Stealing Reese (Wildcat Graduates Book 5), page 14
“You’re all done here, Montgomery. See you at practice bright and early on Monday.” He shakes hands with everyone and takes his leave, the scout and my parents making dinner arrangements in his absence.
As I listen to them decide on where to go, I replay his words in my mind on a never-ending loop until Delilah comes to stand at my side. Her arms wrap around mine as she leans into me.
“This is amazing, Dee,” she says quietly. The excitement in her voice is audible as she tries to keep calm. She understands how my parents behave enough to know an outburst would not be appreciated at a time like this, regardless of how epic this is for me.
Breaking free from the repetitive loop I’m in, I turn my head to her. “I did it,” is all I can say before we’re following my parents and Mr. Craig from the field and off to the restaurant.
I really did it.
“How many has that been today?” Xana asks when I end the call I’m on. It’s Wednesday, four days since the Astros scout approached me about their interest. Three days since I began receiving offers from other pro teams. Two days since I began hiding out at Daniels’ house, needing an escape from all the attention I’ve garnered with the offer. Apparently word travels fast on a smaller campus.
“Three,” I reply while sitting down beside her on the couch. We’re done with classes for the afternoon and I caught a ride with her over here. Easier to stay off grid if my Jeep remains at school.
“Who was it today?” She leans on my side and wraps her arms around mine in comfort.
“Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, and the Diamondbacks, but they’ve already called once this week.”
“Wow, sure sounds like you have more options than you ever thought possible. I’m proud of you, Dill.” Her sincere words make me smile, honored she feels that way. Always supportive of those she’s close to. No wonder Noel snatched her up, right and proper, by putting a ring on her finger. She’s something else.
“Thanks, Red. Any chance I can steal you away from him?” I tease, lightening the mood a touch.
She laughs at my words, but the tiniest little part of me does wish she could be stolen away. Having someone like her to talk to would make all this easier, but the one person who would listen to what’s in my head right now I pushed away. All because I didn’t think I could have her and baseball at the same time. I chose baseball over her, so now I have to live with the results of that. She’s moved on, and I’m glad, yet a piece - a large one - of me holds on to hope that she’s not completely over me.
“You couldn’t handle me,” she grins, “I’m a hot mess.” Her giggly laughter lights up her face and I lean back to better look at her.
“Hot? Yes. Mess? Never,” I wink, receiving a slap to the chest for it.
“Flirt,” she accuses without any irritation.
We sit quietly for a while, watching some documentary on Renaissance Art and waiting for our friends to show up. How Noel watches this boring stuff with her is beyond my comprehension.
“Have you talked to Reese?” she whispers so low I almost can’t understand the words.
“No.”
“You should,” she suggests, her voice remaining at a near whisper. “Even if it’s just to remain friends. You can never have too many.”
Her words aren’t lost on me. Delilah’s been hounding me, adamant that enough time has passed to have a civil conversation. I’ve thought a great deal about calling her before to apologize, and since Saturday night’s offer the urge to do so has only intensified. The need to hear her voice is growing stronger every day.
“Maybe,” I relent, knowing full well she’s right and won’t continue this conversation further at my admission. She’s not one to press the subject.
Slouching down more comfortably beside me on the couch, she settles into her seat until finally drifting asleep. She looks tired, but I didn’t expect her to pass out so quickly. Taking control of the remote, I find something more appealing to watch after kicking my sock covered feet on top of the coffee table.
Staring at the television, thoughts of Reese run through my mind, increasing the urge to call her. I pick up my phone and place my thumb on the number programmed for her, hesitant to make the actual call. What if she refuses to answer? How will I handle that?
“So you still haven’t talked to him?” Audrey’s question doesn’t surprise me. She’s only the tenth person to ask that same thing. No one was interested in our relationship when we were an item, save Xana, so why do they feel the need to get nosey now?
“We’ve already established that fact. Not only that, but I do happen to be dating someone else, remember?”
