another lead that becomes a dead end.

  “SUGAR DADDY!” HECTOR yells from across the weight room. “What are you doing here?”

  “I just left rehab. Thought I’d make sure y’all were working hard. Anyone want a pair of crutches?” I’m about two seconds away from tossing the damn things. I’ll be glad when I can go without them.

  “You can keep them,” Roman says with a laugh.

  “How’s the knee feeling?” Jordan asks.

  I shrug. “Like I tore my ACL and had surgery. Rehab is going to be long and borderline torture.”

  “Think you’ll be ready for next season?” Tanner looks hopeful and serious for the first time ever.

  “Should be.” I wasn’t lying when I told Ariella my career was one big question mark at this point. Sure, I should be able to come back, but I feel like there’s this dark cloud hanging over my head, waiting to let loose a torrent of rain.

  “Need us to do anything for you?” Trent asks.

  “No, I’m good, thanks. Ariella and her family have been very helpful. Her mom should actually be here in a minute to pick me up and take me home. Good luck this weekend.”

  “Thanks,” they say.

  “Don’t be a stranger,” Felix adds.

  “I won’t.” I turn to leave, but remember something. “I’m having a get together. Y’all will have that day off, and I expect y’all to be there. I’ll text the details. My family will be there and Ariella and her family will be there. Bring your family, too.”

  “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.”