It’s not like anyone could forget Tyler Greyson. He’s six feet of Roman god handsomeness with a musculature to match, bright blue eyes and an olive complexion I’m partly jealous of. The way he fills out a pair of jeans and tee shirt should be the NBA’s prerequisite for playing professional basketball. He’s just that good looking even though he has a lankier appearance than that of Dillon. Now, that body is what baseball pants were made to cover. Hot as a grand slam hit in the very last bat of the World Series.
“Like I could forget him,” she sighs, “Basketball players have always been my weakness.”
“You finally over your crush on Jaxon?” I love bringing up the thing she had for Blain’s best friend. It’s a crush we both shared until he and my brother graduated high school and left El Dorado.
“Yeah, he wasn’t for me, anyway.” she brushes off the subject to switch it back to me. “But, Dillon sounds pretty good for you.”
“Aud,” I sigh, tired of talking about a pointless subject.
“No, the two of you had a lot in common, and from what you’ve told me, the chemistry was off the charts strong. Am I right?” I remain silent, not wanting my answer to encourage her. “I’ll take that as a yes. Do you have the same spark with Tyler?” There it is, the question of the month.
“It’s different with him, I’ve told you that, but our relationship is good.”
“You sure about that?”
“I’m sure. What’s with the twenty questions?” Yeah, she’s always been pushy as hell, but we’ve already had this discussion.
“Just checking. I’ll quit,” she gives in, then shuffles the phone clumsily. I move the phone away to avoid the loud noise she makes and bring it back to my ear when the noise disappears.
“Well, stop. Tyler and I are together, so let it go. I mean it,” I reply a little harsher than intended.
“Okay! Promise. I’m sorry about that,” her apology is interrupted by a ding from my phone.
“Look, someone’s calling. I’ll talk to you this weekend,” I say before ending the call with a goodbye. Thank goodness she didn’t realize it wasn’t a call, but a text.
CLUTCH: Hi.
Dillon. I haven’t heard from him since....
ME: Hi. How are you?
I know about all of the offers he’s gotten from the pros. Wanting to congratulate him has been on the forefront of my mind, but uncertainty of our current status keeps me from approaching him.
CLUTCH: Good. Are you busy?
ME: No. Done for the afternoon.
RING.
“Hey,” I answer Dillon’s call, nervous about why he’s calling. I don’t want to argue or fight with him.
“Pieces,” he says quietly. There’s the name that I’ve always loved to hear. He’s the only one who uses it.
“What’s wrong?” His voice sounds different, strained somehow.
He releases a long sigh, then says, “I guess you’ve heard about the Astros offer.”
“Yeah, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.” I am. No one knows better than me how much he wants this.
“You are? Even after what happened?”
“Of course. I know what it means to you, how hard you’ve worked for this chance.”
Awkward silence filters through the phone, both of us unsure what to say. “I’m sorry,” he utters in a tone that’s overflowing with remorse. “I messed up with you.”
“Dillon,” I begin before he cuts off my oncoming protest.
“No, I did. I let my past relationship with my parents cloud my judgment on how to treat you. I knew you supported my decisions and wouldn’t keep me from reaching them, but I still failed to realize the way I pushed you away wasn’t necessary.” He takes a deep breath before continuing, “You would have given me the space I needed if I’d only talked to you. For that, I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that, and seeing you with Tyler that night’s what made me see that.”
WOW. What can I say to that? I’m thrown by his apology - grateful for it, sure - but it’s too late, isn’t it?
“I didn’t call to upset you. I just wanted to talk to someone who understood.” His simple admission takes my breath away, melts any lingering anger I have toward him. He’s still that lost guy that let me in.
“It may be too late for us, but you can always talk to me. I can’t even imagine how crazy things have gotten for you since this weekend.” This makes him laugh and me smile at how we seem to have worked things out between us for the most part. I hate the rift that had grown between us.
“It’s been quite the circus around here,” he chuckles, not quite as happily as is normal for him. Things must really be weighing him down.
“Are you whispering?”
“Yeah, I had to hide out from all the attention everyone seems to be throwing at me because of the pro offers. I’m at Daniels’ house and Xana just fell asleep on the couch beside me. She gave me a lift so no one would know I was here.”
“Does he know you’re with her?” We all know nothing will ever happen between her and any other guy, but Noel’s protective alpha side doesn’t need any provocation.
“Yeah, he told me she was coming here when I talked to him at lunch. So I’m safe,” he chuckles.
“Oh, Clutch, you’re laughing now, but even I know not to poke the bear when it comes to her,” I chastise, laughing along with him. I’m not dumb, and neither is he. I’ve seen how Noel hovers over her since I’ve been at SAU. He’s always focused on her. Lucky girl.
“No poking from me. I’m not an idiot,” he retorts with a grunt that causes me to giggle.
“Anyway, tell me all about what’s going through that head of yours. I’m all ears,” I tell him, settling back on my bed and getting comfy. We have a lot to catch up on.
He received more calls than I can count the entire time we were talking. The constant beeps of incoming calls and texts about drove me nuts, so I can only imagine how they must drive him crazy on an hourly basis.
BEEP.
Ty.
“Finally, it’s not a call for me,” he chuckles with relief. “I’ll talk to you later?” his quiet question pulls at something inside me. It sounds hopeful, yet lightly pleading.
“I’ve always got an ear you can bend, Clutch.”
“Thanks, Pieces. I’ve missed our talks. Bye.” He hangs up immediately leaving me to stare at my cell before Ty’s ringtone jolts me into action. I haven’t even begun to process what all just transpired.
“Hey.”
“Hey, babe. I missed you at lunch.” His baritone voice soothes my thoughts as the goosebumps they give me spread over my skin. It’s so different from Dillon’s. There’s just something about the way the timbre of Ty’s voice sounds like a cross between John Wayne and Sean Connery - minus the Scottish accent. Deep and rumbly, not quite reaching a growl.
“Yeah, I needed that extra time to study for that test. Found out there were extra questions on it he didn’t tell us about. Ugh.”
“Ha! Yeah, they like to do that. So, how do you think you did?” he shuffles the phone with a soft crinkle noise.
“Good. It wasn’t nearly as bad as they made it out to be,” I smile, remembering how simple the extra questions and additional essay were.
“They’re just not as good at taking tests as you are,” he disagrees like always.
“Whatever,” I dismiss his comment. “What are you calling for?”
“Can’t I just call to talk?” he scoffs, pretending to be offended. It’s cute, really.
“Sure, but it’s almost time for you to get to practice, so a nice chat is off the table,” I call him out on his bullshit, both of us laughing.
“Yeah, yeah. Such a smarty pants. Aaron’s going to some drama thing with Summer, so I wanted to see if you’d like to hang out here rather than in your room.”
“Aaron at something involving drama? Are you joking?” I ask in disbelief.
“Serious as the IRS.”
“So, they’re like, dating now?”
“Looks that way. You wanna hang out here?”
“Okay. I need to whip you again in Mortal Kombat anyway,” I tease. The last time we played he was barely able to score against me. Aaron’s distractions didn’t help him, either. It was hilarious.
“We’ll see,” he tells me, clearly unworried about losing to me again.
“Sure will. Now go before you’re late. You don’t wanna run laps again.” Colby was late last week and the team had to run sprints ‘til they nearly puked. No one was thrilled with him after that.
“Screw that,” he mutters. “See you at dinner. Later, babe.”
“Call me,” I reply quickly before he hangs up.
Plugging my phone up to the charger I turn, gathering a load of dirty clothes to take downstairs to the laundry area. After filling the free washer with colored clothing, I make myself comfortable on the dark blue sofa, pulling out my kindle to search for a new book to start. It isn’t until I’ve scrolled through my library twice that I realize I’m not paying any attention, my thoughts focused on Dillon and all we discussed earlier.
I’m worried about all the new opportunities he’s being presented with overwhelming him. I fear he’ll get taken advantage of. Nervous about how his parents will respond to his success. Which team will be the best fit if he even decides to go pro right now and not after graduation.
How sad am I, worrying about someone I’m no longer involved with, even if it was his decision that pushed me away?
Perhaps being friends with him isn’t going to be as easy as I think it will be.
“Dillon called me today,” I delicately inform Tyler as we sit alone in the dining hall. He’s just gotten out of practice and since he appears to be in a good mood I thought now was the best time to tell him. I know he still has issues with how things unfolded the last time I spoke to him, but I’m hopeful this will resolve some of them.
Tyler places his spoon on his plate, giving me his full attention. His brows are pinched and his mouth is clenched together in a straight, expressionless manner. Oh, this is going to go so well. Great idea, Reese.
“What did he want?” His words are slow and careful as he tries not to react enough to make me upset. Taking a sip of my tea, I carefully gather my words.
“He wanted to apologize...for everything.” Holding his gaze, I wait as he mulls over what I’ve said.
“Everything?” He sits back in his chair, relaxing his body into a non-confrontational pose. This simple movement lessens the knots that have taken up residence in my belly.
“Ignoring me. Pushing me away. The fight. All of it.”
“How do you feel about that?” I hear the unspoken question he’s really wanting to ask.
“I forgave him, but our relationship was kinda doomed before it really got started. We’re in a good place right now, just as friends,” I reach out to place my hand on his knee. “You’re the guy that I’m in a relationship with now. A relationship I want.”
His face softens as he twines his fingers with mine on his leg. “You’re sure he’s not in the picture anymore?” I get it. He’s well aware of how hurt I was because of Dillon. “If you still want him, you have feelings for him, tell me now. I’ve been in a love triangle before and refuse to do it again.” His words aren’t unexpected, yet they twist my gut just the same.
“I think of him as a friend to talk to, nothing more. We gave it a shot, and it didn’t work, We’re not exactly going to be hanging out all the time, if ever, but we’re not enemies. Can you deal with that?”
We look at each other for several minutes, our eyes searching for answers to unspoken questions and fears. Dating someone who’s right out of a relationship isn’t exactly recommended so, I understand the gravity of his situation.
“I’ll be honest You talking to him even as friends will not be easy for me to handle, but as long as no line is crossed, I’ll deal with it. That’s all I can promise you right now.”
“That makes me happy,” I smile, relishing the moment as I lean against him. “I don’t want any secrets.”
“I like no secrets,” he sighs, kissing my temple. “Let’s eat before our food gets any colder.” We break out in laughter when my stomach rumbles loud enough for the person walking past to hear. “You didn’t eat lunch, did you?” he raises a brow as he looks me over. My stomach growls just as loud a second time, embarrassing me further. “I didn’t think so,” he shakes his head then places the piece of chicken on his fork to my mouth. “Eat.”
“Bossy,” I retort before the proffered morsel. It’s really good and my stomach agrees, urging me to dive into my own plate of food.
Our meal passes with conversation returning to normal, easy and light-hearted. My truce, so to speak, with Dillon hasn’t made any obvious problems between us that I can tell, and I’m thankful. I realize there will be some tension remaining, but that can lessen with time.
Being myself with Tyler is easy and being with such a nice guy makes me lucky to be his girlfriend.
“Reese!” I hear my name called in an all too familiar voice as Tyler, Aaron, and I turn the corner on our way to the cafeteria steps.
“Who’s the redhead barreling toward us?” Aaron says as she rushes to us.
“Hey, Xana,” I greet her when she nearly knocks me over with a hug.
“I was gonna call you,” she grins, stepping away from me. “Hi, Tyler,” she smiles at him just as Noel, Stacy and Cade walk up to us. “I’m Xana,” she tells Aaron, “and this is Noel, Cade and Stacy.”
